Unusual Tenant
1050 Words
The car ride on the way to Alex’s home was heavily silenced with tension.
The man frowned and then cleared his throat, he swears he noticed the woman go stiff in her seat. So he chose to focus on the road, pushing the accelerator to pull the car faster.
To his dismay the red light forced him to slow down and halt at the signal.
He looked to his left , the woman was fidgeting with her fingers, wildly lost in her thoughts. Alex could notice the slight tension on her forehead and just like that he could hear his heartbeat spike up .
“She’s been treated like a s*x slave for more than five years of her life ,Alex. Things she’s been through. Scare me. Just make sure she feels safe.”
Victoria’s words flashed in his head.
“Hey,Emma?” He broke the silence and pursed his lips, regretting speaking.
The blue eyes were focused on him now , like a deer caught in front of headlights.
“Emma told you so much about me. Is there something you want to tell em about yourself ? Don’t you have any questions for me? We’re gonna be roommates you know.” Alex implied and the woman looked visibly tensed.
When the silence followed his grip on his steering wheel tightened.
Good job Alex, you sound like a creep.
The man chose to look at the road ahead of him, not daring to move his head.
It just added to one the list of embarrassing things he’s done by speaking first .
“Can ask Anything?” Finally a velvety voice came out of the shy lady.
“Anything.” He smile, giving her assurance.
What are you doing !? No looking , look ahead!
The man took in a deep breath and forced himself to look at the number plates of the cars in front of him.
“Has Victoria given me to you for ...”
“For?” He nudged, never getting a hint.
“Emma has to sleep with Alex?” She added quaked.
“ what ! “ the man looked at her, his eyes almost popping out.
“What?” He added, like he didn’t believe it,” No God no.Victoria has NOT sold you to me for the night!” He look away in disbelief.
Did he come off as such a big creep?
“No. Emma, you need to listen to me carefully. I’m not a man...” who pays to get laid.
“ I mean I am a man. But No. you are just my roommate for two days. If possible then just one night.”
“How could you? Did you actually? Do I look like that? I mean-“ he cringed hard and looked away.
Before he could formulate his thoughts to words there was a loud blaring horn from behind.
The signal was open for a while now. Forced to Look ahead, he drove and a millions of thoughts cluttered his head.
He inhaled deeply.
Focus on the road. Few more minutes and you’ll reach home . Then you can give her the guest room and your good to go the next day.
“Emma is sorry, sir.” Emma urged and the man couldn’t judge what the words did to him.
He should give her some benefit of doubt.
“It’s fine.” He killed the conversation, hoping she’d not speak more.
She didn’t. Taught to stay silent she kept her eyes on her lap, hating herself for asking a question like that.
“ going to punish you Emma. You’ve not been a nice girl.”
“ I’m sorry, sir. Please forgive me.”
She remembered how she struggled in his strong grip.
“ You ruined my perfect evening, darling.”
He tugged her closer and silently commanding her to stay still.
“ I’m sorry, Samael . I’ll never do that again.” Begging didn’t help either.
“You need to be punished, love. You’ve been a bad girl.”
She wouldn’t challenge his fuming anger. Her eyes burned from the strain, but she held back her tears.
He hated it when she cried.
She shock her head in disapproval, hoping he’d let her go for this one time.
“We’re here.” Alex chirped, pilling her out of her chain of thoughts.
Startled she nodded and got down from the car.
Emma didn’t dare to look up.head bowed , she followed the man into the house , only looking at the parquet flooring.
“Hey Emma.” The blue eyes glanced at the mans face, “You don’t have to be scared of me...I’m sure your are a really nice girl , but I don’t like you in that way.”Emma watches the apologetic look on his face and she didn’t know if she wanted to keep looking at him or look away.
“Yes,sir.”
No one would want you.
His words
bubbled in her mind , making it tough to focus on the kind man in front of her.
“I like someone else at the moment.”
“Okay,sir.” She looked up and gave him an assuring smile.
Her cheeks dented with a dimple even though the smile was half hearted.
His heart skipped a beat.
“ You can call me Alex.” He cleared his throat.
“Alex.” She smiled brighter this time.
The boy exhaled and pursed his lips.
“Can I show you your room?” He offered
She nodded and followed the man by following him into the short passage attached to the drawing room. It was the first time she observed the yellow lighting and the minimalist in effort that was put to decorate the white walls and the dark brown flooring, a small vase set at the end of the alley, with its white flowers that were wilted.
He was quick to twist the door knob and push the door open.
“That’s going to be you’re room for tonight. You catch up with some sleep.”
The man opened the door, never letting go of the handle. tilting his head and silently asking her to go into the room.
The room was cozy and simple in appearance with a bed pressed against the wall the bed could accommodate Emma and a big plushy soft toy.
“Can Emma sleep on the bed?” she asked softly, hoping she’d get to spend the cold night in the warm and inviting bed.
“What?” Alex repeated. Dumbfound. Once again.
“Yeah. Are you like-I mean.” Alex blabbered and the anxious girl sucked in a breath. It was her tensed face that made Alex realise that he shouldn't push the conversation anymore.
This would be over soon ,right?
“Yeah. Treat it like your own room.” He added and she sighed in relief.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Good night, Emma.” He quickly closed the door behind him, not giving her a chance to say anything further.
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- Writer
