Chapter 5
1314 Words
I barely slept last night.
I was confused.
Confused by Damien's sudden shift. He was a completely different person after coming back. I was also heartbroken. Heartbroken by the words Brandon spit at me. But most of all, I was drunk. And I feel like I might have been a little reckless and careless.
Sleeping over at a stranger's house. Letting a stranger fùck me on the first night. What if he was a serial rapist or a serial killer? What if he was in a cult and he sacrificed me? Rich people are famous for being part of strange cults. Why wasn't I scared of Damien?
I crawl out of bed and take off the black t-shirt. I have a little headache but water will fix that. I need to get out of here now. There's a knock on the door as I pull on my dress.
"Come in."
It must be Damien. He has come to apologise for the things he said last night...
I'm a little disappointed when it's not Damien.
A dark-haired woman stands at the door, holding a big black box. She's a plump woman, probably in her late forties. She smiles at me, dimples touching her cheeks.
"Good morning, Dani." She says. "My name is Hannah, the housekeeper. Sorry to interrupt. Had to drop this box immediately. For you."
I'm swirling in confusion as Hannah sets the box on the bed. We shake hands before she turns to walk away. She stops at the door, shoving her hands in the pockets of her black uniform dress.
"I made you breakfast." She says. "Cake and coffee."
When Hannah closes the door, I burst the box open. Brand new sneakers. Brand new hoodie and sweatpants. A little note from Damien. But the most shocking of all - a ten-thousand-dollar cheque.
I grab the little short note and read it.
Hey you,
Thanks for last night.
Damien.
**
I run down the stairs and notice that the living room is spotlessly clean. Hannah fixed the mess that me and Damien made last night. I'm a little embarrassed to know that she knows what me and her boss were upto last night. But then again, she's obviously used to her boss bringing random women every night and leaving his mess for her to mop.
For some strange reason, the thought of Damien bringing other women and doing all the things we did stings a little. As I toddle to the kitchen, I heave a sigh and kick away the thought.
The kitchen is equipped to a professional chef's standard. A smooth granite cooking counter in the middle. An enormous sink. Two cookers. A huge fridge. A bunch of wooden stools set next to the eating counter. A huge glass window with a splendid view of the garden.
I sit on the wooden stool, my hands on the counter. Hannah smiles at me as she pours me some coffee.
"The sweatpants look good on you." She says. "I'm glad they fit."
"You bought them?"
"Damien asked me to make the order." She replies. "Said you didn't have any shoes or warm clothes."
"Where is he?" I ask sharply as she passes the chocolate cake to me.
"Work."
"On Saturday?"
"He works on weekends."
"When will he be back?"
"Late."
"I'll wait for him."
She freezes for a moment, the smile swiftly fading. She gives me a sharp look and shakes her head.
"I think that's a bad idea..."
"Why?"
There's a brief silence. Hannah is scared to speak. She's clearly hiding something from me.
"Why?" I repeat sharply.
She clears her throat, hesitating. There's a sorry look in her warm wide eyes. A look of pity.
"He said he never wants you to set foot in the house again." She says. "It would be best if you never make contact again. His words."
For a moment, I'm in total disbelief. After all the beautiful moments we had last night - not just the sèx - he's just going to ghost me. We ate together. Laughed together. Played stupid games together. And now he's going to act like none of it ever happened. I was stupid to think that it was special - that he was special. I was foolish to think that we could be friends after he saved me from Brandon. That was so stupid of me.
I look down at the piece of cake on my plate and stuff a big chunk in my mouth, devouring it mercilessly.
"You like it?" Hannah asks.
"I love it!" I stuff more cake in my mouth. "You made it?"
"Yes." She grins. "I'm actually a professional baker. I only work for Damien on weekends. Every time I'm here, I bring him cake. He loves chocolate cake."
"So he has the heart to love something." I scoff. "Shocker."
Hannah stares at me for a moment. A serious stare. She then takes a seat across from me and smiles.
"Can I ask you something, Dani?"
"Sure."
"What did you do to Damien?"
"What?"
"He's never brought a woman home before." She says. "You are the first one."
"Bullshit." I burst into a laugh. "Plus, how would you know that. You're never here. And when you are here, he's at work. And when he comes back, you're gone. Right?"
"Right." She nods. "But the guards are always here. And we were really starting to get concerned. Even his family was starting to get concerned. But then he brought you home. And you slept in his bedroom. I was shocked - in a good way."
I didn't even know that was his bedroom...
"So I'm wondering," she continues. "Why did he bring you home?"
"Because he wanted fun!" I blurt. "He got his fun. And now he wants nothing to do with me."
Silence stretches between us for a moment. Hannah's face is creased with confusion before she beams at me.
"Damien lives a lonely life." She says. "It's nice that he had the company of a woman last night. I'm sure he enjoyed your company."
"Doesn't look like it." I huff. "He literally ghosted me. Didn't even have the courtesy to tell me goodbye."
"He has his reasons."
"Well, fùck those reasons." I grin. "Do you have some more cake please? My best friend is obsessed with cakes."
"Sure."
Hannah packs the cake in a dish for me. She's s just as short as me when I stand from the stool. She pulls me in a hug when I stretch my hand to say goodbye.
"Pleasure to meet you, Hannah."
"The pleasure is mine, Dani." She says. "Hope to see you soon."
"Well, your boss never wants me to set foot in his house again."
"The universe is full of surprises." She winks. "The chauffeur is waiting for you outside."
"Chauffeur?" I quirk an eyebrow.
"Damien asked the chauffeur to drop you home." She replies. "Safe and sound."
I hate myself for how bad I need this ride. It's convenient but most of all, it's free. I hate myself for accepting everything that Damien has given me for FREE. And I hate how desperate I am because I have no choice but to accept his free things. I wonder if that's his poor attempt at making up for his bad behaviour.
"Thanks for the sweet cake, Hannah." I say. "And thanks for being a sweet soul."
She blushes at the compliment. I'm sure people shower her with compliments all the time. She's a lovely person with a lovely heart. I met her a few minutes ago and I'm already drawn to her.
"Hannah, can I ask a favour?"
"Anything."
I draw the cheque from the pocket of my sweatpants and slap it on the counter.
"Give it back to your boss!" I grin. "Tell him that ten thousand can't fix being a pathetic piece of shìt."
**
- Writer
