The Butler

Chapter 20- Mean Witch

I gulped and repeated like a little kid learning the word for the first time, "step mom? "

He looked at me as if I was an alien. "Yeah. I just call her Patricia though. Patricia, this is Stella Rise."

Patricia smiled, but her smile did not reach her eyes. She came in for a hug, but her hand on my shoulders were gripping me so tightly I flinched. I did not miss the gigantic diamond ring on her ring finger.

"Oh. I'm so sorry. I've been working out recently. I didn't realize I was gripping you so hard," she giggled.

That was the worst excuse I've heard. I exercise as well, and I don't go breaking people's shoulders. Imagine if Dwayne Johnson displayed his strength while greeting. I decided not to say anything despite seeing through her lie. 

I put on my fake business smile and led them to my party. I was worried that Damon would run into Patricia, and drama would quickly ensue. I just had to tell Damon to stay in the house, right?

I walked as quickly as I could in heels to my home with Jim behind me. When I opened the door, I saw Damon discussing something with Sasha. I was relieved that Damon wasn't outside and didn't already run into Patricia, but my relief quickly turned into jealousy when I observed Sasha. She was looking up to him and biting her lips. She was slowly inching over. 

I slammed my hand on the kitchen island that halted Sasha's advance. All the cooks, Damon and Sasha stared at me. "You're staying in your rooms Damon. You too Sasha. The bathroom Sasha will use is Damon's bathroom. The bathroom downstairs is for guests if possible." I didn't want to single out Damon because then he would get suspicious. I, also, didn't want a repeat of the get together where he shamed me.

"It's a butler's duty to serve guests, ma'am. However, if this is an order, I shall do what is required."

"Yes. This is an order. Not a single step outside unless necessary"

Damon and Sasha nodded. I felt a pang of worry leaving these two in the home, while I was outside, but they weren't alone technically. There were chefs and guests that would come and go.

I turned on my heel and left with Jim to start the dinner portion of the charity party.

I introduced the dishes as the chefs presented them. The people loved the food, while stuffing their face. Charity parties for millionaires were an excuse to not only look generous, but it was also a huge business meeting to increase your influence and to make deals. I didn't mind any of this because as long as the money was going to reputable charities, they were saving lives. 

There were a few dancers that seemed to enjoy the orchestra, a lot of chatter and drinking. People drowned me in praises for the party, food, alcohol, my appearance and my home, however, I knew they had an ulterior motive. My business. I plastered on a fake smile and thanked everyone who came up to me to flatter me. The older men would give me backhanded compliments with misogyny. Wait until my company becomes unstoppable, I'll show you women are capable, and I'll personally shut all of you old pigs down. With that promise in mind, I put up my strong front and plowed through the night.

I eventually presented the total donation to a representative of the charity foundation. The sweet woman broke down and thanked everyone. After the presentation, many people started leaving as the sky darkened to pitch black.

As I was cleaning up, I felt my stomach rumble. I didn't eat anything all day because I was caught up with the party. I excused Jim to go home while I prayed that there were some leftovers. Looking from afar, I could see Patricia go into the house, and a sense of panic arose in my throat. Please don't let her run into Damon. I quickened my pace to my front door after I saw her going in.

As soon as I opened the door, I knew that my unluckiness has struck again.

"You murderer! Are you following me? What is a trash like you doing here," I heard Patricia yell.

I peered around the corner to see Damon go pale as he clenched his fists. "I work for miss Stella Rise."

"Don't tell anyone you know me or you'll pay," Patricia threatened as she flicked her hair while leaving the restroom. As Patricia walked past me, she glared at me. This time it was my turn to get threatened. "You know that my husband is a shipping company that you work with. He'll drop you like a fly if you mess with me."

The mean witch strutted past. She definitely changed. Patricia was a woman of little words when I was little. She wasn't the nicest, but she wasn't cruel either. I could tell she loved Damon's dad despite the onslaught of words he'd slew at her when I was there. Damon and I would watch in horror as Patricia would get verbally abused. Her dedication for Damon's dad and Damon himself stopped me from reporting it to the police. I had no grounds and Damon's dad apparently had influence in our home town's police, so the only person who would suffer would be me. Damon always loved Patricia because his father figure was quite lacking, and he thought that if he could free Patricia, their bonds would become stronger.

Now what I've witnessed the exchange between Patricia and Damon, I could slowly figure out that Damon is the way he is now because of Patricia. Damon stumbled up the stairs as he was clenching his chest.

I ran over to him and saw myself in Damon like a mirror when I was in high school. He was having a panic attack. He was gasping with his eyes and veins bulging. I ran over to the kitchen in relief to see that the chefs were gone. I looked in my drawer to find a brown paper bag and brought it over to Damon so he could breathe in it. I had his head on my lap with my hand over the paper bag to assist him. 

Slowing his breathing, Damon weakly got up, but I grabbed his arms and put it over my shoulders so I could support him to his room. Sadness washed over me as I felt his lighter arms. He used to be heavy from his muscles and weight, but now he lost most of his muscles and weight. I slowly set him down on the bed as I felt his drenched body slump. I closed the door behind me to get some water for Damon realizing he was probably going downstairs to get food or water but ran into Patricia.

When I looked up, Ryan was waiting for me. Oh boy.