Hera was practically doing the jive internally. She wanted to hop, skip and jump high up on victory. The interview went amazing and she even saw a couple of smiles from the stuck-up board members when she gave her answers. It was more than she had expected.

Currently, Hera tried to mask her joy by walking professionally in her black heels with matching black skirt suit as Adam gave her a tour of the office block. She felt confident and beautiful which was rare. Hera didn't miss the way Daman's eyes had raked over her with satisfaction in the morning when she came down clad in her business wear.

The board didn't even need Adam's influence, Hera was simply that good - thanks to Daman's prep as well. Her knight in shining armour it seemed.

"You'll be allocated a cubicle since your position is intermediary. Only junior and senior partners have individual offices while junior and senior associates share the cubicles. Your space is on the 18th floor, desk 27C." Adam had courteously taken the liberty to narrate everything to Hera.

"Thank you for your help. With..uhm.. everything. I really appreciate it." Daman had informed Hera that Adam was told she was his long lost special friend from London. Adam didn't know the full details, but then again he didn't care at all.

Adam flashed a panty-dropping grin to Hera and placed his hand on her waist as he guided them to the lifts. Daman had chosen a rare beauty, Adam had thought. He was mesmerised when he saw Hera and if she wasn't Daman's girl, he'd waste no time in asking her for a date.

"Associates on the 18th floor work closely with me. They are my special team. So that means we'll be seeing a lot more of each other," Adam said ever so casually as he ushered Hera into the elevator. He realised Hera was off bounds, but that couldn't mean he wouldn't flirt with her. There was ample room for temptation.

"Oh alright. I'll be sure to be aware of that." Hera said in oblivion. She was simply ecstatic to have a job and that too, a position of an associate. She for sure thought that she'd be starting at the very bottom as a simple a law clerk.

Adam looked at her reflection in the mirror and stared at her. Hera took no notice of his action and thought about the upcoming prosperities of her employment. She vowed to herself to be the best team-player there ever was and efficiency should be her second name.

Whereas all the managing partner of Stretson and Rothman could think about was what it would be like to wine and dine her. What would it be like to take her out? To treat her to little adventures and then go home and sore in a passionate fuck.

Adam barely knew her for an hour but his thoughts were going haywire. It was dangerous, Daman was his friend and Adam indulged in a lot of dodgy activities but betrayal wasn't something he wanted to add to the list.

"You have very beautiful hair," he mumbled softly as he still stared at Hera, however he made sure to now do it subtly.

Hera's hand went to her unruly curls and she pushed it away from her forehead. She let out a shaky laugh, slightly unhinged at the compliment. "Thank you. It can be a menace to tame sometimes."

All Adam could think about was those soft curls sprawled out on his chest as she laid on him in their aftermath of their lovemaking but alas, a dream is only a dream.

Adam was a decent man, but beauty was his weakness. However he chided himself whenever his thoughts went there with Hera. She was Daman's, not his.

Both of them stepped out of the lift and went over to Hera's cubicle. 3 of the spots were already set up with the fourth left bare for her.

"You'll be sharing with Chardonnay, Kristin and Devin. Get settled in well and I'll be here at 9 sharp tomorrow morning to hand over your first tasks. All the best," Adam wished Hera and stuck his hand out.

With a smile, Hera confidently placed it in his assuming that it was a token of professionality however she was surprised when he brought her knuckles up to his lips and left a chaste kiss before walking away.

"Well you're already a favourite. Special treatment means easy to slack off, let's hope you can prove me wrong," spat out someone's voice with a nasty tone.

Hera turned around to see 2 girls and a guy looking at her. She set down her bag neatly on her allocated desk as the trio walked up to their respective work cubicles.

Thinking nothing of it, Hera turned to greet the girl who already held contempt for her. "Nevermind that, I'm Hera Uzayr. Nice to meet you." She gave a small wave that went unreciprocated but such never bothered Hera.

"Don't mind her. Chardonnay is just Chardonnay. I'm Kristin and that is Devin." Hera politely smiled at the gorgeous red head with pale white skin and grey eyes.

The day practically flew by as Hera got acquainted with her colleagues and reread her contract multiple times ensuring everything was thoroughly understood.

"You know the team is going to grill you right? Especially because new hire's don't directly get to this position," said Kristin as she swiveled her chair to face Hera.

Hera sighed but nevertheless plastered a smile on her face. "I wouldn't expect anything less." She knew that they'd grab her by the neck going forward but all she could do was roll with the punches. She'd come this far already.

"I don't think you'd last here for a month. Obviously got here throguh contacts and not through your own hard work. Daddy's money speaks volumes it for you kind of people," scoffed out Chardonnay unpleasantly and walked away to Adam's office upstairs. She was his acting personal assistant as his was currently on maternity leave.

Kristin was quick to change the topic and Hera hadn't retaliated. Was Chardonnay wrong though? Not quite except for the last part.

The day had reached 5pm when it was time to depart and Hera gathered her things beaming to tell Daman about her day when she got home.

Similarly the week had passed by in a blur with Daman and Hera busy with their new priorities. The duke was trying his best to move over his business smoothly and efficiently while Hera was occupied with her new responsibilities.

They saw little of each other but when they did they made it worth their while by talking, sharing meals and driving together.

The new law firm was doing Hera well. Her moods were lifted despite Chardonnay being constantly up in her face whereas Kristin and Devin were wonderful colleagues to work with. Adam had been strict when it came to work, however he always gave her compliments and gave her company when there was free time. Hera tied it down to him being Daman's friend so she wholeheartedly welcomed his presence.

It was Friday and late afternoon when Hera walked into the apartment. Tina and her were scheduled for a video call date to watch James Bond together while eating their favourite bubblegum flavoured ice-cream.

However, when Hera entered the kitchen to refill her water bottle, she was pleasantly surprised to see a big box of Turkish delights set on the counter with a little sticky note attached.

Enjoy your movie night, gorgeous. Out with Adam.

-D

Hera gleamed at the gesture and grabbed the box running up to her room to devour Daman's gift. All she could think about was how Daman remembered her likes from their Bahrain trip. He really did pay attention to her and she felt giddy knowing that the duke had taken his time to make her happy.

Meanwhile, at the roof top bar sat Daman along with Adam as the sun set casting a glow upon their faces. Both were enjoying a strong drink after a hectic week and Daman mostly celebrating with his friend the success of moving his business in one piece.

"3 o'clock. Red dress. What do you think?" Adam keenly inquired as he raised his brows at Daman.

The duke glanced at the woman who had been eyeing him since he had stepped foot up in the bar, but he had no interest in her.

"You're one for sleeping around. Not me."

Adam groaned at Daman's uptight ways which was always a constant. "For god's sake man. Your 30 years old and slept with like 2 women!"

Hearing his friend's words made him snicker. Daman wasn't a man to share a bed with just anybody. In actual fact, he had not gone all the way. But that didn't mean he'd been living the celibate life of and innocent boy. As a duke, woman were a constant and he'd dated quite a few of them. He simply drew the line at penetration.

He didn't particularly have a reason why he chose to chaste himself, it just happened. Perhaps on the back of his mind the concept of faith-based abstinence stuck with him since it was engraved in his head since he was merely a boy, and also because of the fact that he wouldn't disrespect women in that particular way. Not to mention the fact that he had this unwavering fear of what had happened to his father happening to him. Daman couldn't bear to get trapped with a child in such a horrendous way. Hence he stayed clear of it all.

"Tell me," Adam began with a glint in his eyes and he leaned closer to Daman, "Have you... been with Hera as yet?"

The duke's eyes instantaneously went to Adam alarmed. "Don't you fucking dare tell me that you are attracted to her." Daman was riled up at Adam even thinking that way about Hera. Undoubtedly Adam leaped from bed to bed as if he was playing hopscotch but thinking about Hera that way crossed the line for Daman.

"Woah, calm down." Adam raised his hands in defence and backed away. He gulped down his drink in one go with a smirk directed at Daman. "Well she is beautiful. And maybe when you're done with her, I'll pick up the pieces." With that, Adam knew not to linger around the Duke therefore he backed away walking to the red dress lady ready to flaunt his charm.

"Bastard," Daman gritted out looking at his friend in a fuming manner. How dare he? How dare anybody think about in Hera in that way. Besides, it was official. Hera was now his.

Daman couldn't even stand being in the same room with Adam at that point so he chucked a few bills on the countertop and walked off ready to go home and see his qiTa.