Chapter 87: Being Chosen-1
He held her tighter for a moment longer, feeling her body tremble softly against his. Then Damien gently pulled back just enough to look into her shining, tear-streaked eyes.
“Let’s talk, okay?” he said softly, his voice rough with everything he wasn’t saying-but desper ately wanted her to hear.
Maya swallowed hard, biting her lip as if summoning courage from somewhere deep inside. Then she nodded, slow and steady.
“But before that…” he said quietly.
He cupped her face in his hands, thumbs brushing over her cheeks. Then he kissed her-soft, smooth, deep, and full of longing. The kind of kiss that spoke of all the seconds he’d missed
her.
“I missed you… so much,” he whispered against her lips.
Maya’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. Her breath hitched, heart pounding. She smiled shyly, eyes sparkling as she whispered back, “I missed you too… more than I thought I could.”
He held her close a moment longer before stepping back, a slow smile spreading across his lips.
He took her hand and led her toward the table. “Have a seat. Let’s enjoy what you prepared… and talk over dinner.”
Damien pulled out the chair for her, his fingers brushing hers as she settled in. He took his own seat opposite her, eyes never leaving her face.
For a moment, neither spoke. The candlelight flickered between them, shadows dancing across the table. The quiet clink of cutlery broke the silence as they both reached for the
prawns.
Maya’s fingers fumbled slightly with the peeling, her gaze flickering nervously to Damien’s.
He offered a small, encouraging smile. “You know, these might just be the best prawns I’ve
ever had.”
She smiled back, warmth blooming in her chest. “You said that last time too.”
Damien grinned, teasing.
“Well, every moment with you is better than the last. Besides, you weren’t officially my
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Chapter 87 Being Chosen 1
girlfriend then. So this… this is different.”
As they ate, the conversation began-slow at first, careful. Each word a tentative step across a fragile bridge.
Damien’s gaze softened as he cut into his food, then looked up.
“When we came back inside last night, you were already gone. James said you and Harper went for a walk?”
Maya nodded, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah… and I got a bit of a beating too.” She lifted her hands. “Not literally-but you know… Harper-style.”
Damien raised a brow, mouth twitching. “Same. Nick gave me an earful too.” He leaned in, narrowing his eyes playfully. “What’d she do, drag you into a motivational ambush?”
Maya laughed, light and real. “Pretty much. She called me a coward five different ways, reminded me you’re not the kind of guy who lets people in… and told me I’d be an idiot if I didn’t stop running and fight for you. Then gave me a whole lecture about love.”
Damien’s chest tightened. His voice dropped, rough with wonder. “She said that?”
Maya nodded, cheeks warming.
“Yeah. And… she also told me to either grow some claws or hand her the keys-because she might as well gift-wrap you and deliver you to one of the Barbies in our department. Or auction you off online. She’s pretty sure half the women on the internet would fight to the death and pay a fortune for you.”
Damien chuckled low. “Remind me to thank Ms. Lin for the vote of confidence.”
Maya exhaled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You know… Harper said something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.”
She hesitated, then added, voice low and honest, “She said love doesn’t follow rules or timelines. It just… happens. And when it does, you either fight for it-or spend the rest of your life wondering what could’ve been.”
Damien didn’t move. But she could feel the weight of his attention like a physical touch.
“She also said every time I feel like running, I should remind myself why I took the risk in the first place. Because if I keep letting fear decide for me… I’ll never know what this could really
be.”
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.