The Butler

Chapter 21- Sandwich Sharing

This day keeps getting better.

"Yes, Ryan? You do know that upstairs is off limits, right? And after everything we discussed, I told you I need some space, and I'm not looking for some hot guy who'll throw me away in five years."

"You think I'm hot," states Ryan. It should have sounded like a question, but he already knew he was one of the hottest eligible bachelors in Los Angeles right now. The son of the world's biggest shipping companies. But he completely missed the point. I'm not trying to get involved with him when I have so much on my plate already.

"Do you need something? If not, I will kindly request that you leave, and I'll be seeing you on Thursday for the business meeting at your building."

"We can do the meeting at my home," he smirked. He gave me a smoldering look to try to seduce me, which I would assume would work on many women. However, my mind was focused on the fact that Ryan is a huge player, I like someone else and my work life should not mix with my dating life.

"I'll be seeing you on Thursday at the same time and location that our companies agreed upon," I rolled my eyes.

"Come on. I've been told I'm good in bed. I can satisfy you and more."

"If that's what you came for, excuse me," I said as I tried to slip past him to the stairs to get water and food. As soon as I walked past him, he grabbed me from behind giving me a rear bear hug that trapped my arms. My heart rate shot up because this triggered me. I didn't know Ryan as well as Damon.

"Let go of me, or you might regret it," I said in a shaky voice.

"Let's have some fun, babe. Where's your room," he whispered huskily in my ear.

"Last chance. I don't want any s****l relations with you."

He was trying to push me to Damon's room which he assumed was mine, and that caused me to make my first move. I kicked my leg up with my high heels into his groin making him slightly loosen his grip and bringing his legs together. I stepped one leg behind him grabbing his legs together. I couldn't completely throw him because he was much larger than me so I squatted with my one leg out to trip him and use his off-balance to drop him. He hit his head on the carpet, but it was loud enough to cause a loud thump. At this point, he had let me go, but I elbowed him in his face in case he tried to attack me again. The front door opened with a man shouting.

"Mister Grant!" the old man yelled Ryan's last name.

"Your owner got his senses beat into him because he tried to r**e me. Come get him."

The old man looked horrified as he ran upstairs. He tossed Ryan's arms over his shoulder as he carried him outside. As calm as I looked on the outside, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me as I willed myself to ease the panting and rapid heart rate. I tried to jump out the jitters because I knew Damon was in a worse shape than me right now. When I felt calm enough, I went downstairs to get the leftovers. Luckily, the head chef was kind enough to make a sandwich that had a note with my name on it. I better visit him again.

I made a decadent hot chocolate because I felt like something warm inside my stomach always made me feel serene. I remember he liked sweets more than I did, so hopefully, that didn't change over the years as well. I stood there debating whether to bring hot chocolate. I shrugged. I'll just bring both water and hot chocolate, but like, who hates homemade hot chocolate?

I brought everything together on a tray and ventured to his room again. Knocking on the door, I waited for a response, but I heard nothing. I opened the door in worry and saw Damon curled up in the bed. He had his eyes wide open staring into the space while muttering something. I hesitatingly inched closer to hear what he was muttering, knowing that he was not in the right head space to register I was near him.

"I'm sorry Mom. I swear I just wanted to protect you. I'm sorry." He kept repeating similar sentences breaking my heart. Slowly, my anger started building towards Patricia. How could she call her own trash? What happened in order for their relationship to be this severed? I found out years later after high school that Damon's father died, but I assumed that their relationship would have gotten closer.

"Damon. I brought food. Please eat. You're also saturating the blankets. A hot bath will help you relax. You can take a bath in my room since your bathroom only has a large shower, but if you only want a shower, then I'll help you get to the bathroom if you need my strong shoulders."

His eyes fluttered to me. His eyes finally registered me after looking at me for a minute. He uneasily sat up while I tried to assist him, but he pushed me away. I would have been hurt in any other situation, but I was honestly impressed that he was  groggy but still remembered to not get close to me. Too bad tonight was a night that I wouldn't listen to anyone. Not Ryan and not Damon.

"Stop pushing me away, you dumb ass! Let me help you. You can bring your stupid walls back up after I help you. We'll go back to being employee and employer, but you just got out of a panic attack and now you're emotionally shutting down. I just want to be here until you get better to serve me. How are you going to serve me if you're this weak?"

I brought the plate of sandwich to his face. He looked bewildered but soon proceeded to remove the saran wrap. He took a bite of half the sandwich, and while I was watching him, my stomach growled. I remembered that I didn't eat anything all day, and I blushed. I tried to act like my stomach didn't growl as I turned my head and glared at the blanket as if the blanket did me great wrong. Gently he nudged me with the plate that had half the sandwich. I shook my head knowing that Damon needed strength.

"Who am I supposed to serve if my employer dies of starvation?"

I pouted. I took half the sandwich as we ate in silence, but first time, I felt like this was comfortable silence. I snuck a glance at Damon and saw a shadow of the smallest smile. My heart inside soared. I made the tiniest dent in his walls I shouted in glee in my head.

He examined the cup of hot chocolate as I gave it to him.

"What's this?"

"It's hot chocolate," I said bluntly.

He rolled his eyes. "I meant why did you make me hot chocolate?"

"It's going to help you calm down. I used to drink it a lot when I had panic attacks."

He lowered his eyes as his eyes showed empathy. I'm assuming he doesn't want to show anyone that he still has emotions as if he isn't human anymore.

"Okay. Thank you. I'll shower on my own," he paused for a bit. "Stella."

I beamed. "Just telling you if I hear a loud sound, I'm rushing in whether you're ready or not," I said over my shoulder as I closed the door behind me. He was opening up, and I hoped that he wouldn't revert back to his cold self tomorrow.