42

"Arabella, wait..." Damon reached out, his hand poised to grasp her arm, but before he could make contact, she had already begun to slip away, melting into the crowd.

A sense of helplessness washed over Damon as he watched her recede into the distance, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken apologies.

He was about to follow her, but someone stepped in front of him.

"What did you think of my speech?" Sabrina smiled broadly.

With a firm grip, Damon's fingers closed around Sabrina's delicate arm, their pressure conveying a sense of urgency. He guided her forcefully away from the crowd, his steps determined and purposeful.

The atmosphere seemed to thicken around them as they stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air offering a brief respite from the heated tension that had enveloped them inside.

The distant hum of conversation and music from the party below served as a stark contrast to the silent intensity between Damon and Sabrina as they stood facing each other.

"What the he