From Heartbreak to High Society
Chapter 21: Unexpected Exposure

Chapter 21: Unexpected Exposure

As we stepped into the elevator, my heart thudded in my chest. This was really happening. I shot a glance at Damien, seeking reassurance. His steady gaze and slight smile calmed me.

I knew employees had likely heard about the new designer for Elysian Threads, but seeing me in person, here, in Stone Mansion, was another thing entirely. I straightened my spine and held my head high, stealing another subtle glance at Damien, who seemed entirely at ease. I wished I could match his composure, but my heart raced as the elevator descended.

The doors pinged open, and we stepped into the lobby together, a sense of unreality washing over me. The whispers started almost immediately, a soft hum of curiosity and surprise. I felt my cheeks flush under the scrutiny. So this is what it’s like to be seen with the CEO, I thought.

Though I’d expected attention, the intensity of their gazes still took me aback. The staff watched us openly, their interest evident. I recognized faces from our arrival—Angela, who had helped with our move, and a few others who had been present during the chaos of settling in. I wondered what they thought of me now, the mysterious woman beside Damien Stone.

Damien’s hand at the small of my back guided me forward. I detected a protective note in his gesture, and my tension eased slightly. Together, we crossed the lobby, making our way to the entrance. The whispers followed us, a soft buzz that ebbed and flowed like the tide.

As we exited through the revolving doors, a sleek black car pulled up in front of the building. The driver, dressed in dark sunglasses and a uniform, stepped out and opened the back door.

I paused, struck by the elegance of the vehicle and the sheer opulence it represented. "It’s a company car," Damien explained, his hand still resting lightly on my back.

I nodded, stealing a glance at the employees who had gathered by the door, their eyes following our every move. I felt a twinge of sadness at leaving them behind—they had welcomed us into this new world, and now I was abandoning them for a taste of the high life.

We slipped into the backseat, and the car glided forward, leaving the curious stares of the staff behind. I watched through the tinted windows as Stone Mansion receded, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty about the path that lay ahead. Where would this road take us? I hoped it would be somewhere beautiful.

"Elysian Threads, please," Damien instructed, snapping me from my reverie. "Why there?" I asked, perplexed. "I thought we were headed to your office." I felt confused, still not entirely present in the moment.

"We are going shopping," he clarified, his eyes sweeping over me. "It seems we left the house in a hurry, and you didn’t have time to change into a suitable outfit for work." I glanced down, suddenly self-conscious, realizing I was still wearing short jeans and a t-shirt. I’d even forgotten to put on a bra; no wonder he wanted to get out of the lobby quickly—he probably didn’t want others to see me like this. My face warmed with embarrassment. "Don’t worry," he assured, though I could sense his gaze lingering on me. I couldn’t believe I’d exposed so much of myself to a stranger.

"You’re cute when you’re embarrassed," Damien said, still wearing that enigmatic smile, his eyes warm and intense. I felt my cheeks flush even more. Did he really just say that? My mind spun, processing his words. No one had ever told me that before. Most days, I felt anything but cute, especially when I was caught off-guard like this.

"Only I get to see this look," he continued, his voice softer now, sending a ripple of something indefinable through me. I couldn’t tell if it was embarrassment, desire, or some mixture of the two. My tongue felt thick, and for once, I was at a loss for words.

Before I could respond, the car pulled up in front of Horizon Bay. I heard the click of the door being unlocked and then his gentle hand on mine as he helped me out. I stepped out, the sea breeze blowing through my hair.

We walked side by side into the store, and I felt the staffs’ curious eyes on us. Damien’s presence always seemed to draw attention, and this time was no different. I kept my eyes straight ahead, my heart pounding in my chest. After all that had happened, after everything that had changed so drastically in my life, was it possible that I was falling for Damien Stone?

As we entered the store, the hostess greeted us warmly, her eyes brightening at the sight of Damien. "Welcome to Elysian Threads. How may I assist you today?" She glanced at me with a polite smile, clearly recognizing Damien but unsure of my identity.

We made our way further into the store, Damien’s hand still on the small of my back. I felt his guidance, his subtle yet steady presence that grounded me amidst the chaos of my emotions. It was as if he knew the effect he had on me and wanted to steady me, give me time to process everything that was unfurling between us.

"Choose any dress from here—it will be perfect for today," Damien assured me, waving his finger for the employees to discreetly close the store to other customers. "We have the privacy to truly explore the options now, so take your time." With that, he sat down, his eyes encouraging me to browse. I felt a rush of uncertainty—I wanted to impress him, to choose something that would make him happy, and at the same time, I wanted to ensure it would be appropriate for the workplace.

I continued to browse, my eyes scanning the elegant options before me, when a stunning pink dress caught my attention. It was a delicate shade, somewhere between blush and petal pink, and the fabric looked soft and flowing. I couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it, feeling the smooth, silky material between my fingers. It was then that I turned to Damien, holding the dress against my body, and asked for his opinion.

His gaze held mine for a moment, and I felt a rush of warmth at the intensity of his dark eyes. Then, he gave a slight nod, a silent approval that made my heart skip a beat. I practically floated towards the changing room, eager to try on the dress, feeling a tingle of excitement at the thought of surprising Damien with the reveal.

As I entered the changing room, I closed the curtain, but unbeknownst to me, it didn’t quite latch shut. I began to undress, feeling a sense of anticipation as I peeled off my t-shirt and then stepped out of my jeans. Little did I know, Damien had turned towards my changing room and, through the slight gap in the curtain, he could see everything. There I was, unaware of the show I was putting on, my breasts exposed, with only my pink slip preserving some modesty.

I heard the swift, purposeful stride of Damien’s footsteps, and then the curtain was gently but firmly pulled shut. My heart skipped a beat as I realized he was standing right behind me. "Next time, make sure to close the curtain completely," he said, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement. "You don’t want to put on a show for everyone." I felt a rush of embarrassment as I realized the extent of my unintended exhibition. My face flushed, and I couldn’t bring myself to turn around, knowing full well that Damien had just witnessed my entire undressing routine. With a final, subtle rustle of the curtain, Damien returned to his seat, leaving me alone in the changing room, my cheeks burning with a mixture of shame and a strange thrill.

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