Whispers of Affection

The afternoon sun streamed through the glass façade of Trident Corporation's towering skyscraper which stood proudly, Damon's Rolls Royce Phantom glided to a stop. Stepping out of the car, followed by his assistant Ethan Cole who moved in sync with him as they entered at the building.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Montgomery," the receptionists greeted with a bow, their voices filled with respect.

Damon gave them a brief nod, acknowledging their greeting as he made his way through the lobby. Employees straightened as he passed, offering quiet, respectful bows. Assistant Cole, holding his tablet, moved beside him, her eyes occasionally flicking toward him as she waited for instructions.

As they entered the CEOs exclusive elevator, Damon and his head bodyguard Maddox, Assistant Cole spoke. "Miss Brown is waiting for you in the lounge, sir."

Damon's gaze remained the same, "Miss Brown," he repeated softly his tone neutral but with the slightest hint of something else- not fondness.

He had known Shan Brown for years as they are family friends. Shan is an actress and was on set shooting a movie. Her persistence in seeking him out despite his constant rejection always remained a part of their connection. She didn't know how to take a NO as a rejection guess as the young miss of the Brown Family NO is never in her dictionary, especially a no from Damon.

"She arrived about twenty minutes ago and mentioned it was a personal matter,"

"Alright!"

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Damon stepped out onto his private floor, his gaze already fixed ahead as he walked toward his office. Assistant Cole and Maddox trailed behind, maintaining a quiet distance. As Damon reached to his office a voice called out from behind him.

"Damon Pie!"

Damon's jaw tightened slightly at the high-pitched nickname, he turned to face source. Shan stood just a few feet away, a seductive, almost exaggerated grin on her face as she approached him.

The assistant, bodyguard and secretaries watched the scene unfold with varying level of amusement and cringiness. The nickname hung in the air like a cringe-worthy-cloud.

Shan took a step closer, her hand reaching for his arm but Damon smoothly sidestepped, avoiding her touch with précised ease. Without a word, he entered his office, Shan followed him, her heels clicking sharply on the floor as she entered, undeterred.

Damon standing near his desk, turned to face her.

"Stop calling me that," he said quietly, his voice cool and composed.

Shan pouted but didn't protest, a knowing smile on her lips. "Oh, come on, Damon. You know I can't help myself."

Meanwhile, outside the secretaries were whispering among themselves, casting furtive glances toward the office door.

"P-p-pie?" one said, a note of disbelief in her voice.

"It's so cringy," another secretary added, " And so flirtatious... she's always like that around Mr. Montgomery."

"It's honestly uncomfortable to watch," A third secretary chimed in.

"She always has new names for him, I swear if my girlfriend could be as creative as she, I would be turned on every time!" 

"You like pet name? What a weird fetish that is!"

"What's weird with that, Are you jealous? I knew you had feelings for me!" the male secretary said.

"Let me die if I have feelings for you, You horny bastard!" She retaliated.

Just then Assistant Cole stepped forward, as much as he was enjoying the jeering between his colleagues, he couldn't let things get out of hand, "Guys," he then added, "Keep your opinions to yourselves."

Inside the office.

Damon glanced at Shan, his gaze sharp. "Why are you here? I thought you were on set."

Shan took a step closer, her eyes searching for something, a flicker of emotion, Maybe. "I missed you," she said.

Damon's gaze remained steady as he leaned back in his chair, his response cool, "I'm sure you did, I miss myself too." he replied with a hint of dry humor.

Shan didn't back down, though, "You don't care, do you?" her voice laced with a mix of disappointment and frustration. 

Damon stayed impassive as he didn't reply with Shan knew he wouldn't.

"How about you treat me to lunch?" she suggested casually with an underlying hope he might accept.

Shan blinked, surprised by Damon's sudden agreement.

"Okay, lunch."

Her face lit up with a mix of surprise and anticipation, pulling out her phone to book a reservation at one of the city's finest restaurants, The Mars. She scrolled through the menu, mentally preparing for a lavish meal. Before she could finalize the booking, Assistant Cole entered pushing a trolley of food.

Shan looked from Ass. Cole to Damon confused, "What's this?"

Damon looked at Shan as if she was dumb, "Food, you wanted to eat," he replied flatly, gesturing toward the trolley of food.

She stood there feeling a bit deflated, her excitement fading. Damon, unfazed, walked towards the door.

"You're leaving?" she asked, a bit of irritation creeping in, "Aren't you going to join me?"

He turned back for a moment, his smirk barely noticeable. "What, don't tell me you still need to be spoon fed or you want me to sing a little for you as you eat!" his tone dripped with sarcasm. "I don't have time for that."

Shan's jaw tightened with frustration, before she could think of a response, Assistant Cole stifled a laugh behind his hand which he tried hiding with a cough. Shan glared at him not finding anything funny.

Damon and his assistant left leaving Shan still standing there lost as she watched the door being shut. She stared at the food. Her anger boiled over in silence for a moment before she muttered with a bitter chuckle, "I might as well eat this!" She sat down.

In the Principal's office, Mr. Sterling looked at the two people sat in his office with a serious expression, "Decision was made that Miss Fishers will tutor you, Mr. Montgomery."

Hunter didn't respond. His usual rebellious spark strangely absent. He leaned back in his chair, arms folded, staring at Mr. Sterling quietly as if lost in thought. Guess he knew the weight of his situation.

Wave, still adjusting to her new school, couldn't help but voice her confusion. "Mr. Sterling, I don't know if this is a good idea. We don't know each other and besides I am not a good tutor."

The principal's gaze softened, a slight hint of understanding in his eyes, "You're new, yes. But your academic record speaks for itself, you are here in Hartley because you were the first in the country. I believe you're capable of handling this. Besides, I'm offering compensation for your time."

"You're paying me for this?" Wave blinked, surprised by the mention of payment.

Mr. Sterling nodded, "Yes. You'll be compensated for your time and effort Miss Fishers. But the tutoring will happen even on the weekends."

"I can't on the weekends, I have to work at a convenience store and also I don't think I am familiar with Hunter to tutor him." Wave wondered if there was more to this situation that met to the eye.

Hunter finally broke his silence. He leaned forward, looking at Wave with a mix of amusement, "Why are you complaining so much?" he asked, his voice a little too casual. "I'm not even complaining and I'm the one who has to be tutored by a newbie."

He smirked slightly, clearly trying to get under her skin. " What do you think my boys will think of me? You're the one acting like this is the end of the world and you're even being paid."

"If you studied you wouldn't be tutored by a newbie!" Wave muttered under her breath which she was heard by Hunter and Sterling.

Taken aback, Hunter was preparing for a retaliation response before Mr. Sterling said, "This is non-negotiable, you can leave."

Hunter glared at Wave before he got up and left. As Wave turned to leave, Mr. Sterling's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Wave," he called

She paused and turned back to face him, her expression questioning.

"Just... get along with him. Bear with him, alright?" His words not just a request- they carried the weight of an expectation.

Wave nodded slowly, unsure of what to expect but understanding the underlying message, "I'll try Mr. Sterling," with uncertainty.

"Good!" Mr. Sterling gave her a small nod.

With that she stepped out of the office. Damon stepped into his office, his eyes locking onto Shan, who hadn't moved since his departure.

"Still here, Shan? How quaint," he said, his voice laced with mockery, "I would've thought by now you'd have something more important to do than wait around."

He took a casual step forward, his tone turning more pointed. "I get it though. Who wouldn't want to bask in the glory of my company? But as much as I enjoy the attention, I've got real work to do." His eyes flicked to the door, "So unless you've suddenly discovered a groundbreaking revelation, You should leave. I'm not generous with my precious time."

"Damon, lets go have a real lunch." Shan tried sweet-talking him.

"Shan Leave!" with finality he said icily.