31 Days

The Other Side Of Damon

After staying in the guest room for several minutes, she got thirsty and thought of grabbing a glass of water.

She entered the kitchen and sat her sister on the floor, telling her to play with her toys while she went to quench her thirst. As she filled a glass of water, she heard the entrance door being pushed open.

Emily was startled as she wondered who it could be. Maybe it's her boss she assumed. She stood still, listening carefully for any sound of movement and then, she resumed taking a sip of water when suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the kitchen. Her heart raced.

With her heart in her mouth, Emily turned around only to see her boss standing at the entrance door of the kitchen, looking at her and her sister but what she did not understand was why he was looking dressed like he was returning from somewhere and moreover, he was also holding a bag in his hands.

Emily was left feeling perplexed as she stood there, feeling unease. Before Emily could dwell on the thought any longer, she saw him walk out, heading towards the road that led to the room. Emily was left feeling even more bewildered as she wondered why he did not say a word to her.

She carried her sister and rushed to Damon's room, then she knocked. She heard him say come in and the moment she did, she saw him on the bed with the casual dress he was wearing when she first brought him his meal. At this point, she didn't understand what's going on.

"I, I came to check if… if you were done eating so I could take out the plate." She spoke with stuttering words.

She walked towards the table and grabbed the empty plate and tray. Just as she was approaching the door, she saw someone push it open and the moment she saw who the person was, her jaw dropped in awe upon realizing Damon has an identical twin brother.

That means the person she saw in the kitchen was Damon's twin brother returning from work and not Damon himself.

"Hello little one…" Said David as he approached Alice and carried her little sister from her as Damon witnessed the scene before him.

"How are you doing? Cute little angel?" David touched the baby's cheek, trying to play with her.

Alice couldn't say anything. She just walked out with the tray in her hands, heading towards the kitchen to wash the dishes, leaving her little sister with David.

"Who is she?" David asked Damon. He was surprised to see a lady with a baby in Damon's room despite the fact he knew Damon doesn't like being around children.

He walked towards Damon's bed and sat beside him, still carrying the baby.

"Who is she?" He asked again as he pecked the little baby on her forehead.

"Who she is doesn't really matter. Why did you come home so soon?"

"I'll be partying with my friends tonight by 8 pm. That's why I came home early. I need to rest before leaving…" He replied.

After playing with the little one, he gave her to Damon to carry.

"Let me freshen up. I'm so tired." He said to Damon, walking out of the room and leaving Damon and the baby alone.

A few minutes after, Alice returned into the room as she approached Damon and was about to carry her little sister. Her boss stared at her for a long moment, his eyes boring into hers. She felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and she shifted from one foot to the other.

"Why didn't you leave your little sister with your parents?" He asked.

"Besides, how old is your little sister?" His tone, almost friendly.

"She will be fully four months old this month." Alice replied shortly. "Can I go now, please?"

But her boss wasn't done. "What about your parents?" he asked."

Alice's heart started beating faster, and her throat felt tight. She knew what was coming, and she didn't want to talk about it. But she couldn't lie, not when her boss was looking at her like that.

"They're dead," she said quietly, barely above a whisper.

Her boss looked surprised, and for a moment, Alice saw a flicker of something like sympathy in his eyes. But it was gone almost as soon as it had appeared, and he leaned back in his chair, looking bored.

Alice, turning to leave. She had to get out of there before she breaks down emotionally in front of him. She could feel her eyes filling with tears, and she didn't want him to see her crying.

Just as she was about to open the door, her boss called out to her.

"Alice," His voice softened slightly. "If you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here."

Alice turned to look at him, surprised by his sudden change in demeanor. For a moment, she toyed with the idea of telling him everything about the struggle she faced every day just to keep going. But she knew better than to trust him. He had never been kind to her before, and she didn't expect that to change.

"Thanks," she said shortly, and then she left, shutting the door behind her.

As she made her way back to the guest room, Alice wiped away her tears, trying to regain her composure. She knew that she couldn't let her boss get to her, that she had to keep pushing forward no matter what. But it was hard. It was so hard.

If only her parents were still there. If only things hadn't turned out the way they did… But wishing for the past wouldn't change anything. Alice knew that the only thing she could do was keep moving forward and hold the memories of her dead parents close to her heart. It wasn't easy but it was all she had.