Anya watched all of these and felt the situation was getting out of hand, so she decided to end it.
"Okay, that's enough. Go on and rest, Ria. I'll go handle your papers now." She said as she pushed Marie to lie on the bed. Then she turned to Damon.
"Mr. Castellano, my friend, needs to rest, so shall we go out?" She asked as she went out of the room first. She does not know what she's doing. She also doesn't know what to say to him after all that.
So, in the end, when Damon left the room, Anya handled Marie's paper and medical bills, completely ignoring him.
Damon only watched and followed Anya throughout until they left the hospital.
Anya felt suffocated all this time, which is why she hurriedly escaped when she got out of the hospital.
"Uhm, so bye-"She tried to bid goodbye quickly, not thinking much as she hurried with her steps. But she was pulled back by a strong force. Suddenly, she is going in the opposite direction and is removed by Damon.
“Uhm, Mr. Castellano?” Anya was at a loss with Damon's actions.
But Damon ignored her as he pulled her toward his car. Without any words, he pushed her inside.
"Hey-" Anya tried to protest, but her words were muted by Damon closing the passenger seat's door. He turned around to enter and sat in the driver's seat.
Anya was about to ask what this man was doing when suddenly, large, sturdy arms wrapped around her body as Damon pulled her close to his.
She froze in surprise.
Damon pulled her closer as he buried his head in her neck. She could smell the fragrant scent of Anya. The woman's body was so soft he felt she would be crushed with little
force. Yet, his hold was firm enough that even though Anya tried to break free, she couldn't.
"Mr. Castellano, what are you doing?" Anya asked. Although he was acting out of propriety right now, and she experienced all kinds of harassment, she felt no fear and disgust with his hug. Because she thought of firmness and security within his arms, instead, she felt the fear coming out of the man; it was like he was afraid she would escape and run away.
Anya was startled by this thought. How could she so assume?! Anya, you dummy! She blushed at her idea and finally placed her hands on his chest to push him.
"Mr. Castellano-"
"I'm sorry," Damon cut off Anya's words. He felt someone punch him in the guts when he imagined what Anya might have gone through because of him.
"Let's stay like this for a bit," He huskily said as he breathed in Anya's scent.
Anya shivered and felt tickled, but she didn't push him away anymore. She let him hug her for a moment.
Honestly, Anya was quite irritated by him because he caused others to hate her. But he was kind to her and even saved her, and now looking at him like this, she could not keep hating him. She doesn't blame him anymore.
Damon had realized something from the events of today and all the surging emotions he had never experienced before. Only she can make him feel this way. That is why he can't deny it anymore.
When Damon felt he is suffocating Anya from his tight hug, he let her go. But he kept his hands on her waist and looked closely at her beautiful face.
"Anya, I like you," He confessed without a second thought. He immediately felt the body he was holding turn stiff.
Anya froze in surprise at Damon's confession. She did not expect him to tell her he liked her directly. She thought it was just some powerful business person's regular play and interest, as this was not new to their world. Anya knew he was interested in her, but she did not expect he would be severe and would even confess to her.
"Mr., Mr. Castellano, I-" Before Anya could continue her words, Damon cut him off.
"Damon, please. Call me Damon." He said firmly, with eyes intensely staring at her. Anya gulped down and averted her gaze.
"Uhm, how could this be? You just met me and with not spent that much time together. You're just being driven by emotions right now," Anya tried to reason out.
Hearing this, Damon smiled, different from what Anya expected.
"Emotions drive me. Those that I have never felt before. But when I met you, I was constantly driven insane by all these emotions. And I know they are real." He explained as he brought her hand and placed it in his chest.
"You can be assured that I never lie and am always true to my words. I never feel the need to lie and play around the bush. Anya, you should know that these things are supercilious for business people like me. But when I am saying it now and acknowledge it, then it is true."
"I like you," He repeated.
When Anya's hand was placed on his chest, she felt the loud thumping of his heart. She thought it was not valid. But she is feeling it right now. Raw and real. Strong and loud. His heart was beating. And it was for her.
Anya was stunned, but she was also flustered. She does not know what to do, but as she remembers how her life feels like it is the edge right, she can't be risky enough. And Damon Castellano was the epitome of risk and danger. He was mighty, someone she shouldn't dream of.
"I'm sorry. But.. I can't accept you," Anya said after a deep breath. She did not raise her head for fear that Damon would be so angry.
Well, who wouldn't? It was a hit to anyone's ego, especially for him, someone who is high and has never felt rejected before. But what she heard was otherwise.
"I know," His deep and gentle voice rang. Anya jolted her head to look at him when she heard this. She saw his eyes soft, looking at her with great patience.
"I understand, Anya. But you should know I don't plan to give up. But don't worry, I promise to protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you." He said as he lowered his head to level their sight.
People might not make this a big deal, but for Anya, it was. She was so used to influential people being condescending and looking down on her. But this person, even more, potent than those she met, lowered himself to look her in the eye. To make them on the same level. This poked a special place in Anya's heart without her even noticing it.
She still tried to refute it.
"You shouldn't waste your time for someone like me, you-"
"Don't talk that way about yourself." Damon stopped her firmly.
"Don't let anyone make you feel and believe you are small and low. Because take it from me; you are worthy." He said seriously as he brought her hand to his lips.
Then Anya heard the words she would probably remember for a long time.
"I'll give you time. Anya, I will wait for you."