The moment Aria stepped inside the mansion, she was greeted by the usual silence that seemed to follow her wherever she went. Her mind was still preoccupied with the events of the day Marcus's constant reminders of her place, the weight of her responsibilities, and, of course, Damien's words that echoed in her thoughts. He had always been a steady presence, but now, with each passing day, she was beginning to feel a different kind of connection to him.
As she walked further into the grand foyer, she spotted Damien sitting on one of the plush chairs near the large windows. He was staring out at the night, his expression unreadable, but when he heard her footsteps, he turned.
"Aria," he said, standing up and offering her a faint smile. There was something different in his eyes, a mixture of warmth and determination.
"Hey," she replied, taking a moment to study him. "What's going on? You look like you've been waiting for me."
Damien chuckled, the sound low but soothing. "I have been. Actually, I have something I need to tell you."
Aria raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"
He walked closer, his steps slow, deliberate. "I think you need a break. And so do I."
She furrowed her brow, unsure of what he meant. "A break? From what? Everything's been fine, Damien."
"Not fine," he said, his voice serious. "You've been working non-stop, dealing with too much on your plate. You deserve a chance to breathe."
Aria was about to protest, but he held up a hand, silencing her.
"I've planned something a two-week vacation with the Woods family and some close friends. It's time you took a step away from everything, even if just for a little while."
She blinked, the idea catching her off guard. "A vacation? With your family?"
Damien nodded. "Yes. My grandmother insisted—she thinks you need this more than anyone. She said it's time to rest. I think it'll do you good. No responsibilities, no meetings, no work. Just some time to relax, away from the chaos."
Aria felt a strange mixture of hesitation and curiosity. She had never been one to take breaks—too many things to handle, too many unfinished plans. But the thought of stepping away, even briefly, from all the tension... it was tempting.
"I don't know," she said slowly, "I'm not sure if now's the right time."
Damien's expression softened. "It's the perfect time, Aria. You deserve it. Besides, you won't be alone. You'll have us there, and I promise, you'll find it easier to let go of all the stress."
Aria felt the weight of the decision pressing on her chest. She had so much to think about—her mother's legacy, Marcus's manipulation, the quiet war that was building between her and her stepfather. But in this moment, she realized that maybe Damien was right. She needed to step back, even if just for a short time.
"Okay," she said quietly, meeting his gaze. "I'll go."
A smile tugged at the corner of Damien's lips. "Good. It's settled then. We leave tomorrow morning."
Aria nodded, her mind already drifting to the upcoming trip. It felt like a brief escape from everything that was weighing on her—but how much of an escape could it really be? After all, she knew the war with Marcus and the Sterling family was far from over.
But for now, she would allow herself to relax, to recharge. At least for the next two weeks.
---
The next morning, Aria found herself packing for the vacation, though her thoughts remained divided. She couldn't ignore the underlying tension in her heart, but part of her—perhaps a small part—was looking forward to the break, to spending time with Damien and the people who mattered most to him. Maybe it's time I take a breath, she thought as she folded a pair of jeans into her suitcase. But I won't let my guard down. Not entirely.
As she zipped up her bag, she glanced over at the door, knowing Damien would be waiting for her. They had a private jet to catch, and soon enough, they would be on their way to a world far removed from the one she was trying to escape.
The morning arrived faster than Aria anticipated. The house was quiet, still, as if everything around her was holding its breath in anticipation of the trip. She had never traveled like this before—private jets, luxury destinations, and people who moved with the grace and power of those used to getting exactly what they wanted. It was all a world she was still getting accustomed to, though Damien's presence had started to make it feel more familiar.
Aria arrived downstairs to find Damien waiting by the door. He was dressed casually in dark jeans and a button-up shirt, his usual composed demeanor softened by the casualness of the moment. When he saw her, his eyes flickered with something unreadable—something softer than usual.
"You ready?" he asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I suppose I am," she replied, giving him a small, tentative smile of her own. "This still feels... strange."
He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "You'll get used to it. Come on, the jet's ready."
Aria followed him out the door, the morning air crisp and refreshing. As they walked toward the sleek black car parked outside, Damien opened the door for her, a small but significant gesture that seemed to put her at ease. They settled into the car, and as it pulled away from the estate, the world around them seemed to blur. The tension that had been building up in Aria's chest started to ease, replaced by a quiet curiosity about the trip ahead.
"Are you sure your grandmother won't mind me tagging along?" Aria asked, glancing at Damien. "I mean, we've already met, but I'm still a bit nervous."
Damien's lips quirked up. "She already loves you. After I told her you were coming, she was thrilled. Besides, you're part of the family now."
Aria nodded, though she still couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. The whole idea of spending two weeks with Damien's family was a bit overwhelming, especially considering how much was left unsaid between them. The trip was meant to be an escape, but in some ways, it felt like it might be another step forward in the complicated web they were weaving.
The ride to the private airstrip was relatively quiet, the hum of the engine and the occasional sound of the wind outside filling the space between them. When they finally arrived at the jet, Aria's breath caught in her throat. It was even more luxurious than she had imagined—sleek and shiny, with a cabin that looked like something out of a dream.
"Impressive," she murmured under her breath.
Damien smiled as he led her up the stairs and inside. "I figured you'd like it."
Inside, the jet was everything she expected—plush seats, soft lighting, and the faint scent of something expensive in the air. They were greeted by a few members of Damien's staff, all of them polite but efficient as they prepared for the flight. As Aria settled into her seat, she found herself looking out the window, watching as the world outside became smaller and smaller.