---
Chapter 13 – The Man at the Podium
Damon's POV
The morning sunlight spilled faintly through the blinds of his penthouse, brushing against his skin as he buttoned his shirt. His assistant, Blake, stood by the door, tablet in hand, reading through his packed schedule.
"Sir, your meeting with the finance board is at noon," Blake began. "After that, the charity dinner committee wants a confirmation call. And…" he paused briefly, scanning the list, "your public relations team scheduled a guest speech at Alderidge University. It's in two hours."
Damon's hand froze mid-air as he adjusted his cufflink. Alderidge University. For a second, her face — her eyes, that look of hurt from months ago — flashed across his mind. He forced himself to look calm.
"Alright," he said in his usual, composed tone. "Prepare the car."
Blake nodded, but couldn't miss the slight tension in his boss's jaw — the kind that only one person could cause.
---
Athena's POV
The sound of her alarm yanked her out of sleep. Athena groaned softly, pressing her palm to her forehead. "Get a grip," she muttered to herself. "You're not thinking about him again."
But even as she brushed her hair and dressed for class, Damon's face refused to leave her mind — the deep amber of his eyes, the heat that lingered from last night, and that stupidly intoxicating cologne that still faintly clung to her robe.
"Ugh." She tied her hair into a ponytail. "You're ridiculous, Athena Brown."
By the time she reached campus, the courtyard was unusually crowded. Students gathered in groups, whispering excitedly, phones already out.
"What's going on?" she asked a passing student.
"You didn't hear?" the girl squealed. "Damon DeVille is here! The Damon DeVille! He's giving a speech at the auditorium!"
Athena's heart skipped. "What?"
Before she could decide what to do, her feet were already moving — carrying her toward the large glass hall filled with students. Inside, the air was buzzing with excitement and perfume. Girls leaned forward eagerly, some actually fanning themselves as if the sight of him was too much.
And there he was.
Standing tall at the podium, in a black tailored suit that fit him too perfectly, Damon DeVille looked every inch the legend they whispered about. His voice was smooth and deep, commanding attention with every word.
Athena stood at the back, frozen.
He looked calm, powerful, untouchable — nothing like the man she'd seen in her dorm last night, wearing her robe, with water still dripping from his hair.
Her chest tightened painfully.
And then, just as he turned to gesture toward the students in the right wing, his gaze caught hers. For a single heartbeat, everything stopped.
His voice faltered — just slightly, almost unnoticeable — before he quickly continued his speech.
But Athena saw it.
She knew he saw her.
And from that moment, the air between them shifted once again.
---