The next morning, Hera completed her morning routine of writing in her diary and she took her time to indulge in a soothing shower and dress in something that would grab Daman's attention. She wasn't entirely sure why she was making and effort, but she went along with it.

The same could be said for Daman. He changed his t-shirt 3 times before settling on a plain white t-shirt simply because he knew that playing it safe would work in his favour. "It's just a damn colour..." he complained to himself and huffed out a breath.

It was their first morning together and both wanted to start it off on a good note.

Daman was first to go downstairs and turn the coffee machine on. He then proceeded to open the fridge and look inside. He scratched his head while he was at it, looking cluelessly at all of the produce. Daman was a man of many things, but cooking was not one of those many things.

"Hi," he heard Hera's slightly deep voice greet him. Hastily he turned around and took in her appearance.

Goodness, she was a sight for sore eyes. He could get used to this!

Hera exuberated a feminine and fresh appeal in her off-shoulder floral and white mini dress. Half of her hair was pinned back leaving her tempting collarbones on display and her face was fresh except for some tinted lip balm.

Daman cleared his throat and looked down immediately since he was gawking at her like an uncultured idiot. "Uhm, yes, hi. Good morning."

The duke made Hera's tummy flutter with butterflies especially when he looked drool worthy in a pair of dark washed jeans. "How did you sleep?"

Daman turned to the cabinets and took out two coffee mugs placing it on the back counter. "I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow. The various time zones have been getting to me. And yourself?"

Hera took a seat by the kitchen counter and placed her palms on the marble countertop. "Your expensive guest room bed would be able to do wonders for even an insomniac."

Daman lightly smiled at her before asking how she would take her coffee.

"2 sugars and a lot of cream please."

"Didn't peg you for a sweet tooth," he jested as he poured the remainder of the cream in her cup.

Hera thanked him for the effort and took a sip of her morning drink. Looking over at him, it was plain black in his cup. Daman took a seat directly next to her so much so that his knees brushed against hers similar to their very first meeting.

"Not precisely a sweeth tooth, I just like my coffee sweet. Are you hungry? Should I make something to eat?"

Daman did something between a nod and a shrug as he gave her free reign of his kitchen.

Hera quickly got to work getting the ingredients ready for her simple dish of shakshouka. It was north African indulgence, but she had also grown up eating it thanks to Mr. Patel. He was a master when it came to anything culinary. He had taught her many mouth-watering dishes.

Daman watched Hera work effortlessly in the kitchen. She handed him a knife along with an avocado. "Get handy," she smiled at him.

The duke did as he was told and sliced the avocado aa best as he could setting equal portions on two plates for them as a side. She then instructed him to warm the pita bread on the griddle while she carefully cracked four eggs into the spicy tomato sauce.

Together, they enjoyed their meal with idle chatter in between. Daman ate his portion like a caveman because Hera's cooking had exceeded his expectations, even if it was for a simple breakfast dish.

"What are your plans for the day?"

Hera disposed of the last knife into the dishwasher and turned it on. "Nothing really..." she drawled out since it was Sunday.

Daman gulped down a glass of water and a thought entered his mind. "I think I need to help you prepare for your interview tomorrow. I know Stretson and Rothman and their board of directors are ruthless. You need to be prepared."

Hera stopped dead in her tracks hearing him. "I thought the interview was just a formality. I thought the job was guaranteed." This was bad. Panic was setting in and when Hera's anxiety started lifting, nothing ever went well.

Immediately Daman went close to her and in a comforting gesture, rubbed his hand on her arm. He couldn't help but stare at her revealed neck and shoulders while he was at it. Just a little higher and he would be touching those sweet collarbones that were having an effect on him.

"It is guaranteed. Adam will grant you leeway when it's time for them to decide. He is the big man after all. But the board is still some people that have to take a liking to you. I hope you understand."

Hera nodded and tried to rid the thoughts of negativity. "Alright. Okay. That makes sense."

Daman hand lingered on her for a bit longer until he finally managed to pull away, although reluctantly.

"Shall we commence in my study? I'm also free today."

The duke didn't wait for her response because it was crucial that he took her through this. Hand-in-hand he led her to the study and pulled out the chair for her.

Hera was taken aback by the lavishness of his home office.

Daman turned on his computer and opened the digital copy of Hera's CV that he had prior emailed to Adam.

"They're going to be ruthless. You need to be prepared," he said tenderly to her. Hera felt warm knowing that he cared enough to help her through this part as well. It was something that she wasn't used to.

Daman glanced at her as he skimmed over her CV. She was nervous. He could tell. But he also wanted to be the one to guide her out of that. He knew she'd be fine. Her head was well screwed on and when push comes to shove, Hera acted accordingly.

"We'll skip the boring part of telling them about yourself and your previous employment, qualifications and whatnot..."

Daman had conducted a lot of interviews in his lifetime so he was basically a professional at this. Reading Hera's nervous traits made him grin inwardly. She could be a hellcat at times, yet here she was as meek as a kitten.

"Describe a situation in which your work was criticized and how did you react?"

Hera gulped and took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. She had only experienced 3 interviews in her lifetime and then landed the internship at JKW and even then, as a newcomer the questions were surface level.

Looking at Daman didn't make it easier. In fact, it was much more difficult having a handsome duke assess your practical and intellectual skills. How daunting! "My superior had reprimanded me for turning in weak case law references during a civil procedure, my interpretations are a bit more farfetched than the majority apparently. As for my reaction, it was fairly neutral."

Daman tilted his head and looked at her. Hera was staring directly at him with her big doe eyes looking mesmerising. His reaction wasn't what she was hoping for. "I'm just being honest..." she said softly.

"Why don't we go on the couch? It will make this less intimidating."

Hera scurried over the comfortable couch glad for the informality. It eased her but for Daman, he merely wanted to sit next to her. As close as possible.

That's precisely what he did. Knees against hers and he threw his arm over the back of her headrest. The hem of her dress had ridden up a bit and his his eyes focused on her exposed thigh like a laser aiming to shoot. He was aching to touch her beautiful skin and feel her up.

Reluctantly he brought his attention back to her face. "When answering a question like that, think in terms of constructive criticism and a positive response and reaction would always work in your favour. Show them that you benefitted from that criticism."

Hera caught sight of a notepad and pen placed on the coffee table and she was quick to grab it and scribble some notes. "Right, got you. Next question?"

"Is there any reluctance to take a psychological test?"

Hera's eyes squinted at that. Why would she need a psychological test? Did he think she was crazy? "I'm all fine up here," she said adamantly and pointed to her head with the pen in her hand.

The duke rumbled out a hearty laugh that tugged Hera's lips into a tiny smile as she looked at him.

"No, my qiTa. It's merely a business tactic to see with what work groups you fit best in. My departments do a shuffle bi-annually via an online mcq test. Simply say that you'd be comfortable in taking them. As simple as that question is, people usually get defensive."

A faint blush made its way to Hera's cheeks and she looked down scribbling some more notes. Sometimes she really needed to think before she spoke.

'"Describe yourself in 5 words."

"Oh, this one is easy," Hera said and sank deep into the couch thinking about her words.

"Efficient, motivated, resourceful, reliant and organised."

Daman wanted to add to that list. His whirl of thoughts went around in circles picking up other words to describe her. Beauteous, delicate, feisty, divine, fascinating, ethereal, captivating...

A Maghrebi dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion and garlic, commonly spiced with cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper. (It's so tasty but man the heartburn I get when I eat this...)