My Roommate

Deal

"Sit." He commanded me. He had a soothing voice that didn't sound like he was barking orders at me. I complied with a confused face. "You don't want me to dance for you?" He lit a cigarette putting it to his lips, inhaling the nicotine, blowing rings into the air. "What do you want from me?" He didn't answer immediately taking his sweet time. "I want to make a deal with you." Curious by what he had to say I leaned in. "I want you to leave my son." Thinking to myself. Seriously? I burst out laughing. "We're not dating." He took another puff from the cigarette grabbing an envelope handing it to me with my name on it.

I stopped laughing. A wave of panic came over me. My hand shook as I reached for the envelope opening it slowly. "Whatever is going on between you, I reassure you the dean of nursing is not going to appreciate those photos." Frustration came over me causing my blood to boil. Feeling violated that he had photos of Danny and me together. Does Danny know about this? Was he in on this? I squeezed my hands digging my nails into my palms. "Why are you doing this?"

He inhaled another trail of nicotine-releasing it into the air. "I'm looking out for my son. If you had a child, who was dating the kind of person you are then you'd understand." He said that as he was giving me the side eye acting exactly like Gretchen. Two peas in a pod. I'm glad Danny didn't turn out like them. "Strippers are people too! We work hard like everyone else to survive." Frank leaned in blowing smoke into my face burning my eyes. "Strippers are the lowest type of people there is." My blood boiled even more. I could feel my face grow warm. "I don't remember you complaining about that when I first saw you." Admitting it was a good point he leaned back into the seat. Thinking, God how I hate waiting for a response. I get up, and before I left, he finally said, "This is my last warning to you slut. Stay away from my son. Those aren't my only copies." With my back turned to him. "What if I don't care?" He gets up. His footsteps are coming closer and closer. I could feel a cold metal object against my back. Realizing what it was, I stood up straight. He leaned in closer to my ear telling me in a low husky voice, "You don't want to find out."

Danny's POV

After talking to my mom today, I decided to give my dad a chance. I doubt it will be anything good but some interaction with the old man is better than none. At least it will give me some peace. I wait for him at a cafe already drinking half my cup of coffee. He's late like always. He always does everything on his terms. I decide to wait five more minutes in case of traffic but also curious to see what this offer is all about. Soon enough my dad comes in dressed in a suit. "Dad, you know you can wear casual clothes meeting me right?" He shakes his head putting his hand out. Giving me a look that said, "It wouldn't be appropriate." My dad is all about appearances. He doesn't care what he does his goal is to make you believe he's an important and a high-class person.

I confront him with the information my mom has told me. I don't want to waste any more time. Dad breathes deeply exhaling then looks at me. "I want you to be more successful. I'm offering either you or Evan to take over my business." I rolled my eyes feeling stupid for coming and feeling angry for thinking this meeting would change my mind about him. "I love what I do every day." He folds his arms together in front of him leaning back in the chair. "Love what? Screwing that student of yours?" I immediately look up glancing to my peripheral vision hoping no one heard what he said.

Dad: I know everything. You don't have to hide it from me.

Me: What do you really want from me?

Dad: Take over my business. If you don't want it, I'll give it to Ethan.

Me: What exactly is your business?

Dad: You know that's a family secret. We don't share that type of information out here.

I get up feeling like I've had enough. Dad gets up as well glaring into my eyes, "Listen to me boy. I'm giving you an offer of a lifetime, and you're wasting your life away playing teacher." I look at him the same way he's looking at me. "You and mom are the same! Always thinking about what you want not caring what other people want. Neither of you can control me." I start heading out the door. Right in front of me is my dad's car, laying against the car he approached me again. "Hey, cousin," cutting straight to the point. "What is he offering you?" Evan smirked putting both his hands in the pockets of his suit. "The girl you're with."

Me: Why would he offer you that?

Evan: He told me if I married her, he'd give us half his company.

Me: You have more than enough money. You don't need anymore.

Evan: *chuckles* Trust me there is always room for improvement.

I felt my blood rise as I clenched my hands into fists then bolted at him punching him in his stupid face over and over. "Get the f**k off me!" Evan punched back. Dad walks out looking at me in disappointment. "Why are you protecting the little slut?" I gave him a piercing look, "If she's a slut then why offer him to Evan?" He and Evan gave alternating looks. I shouted at him, "Answer me!"

"She's a good little f**k that's why. I'm going to need a well-trained maid that is talented in other areas." Evan said to me. I punched him in the face again, dodging his throws, then pushed him against the car choking him, "If you ever come near her I will kill you."

"Trust me, Danny; you won't be seeing very much of her," Dad said. I rushed home giving her a call — no answer. Grabbing the doorknob, I turned it opening the door heading to the bedroom. Her stuff was gone.

Samantha's POV

No matter what I feel for Danny, I can't see him again. I need to make sure I get my degree first also. Frank made it very clear when he put a gun behind my back. I didn't know who else to call so I texted Lila telling her I was in trouble. She told me to come over. I brought my suitcase with me to her apartment. We plant ourselves on her couch.

Lila: Are you ok?

Me: Danny's father forced me out of the apartment.

Lila: How is that possible? You have proof you live there too.

Me: Papers can only do so much.

Lila: So just like that you're leaving because he said so?

Me: Lila, he put a gun behind my back. What was I supposed to do?

Lila takes a step back with an "Oh" expression on her face. "Stay with me then." I hug her feeling scared, and I could feel tears running down my face. She hugs me even tighter telling me everything is going to be ok. "Let it all out." I continue to cry making part of her shirt wet. Her apartment only had one bedroom, so she brought me to her room. "I'll pull the bed out from the couch for you." I started to feel a little better. After she was done, we made dinner together. "Why didn't you show up to class the other day?" She looked at me smiling and said, "I had a doctor's appointment to go to." A sigh of relief. "I thought something had happened to you."

We both grabbed our plates of food. "Thank you for being worried about me." We continued to eat while I filled her in on what happened during our trip and everything else that happened. She turned on the TV for background noise in case someone tried to listen in on our conversation. That was when I heard an interview between Gretchen and Erica on some red carpet event.

Reporter: When is the wedding?

Gretchen and Erica laugh.

Gretchen: The wedding is going to happen soon.

Reporter: What's it like being with someone like Danny?

Erica: It's been a whirlwind of crazy experiences. I don't know where to begin first. Overall he's amazing, and we have a good time together.

Reporter: Why isn't he accompanying you tonight?

Gretchen quickly grabs the mic.

Gretchen: He's a little busy tonight. There are a few meetings he has to attend to.

I quickly mute the TV. Lila and I look at each other in disbelief. "They're getting married?!" There has to be some mistake. "Send him a text." Thinking about what his father had said I shook my head. "I better not. In case his father has our phones tapped. I'll write a note and give it to him after class tomorrow." Lila and I continued to talk then studied together to get our minds off Danny.

The next few days passed by, we had a substitute teacher each time. Whatever I'll send him a text. Maybe Frank is bluffing. "Where are you? Are you ok?" Text sent. I still have this letter I wanted to give him. The phone to the classroom rings as I write down notes from the lesson. The substitute teacher calls my name. "Please head to the admissions office." Confused by what they wanted since I paid cash this semester, "Right now?" I asked. The substitute nodded then Lila looked over telling me she'll get me the rest of the notes from class. I quickly get up gathering all my belongings and take my time getting to the admissions office. It'll give Danny time to message me back. My phone vibrates minutes later. It was a text saying that my messages were never delivered. Crap. Maybe he lost his phone, and maybe it'll be him I see. Convinced that he would be there, I started walking faster practically running. To my surprise I see Erica.

"What are you doing here?" She took a few steps closer to me telling me that she has a message for me handing me an envelope with my name on it. "Danny wrote it." I have this terrible feeling in my gut. Curious about what's inside I open it. I immediately felt dizzy falling to the ground hitting my head.

Erica's POV

"The deed is done." Text sent. Soon Danny will be all mine. It's only a matter of time.