Between Gasps and Glances

Chapter Three - HELP!

Noelle's POV

“What is wrong with you? You could have died!” I dried my tears beside Jace’s bed.

“And you have a job now, so you wouldn't miss me.”

I looked him dead in the eye. Jace had a reputation for making jokes out of the most serious situations, but I didn't think he'd still be doing it in a hospital bed.

“Jace, this is not a joke.”

“You called me and you were excited. I wanted to hear that,” he said, struggling to smile through the pain.

“You could have just said you were driving. I'd be happy to call back,” I tried to make him see that it was not okay, but Jace continued smiling.

“Look. It's past 7pm,” he said,

“And?”

“You have a job now, Noelle, go do that,”

“I'm not…”

“Noelle!”

I knew he was only trying to look after me, but it broke my heart. It felt like he didn't want me there. So, I stormed out and took a cab home.

All through the trip, I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Jace could have died and I was going to be left alone.

My life was hard enough as it was and it got harder, living with Damian, even though it had been only one day, and now…

“Where have you been?” I heard a thick voice stop me at the door as soon as I entered.

“Uhm…” I wiped my tears. “I…went to…” I was trying so hard to not be seen as weak, but merely having to make words was forcing tears down my eyes.

“Of course she can't speak,” he rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by me.

“Dinner is to be ready at 7:15pm.” He said, “the only reason this place is as organized as you found it is because things around here work like a clock. Get that into your head!” he added, turning to the stairs.

Damian was always calm. I had never seen him lose his temper. He was condescending and always insinuated that I was stupid, but he never said anything directly, nor did he ever raise his voice.

“Urghh!” I groaned in frustration as soon as he was out of sight.

I had barely spent twenty-four hours, but I couldn't stand this man. Every time he opened his mouth, I wanted to wrap my hands around his neck and just squeeze life out of him.

“You need this job, Noelle,” I whispered to myself and then went straight to the kitchen.

I spent the next twenty minutes trying very hard not to call Jace and rant about how the face of my new boss was pissing me off. I reminded myself that I couldn't do that because I didn't want to be ungrateful for the job and also because he was in a bad place.

“I swear I won't make it one week here!” I grumbled, just before I aggressively knocked on his door.

“Mr. Hayes,” I called,

“Sir?” I called again, after my first call and the knock was ignored.

“Dinner is ready sir,” I continued knocking, but still got no response.

I stood there for two minutes and I was now very pissed.

“If you have plans to eat something, it’ll be right here in front of your door,” I yelled over the door.

“Jerk!” I exclaimed and left the tray at his door post.

“I know you meant well, Jace, but this man is impossible!” I immediately started to rant to Jace over the phone.

“Noelle,” he called softly,

I took a deep breath, “I know. I need this job. It's already a blessing that he doesn't know anything about the incident. I should be grateful.” I rolled my eyes and began doing the dishes.

“I'm sure you'll warm up to him with time,”

“Now, you're just mocking me,” I responded. “Since when do I warm up to people?” I probed.

“Oh, yeah, which is why you should let me get some rest, because I'm all you've got. You don't want to kill me and be left with nothing.”

I immediately folded at Jace's statement. We both said nothing for a few seconds and listened to each other's breaths.

“Noelle…”

“No, Jace. You're right. You should get some rest.” I interrupted,

“You know I was joking. It's not your fault I was dumb enough to drive on a call.” Jace tried to ease it out, realizing that I was affected by his joke this time.

I hung up before he got the chance to say another thing and continued with the dishes, cleaning up the kitchen and preparing for Damian's early breakfast.

Just as I was about to finish, I recalled that I had taken some dishes to Damian and I believed he was done by then–it had been two hours.

I walked to his room, only to find the tray exactly the way I left it.

“Damian!” I yelled and banged the door, forgetting he was my boss.

‘This jerk didn't make me cook, knowing very well he wasn't going to eat, did he?’ Staring at the food tray was making me lose my mind.

“Mr. Hayes!”

“Damian!” I banged on the door for a couple of minutes, but still got no response.

“You’re an even bigger jerk than I thought,” I pushed the door and barged into his room. My heart immediately dropped to my stomach.

“Damian!” I called in a high-pitched voice, trying to hold him down.

Tears flooded down my cheeks uncontrollably. As I held him in my hands, it was like I could feel life leaving him.

‘How could I have been so nonchalant? Why didn't I try to come in before now?’

I was in a state of panic, asking a lot of questions and looking around to find solutions.

“Help! Help us! Please!” I yelled at the top of my voice, holding Damian’s body in my arms. My tears soaked his shirt.

“Please, help!” I dropped my head on his chest. It was a hopeless situation.