---
Chapter 19 — A Stirring Heart
The morning sun crept through the thin curtains, painting soft golden lines across the dorm walls. Athena stirred, her lashes fluttering before her eyes fully opened. For a few seconds, she lay there in silence, staring at the ceiling as the memories of last night began to seep back into her mind — the sudden meeting, the heavy rain, and Damon standing in her dorm wrapped in her robe, droplets sliding from his damp hair.
Her cheeks heated instantly. She groaned and grabbed a pillow, burying her face in it. Why did he have to look so good? Why did I even let him stay?
After a long moment, she sat up, rubbing her temples. "I need to stop thinking about him," she muttered, though her heart refused to listen.
By the time she stepped out of the shower, dressed neatly in her cream cardigan and soft blue jeans, her phone buzzed with notifications — class schedules, emails, and a message from Clara reminding her to grab breakfast. She smiled faintly. Clara was becoming one of her few true friends at Alderidge University — warm, funny, and a little too observant for comfort.
The hallway buzzed with life as students rushed to their morning lectures. Athena walked through them with practiced grace, her long black hair swaying like dark silk. A few people turned to stare — she was used to it by now — but today, she felt too distracted to notice.
"Morning!" Clara called, waving from the cafeteria door. "You're late again."
"Morning," Athena said, sliding into the seat opposite her.
Clara gave her a teasing look. "You've been smiling at nothing all morning. Spill."
Athena raised a brow. "I'm just… thinking."
"About a him, maybe?" Clara's grin widened.
Athena choked slightly on her orange juice. "No! I mean—of course not."
"Right." Clara winked. "Your blush says otherwise."
Athena looked away, pretending to check her messages, but her mind was already drifting back to Damon — his calm, unreadable gaze, the quiet tension that seemed to pull her toward him despite everything. No. Not again, she scolded herself silently. I can't fall into that trap.
---
Later that afternoon, while scrolling through her university's email portal, her eyes caught on a bold headline:
ALDERIDGE UNIVERSITY FOUNDERS' GALA — NEXT WEEK
All students are required to attend. Formal wear only. Special guests include Mr. Damon DeVille, CEO of DeVille Corporation.
Her fingers froze mid-air. For a heartbeat, she simply stared at the screen, the name burning into her thoughts like fire.
Damon DeVille.
The same man she'd spent the morning trying to forget.
Athena exhaled slowly, her pulse quickening. "Of course," she whispered bitterly. "Out of all the people in the world…"
Clara peered over her shoulder. "You're going, right? It's basically the event of the year!"
"Yeah," Athena murmured, eyes still fixed on the name. "I'll be there."
---
Meanwhile, across the city, Damon sat in his high-rise office, the skyline of Alderville stretching endlessly behind him. His assistant, Leo, stood by the window, tablet in hand.
"Sir," Leo began carefully, "the university board has requested that you deliver a short keynote speech during the Gala. Should I confirm your attendance?"
Damon didn't reply immediately. He was still staring at the message open on his phone — an elegant invitation from Alderidge University.
Alderidge.
His jaw tightened. That was her university.
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, his deep voice broke the silence.
"Prepare my suit. And make sure my schedule is cleared for that evening."
Leo blinked in surprise but nodded quickly. "Understood, sir."
As soon as the assistant left, Damon leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping absently on the armrest. He wasn't sure why he'd agreed to go. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was guilt. Or maybe it was because, no matter how much he tried, he couldn't stop thinking about the girl with midnight hair and snow-white skin who once confessed her love for him… and whom he had cruelly pushed away.
He let out a quiet sigh. "Athena…"
The sound of her name in his own voice felt almost like a confession.
---
That evening, as twilight settled over the city, Athena sat by her dorm window, staring out at the rain. Her reflection looked back at her, calm but conflicted.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't erase him. Damon had left a mark too deep, too complicated to ignore.
She pressed her fingers lightly to her lips, remembering how close they'd been just a night ago — close enough to feel his breath, close enough to remember everything she'd been trying to forget.
But she wouldn't let him rule her emotions again. Not this time.
She had her own life to live, her own future to shape. And with her 18th birthday fast approaching, Athena decided that she would face everything — even Damon — with her head held high.
Still… somewhere deep inside, she wondered what would happen when they met again at the Gala.
---