It's all Lorenzo's fault...

Lorenzo froze, his eyes widened in surprise, while I, not at all stressed, turned to Damon, a mischievous smile on my lips.

-Damon, would you like to join us? I asked in a joking tone, pointing to Lorenzo below me.

Damon laughed, a sound that echoed through the quiet office. He approached us, his footsteps echoing on the impeccably polished floor.

-That's an interesting proposition but I'm not interested, he said, sitting on the edge of the desk, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I slightly released my grip on Lorenzo, who took the opportunity to suddenly stand up, looking furious. He straightened his torn shirt, his gaze darting from Damon to me, wavering between anger and confusion.

-What are you doing here Damon? Lorenzo asked in a tense voice, trying to regain his composure.

-I could ask you the same question, Lorenzo. My office is not a love hotel, Damon replied. 

I get up slowly, dusting off my torn dress, a satisfied smile on my lips.

-It's Lorenzo's hormones, I said, shrugging my shoulders. I think he was a little too excited

Damon shakes his head, smirking.

-Okay, maybe it's time for everyone to calm down. Lorenzo, we're going to have a little chat about your methods of dealing with arousal. As for you, he said, looking at me with a glint in his eyes, you have the gift of making things interesting, I grant you that.

Lorenzo stands up, his face red with anger and shame.

"That's not the end of this story," he said, giving me a dark look.

-I can't wait to see how it ends, I replied sarcastically, while crossing my arms.

Damon stands up, taking a more serious posture.

-Enough. We'll sort that out later. For now, get out of here. 

I take one last look at Lorenzo before heading out the door, followed closely by Damon.

-And, Damon, I said, turning around, be careful of your drawers. You never know who might be tempted to open them.

Damon suddenly approached me, his hands gently coming up to straighten my messy hair. His eyes, as dark as those of an abyss, stare into mine with a disturbing intensity. His gesture, both intimate and authoritarian, makes me shiver in spite of myself.

He then turns to his little brother Lorenzo, his expression hardening.

-I'm counting on it, he replied in a serious voice.

While Lorenzo rolls his eyes at my blatant hypocrisy.

-And Lorenzo, that's not how you treat a woman, he said in a low but firm voice.

Before Lorenzo can react, I speak up, defiant.

-I'm not just a simple woman, I said, crossing my arms, a glint of displeasure in my eyes.

Damon lets out a small laugh, a sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

-Yeah, you're the woman of his life, he adds with a touch of sarcasm, looking at Lorenzo who turns even redder with anger.

Lorenzo clenches his fists, ready to retaliate verbally, but Damon raises a hand to stop him.

-Change your shirt, Lorenzo, Damon orders in a definitive tone. We have an image to maintain, even in… unexpected situations.

Lorenzo mumbles something unintelligible before heading towards the office door, throwing one last furious glance in my direction before disappearing down the hallway.

Damon turns to me again, his features softening slightly.

-You really know how to spice up an evening, he said

-He started it, I replied, shrugging my shoulders, a mischievous smile on my lips.

-Maybe, but try not to destroy too many clothes next time, he replies in a deep voice 

I laughed softly, shaking my head.

-We'll see, Damon. We'll see.

He looks at me for a moment longer, then returns to his desk, regaining his serious demeanor.

-My parents have been waiting for you for a while, Damon said suddenly, so as soon as Lorenzo comes back we'll go.