Chapter 5 The Fallen

The sound of the laptop closing shut follows a sigh of relief by Alex as she had just finished the tasks assigned to her "Are you done?" asked Damon in a gentle but straight tone, "yes all done" says Alex confidently, his gaze fixed and lingered on her as he approached her.

She felt a wave of weight come over her, her fist clenched slightly as he maintained his gaze, his footsteps subtle but with intent. Her fantasy is cut off by the sound of his hand touching the laptop just by her arm, he picks it up with a calm expression and turns to his desk.

"What's next on my schedule?" he asked her, who was still trying to find her way back through the forest of imaginations. Uhm..... yes of course we have uhm.... "Sorry... you have a meeting at the cabin", "damn it" he said with regret in his tone "what time is it?" "is almost 6:30pm". "we need to go".

He took his jacket, threw it over his shoulder with his fingers hooked at the collar and walked towards the elevator taking his phone from his pocket, he tried making a call which went unanswered. He tried it again and still no answer, he felt somewhat uneasy but gave no expression or reaction.

The doors of the elevator chimed open and Damon walked in sharply and Alex followed immediately. The doors gilded shut behind Alex enclosing her with Damon in the small mirrored elevator. The hum of the elevator descending filled the silence between them but Alex could barely focus on it.

Every inch of her felt attuned to him how he stood tall and composed just a step away, his profile sharp under the cool light.

His cologne was subtle but undeniably masculine, an earthly blend that seemed to settle in her senses. Her gaze drifted downward, noticing the way his sleeves were rolled up revealing storming forearms dusted lightly with hair.

She found herself imagining what it would be like if his hand reached for her..... not aggressively, but with a quiet deliberate intent just enough to send her heart skittering. The thought slipped in too easily.

Suddenly in her mind, he turned to face her, eyes no longer distant but heated and solely fixed on her. He would step closer, the space between them evaporating, his hands would lift.... fingers brushing along the inside of her wrist where her pulse thundered and trailed upward until it cradled her jaw.

She could almost feel it heat flushed across her skin blooming in places he hadn't touched but felt like he could. Her breath hitched softly.

The elevator dinged, shattering the fantasy, she blinked rapidly, reality rushing in with a forceful clarity. Damon didn't look at her, his gaze steady on the door as it opened. A polite nod impersonal and distant was all she received before he strode out.

Alex remained rooted in place, heart hammering the memory of an imagined touch lingering far too vividly.

The car sped along the winding road leaving the city lights behind as the trees thickened on each side.

Alex sat in the passenger seat, her fingers idly twisting the strap of her bag. Damon's focus was locked on the road ahead, his jaw tense, his hands gripping the wheel a little too tightly.

Neither had spoken since they'd left the office. The silence felt intentional-like Damon was trying to keep something at bay. "So..... your brother's cabin?" Alex broke the silence, her voice silent but curious.

Damon's gaze didn't waver from the road "it's secluded, we both prefer the privacy when he's around" his voice was clipped but Alex caught the undertone, something strained like there was more to the story than he let on.

"You don't seem excited to see him," she ventured. Damon's lips pressed into a thin line. "We haven't spoken in a while". The weight of his words settled in the small space between them.

Alex didn't know much about Damon's family but the way he said it hinted at wounds, maybe still too fresh to touch. She shifted slightly in her seat, her curiosity sparking. "Why invite me then if it's supposed to be a... family meeting?"

Damon finally glanced at her, his storm grey eyes unreadable. "It's... complicated". Alex felt the tension stretch but instead of backing down she leaned into it. "You're hard to figure out, you know that?" "Maybe it's better that way," he said, turning his gaze back to the road.

Alex didn't reply, she let the silence return, though her thoughts swirled with questions, Damon was a puzzle she couldn't help but want to solve.

As they approached the dark towering trees surrounding the cabin, the air between them felt heavier, thick with things unsaid, and something far darker awaits just beyond the headlights.

The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees casting long pale shadows, as Damon and Alex approached the back of the cabin. The air was thick with a scent of pine, but there was something else beneath it, something metallic and sharp. Damon slowed his steps heavily with dread.

Alex followed just behind, her breath quickening with each step, they rounded the corner and saw nothing but Damon's eyes caught something just beyond the tree lines. It lay still, the air became heavy with unease. He walked over steadily but cautiously, then stopped just as he recognised the figure.