CHAPTER 5

Because of Ella's behavior, Damian lost his appetite and decided to leave instead of talking to her. He couldn't understand why Ella had suddenly changed, as it was the first time he had seen her behave in such a manner, and he didn't approve of her behavior.

On his way to the office, Damian couldn't help but think about Ella. What had gotten into her? He acknowledged that he found her attractive and had struggled to restrain himself from giving in to his desires. However, he reminded himself that he was engaged to Monique and felt it was important to focus on his commitment to her.

Arriving at the office, Ella continued to occupy Damian's thoughts. He couldn't shake the memory of her seductive look while drinking milk. When Ella confronted him the previous night, he had almost been tempted to invite her into his room. Damian forced himself to dismiss these thoughts but couldn't help but recall Rebecca mentioning Ella's preference for men with dimples. He couldn't understand why he found himself regretting not having dimples.

Damian insisted on not thinking about Ella any longer so he could concentrate on his tasks. He dialed the number of Alvin, a top performer in sales, to inquire about a sales call that had taken place earlier.

"Alvin, what happened with your sales call earlier?" Damian asked, displaying his hands-on approach to the business.

"It went well, sir. They agreed to sign a contract for exclusive beef supply for the next five years," Alvin reported the positive outcome of the sales calls with a newly opened restaurant near their office.

"Great job, Alvin! Keep up the good work," Damian commended him before ending the call. Their company not only supplied beef but also chicken and pork, with their grass-fed and organic beef being particularly popular.

Damian was busy with meetings throughout the morning, losing track of time. It was almost noon when Monique suddenly appeared at the office.

"Hello, darling. It's time to eat your lunch!" Monique greeted Damian, approaching him and kissing him on the cheek. "I already bought something for you so you don't have to go out."

"You shouldn't have bothered, there's a restaurant nearby," Damian replied, feeling bored with Monique's gesture, as he didn't feel the need for her to bring him lunch. "Look, Monique, haven't I told you before? I don't want you to bring food to the office."

Monique was offended by Damian's words but maintained a smile, hugging him. "I missed you," she said.

"Don't you have work today?" Damian asked, repeating his earlier question to which Monique had not responded.

"I took a half-day leave for my monthly appointment with the doctor. Since the clinic is nearby, I thought I'd bring you lunch," Monique explained.

"Thank you, Monique, but I already had lunch an hour ago," Damian lied, trying to brush off the situation.

"I know, but just in case you're hungry, you have something to eat. Or you can give it to the staff," Monique replied, feeling that Damian's behavior had changed. She wondered if he was seeing someone else, although they had spent the previous night together. Monique scolded herself for overthinking.

"Alright, I'll eat it later. Aren't you getting late for your appointment?" Damian hoped Monique would understand his intention. He glanced at his watch, bidding her goodbye hastily. Damian felt guilty for driving his fiancée away, but he had a lot to do. He sighed as he dialed the home phone number.

"Where's Ella?" Damian inquired when Rebecca answered the call.

"She's busy with something, Damian," Rebecca replied.

"About what?" Damian's forehead furrowed, waiting for Rebecca's response.

"I'm not sure, but I overheard her saying she's looking for a job somewhere else. She said she'll be leaving Victorias soon."

"Is she crazy? Where does she think she'll go? There are plenty of job opportunities here. Tell her I need to talk to her right away!" Damian ordered Rebecca to call Ella. There was a moment of silence on the other line before someone else picked up, and Damian assumed it was Ella. Unfortunately, it was Rebecca. "Where's Ella?"

"She can't talk right now, that's what she said," Rebecca answered.

"What?" Damian's neck vein almost burst upon hearing Rebecca's response.

"Just call her cellphone, and I'll take care of something here," Rebecca said before hanging up.

After the call ended, Damian attempted to reach Ella on her cell phone. He called her multiple times, but she didn't answer. Finally, after several attempts, she picked up. Damian sneezed before speaking, frustrated by Ella's delayed response. "Where are you? Why did it take you so long to answer?"

"I'm busy right now, Damian. Why?" Ella asked.

"Busy with what? I know you resigned from your job!" Damian growled.

"That's why I'm busy; I'm looking for a new job. What's your problem? Alright, bye, I still have something to submit," Ella replied, determined to focus on her own life.

"Wait a minute, tell Rebecca I'll have lunch at home," Damian ordered before hanging up the phone.

After the conversation with Ella, Damian wondered why he had suggested having lunch at home. He left the office, informing Mori that he was leaving early. While driving home, thoughts of Ella continued to consume his mind. He questioned himself, realizing that as an engaged man, he shouldn't be thinking about another woman.

"Where's Ella?" Damian immediately asked Rebecca upon arriving home and not seeing her.

"She's in her room."

"I'll go see her in a minute," he said, bidding farewell to Rebecca before heading upstairs. Rebecca informed him that Ella was busy, but when he reached the second floor, the loud music emanating from Ella's bedroom irritated his ears. He had to knock repeatedly before she finally opened the door, looking surprised.

"Hi there, Damian, what's up?" Ella asked.

"I thought you were busy?" Damian inquired.

Ella wondered why Damian had suddenly shown up at home during work hours. "I was busy earlier, but I'm free now. Why? Do you need something from me?"

"Come downstairs, and we'll eat together," Damian said.

"Okay, I'll just take a quick shower," Ella replied with a smile. She was still unsure about her feelings for Damian and wondered if he didn't like her as much as she liked him. She wanted him to be happy but questioned whether she could remain sad forever. What if Damian would be happier with her?

She resolved to be brave and let him know how she truly felt, even if it meant potentially damaging their friendship. She decided not to wait for her feelings to change on their own. In the shower, she devised a plan to discuss her true emotions with Damian. She would show him that she wouldn't back down without a fight.