Few weeks later....
"No, no, no, mi encanto.... I do not like this dress. " zarri waves her hands in disapproval
"Why? What's wrong with this dress"? i put a hand on my hips and raise a brow at zarri
"Ugh" zarri drops the wine glass in her hand and walks up to me "it's a ball kashi, all the top figures in this world will be there. I will not have you... under-dressed! "she lands a kiss on my face and claps her hand "come girls take this off her" two assistance comes forward and help me undress
"Zarriii," I call out. "I've been playing dress up for 2 hours now, just pick a dress and let me go," I plead.
Zarri gives me a look the kind only a best friend can.
"Oh no, princesa, this is not about letting you go. This is about making sure when you walk into that ballroom, every head turns.
Especially his."
She draws out his with a dramatic flick of her hand, as though Damian's name alone doesn't deserve to be spoken.
One of the assistants holds up a gown a stunning black silk piece with a slit daring enough to kill a man. Zarri squints, waves it away.
"Too plain."
Another assistant presents a glittering red dress dripping in sequins. Zarri groans.
"Too desperate. Kashi doesn't beg."
Finally, she snaps her fingers.
"Bring the one with the silver embroidery."
The assistants rush, returning with a gown unlike the others. Dark green, fitted to perfection, with delicate silver thread curling across the bodice like constellations. It was regal, commanding spoiled princess turned untouchable queen.
Zarri beams, satisfied.
"There. That's the one. Damian will see you, and the other vultures will envy you. Trust me, mi encanto, you'll be the brightest star in that ballroom."
She leans closer, lowering her voice mischievously.
"And who knows... maybe not just Damian's eyes will be on you."
The words linger, teasing, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes yet for some reason, I remember a pair of icy blue eyes in a coffee shop weeks ago.
"I've got work," I sigh and excuse myself to get changed.
I come out of the dressing room minutes later in a normal fitting dress.
"Where are you going?" Zarri ask.
"I've not seen Damian in weeks," I say.
"Ouu, love birds," Zarri smiles.
"Don't say that," I blushes and touch the ring on my hands.
"Speaking of Damian..." Zarri says and pours more wine into a glass and hand it to me. "He seems to be close to that secretary of his. I see em everywhere on tv."
"She's nothing but a lowly peasant. Even if she throws herself at him, Damian wouldn't spare her a glance," I hiss and sips the wine.
Zarri tilts her head, her sharp eyes studying me over the rim of her glass.
"Peasant or not, cariño, the world loves a Cinderella story. The media eats it up. A billionaire with a secretary? It's romantic to them. Tragic, even." She smirks, leaning closer. "And Damian? He doesn't seem to mind the headlines."
The wine turns bitter in my throat.
Images flash in my mind Natalie's timid smile, the way Damian had shielded her once before, the rumors that refused to die down no matter how much i tried to dismiss them.
Zarri notices my silence, sets her glass down, and softens her tone.
"I know you hate hearing it. But pretending she doesn't exist won't make her disappear, Kashi."
She taps my hand gently.
Before I could answer, my phone buzzes on the table.
"Grandfather."
I swiped it up, already bracing myself.
"Kashi," Grandfather James's gravelly voice fills the line, heavy with warning. "The auction is three days away. Word is, X Corporation is sending their top representative in person."
He pauses deliberately, as if to drive the knife in.
"And if you're still chasing Damian instead of preparing, you'll embarrass this family far worse than you did last time."
The line goes dead.
I sigh and put my phone away.
"She's nothing more than an ant, Zarri. If she decides to overstep out of line, I trust you to make her disappear."
I grab my bag.
"I'll get rid of anyone who tries to take Damian away from me."
I turn to Zarri and kiss her cheeks.
"I've got to run now. I'll see you later, my love."
Zarri chuckles softly, though her eyes gleam with something darker.
"Mi encanto, I'll always have your back," she says, returning my kiss on the cheek. "If that little secretary flutters her lashes too much, I'll crush her under my heel before she knows what hit her."
She raises her glass in salute.
"To Damian yours and yours alone."
*************************************************************************
Meanwhile.....
High above the city in an office that almost touches the cloud, Chaos stood before a wall of glass, his reflection cast against the evening sky.
Xavier entered silently, a tablet in hand.
"The Saints heiress is preparing for the auction," Xavier reported.
"Word is, she's been at odds with her grandfather again. As for Damian Gray... he's been spotted publicly by our men with his secretary twice this week."
Chaos's lips curved faintly, though the smile never reached his eyes.
"And she still clings to him. Good."
He clasped his hands behind his back, his posture regal, predatory.
"The deeper she binds herself to a man who will never love her, the sweeter it will be when she realizes where her true throne lies."
Xavier hesitated, then added,
"She threatened to get rid of anyone who takes Damian from her."
Chaos chuckled low, dangerous.
"Spoiled little Saint... she speaks with fire, but she doesn't yet know how to wield it."
His gaze sharpened, icy and intent.
"That's why she needs me."
He turned from the window, his coat sweeping behind him like the shadow of a of a storm.
"Make sure my invitation to the ball is delivered. It's time she learns her real place."