Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Daimon’s heavy breathing was accompanied by his pacing. His hands were on his waist as he would occasionally stop and look fiercely at me.
“What?” I finally mustered up.
The fear Frank instilled in me years ago had stayed. I tried hard to fight it and to be strong, but when he threatened me I broke down, afraid of what he’d do. Daimon left the store; I watched dumbfounded. I ran after him and stopped him just outside. He looked down at my hand that had grabbed onto him. I quickly let go and recoiled a bit.
“Do you really want this money, Addie?” he snapped. My heart sunk even lower. All I wanted right now was some comfort, someone to ease my fears.
“Yes, I need the money,” I said meekly.
“So why the fuck are you seeing someone else? The rules say you are mine and no one else’s,” he said bitterly.
“Daimon, it’s not like that,” I challenged.
“Then how is it, Addie? Tell me, because I swear to God you haven’t told me shit about yourself. All I know is what I see and what I see is your ex sniffing around what is mine,” he barked.
I couldn’t tell him. I stood looking at this man who was nearly perfect in every way. He had money, power, and connections, everything I didn’t have. And here I was nothing but a failure away from being left on the streets. Yeah, like I was really going to tell Daimon everything about my life so he could hold it over me what kind of loser I had become.
“Can’t you just trust me? Have I ever given you a reason not to?” I asked earnestly. Daimon shook his head and glared at me.
“Fine, I’ll trust you. But if I ever see that fucker near you again, Addie, I swear I don’t know what I will do,” he harshly.
“Don’t do anything, he isn’t worth it,” I pleaded. I suddenly felt worried for Daimon.
“Why? Are you worried I might hurt your lover?” he seethed.
“He is not my lover and never will be,” I fired back.
“He was once,” he refuted.
“Yes, he was once, and he b—” I bit my lip not to go further.
“And what, Addie?” Daimon yelled out, exasperated.
“But he will never be again,” I said grimly.
We both stood in front of my store glaring at each other.
“Why are you here?” I asked.
“There is a gala tonight and you will come with me. I will pick you up, get you dressed and you will act accordingly,” he said harshly.
“Why do you do that?” I sighed.
“Do what Addie?” he snapped.
“Forget it. Fine, I’ll be waiting after work,” I relented.
“I will pick you up at four.”
“Daimon, I can’t. My father is too sick, he won’t be able to work all those hours,” I pleaded.
“Then your father should stop thinking about himself and sell this place, instead of making you waste your life here,” he berated me.
I stood there on the verge of tears. “Fine, I’ll be ready for you at four.” Daimon’s stance eased up and he moved forward.
“Addie.” I held up my hand stopping him from coming closer.
“I’ll see you later.” I moved around him and headed inside.
“Are you okay, dear?” Silvia got up from her seat, took me in her arms, and held me as I cried quietly.
***
I called my father who yelled at me for hiding his keys, telling me it’s his diner and he could obviously work those hours. He continued yelling at me to stop looking down on him and to go out with Daimon.
I stood in front of the diner and waited. The same chauffer who had picked me up the night at the bar came out of the black sedan and opened the door for me. I bowed my head and climbed inside. Daimon was sitting on the other side of the car staring out the window. His body language was screaming ‘do not talk to me,’ so I didn’t. I sat quietly as we drove to his penthouse. He kept silent until we reached his home. Drako came out running the moment he saw us. I crouched down and began petting him, his little tail wagging happily at my touch.
“Your dress is upstairs in my room. Go and get ready,” he said as he began to pull on his tie and loosened it.
I dropped my things by the door and headed up his floating wooden stairs. I took my time, worried I might fall through. How the hell were they held up? I looked side-to-side. I finally made it up and walked into his room, which seemed as if it was the entire floor. He had wraparound windows overlooking part of the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan. I walked further inside, large, white, plush carpets covered the dark wooden floors. One area had a beautiful black leather couch while on the other end a king sized bed was perfectly made with numerous white pillows.