Chapter 6 Rumours

Serena's POV Damien held my hand firmly but softly as we navigated the hall of tailored suits and gowns, he had kept me by his side throughout the night, introducing me to a parade of CEOs and investors. Their smiles were polite, their handshakes firm, but their eyes held whispers of curiosity, veiled assessments of the woman who'd snagged the elusive Damien Blackwood. The clinking of crystal against crystal and murmured conversations formed a sonic cocoon around Damien and Mr. Grant, their pens scratching signatures across glossy contracts. My gaze snagged on the diamond encrusted watch perched on Damien's wrist, its every tick reminding me of the hours melting away, each one another minute I spent feeling like a fish out of water. “ I hate to do this, but I need to attend to something. Excuse me for a moment.” Damien excused himself, his hand lingering on my back for a heartbeat before he disappeared into the throng. Relief and loneliness tangled in my gut. My gaze drifted to the buffet, a haven of glistening hors d'oeuvres and towering champagne flutes, but the thought of mingling solo sent shivers down my spine. "Enjoying the attention, are you?" Olivia's voice, sharp, startled me away from my contemplation. Dressed in a scarlet gown that threatened to set the room ablaze, she stood before me, a predator surveying its prey. My smile felt brittle as I met her gaze. "Excuse me?" “You're excused,” she retired, flooding her arms against her chest. I lifted my head, caught off guard by her directness. "I... I'm just here with Damien,” I replied hesitantly, a small smile forming on my lips. "Oh, come on, don't play coy, darling. You know exactly what I mean." She tilted her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I used to be the one standing here with Damien, Serena. I used to be the one everyone knew as Damien's woman," she said, gesturing grandly. "More than half of these men in the room knew me as his partner. And then you show up one day and take it all away?” I swallowed. "Olivia, it's not my fault. I didn't mean to… I didn't take anything from you," I stammered, feeling the tide of guilt rise within me. Olivia scoffed. "Don't act all innocent, sweetheart. Just admit it, you waltzed in and snatched everything I built.” My gaze darted around the room, seeking refuge from the storm brewing before me. I saw Damien approaching, his smile fading the moment he spotted us. Olivia noticed him too, and a cruel curve touched her lips. "Here comes the knight in shining armor," she sneered. "Always so quick to rescue his little damsel,” she added in a mocking voice. "Serena, everything alright?" He took my hand. “We were just talking," I mumbled, my throat tight. Damien's gaze flickered to Olivia, his jaw clenching. "Olivia, perhaps another time is better for… whatever this is." Olivia laughed. "Oh, don't worry, darling. Just wanted to welcome the new queen." She threw me a venomous look before turning and melting back into the crowd. Damien released my hand, his face unreadable. The question simmered in my throat, heavy and unwelcome. "Olivia…? Was she your girlfriend…?” He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It's complicated, Serena." My heart sunk. Was Damien hiding something? I got up. “Where are you going?” Damien inquired. “I need to use the bathroom,” I replied. As I left, I felt relieved when I entered the bathroom and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. After I finished up in the stalls, I overheard hushed voices entering the space, their heels clicking. "She's been clinging to Damien all night," one of the women remarked. The others giggled conspiratorially, fueling the gossip mill. Another voice chimed in, "I heard she's just a trainee and already sleeping with the boss." I stayed hidden, waiting, hoping to gather enough information to navigate the treacherous waters of office politics. They eventually left, and as I stepped out of the bathroom stall, a lingering sadness clung to me. Returning to Damien, he looked at me with concern. "Why do you look so distraught?" he asked. I brushed it off, "It's nothing. Can I go home? I'm getting tired." "Sure," he replied, and we got up to leave. As we navigated through the crowd, Damien greeted a few people before leading me to his car. I settled into the passenger seat. Driving to my apartment, the silence weighed on me, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of being scrutinized. Finally, Damien broke the silence, "What happened back there? You seemed upset." I hesitated, then decided to share a fraction of the truth. "Just office gossip. People spreading rumors about us." Damien sighed, his frustration evident. "Don't pay attention to that nonsense. It's just idle chatter." We arrived at my apartment, and he wished me goodnight. Stepping out of the car, I whispered my goodnight in return. Alone in my apartment, I collapsed onto my bed, physically exhausted and emotionally drained. I decided a warm bath was in order. I filled the tub with soothing lavender-scented bubbles, letting the steam engulf me as I settled in. As the water embraced me, my phone chimed, interrupting the tranquil atmosphere. I reached for it reluctantly, only to find a text from Damien, a welcomed interruption. "Hey Serena, just checking in on you. How are you doing?" I dried my hands on a nearby towel and replied, "Hey Damien! Long day, but I'm surviving. How about you?" Damien's response was swift, "Same here. Work was hectic, but thinking of you got me through it." I couldn't help but smile as I typed my reply, "Aww." Amidst or conversation, Damien playfully teased, "I bet a warm bath is your secret weapon for unwinding." I chuckled, appreciating his insight. "You caught me! It's my escape from reality," I confessed. "Wish I could be there with you, making the bubbles jealous." I blushed, feeling the butterflies dance within. "Smooth talker," I teased, adding a playful wink emoji. Eventually, the clock reminded us of the advancing night, and I reluctantly typed, "I should get some sleep. Tomorrow's another adventure." Damien's understanding reply came swiftly, "Sleep well, Serena. Dream of me. Goodnight." *** I entered the office building the next day, feeling a subtle tension in the air. Mrs. Evelyn, the stern figure in charge of trainees, beckoned me aside as soon as I stepped in. Her expression carried a weight of disapproval, and I could sense that she was about to address the rumors circulating about Damien and me. "Serena," she began, her voice laced with reproach. "I've been hearing things. You need to be more proactive in the workplace. It's crucial, especially if you want to be retained in this organisation." I met her gaze. "I understand, Mrs. Evelyn. I'll do my best." As I made my way onto the next floor, I overheard snippets of conversation between Olivia and Harper. Olivia was mentioning something about proofreading documents before sending them to HR. It seemed like an opportunity to showcase my diligence. Approaching Olivia, I asked hesitantly, "Hey, Olivia, do you mind if I take over the proofreading for you?” Olivia's eyes flickered with surprise, and she frowned slightly. "Well, I was planning to do it myself, but if you're up for it, sure." I smiled. “Thanks, Evelyn said to learn from you.”