"Bummer. He died. I wonder who the next Bond man will be. I think we need we need representation. Maybe someone like Idris Elba," Tina dreamily sighed over video call on Hera's laptop.

Hera scoffed at her friends opinion. "Seriously? Who likes Idris? Perhaps someone like Michael B Jordan."

"Oh please," Tina rolled her eyes proceeding to list all the cons however Hera's focus was on her phone that was currently blowing up as it sat on the coffee table.

"I'll call you later. Got to go. Love you."

"Bye girl," Tina managed to say before the connection went static.

Picking up her phone from the table, Hera immediately clicked on the notifications that took her to her WhatsApp. "Goodness me. Not again!" she groaned thinking the insulting texts were from Jane but a closer look made her realise that this wasn't Jane.

If you know what's good for you, then you'd stay away from Daman

I'll kill you if I ever see you

You two are not fooling anybody

Daman would never go for a fat gorilla like you, you must have trapped him somehow

Bitch. Gold-digger. Whore.

Hera visibly faltered at each text coming through one after another and unknowingly she got a little bit scared at the constant 'I'll kill you' appearing in between each text. Who was this?

As quickly as she could with her shaking hands, she blocked the number as more texts were currently being typed. It was appalling seeing the things that were being said, this was even worse than how Jane went about.

"Hera?"

Hera jumped in her seat causing her phone to fly out of her grasp and straight to the floor in front of Daman.

"You startled me," she said in shock as a hand went up to her chest trying to ease her heartbeat. How did she not even hear the door open?

"What's wrong? I've been trying to get your attention for a bit." Daman said and swiftly picked up her phone handing it back to her.

"Huh?" was all she could say as she was so spaced out. Why did these types of thing keep on happening to her?

Daman noticed her aloofness and took a seat next to her on the sofa. "Are you alright?"

Hera's face was anything but alright. She looked scared as a mouse and her breathing was slightly hitched which didn't go unnoticed by the duke. He was concerned.

Hesitantly she handed her phone to Daman who took it in confusion at first. However, reading the texts one after the other got him angry. Who the fuck was this? Was it Adam playing a sick joke on them? After all, he was the only person who had Hera's number that was also acquainted with Daman.

Hastily Daman fished out his phone from his pocket and tried calling the number multiple times but it went straight to voicemail or was simply declined.

"Fucking bastard," he muttered out, fuming at who would send such nasty texts.

Hera could see Daman's temper rise up so she snatched her phone back and deleted the chat as fast as she could. Trying her best to put on a brave face and act nonchalant was proving to be hard considering that death threats weren't all that glamorous. "Uh, leave it. It's nothing."

Well, she was trying to convince herself but it was her never ending fortune that she was always the recipient of such gruesome texts. They got to her, every nasty remark left an imprint, but all she could do was ignore it.

"Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing. Best we ignore it." Daman said with a strong attitude that he had Hera believing him when she nodded. "Don't worry, we'll be fine," he further added.

Clearing his throat, the duke slouched on the couch and leaned back. "I've been feeling like I've been hit by a bus lately. Think I'm catching something," he said with a beat down voice that Hera's attention.

"I haven't even noticed. Should I make you some turmeric milk?" Hera inquired with urgency. It wasn't flu season as yet. Perhaps he's simply watered down from all the work he's been busy with lately.

"Turmeric milk?"

Hera nodded and placed her hand on Daman's forehead checking to see if he had a temperature which she was glad he didn't. "When it was flu season, Mr. Patel always made me a glass of turmeric milk with lots of ginger and honey to combat the feeling. It will only take ten minutes. Be right back."

Hera practically ran to the kitchen getting the saucepan out to prepare the drink for the duke whereas Daman checked to see if she was occupied. Ensuring the she was, he grabbed her phone from and went back to the WhatsApp tab. He unblocked the number and tried looking at the profile for any information but it was all blank.

He didn't think it through when he sent a reply, but this person was scaring Hera.

Whoever you are, if you know what's good for you then you'd better stay away from Hera. I'll erase your existence if you ever even breathe the same air as her

With that he blocked the number again and deleted the chat. He didn't need to specify that it was him who had sent the message because he knew the other person at the end would figure it out.

Daman was about to set her phone down when he saw another notification appear that immediately had him curious.

Against his morals which seem to be constantly depleting, Daman opened the message. He had tried for a second to resist the urge to meddle in her business but seeing Mikael's name pop up would obviously overpower that.

Daman had a hatred for this guy and he didn't even know him, but he knew enough to justify the feeling.

Sugar, I'm sorry. I don't know how many more times I need to apologize. You know I love you. I never meant for it to turn out this way. I hope we can still be friends. There's no woman like you.

Daman scrolled up on the chat prying. He saw the continuous apologies and texts from Mikael. Some Hera had responded to in a civil manner and some an ongoing friendly conversation between the 2 of them. Daman wanted to scoff out loud knowing that she was still talking to Miakel but looking at the chats it was all surface level on her side so he couldn't really fault her.

Why the hell would she still be talking to him, Daman thought and started assuming things for the worst. Why would she talk to a person who put her through the most painful times of her life?

Once again, against his better judgement Daman typed out a message and hit send.

Sunday at 3. Meet me at the Sunrise café. We'll talk.

The duke was alarmed as he heard Hera shuffling around in the kitchen indicating the she was done there and making her way back to the lounge.

He didn't wait for a reply but hastily blocked Mikael's contact and deleted the chat. Daman innocently placed Hera's phone back to where it was as if he hadn't dabbled in her business.

"It's done and still lovely and warm," Hera smiled and brought two large mugs and handed one to Daman. "Funny thing is, this is actually trending right now. They calling it golden milk," Hera snickered and sat extremely close to him who was quick to welcome her bare legs that brushed against him.

Crap. Now he had to actually drink this stuff. He hated milk and his lie would force him to consume a whole large mug. But anything for Hera.

"It's still early. Would you like to watch another movie?" Hera asked eagerly with her eyes lighting up. She pushed away all the scared feelings and told herself that she will always be safe with Daman.

Daman frowned as he took a sip of the milk. It usually made him gag but nevertheless he did gulp it down.

"Sure. But not something sappy. I don't have patience for that."

Hera giggled because she was the complete opposite. She had an abundance of patience for sappy movies. Subtly she scooted closer to the duke and set her feet under her with her knees brushing against him. Of course he welcomed it as he placed his hand over her leg, drawing soft circles on her exposed skin.

"By the way," Daman began, "Tomorrow is a busy day for us. At 12, were meeting my cousins who I grew up with here in London. I haven't seen them in ages and upon hearing the news from my grandmother, they demanded to see you."

"Oh, alright. I hope that they won't be too disappointed when we split later on." Hera agreed quite lazily because she knew that meeting his clan was required of her. Their arrangement was for the public eye anyways.

Daman didn't say anything to her because quite frankly, he wasn't all to sure if the split would be. He could be damn possessive when he wanted to and right now Hera had him in a firm grip. He really liked her. And the prospects she brought with her.

Hera scrolled through the list of action movies on Netflix and they both finally agreed on Extraction. She wasn't one for over-the-top action films, but Daman was keen on it.

As the movie progressed, the overwhelming urge to kiss Hera was beginning to drive Daman crazy. She smelt so good, she felt so good against him and touching her creamy skin rubbing up against him brought his sense to a standstill.

Daman turned his head to face her, wanting so badly to taste her just a little but he smiled watching her head fall onto his shoulder as she fell asleep on him.