Taming the Storm

The quiet hum of the office at night was something Damien had always appreciated. It gave him time to think without distractions, to focus on the matters that required his attention. But tonight, the silence wasn't a comfort. Instead, it left space for thoughts he didn't want to confront.

Thoughts about Serena Bennett.

He had stayed late under the pretense of finishing work, but his gaze kept drifting toward the hallway that led to the wellness center. He knew she was still there, tidying up after the day's programs. He should leave—go home and let her be.

But he didn't.

---

The Wellness Center

Serena was lost in her task, arranging pamphlets on mental health in neat rows on the counter. The soft glow of the desk lamp highlighted the curves of her face, her lips slightly pursed in concentration. She wore a simple blouse and pencil skirt, nothing flashy or provocative, yet Damien found himself unable to look away.

When she turned and saw him standing in the doorway, she jumped slightly.

"Mr. Storm," she said, her voice startled but polite. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Damien," he corrected automatically.

Serena blinked at him, surprised. "What?"

"Call me Damien," he said, stepping further into the room. His voice was lower than usual, almost a murmur, and it unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite define.

"I—okay," she said hesitantly. "Is there something you need?"

He didn't answer immediately, his gaze locked on hers. The tension in the room was palpable, and Serena felt her cheeks heat under his scrutiny.

"I should go," she said quickly, reaching for her bag. "It's late."

"Wait," Damien said, his voice stopping her in her tracks.

She turned to face him, her heart pounding. There was something in his expression—an intensity that made her breath catch.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"For what?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"For… being here," he said, the words sounding foreign even to him.

Serena frowned, unsure of what he meant. "It's my job," she said lightly, trying to break the tension.

Damien stepped closer, and she instinctively backed up until her hip hit the desk behind her. He stopped a foot away, his towering presence making her feel small and vulnerable in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant.

"You're good at it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Mr. Sto—Damien," Serena stammered, her pulse racing. "I think I should—"

"Do I intimidate you?" he interrupted, his gaze piercing.

Serena swallowed hard. "You… make me nervous sometimes," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Damien's lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile, though his eyes remained dark. "Good," he said. "Because you make me nervous too."

Serena's eyes widened, but before she could respond, Damien stepped back, breaking the moment.

"Go home, Serena," he said, his tone abruptly businesslike. "It's late."

She didn't need to be told twice. Grabbing her bag, she hurried past him, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and emotions.

---

Damien's Office

The second she left, Damien leaned against the edge of his desk, running a hand through his hair in frustration. What the hell was wrong with him? He had always prided himself on his self-control, his ability to keep emotions—and desires—at bay.

But Serena Bennett was undoing all of that.

It wasn't just her beauty, though that was undeniable. It was her spirit, her kindness, the way she stood up to him without fear. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, and it was driving him insane.

He wanted her.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. It wasn't just a fleeting attraction; it was something deeper, something dangerous. And the worst part was, he couldn't act on it. Not without crossing a line he had sworn never to cross.

But as he sat there, her scent lingering faintly in the air, Damien knew one thing for certain: avoiding Serena Bennett was no longer an option.

---

The Next Morning

Serena arrived at work early, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with Damien. She still wasn't sure what had happened last night, but she knew it had shaken her more than she wanted to admit.

Clara greeted her with a knowing smile as she stepped out of the elevator. "Good morning, Serena. You're here early."

"Just wanted to get a head start," Serena said, forcing a casual tone.

"Uh-huh," Clara said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "By the way, you'll never guess what I heard."

Serena frowned. "What?"

"Apparently, Mr. Storm personally handled Ethan's termination," Clara said, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "Word is, he didn't like the way Ethan was treating you."

Serena's stomach flipped. "What? Are you serious?"

Clara nodded. "Dead serious. I overheard HR talking about it yesterday. Mr. Storm doesn't usually get involved in things like that, but for you…"

She trailed off, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

Serena's mind raced. Why would Damien do that? It didn't make sense. He barely knew her, and their interactions were far from friendly. Yet the idea that he had gone out of his way to protect her stirred something inside her she couldn't quite name.

"Thanks for letting me know," she said finally, her voice distant.

Clara grinned. "No problem. Just thought you should know you've got the boss's attention."

Serena shook her head, trying to push the thought away as she walked to her office. But no matter how hard she tried, one question lingered in her mind:

Why did Damien Storm care about her?

---

End of Chapter 11