Damien's footsteps echoed as he left Liyana's office, his presence still lingering in the room long after the door clicked shut behind him. The air felt thick with the tension that had been left unresolved, and Liyana stood there for a moment, rooted to the spot, her heart pounding in her chest.
She hadn't expected any of it. The kiss had taken her by surprise. The way he'd claimed her—fiercely, almost recklessly—was something she couldn't wrap her head around. She knew she should have been angry. She should've been furious, but all she could feel was the heat that still burned on her lips and the weight of his words hanging heavily in her mind.
"You've got me by the leash, Liyana…"
The phrase kept echoing in her mind, but she couldn't make sense of it. Was this just another power move? Another way to assert control? Or was it something more? She couldn't tell.
Her hands shook slightly as she reached for the desk, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the spot where Damien had just been. She needed air. She needed to clear her head, to escape this storm of emotions. Without thinking, she rushed to the restroom, her heels clicking loudly on the floor as she made her way to the bathroom.
The moment Liyana stepped into the restroom, she slammed the door behind her and leaned against it, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to breathe. She didn't know what to do with herself, with all the feelings swirling inside her. She'd never been so disoriented, so completely thrown off balance by a man before.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Liyana's breath hitched. She looked… disheveled. Her cheeks were flushed, a deep pink color staining the skin as if she had been kissed all over. Her dark brown hair, usually so perfect, now fell loosely around her shoulders, strands sticking to her flushed face.
Her blouse was slightly unbuttoned, the top button undone in a way she didn't remember doing. She felt the warmth of her skin against the cool air of the restroom, a reminder of how Damien had caressed her during that kiss. The way his hands had moved over her body, tracing along her neck and shoulders as though he couldn't get enough of her. She could still feel the slight pressure of his fingers unbuttoning her blouse, the subtle pull of his hands as he'd gently parted the fabric.
She closed her eyes for a moment, her breath shaky as she remembered the sensation of his touch. The heat of his lips against hers, the weight of his body so close to hers, the feel of his breath mingling with hers in a moment of total abandon. Every brush of his fingers had ignited something inside her, something she hadn't expected to feel. A mixture of passion and possession, a powerful force that left her trembling even now.
He had kissed her like he couldn't live without her. The thought made her heart skip a beat. She couldn't shake the way his kiss had consumed her—wild, desperate, and full of a yearning she hadn't realized he felt.
But then the cold reality of their situation hit her. This engagement, this strange relationship they had, was nothing but a business deal. Wasn't it?
Liyana's thoughts were interrupted by the sensation of a single pearl-like drop of sweat sliding down her temple. She reached up, wiping it away, her fingers trembling. She felt so exposed, so vulnerable, and she hated it.
Sighing, Liyana shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside. She couldn't let herself get lost in the moment, in the kiss, in the way Damien had looked at her as if she was the only thing that mattered. This wasn't her. She was in control, always in control. She wouldn't let this—whatever it was—consume her.
She stepped to the sink, splashing cold water on her face. The shock of the water helped clear her head slightly, but the tension remained. She stared at her reflection, her hands gripping the edges of the sink. Her flushed cheeks were still evident, but her expression was hardening, a mask slipping into place.
She took a few deep breaths, steadying herself. She had to go home. She had to get out of this office, this place where the air felt heavy with unspoken emotions.
Liyana quickly redid the buttons on her blouse, straightening her appearance as best as she could. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to tame the loose strands that had fallen out of place. The woman in the mirror was still her—strong, composed, in control. Or at least, she needed to appear that way.
As she reached for her phone to gather her things, a reminder pinged on the screen. It was from the Lu siblings.
The text read:
"Hey Mei Mei, are you still free to come over this weekend? Lu Yuhan and I are planning a fun family day! Would love for you to join us."
Liyana's chest tightened slightly. She hadn't forgotten about the weekend plan, but she hadn't been in the right frame of mind to think about it either. The reminder of her close bond with Damien's siblings grounded her a bit, bringing her back to the reality of the situation.
She stared at the message for a moment, unsure whether to feel relieved or apprehensive. It was supposed to be a casual family weekend, a day spent with Damien's younger siblings. But now, after everything that had happened—after Damien's kiss, his possessiveness—it all felt more complicated than it should be.
Still, she needed the break. She needed to clear her mind, to escape the swirling thoughts about Damien and their engagement. Liyana texted back:
"I'll be there. Looking forward to it."
She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Then, after one last glance in the mirror, she turned away and gathered her things, leaving the restroom with a final, lingering thought of Damien's touch.
She had a weekend ahead. A weekend with his family. Maybe it would help her sort through the chaos in her mind.