With a sigh he strode forward, his fingers wrapping around her shoulders as she stood shaking. “Has it been so bad Sara? We get on well...in and out of bed. I really didn’t think you would mind spending more time with me...so you put off looking for a job and another place to live for a month or so...does it really matter?” To his surprise, she tore herself from his hold, turning to face him, tears magnifying her eyes.
“Yes...yes it matters. It matters Darius, and I will not stay any longer. We had an agreement and I am sticking to it” Darius felt the clenching coldness deep within him. “Wow...you have had me fooled Sara. I actually thought you were happy here” Standing tall, his features became colder, “Well it doesn’t matter. You are going nowhere. You or your sister...the choice is and always has been yours”
Sara moved to sit on the edge of the bed, the anger leaving her as she looked somewhere above his head, desperation clear on her face. “It isn’t right...it isn’t fair”, she murmured. He frowned, realising that she was talking to herself, before she lowered her eyes to his. “Then you have to do what you have to do...because I am leaving”, a tear winding its way down her cheek, the words spoken softly and with grim determination.
“You would see your sister in prison?” His disbelieving harsh words whipped over her as she dropped her eyes to the ground; her whole body slumped in defeat, Sara nodding silently. “Then so be it Sara. You leave this house then tomorrow Angela will be rotting in some damn prison cell and you can explain to her son why”
She heard as he moved from the bedroom, slamming the door behind him as he left, Sara raising her head to hold back the choking sob which rose to her lips. Her hand covered her mouth as she fought to control the way her whole body shook, the tears spilling unchecked down her pale cheeks. She had done all she could. She could not do any more she told herself over and over, willing herself calm. If she did not leave as they agreed then it would destroy all her own chances of happiness, a long steadying sigh leaving her still quivering lips.
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Standing, she slowly took off the summer dress she had chosen for that day, hanging it back up in the closet beside all the other clothes he bought her. From the back she retrieved the jeans and t-shirt she had worn the day she appeared in his office, a sad smile touching her lips, the memory seeming to be from so long ago, yet less than two weeks old.
With no luggage, and leaving the jewellery he bought for her she phoned for a taxi, relieved to hear that there would be one within fifteen minutes. Finally ready she sat on the edge of the bed taking deep calming breaths as she told herself over and over that she was doing what she had to while deep inside she felt sick.
The ringing of her mobile heralded the arrival of the taxi, and rising, she made her way slowly down the stairs. Reaching the door, she heard Darius move into the hallway, his voice grim, “So, you are really prepared to leave? Prepared to see Angela in prison?” Biting her lip and not looking back at him she nodded, reaching her hand out to the door, her tone low and sad, yet determined. “I have to”, her shaking hand opening the door as he moved towards her.
“Wait....please wait Sara” She paused, wishing that he would just let her go. For several seconds there had been silence, before his hand took her arm and led her to the small couch within the cavernous hallway hunching down beside her. “Why? Why is the time so important to you?” his voice softer this time
Sniffling miserably, Sara gave a small shake of her head her voice almost inaudible full of misery, “I can’t...I can’t tell you...I just have to get my life sorted out...find my own home and job...I have to Darius” Taking her hands into his, Sara had not even tried to fight him as he looked into her eyes, those wonderful eyes swimming with tears, before finally giving a long slow sigh, “Do you want rid of me that much Sara?”, he asked gently as her eyes flew to his. “No...No...It isn’t...” her words trailed away as she once more looked past him, missing the look of relief which filled him, “I just have to get my life sorted...soon”.
“Ok...what if we come up with a compromise” “C...compromise?” she sniffled softly, their eyes meeting once more, a glimmer of hope filling her. “W...what kind of compromise?” Darius lifted her hand gently kissing the knuckles, his voice slow and thoughtful, “The chances of you finding somewhere to stay right away are remote. After Friday you can search for a job as planned, but it seems unlikely that you would find somewhere to move straight into... What if you stay here for as long as you need on the understanding that after Friday you are free to go whenever you can?”