Chapter 2 Run away

Evening at the Jorch Residence, a Luxury Penthouse in Manhattan's Upper East Side

Damian shrugged off his shirt, showin' off those perfectly sculpted muscles on his sun-kissed skin. He stepped into the steamin' hot tub, lettin' the warmth soak into him. It had been a hella long month-non-stop work, crazy schedules, and the insane prep for his big day. But it was all worth it, 'cause tomorrow? He'd be marryin' Elsie Sonata-the love of his life.

He let out a long sigh, leanin' back against the slick edge of the tub, his eyes closin' as the heat eased the tension in his body.

The peace didn't last long. A soft creak of the bathroom door made his head snap up. Instinctively, his sharp gaze softened as he saw who it was.

"Mind if I join ya?"

His lips curled into a boyish smirk. "Be my guest."

Elsie stepped in, her long, pale legs catchin' the dim light as she moved closer to the tub. She slid the straps of her silk nightgown off her shoulders, leavin' only her lingerie underneath.

"Nice and warm," she murmured, easin' herself into the water. They sat across from each other, faces just inches apart.

"You're somethin' else," Damian teased with a cheeky grin, admirin' her boldness. They weren't even hitched yet, and here she was, sharin' a soak with him.

"I feel like we're already married," Elsie whispered, her voice soft as she leaned closer. She planted a featherlight kiss on his lips, her hand trailin' gently across his chest, sendin' his pulse racin'.

The tension thickened, the air between them cracklin' like static as she slowly bridged the gap between their bodies, her movements careful, deliberate.

But then, Damian pulled back, his expression shiftin' from desire to restraint.

"What's wrong?" Elsie frowned, clearly frustrated.

"I'm not takin' your virginity before the wedding," he said firmly.

"Oh, c'mon, it's just a little fun," she teased, her fingers glidin' down his arm, tryin' to coax him back.

"After we're married," Damian shot back, standin' up and grabbin' a towel. He wrapped it tightly around his waist, his tone unyielding. "We'll have all the time in the world."

"Damian!" Elsie groaned, crossin' her arms in a pout. "The wedding's in, like, sixteen hours! Why're you bein' like this?" She couldn't wrap her head around it. "Any other guy would've given in by now! But you? Ugh!"

Her eyes narrowed as a thought popped into her head. "Wait... is he impotent? No way. I saw it standin' at attention earlier."

Damian smirked to himself as he walked away. He adored her, but sixteen hours? That was nothin'.

***

Over in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Selena stepped into her tiny apartment.

The crisp fall air sneaked in behind her as the door creaked shut.

She tossed her worn-out jacket on the door hook, her tired eyes scanning the same cramped space-a beat-up couch in the corner and a rickety bookshelf barely holding up under a stack of old novels.

"Cloe..." she called out softly, looking for her aunt. But reality hit her quick. "Hospital," she mumbled to herself.

She collapsed onto the couch, pulling a blue knit blanket over her shivering body. With a deep sigh, she ran a hand down her face.

"God, I can't lose my aunt," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of it all. "But I've got no cash. None. I'm so damn screwed."

Tears streamed down her face as she let the sobs take over. But eventually, the sobs softened. She fell asleep right there, tears still drying on her cheeks.

***

At the Jorch Residence, a Luxury Penthouse in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

That morning, Damian sat at the massive white marble dining table alongside his parents and his future in-laws.

"After the wedding, you two will definitely take a vacation. I'll arrange security for wherever you go," Richard Jorch-Damian's father-stirred his favorite hot coffee.

"Your dad's always on top of it, Damian," replied Vivian Jorch, Damian's mother, with pride.

"Of course, I adore my future daughter-in-law-Elsie. Her security is a top priority," said Richard.

"Thanks, Rid. In that case, I'll prepare the nursery decorations for our future grandkids," Charles, Elsie's father, chimed in.

"Damian and Elsie are just getting married, don't pile on the responsibility of raising kids," Vivian quipped, sending everyone into a fit of laughter.

"Elsie will love that surprise," Damian said with a smile, prompting Charles to chuckle. "You're way too eager, Damian."

And the laughter continued.

Suddenly, Charles' phone rang loudly, cutting through the conversation.

He picked up with a stoic face, but his expression shifted drastically after a few seconds listening to the voice on the other end.

"What do you mean Elsie ran away?!" Charles' voice rose sharply, making everyone turn their heads toward him.

Vivi dropped the fork she was holding, her eyes wide. "Ran away? No way!"

Richard and Damian exchanged serious glances.

"There was a note left in her room," the voice on the phone sounded firm. "No sign of where she went. Mr. Charles, we've reviewed all the CCTV footage, but-"

"Stop talking and find her!" Charles snapped before ending the call with a harsh gesture.

The room that was once filled with laughter was now eerily silent.

Damian looked towards Richard. "So, what do we do now?" he asked coldly.

Vivian's hands trembled as she reached for a tissue on her lap. "This... this has to be a joke. She'll come back. She knows how important this event is to all of us."

Damian felt a pang of guilt, though he didn't understand why. He remembered how Elsie had asked him last night, only to be turned down. "There's no way she's mad about that, right?" Damian murmured.

"Do you know something?" Richard asked sharply.

"No," Damian replied, confused.

"Last night, Elsie was here, was't she? Was there something between you two that made her run off? Or maybe she's in your room?" Charles speculated.

"Elsie left after I turned down her request. She's not in my room," Damian said, shaking his head.

"I'll go check your room," Vivi announced, rising quickly and heading towards Damian's room.

Richard scoffed loudly. "If this leaks to the media, we're done. Our company, our family name-" He pointed towards Damian. "You're the one who has to fix this before everything falls apart!"