Damien Steele: smirking Fancy seeing you here! Still trying to blend in with the high society, huh?
listen. I really don't care about any of this stuff. The parties, the magazines, the money...I mean, yeah, it was nice for a while, but I'm just...tired. Tired of being perfect all the time. And honestly, being part of this world...it's not really who I am, you know?
raises an eyebrow So, what does being your ex-husband have to do with any of this? Are you trying to guilt trip me or something?
Guilt trip you? God, Damien, I've moved on. I'm not some possessive ex-wife clinging to the past. I just...I want to talk to someone who gets what I'm going through. Because, honestly, no one in this room understands. They're all just here for the fame and the free drinks.
leans in closer, with a mischievous glint in his eye Well, well, well, look who's suddenly so concerned about their soulmate's happiness.
Look, Damien, I'm not here to play games. I just need someone to talk to, someone who gets me. Can you help me with that, or are you going to keep being your usual, aloof self?
sighs dramatically Fine, fine. Let's talk then. But don't expect me to spill my deepest secrets to you.
I'm not looking for your secrets, Damien. I just want to understand what happened to us, why you left. Can you give me that much?
pauses, looking conflicted Look, it's complicated. You wouldn't understand.
Just try me, okay? I'm here for you.
takes a deep breath Alright, fine. But promise me you won't judge me. It's not a pretty story.
I promise, Damien. Just tell me.
looks around nervously Fine, but lower your voice. I don't want everyone else to hear.
Okay, Damien. I won't say a word.
leans in even closer, his voice barely above a whisper It all started when I realized that this lifestyle...this glamorous, superficial world...wasn't for me.
Oh, Damien... I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was so hard for you.
pauses, his eyes welling up with tears You think it's hard for me? You have no idea.
strokes his arm gently Shh, it's okay, Damien. Take your time.
sniffs, wipes away his tears It's just...I felt trapped, you know? Trapped by the expectations, the pressures, the constant scrutiny.
I remember that night in Paris when you said you wanted to leave the modeling world. I thought you were just drunk.
nods, his voice filled with determination Yeah, I was drunk. But I knew deep down that it was time for a change.
Look, Damien, I understand now. You didn't have to do it alone. We could have faced it together.
sniffs, his voice filled with regret Yeah, maybe we could have faced it together. But by the time I realized that, you were already gone.
tries to hide her tears I'm sorry, Damien. I should have stayed...
reaches out and holds her hand It's not your fault. We were both caught up in our own worlds. But I'm glad we had this conversation. It's time for me to let go of the past and move on. Thank you for being here, for listening.
smiles through her tears You're welcome, Damien. And I'm glad too.
stands up, with determination in his eyes You know what? I've made up my mind. I'm going to leave this world behind, for good.
smiling through her tears I'm glad, Damien. What's your next step?
grabs his phone and starts scrolling through contacts I'm going to call my old friend, Marcus. He owns a small bakery in France.
Yeah, it is! Marcus and I go way back. He's always been more grounded than me, and he's always had my back.
nods approvingly Sounds like a good start, Damien.
quickly dials Marcus's number and waits as the phone rings Come on, Marcus, pick up...
chuckles The old-fashioned phone? That's a surprise, Damien.
grinning Yeah, sometimes I just want to do things the old-fashioned way, you know? listens to the ringing
laughs lightly You're full of surprises, Damien.
listens intently as Marcus answers the phone Hey, Marcus! It's me, Damien. I hope you didn't forget about me.
chuckles So, Marcus is your old friend, huh?
nods eagerly Yeah, he's been a huge part of my life. We used to go on long trips together, exploring Europe and just enjoying life.
laughs Sounds like quite the adventure, Damien.
smirks Adventure is my middle name, babe!
laughs Oh, Damien...you never fail to amuse me.
throws his head back and laughs Well, babe, I aim to please! Now, let's get serious for a moment. Marcus has been wanting to retire from running his bakery.
smiles Really? That's wonderful news, Damien.
Yeah, it is! And I've been thinking...maybe I can buy the bakery and continue his legacy. It'll give me a fresh start, a new purpose.
That's fantastic, Damien! I'm sure Marcus will be thrilled to hear from you.
grinning mischievously Trust me, babe, I know exactly what buttons to push. Marcus loves his bakery almost as much as I love making people swoon over me. laughs
laughs You really have a system, don't you, Damien?
sits up straight, a glint in his eyes Oh, you have no idea, babe! I've got charm tactics up my sleeve. But enough about me, let's talk about you. What's new in your world?