Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46

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Aubrey couldn’t read Damon’s eyes. She was still worried he was in a bad mood, didn’t want to eat with her, let alone with her mother.

She said to Layla,“Mom, I’ll take you out to eat.”

Layla’s face fell. She turned to Brenda, who was bringing out the dishes.“Brenda,” she asked,“is there not much food cooked?”

Brenda replied politely, “There’s plenty. I can even cook two more dishes.”

“Oh no, no, I don’t eat much,” Layla declared, her tone insistent. Walking towards the kitchen, she added, “Don’t mind me. I’ll just make myself useful and help out.”

Aubrey watched her mother disappear into the kitchen, a wave of uncertainty washing over her as she stood there awkwardly.

Damon walked up to her, and before he could even speak, she rushed to explain,“My mom came to bring me some dried sweet potatoes. She fight with Madison downstairs in the complex, so…”

got

into a

“I know.”

“What?” Aubrey was stunned.

What did he know?

That her mother had come to deliver dried sweet potatoes, or that her mother had gotten into a fight?

Seeing her bewildered expression, Damon explained gently,“The community security guard called me. He said you were stopped and cursed at in the complex.”

A look of surprise flashed across Aubrey’s face.

I hadn’t realized he was on such good terms with the security guard.

She never so much as acknowledged the security guards, gliding past them without a word every time she entered or exited the complex. So it was a jolt to realize they all knew her.

Damon had clearly pulled quite a few strings to ensure her safety in her home.

It dawned on her.“So you came back just for me?”

Damon didn’t answer her question, turning his head toward the dining table where dinner was already set and Layla was serving soup.

“I still have to work late again tonight. I’ll head back after dinner.”

He turned and walked toward the dining table.

Aubrey hurried forward, tugging on his sleeve.

Damon stopped, turning back. His gaze dropped to her hands, her long, slender fingers gripping the edge of his sleeve.

His dark, calm eyes slowly lifted to meet her clear, bright gaze.

“Damon, have you watched the video I sent you?”

“I have.”

Aubrey asked, a slight tension in her voice, “Then why didn’t you text me back?”

“I didn’t have time.”

“Even to send an emoji, you didn’t have two seconds?”

“I didn’t know what to say.”

Aubrey murmured, a touch of hurt in her voice, “Are you still mad at me?”

“Let’s eat first. We can talk later, when I have time.”

“From the day you hired Brenda to take care of me, you haven’t had any time, and that’ll continue until April.”

Damon’s expression darkened. His gaze dropped to her hand, and he gently pushed it away. “When you’ve truly thought this through,” he said, “then come talk to me.”

< Chapter 46

“Clear about what?”

“Our relationship.”

“We’re just friends!”

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Damon offered a bitter, fleeting smile, his eyes shadowed with disappointment. A sardonic edge to his voice, he said, “Since we’re friends, it’s not that complicated.”

Aubrey understood the meaning behind his words, and a hollow ache settled in her chest.

From across the room, Layla called out, “Aubrey, Damon, come on, dinner’s ready!”

Damon let out a soft sigh, then turned and walked over.

Aubrey’s steps felt heavy as she followed.

The four of them sat around the dining table, eating.

Layla suddenly asked, “So, Brenda, what exactly is your role here?”

Aubrey stiffened, speechless as she looked at her mother.

Brenda awkwardly glanced at Damon.

Damon served Layla some food.“Auntie,” he said politely, “It’s not really appropriate to discuss salaries. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please bring them to me directly.”

Layla, completely unconcerned, said, “I usually just do odd jobs, so I have a lot of free time. I could easily come over and cook for you–no need to pay

someone else.”

Brenda offered a strained, awkward smile.

Damon explained,“Brenda can drive. She needs to take Aubrey to work every day, drive her to appointments for official business, and occasionally pick her up when she works late. Do you drive?”

Layla gave an embarrassed laugh and shook her head.“I don’t drive,” she admitted.

“Auntie, that you have such a loving heart for Aubrey is more than enough,” Damon said, smiling politely.

Layla gushed, “My daughter has been a picky eater since she was little. I know exactly what she loves and hates to eat. Later, I’ll chat with Brenda and teach her how to make a few of Aubrey’s favorite dishes.”

Brenda politely chimed in,“Of course, I’ll be sure to learn from you.”

Aubrey’s fork clattered to her plate. She lowered her gaze, falling silent, a faint tremor seizing her heart.

Without Damon, her world felt desolate, lonely, and devoid of love.

How did he manage it, that with him by her side, everyone seemed to love her?

Even Damon’s family, despite her ordinary background, doted on her.

In any other powerful, prominent family, even the driver wouldn’t have given her a second glance.

She had no idea how much Damon had done for her, all without her knowing.

In her dim, desolate life, the moment Damon appeared, it was as if he lit a warm lamp just for her.

And with it, all the lights in the world seemed to ignite, all for her.

After dinner, Damon left with her mother. Aubrey overheard them talking; he was going to drop her mother off first before heading back to the office.

to work overtime.

After her shower, Aubrey lay on her stomach in bed while Brenda applied the medicine.

Her mind drifted to the days Damon had massaged the cream into her skin.

It had been so awkward, yet so utterly blissful.

“Aubrey,” Brenda said, “your skin is recovering really well. The scars have faded significantly.”

“Thank you, Brenda.”

Chapter 46

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“No need to thank me, darling, it’s my job.” Brenda gathered the ointment, a soft smile gracing her lips.“Damon is truly wonderful to you. Honestly, your mother didn’t even have to tell me about your likes and dislikes. From the moment Damon hired me, he handed me several sheets of paper, covered in every detail of your tastes, preferences, and daily habits.”

Aubrey froze, her fingers digging into the bedsheet. Her heart felt as though it had been seared, a flush of overwhelming hear spreading through her.

“Honestly, the compensation Damon pays me is more than fair,” Brenda continued. “I used to be a fitness instructor, so I can definitely handle myself against an average man. But his other crucial demand was to protect you, no matter what.”

Aubrey’s eyes welled up instantly, a sudden rush of tears. She buried her face in the pillow, giving a silent nod

Sometimes, when she was overwhelmed by emotion, her heart would clench and throb with pain.

“Good night, Ms. Hayes. I’m off for the night.”

“Mm.” The faint, spicy sting of the medicine caught in Aubrey’s throat as she offered a small wave.

The door closed.

The room quieted. She turned her head, gazing out at the balcony, tears welling in her eyes.

She, too, yearned to love Damon with unbridled passion and reckless abandon.

This love, so deeply repressed, was excruciating.

That night, Damon didn’t go home. He pulled an all–nighter at work, and when he finally returned the next morning, he went straight to his room to

rest.

She’d barely managed five hours of sleep before she was out the door and off to work.

Aubrey was also very busy.

Beyond her demanding work schedule, she also had to carve out time to track down the spouses of the three witnesses, desperately hoping to secure more proof of their affairs from five years ago.

On top of everything else, she also had to meet with Vincent Hall, her lawyer, to discuss Caleb’s case.

In Vincent’s office at the firm.

Vincent listened to Aubrey’s ideas and litigation strategy, and he was incredibly impressed.

“Ms. Hayes,” Vincent remarked, a touch of awe in his voice,“you’re truly incredible. You could have handled this case entirely on your own; there was absolutely no need to spend so much money bringing me in.”

Aubrey offered a small, embarrassed smile.“It’s Damon’s way of showing he cares. He probably sees me as some delicate, innocent girl, and he’s worried my kindness will get the better of me, making me too lenient with the case.”

“Doesn’t he know you’re notoriously ruthless in Crestview City’s legal circles? The kind of woman who, when fighting for an employee’s wages, once brought an entire mega–corporation to its knees?”

“Oh, Vincent, you’re giving me too much credit.”

“I hear that firms in New Haven City and Seaside Town have been throwing offers your way, and with quite substantial compensation packages. How is it you’re still willing to stay in Crestview City, working as a pro bono lawyer?”

Aubrey’s gaze drifted calmly out the window. “Justice shouldn’t be a luxury,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “Behind every small case lies the fate of a family. When the law only serves those who can afford exorbitant legal fees, it betrays its original purpose of fairness. Instead of adding a flourish to already thriving firms, I’d rather stay here and provide a lifeline to those in desperate need.”

But there was a simpler, more profound truth behind it all.

The raw truth was, she’d been unable to afford a decent lawyer to appeal her father’s case. That’s why she’d immersed herself in legal texts, burning the midnight oil until she passed the bar herself.

She knew there were countless ordinary, struggling people just like her in this world.

Her father’s case had irrevocably altered the entire trajectory of her life.

If his life was ruined, it would forever cast a shadow on her own future, limiting her prospects.

Vincent nodded, thoroughly impressed and convinced. He couldn’t help but extend an offer to her once again.

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“Ms. Hayes,” Vincent said, his voice sincere, “you are the most perfectly suited person I’ve ever met to be a lawyer, Gentle and beautiful, seemingly harmless, yet incredibly capable, with a fierce edge when it counts. And you don’t chase fame or fortune. If you ever decide to pursue opportunities elsewhere, you must give me a chance.”

Aubrey offered a polite, faint smile. “Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Hall”

Vincent, feeling a sense of quiet gratification, extended his hand. They shook, two individuals with a twelve–year age gap, yet a clear bond of mutual respect formed between them.

It was Sunday afternoon, and the temperatures were climbing.

Bright sunlight streamed through the balcony glass, spilling onto the living room floor.

A soft breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, stirred the white sheer curtains.

Aubrey curled her legs up on the sofa, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window. She tried to empty her mind, but her heart felt just as hollow.

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening echoed from one of the rooms.

Damon walked out of the room, dressed in gray loungewear, moving with an air of relaxed grace.

His hair was still damp, making him look incredibly fresh and handsome, as if he’d just woken up from a deep sleep after a long night of work and then

showered.

When he walked over and settled beside her, the pleasant scent of his shower wafted over, only confirming her suspicion.

“You’re finally resting?” Aubrey turned to face him, leaning her head back against the sofa, her bright, almond eyes sparkling with a clear, luminous glow.

“I’m not made of steel, you know,” Damon teased.

Aubrey’s eyes softened, her voice gentle as she said, “Brenda is off today. I’ll make you dinner later.”

“Your cooking, Aubrey? I’ve got it covered.”

“You’ve been so busy these past few days; you must be exhausted. You should really rest. I promise I’ll follow an online recipe strictly, step by step, and make it the most delicious meal you’ve ever had.”

“If following a recipe guaranteed delicious food,” Damon countered with a playful smirk, “then everyone would be a master chef.”

Aubrey let out a soft, embarrassed laugh, her head falling back weakly against the sofa. She gazed at Damon’s handsome face, her eyes growing hazy,

the love in them undeniable.

A deep contentment settled over her, a peaceful satisfaction that whispered, it’s so good to have him.

Damon frowned at her.“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Why?”

“I’ll get the

wrong idea.”

“My friend’s handsome. What’s there to misunderstand about me taking a few extra glances?”

Damon turned, shifting sideways on the sofa, his elbow resting along the back, facing her directly. He leaned closer. “Aubrey,” he murmured, his voice low, “do you usually flirt with your ‘just friends‘ like this?”

Aubrey’s gaze tangled with his.“Damon,” she began, her voice barely a whisper, “you’re going back to New Haven City in April, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Damon’s expression tightened, and he gave a slight nod.

Aubrey pressed her lips into a bitter line. Her head dropped as she took a deep, shaky breath, her chest feeling tight, a suffocating knot forming inside

her.

“What are you thinking?” Damon murmured, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

“What thoughts could I possibly have?” Aubrey managed, her smile feeling thin and artificial.

“If you have no thoughts,” he pressed, “why do you care so much if I misunderstand you and Ethan? You even went through the trouble of digging up the original video to prove your innocence.”

< Chapter 46

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Aubrey’s heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She nervously dropped her feet to the floor, already envisioning a quick escape into the kitchen. “I’ll go make you dinner.”

Damon’s hand closed around her wrist, a firm, non–negotiable grip. He tugged, pulling her back onto the cushion with a jolt.“It’s barely past three in the afternoon. What kind of ‘dinner‘ are you making?” His voice was low, laced with warning. “Don’t dodge, Aubrey. Answer my question.”

Aubrey’s heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat threatening to leap into her throat. She stared into his eyes, as bright and fathomless as polished obsidian, and her composure shattered, leaving her utterly flustered.

She didn’t want to answer. Instead, she turned the tables, her voice a little shaky.“What about you then? Getting jealous over a few photos–don’t you have any thoughts or feelings?”

Damon leaned in, closing the distance between them. His gaze, scorching and intense, locked onto hers. His voice, a husky whisper that vibrated through the air, was thick with emotion. “I have feelings for you, Aubrey.”

His closeness made Aubrey lean back, her hands bracing against the cushions as her breath hitched. The clean, fresh scent of his shower gel filled her

senses.

A knot of tension tightened in her chest, heat blooming through her veins, and her heart hammered against her ribs. She swallowed hard.

Damon’s intense gaze swept over her full, pink lips, her bright, clear eyes, and the flush on her pale cheeks. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his throat feeling raw. His voice, a low, raspy whisper, asked,“Aubrey, will

you be my girlfriend?”

Aubrey’s thoughts scrambled, a tangled mess in her head. Without a second thought, she blurted out, “No.”

Damon seemed to anticipate her rejection, his expression unsettlingly calm. He braced one hand on the back of the sofa, the other on the edge, caging her in, slowly lowering himself closer until he was hovering over her.“Is it that you don’t want to,” he murmured, his voice deeper now,“or that you don’t like me?”

Inches from him, Aubrey felt his hot breath fan her face. She leaned back further, her blood roaring through her veins, her voice a soft, breathless whisper:“What’s the difference?”

“Don’t want to‘ means you’re not ready for a relationship, but you’re still attracted to me.” Damon paused, his gaze intense.“And ‘don’t like‘ means you have no interest in me whatsoever, but you’d be open to a relationship with someone else.”

Aubrey lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. He slowly pressed her back, until she was lying flat on the sofa, her chest rising and falling rapidly.“The former,” she mumbled, a blush creeping up her neck.

Damon’s lips curved into a faint smile. He reiterated her meaning.“You don’t want a relationship, but you’re still attracted to me. Aubrey, you just want to keep playing games with me?”

Aubrey’s eyes widened in surprise, meeting his gaze.

He loomed over her, a dangerously close distance separating them, almost pressing down on her.

Their breaths mingled, and their tangled gazes grew thick and heavy, stretching like taffy, a potent pull they both struggled to suppress.

The air grew hot, the atmosphere charged with unspoken desire, as if they’d been plunged into a fiery furnace, teetering on the verge of combustion.

“That’s not what I meant,” Aubrey insisted, still playing coy, her cheeks flushed with heat.

Damon’s deep eyes blazed, a wildfire threatening to spread.“If not,” he challenged, his voice a low rumble,“then push me away.”

Aubrey’s heart hammered against her ribs, and she froze, unable to move.

A beat passed. Aubrey still didn’t lift a hand to push his chest, nor did she flinch away, her alluring almond eyes tangled intimately with his gaze.

Damon moistened his dry lips, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and his deep, magnetic voice murmured, “If you don’t push me away, I’m going to kiss you.”

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