Stranger in my Ass-Chapter 246

Olivia’s POV

"Kennedy, you don’t have to stay here because of me." Kira’s voice softened. "I’m staying back for work. It wouldn’t be fair to you if I’m working and not giving you attention. You’d be bored and frustrated."

"I don’t care..."

"Please." She took his hands. "Go back to Tokyo. Once Damien is okay and cleared to travel, I’ll come to Tokyo and we’ll have a proper vacation. Just the two of us. I promise."

Kennedy looked torn, his jaw working as he stared at her.

All this while, Damien said nothing. Just sat there with a slight smile, watching the exchange like it was a mildly entertaining play.

And I knew.

I absolutely knew what he was doing.

He was Maxwell’s brother, after all. Cut from the same cloth. Damien clearly had feelings for Kira - had admitted as much when he revealed he was Eddie. Which meant he clearly wanted to take her away from Kennedy.

And I wouldn’t have that.

I wouldn’t let another Wellington brother destroy someone’s relationship with their mind games and calculated moves.

I vowed right then to stop it from happening. Somehow.

"Alright," Kennedy finally said, though he looked pained. "But you call me every day. Morning and night. And if anything - anything - feels wrong, you get on the next flight to Tokyo. Promise me."

"I promise." Kira kissed him on his cheek. "I’ll be fine. It’s just a few days."

Kennedy nodded, but I saw the doubt in his eyes. The worry.

He should be worried.

The rest of breakfast passed in uncomfortable silence, everyone pushing food around their plates, the earlier easy conversation completely evaporated.

When Gabriel stood, offering me his hand, I took it immediately.

"We should go pack," he said. "Get ready to leave."

I let him pull me to my feet, but even as we walked away, I could feel eyes boring into my back.

Maxwell’s eyes.

I didn’t need to look to know he was giving Gabriel a death stare. Could practically feel the rage radiating from him like heat.

We reached the elevator in silence.

"You okay?" Gabriel asked as the doors closed.

"Yeah. Just tired."

"It’s been an exhausting couple of days." He squeezed my hand. "But we’ll be back in Tokyo soon. Back to our vacation. Just us."

I forced a smile. "Right. Just us."

When we got back to our room, Gabriel immediately started gathering his things, humming slightly as he worked.

And I knew this was my only chance.

My only opportunity to speak to Damien before we left. Before he had days alone with Kira to work his manipulation magic.

"Gabriel?"

"Hmm?" He looked up from his suitcase.

"Do you know Damien’s room number?"

He frowned slightly. "607, I think. Same floor as us. Why?"

"I just want to check on him. Make sure he’s really okay before we leave."

"That’s sweet of you." Gabriel smiled. "He’s down the hall to the left. But don’t be too long - we need to finish packing so we don’t keep the others waiting."

"I’ll be quick."

I hurried out before he could offer to come with me.

Room 607 was at the end of the hallway. I stood outside for a moment, gathering my courage, before knocking once.

"Come in." Damien’s voice was muffled but clear.

I pushed the door open and froze.

Damien was shirtless, reclining against the headboard of his bed, bandages wrapped around his torso. His chest was chiseled and refined - similar to Maxwell’s build. But where Maxwell was more tanned and hairy, he had less.

No wonder Kira was attracted to him.

The thought made me clear my throat and force my eyes to his face.

Damien’s eyebrows rose, surprise flickering across his features before smoothing into a knowing smile. "Well. I didn’t expect to see you in my room, Olivia. Everything alright?"

I stood there for a moment, studying him. Trying to feel... something. That pull. That warmth. That inexplicable connection I felt whenever my stranger was near.

But there was nothing.

Just a handsome man in a hospital bed who happened to be related to the man who made my heart race.

He wasn’t my stranger. He couldn’t be. I would know. I would feel it. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Unless I was completely wrong about everything.

"I wanted to talk to you," I said, finding my voice.

"By all means." He patted the bed beside him. "Have a seat."

I wanted to refuse. Wanted to keep distance between us. But I also didn’t want to show hostility. Didn’t want to tip my hand that I knew what he was doing.

Better to end this civilly than with open warfare.

I perched on the very edge of the bed, as far from him as possible while still technically sitting.

"So," Damien said, wincing slightly as he shifted. "What did you want to talk about?"

I took a breath. "My best friend. Kira."

"Ah." His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes sharpened. "What about her?"

"She’s my friend. My best friend. And I know what’s best for her." I met his gaze steadily. "Kira really loves my brother. Kennedy. And I don’t want you to confuse her."

"Confuse her?" Damien tilted his head. "What makes you think I’m trying to confuse her?"

"Don’t play games with me." I kept my voice level. "Kira told me everything. That you’re Eddie. Her mysterious online boyfriend."

"Did she now?" Damien didn’t look surprised. If anything, he looked satisfied. "Well, I suppose the cat’s out of the bag then."

"Do you love her?" The question came out blunter than I intended.

"Yes." No hesitation. No deflection. Just simple honesty.

The certainty in his voice made my stomach twist.

"Then don’t." I leaned forward slightly. "Don’t love her. She’s already in love with Kennedy. And this thing you’re trying to do - keeping her here with you in New Delhi - it’s only going to confuse her more. Hurt her more."

"Are humans in control of their hearts?" Damien asked mildly.

I shook my head. "No. But feelings can be managed. Controlled."

"Can they?" His smile was sad. "Because my heart seems to have missed that memo. I have no control over who I love or don’t love, Olivia. The heart wants what it wants."

I stood up, sensing that gentleness wasn’t getting anywhere. "Then you’ll just have to try harder. Kira is with Kennedy. She’s happy with Kennedy. And not you or anyone else is going to change her love for him. I won’t let you."

"You won’t?" Damien’s smile turned sharp and dangerous. "That’s very noble of you. But tell me something - why are you so worried about my love life when you haven’t even fixed your own?"

I stilled. "What are you talking about?"

"I’m saying..." He leaned forward slightly, and despite his injury, there was something predatory in the movement. "Maybe you should worry about coming clean to my brother Maxwell about your double life instead of butting your head into other people’s business."

A cold chill ran down my spine.

No.

No, no, no.

"You know about that?" My voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Of course I do." His smile widened. "I’ve known you were a woman since that night you were at Maxwell’s mansion. After your trip to Chicago, remember? When we all gathered in his living room to play that little game of truth or dare? I was also a bit suspicious when you first came to my office to plead about getting your job back. So you’re not entirely innocent, Olivia."

Oh God.

"Did you..." I could barely form the words. "Have you told Maxwell?"

Damien’s smile turned devilish. "Not yet."

Relief and terror warred in my chest.

"But I will," he continued, his voice dropping to something darker, "if you try sticking your nose in my business again. And one thing you must know about my brother - he’s not as soft-hearted as I am. If he ever finds out he was deceived and manipulated this way, that his assistant Oliver was actually a woman lying to him for months?" Damien’s eyes glittered with malicious amusement. "You’ll be in jail for a long time. Identity fraud. Corporate espionage. He’ll throw every charge at you he can think of."

"He wouldn’t..."

"Oh, he absolutely would. Maxwell doesn’t forgive betrayal. Ever. Ask Gabriel how their friendship is going."

My knees felt weak. My entire body had gone numb.

"So I suggest," Damien said, his voice deceptively pleasant now, "that you be very wise about what you say and do next. Stay out of my relationship with Kira. Let me handle my own love life. And maybe - just maybe - I’ll keep your secret a little while longer."

"This is blackmail."

"This is self-preservation. For both of us." He leaned back against his pillows, wincing. "Now, was there anything else you wanted to discuss? Or can I get back to resting?"

I stared at him, seeing Maxwell in every word, every manipulative smile, every chess move disguised as conversation.

They were brothers. True brothers. Cut from the same twisted cloth.

"Nothing else," I managed to say.

"Good. Then I suggest you get back to your room before Gabriel comes looking for you. Wouldn’t want him to get the wrong idea about why you’re in my bedroom."

The dismissal was clear.

I turned and walked toward the door, my legs feeling like they might give out at any moment.

I needed to tell Maxwell the truth quickly. We were friends now. There’s no way he’ll send me to jail.

Dear God.