THORNS AND ROSES

on and spite as he sat in his office, his fingers

d Damien's mind was already racin

looked - innocent, timid, and very fragile. He liked tha

n thought, his secretar

sually stern and fierce boss, looking different

eyes lingered on Damien's face, taking i

mmer afternoon and his lips curved into a naughty smirk. She felt a flu

mien like this before

e called, her voice

d with a slight smile trying to compose herself but Damien did not even notice her, He wa

n't help but feel a sense of anticipation, of excitement. He was going to play with Joan, to toy with her,

n't wait to

e minutes passed, his smile failed a

ed back then in school, fo

d now, she hadn't changed, "she didn't grow up, and she claims that I hurt her, if only she knew what hurting is, if on

rage that he couldn't quite articulate. Images of when he would sit face down embracing his

is own sorrow and suffering, which made him

ing emotions, sparked with a flash of fierce redness

g Damien, his face shifted back to his usual stern and cold look

n", he

s, his Perso

Damien" he gre

amien ordere

and insure that she isn't a spy or an enemy in disguise", well these are

ce class. Take her home, with my car, a

s it would be better to send a more... uhm... discreet vehicle. The press has been sniffing a

ready awoken anger. But he knew Briggs was right. He couldn't afford to

er, And make sure the driver knows to avoid cameras and media.

, calm and efficient this time.

*

leaving the two men_

had lost herself in the music, in the movement, and had forgotten about Damien, about

r what was to come. She would play along, fo

rly" she acknowledged but then changed her mind once again after a short pause, "Mrs. Ivan isn't going to accept that, and a need to keep a good book wi

ngine purring softly. Briggs Damien's PA was standing by the door, his eyes expre

he could see him, his voice low and respectful. "Yo

e had no choice. She got into the

unease, how was she going to face Damien now, what if Mrs.

was in for