HIDDEN DESIRES
1658 Words
Morning came quickly,I got down from my bed and straight to the kitchen,I kinda missed this.I strolled in,eyes fixed on the fridge.I haven't eaten meatballs in years!!!! “Ouuuchh” I hit the ground.And what the hell is this, who'd put a ball in the kitchen. I lifted my head to see my brother coming out of the storage room,”crazy being” I muttered
He was barefoot,black T-shirt,hair messy in a way that looked intentional but absolutely wasn’t. His eyes were fixed on me with a mixture of disbelief, irritation, and something else I refused to name.Of course he saw that.
“Still dramatic,” he said flatly.
I scrambled upright, mortified, dragging my legs upright like it hadn’t just betrayed me. “Still lurking,” I shot back. “Do you ever sleep, or do you just stand around waiting for people to fall?”
His mouth twitched but not a smile. James doesn't smile. “You fell on your own.”
“I tripped,” I corrected. “There’s a difference.”
“Gravity disagrees.”
I glared at him. “You always did side with the universe.” he reached down and picked up my hair bangle ,I didn't even know it had fallen off
I blinked. “I don’t need help.”
“I know,” he said, holding the wheel up. “But you do need a new of these dead things”
“I have had this one since college.”
“It shows.”
I snatched it from his hand. “Thank you for your concern, handyman devil.”
His eyes darkened slightly. “Don’t call me that.”
“Devil?” I tilted my head. “Or handyman?”
His jaw clenched. “Both.”
Ahh,so that was still a sore spot,good to know.
I dragged myself towards the stairs, some part of me squealing in protest. James followed me,not helping, just… existing behind me like a tall, judgmental shadow.
“Why are you everywhere I am?” he said after a moment.
“I’d rather die.”
“That can be arranged.”
I stopped halfway up the stairs and turned. “You threaten murder the same way other people offer tea.”
“I’m versatile.”
I laughed before I could stop myself, surprising us both.His eyes flicked to my mouth, then away. “Your room’s the same,” he said quickly. “No one touched it.”That wasn’t comforting,that was unsettling.
“Oh,” I said lightly. “How thoughtful of everyone to preserve my ghost.”
I pushed past him and headed down the familiar hallway. Back to my room,I didn't notice any change in my room for real,I was too tired yesterday.My door still had the faint scratch mark from the time I’d slammed it too hard during an argument with… well. Him.Truly nothing had changed in my room,not even a welcome decoration for me.I haven't even seen my parents since I got back,or Noah and Dora….my half siblings.Nothing new,same bed,same desk,same faint scent of cedar and something unmistakably James.I fell on my bed and exhaled .
“Hey” I heard a familiar voice, Noah
“Heyyyii,I was just thinking about you!!I miss you"
“Haha ,I wish I could say the same” he said, having a smirk on.
“He gave me a small peck,”let me go tell Dora you're here,she's been excited”.
”Okay pookie “ I said, smiling widely,”please shut the door on your way out.
“This feels illegal,” I said. “Like I broke into my own past.”
James leaned against the doorframe. “You always were dramatic.”
“And you were always uninvited in my personal space.”
“You used to like it.”
“Regrets”
Silence slammed into the room,my heart stuttered
His gaze sharpened. “I love the way you're pretending like nothing happened.”he said strolling forward
“And since when did love enter your dictionary.”
“Shut it” he appeared in front of me, pulled his right arm from his pockets,traced it slowly around my neck
“You're hurting me,”I muttered,or did we forget why I was sent away?”
Something flickered in his eyes then ,anger, yes, but also restraint. Like he was holding something back with both hands.
“You were sent away,” he said quietly, “because they were afraid.”
“Of you?”
“Of what I’d do if I became more obsessed .”
“More” my brow raised.I swallowed. “That’s not romantic, James.”
“I didn’t say it was,I just…”
“Stella! You’re home!”My stepmother appeared, arms wide, a smile forced but warm enough. She hugged me quickly, like she was afraid to hold too long.
I opened my mouth but no words came out,my phone buzzed.It was an unknown number.
I frowned and answered. “Hello?”
“Hello ma'am,this is Zina from Bluevard Enterprise,am I on to Stella?”
My breath hitched,I had totally forgotten I applied for a job.
“Yes ma'am”I said softly.
“Alright you've been invited for an interview first thing tomorrow morning, I'll send an email following all other necessary information,do have a lovely day”
I dropped my phone,my heart jumping,I didn't think it was going to be this easy and fast.OMG.
“That sounded less convincing than I hoped.”
Oh I almost forgot I was not alone here.I smiled despite myself. “It’s… complicated.”
“I figured,” he said gently. “Rest,we’ll talk tomorrow."My stepmom was no longer in sight.good.
I leaned back against my bed, warmth blooming in
“What are your plans?” he asked almost at the door
“That’s none of your business.”
“It became my business when the house reacted.”
I laughed nervously. “What, did the walls gossip?”
“The power spiked,” he said. “It only does that when something threatens the balance.”
My stomach dropped
“Why do you care?” I demanded.
His gaze burned into mine.
“Because,” he said, “if you belong to someone else….”I rolled my eyes before he could finish and wore my earphones
ARTHUR
By the time the eighth candidate walked out of my office, I was done pretending to be polite.
Eight hours,eight resumes,eight people who thought confidence meant talking louder than their competence.I loosened my tie and leaned back in my chair, staring at the glass wall like it had personally offended me.
“Zina,” I said into the intercom, keeping my voice calm because shouting never fixed stupidity. “Send the rest away.”
There was a pause.
“Sir,” she said carefully, “you still have five candidates scheduled.”
I laughed once,short,humorless. “Then cancel their dreams early. You’re doing them a favor.”
Another pause. I could picture her now,lip caught between her teeth, shoulders tight. Zina was efficient, loyal, and very good at her job. But today?
Today she had failed me.
“I asked for quality,” I continued, standing. “Not enthusiasm wrapped in ignorance. If one more person tells me they’re a ‘fast learner’ without knowing what they’re learning, I will personally revoke their confidence.”
“Yes sir,” she said quickly. “I’ll clear the floor.”
“Good.” I grabbed my jacket from the chair. “I’m leaving.”
The office door slid open.The corridor was quiet now,no hopeful faces, no nervous whispers,peace.
I walked toward the elevator, caught my reflection in the glass panels lining the hallway. Clean black hair, neatly combed but never fussy. A tailored suit that fit because I refused to look like I borrowed authority instead of owning it. My face was… unfortunate or fortunate, depending on who you asked.
I’d stopped wondering which years ago.
The elevator doors opened.One of the cleaners,I recognized her,even though she looked different today.She straightened immediately when she saw me, smoothing her skirt like she’d been waiting to be noticed.
“Sir,” she said, voice softer than necessary.
I stepped in anyway. The doors slid shut.The descent was silent at first,just the hum of the elevator and the faint scent of her.
“I noticed you seemed tense today,” she said after a moment. “Long interviews.”
“Yes.”
Another pause,then she shifted closer.A deliberate step into my space brushing her fingers on my wrist.
“I could help you relax,” she said quietly.
I looked down at her hand on my arm and took it
Firmly,not gently,not roughly either.
Just enough to remind her who was standing in front of her.She sucked in a breath.
“Don’t,” I said calmly.
Her eyes widened.
“This is your workplace,” I continued, voice low, even. “And I am not interested.”
“I…I didn’t mean”
“I know exactly what you meant.” I released her hand slowly. “And this is your warning. There will not be another.”The elevator dinged revealing the reception..I could feel eyes on me.
“Hoes,” I said under my breath. I stepped out without another glance. Behind me, I heard her breathing unevenly, embarrassed, humiliated by her own assumption.Good.
Some lessons needed to sting.
I walked through the lobby, past security, out into the evening air. My car waited where it always did, black and polished, engine silent but ready.
As I slid into the driver’s seat, I exhaled for the first time in hours.Tomorrow, interviews will resume. New candidates,new disappointment.I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
Work was work. Feelings were irrelevant.
Still.
I found myself wondering if she’d made it home safely and for some reasons I couldn’t yet explain, the thought unsettled me.
- Writer
