mysterious identity

Selena woke up to the shrill sound of her alarm, groaning as she forced her eyes open. She had barely slept the night before, her thoughts racing with anxiety about the upcoming family dinner. Normally, she was an early riser, but today, exhaustion weighed heavily on her. Still, she had no choice but to push through.

She freshened up quickly and stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection. A wave of nerves crept in as she reminded herself of the role she had to play tonight. She and Damian had to convince her family that they were a happy, loving couple. It was all a facade, but she had no intention of letting anyone see the cracks.

She recalled last night's conversation,or rather, the half-conversation she had with Damian. They hadn't finished discussing the details of their act for tonight. Determined to settle things, she walked to his room and knocked on the door.

"Come in," came his deep voice from inside.

She stepped in, only to freeze in place, her eyes widening at the sight before her. Damian stood there, freshly emerged from the shower, his strong frame draped in nothing but a towel wrapped low around his waist. Water droplets clung to his tousled dark hair, glistening as they traced paths down his sculpted chest, shimmering like tiny jewels in the dim light. The soft sound of water dripping from his skin filled the room, creating an almost hypnotic rhythm.

He ran a hand through his damp hair, the motion smooth and natural, causing his muscles to flex with the fluidity of someone at ease with their own strength. The sight of him, so effortlessly alluring, made Selena's breath catch in her throat. The room seemed to grow warmer as her pulse quickened, her thoughts momentarily lost in the magnetism he exuded. His presence, so raw and unguarded, sent a flutter through her chest, leaving her standing frozen, caught between the moment and the rising tension that hung between them.

He smirked, his eyes dark with amusement, watching her closely. "Enjoying the view, my dear wife?" he teased, his voice low and filled with a playful yet undeniable tension.

Selena's heart raced as his gaze lingered on her, the charged silence between them thickening. She felt both exposed and captivated by his presence, unable to pull her eyes away. The magnetic pull of his confidence left her momentarily lost in the moment.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with cold indifference, her expression hardening. "Get dressed first," she said, her voice steady. "We need to talk about tonight." Her words were firm.

Damian chuckled softly, the sound low and teasing. "We can talk like this if you prefer," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, stepping closer to her, his tone playful yet laced with an unspoken challenge. The warmth from his proximity seemed to fill the room, and he stood there with an air of confidence that made it difficult for Selena to ignore the magnetic pull between them.

She could feel the heat rising in her chest, and for a moment, the words she'd planned to say slipped from her mind. His presence, so commanding and intense,The way his gaze held hers, so deliberately, as if daring her to break the silence, only added to the tension that crackled in the air.

But Selena wasn't one to back down easily. She straightened, her voice steady but firm, despite the flutter in her chest. "Damian, we have more important things to discuss than your little games," she said, though the words came out with less conviction than she had hoped. The tension between them was thick, and she could feel her resolve starting to waver, but she refused to let him see that.

She turned on her heel and left the room before he could tease her further, but her heart was still pounding against her ribcage.

Downstairs, she sat at the dining table, trying to shake off the lingering image of Damian's bare torso. The maid had already prepared breakfast, and Selena focused on eating, though her mind kept drifting.

Moments later, Damian joined her, sitting across from her. He seemed completely unbothered, while she struggled to keep her expression neutral.

Without looking at him, she slid a black credit card across the table. "Go buy a suit for tonight. I've informed my driver."

Damian picked up the card but didn't take it. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes watching her. "I don't need it."

Selena frowned. "It's part of the deal. You act like my husband, and I take care of things."

"I can buy my own clothes. Keep your card," he said to her, his voice steady and resolute.

She glanced at him, a mix of surprise and disbelief crossing her face. He met her gaze without hesitation, his expression calm yet unwavering. "

For a brief moment, she was taken aback. She had expected him to take it without hesitation, considering their arrangement. Instead, he seemed almost insulted. Trying to maintain her composure, she pushed the card toward him again. "Use it if you need anything. The pin is ####."

This time, he didn't argue. He simply took the card without any change in expression. Selena, feeling an odd mix of confusion and curiosity, finished her breakfast in silence before heading to her room to prepare for work.

At the office, Selena was in her element. Employees greeted her with quiet respect as she passed, their gazes filled with admiration and just a hint of intimidation. She had built her company with relentless effort, earning her reputation as a formidable businesswoman.

As she settled into her chair, a knock sounded at her door.

"Come in."

Sera, her assistant, walked in, holding a tablet. Unlike Selena's sharp and commanding presence, Sera had a softer, more approachable aura. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she dressed in professional yet stylish attire.

"The dinner plans are confirmed,Sera informed her", her tone businesslike. "Everything is set." She glanced at her, ensuring that there was no room for doubt in her words. It was all arranged, and now, all that was left was to follow through.

Selena nodded, keeping her focus on her work. "Good. Anything else?" she asked, her tone neutral as she continued with her tasks, not looking up from what she was doing.

"Just a reminder that your father personally requested this dinner," Sera added, her voice steady. "He wants to see Damian."

Selena's jaw tightened. "I know," she replied softly, her voice tinged with a quiet frustration. She didn't elaborate, but the weight of her words hung in the air, an unspoken acknowledgment of the unease she was feeling.

Sera hesitated before adding, "Are you okay? You seem... on edge." She studied Selena closely, noticing the tension in her posture and the quiet unease that lingered in the air.

Selena exhaled slowly. "I'll be fine. It's just another performance."

Sera gave her a knowing look but didn't press further. Instead, she handed over the finalized documents before leaving the office.

An hour later, Selena and Sera attended the meeting, discussing expansion plans, upcoming launches, and strategies for the next quarter. The executives exchanged ideas, and Selena ensured that every detail aligned with her company's vision. After finalizing decisions, she adjourned the meeting.

Finishing her work, she finally prepared to head home, her mind now shifting toward the upcoming family dinner.

When Selena returned home that evening, exhaustion settled into her bones. She was mentally preparing herself for the dinner. Lost in thought, she missed a step on the staircase. Her foot slipped, and she felt herself falling—but before she could hit the ground, a strong arm caught her mid-air.

Damian's hand shot out, gripping her arm. His touch was firm yet gentle. His grip tightened slightly around her waist as he steadied her, pulling her closer. She collided with his chest, feeling the solid warmth of his body against hers.

"Careful, wife," he murmured, amusement laced in his deep voice.

Selena froze, her breath catching for a split second. She could hear his heartbeat—fast and strong, mirroring the rush of her own pulse. His warmth seeped into her, unsettling her in ways she didn't want to admit.

Forcing herself to regain composure, she took a step back. "Thank you," she said coolly, as if unaffected.

Damian smirked slightly. "No need to thank me. I'll always be here to catch you."

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver down her spine. She hated how easily he got under her skin.

"I need to get ready," she said, brushing past him toward her room.

He didn't stop her, but as she walked away, she felt his gaze lingering on her—like he knew something she didn't.

And that unsettled her more than anything else.