The Devil Behind Me(30)

It had been two days since I heard from Daimon. Our scheduled date didn’t happen and I grew worried. Our contract said that under no uncertain circumstances did we let others know we weren’t in a relationship. I was afraid he thought I might have told Frank. I didn’t want him to back out on me now, after I promised Sofia she could go to school. I was going to text him, but I was too busy with work. My father was having yet another relapse and this time it was bad. I made him broth and hoped he would be able to eat it and keep it down. I forced him to stay home. Sofia would come in to help, but I would mostly work open to close. I was overworked and under so much stress but I needed to keep it together for just a few more weeks. By then Sofia would be getting ready to go to school, and I could finally convince my father we should sell, that’s if the diner didn’t close by then.





Just a few more weeks.


Just a few more weeks.


The little rush of customers I had ended and I waited for more to come. The day was long and my mind kept wondering over to Daimon. My phone sang its suspenseful song and I knew it was him. For some reason my heart skipped as I reached for my phone nervously.





Daimon:Meet me in front of my building in an hour





There was no way I could do it. I had no one to replace me.





Me:I’m sorry I cant





I waited knowing he’d be pissed or even worse misunderstand.





Daimon:No discussion in an hour





Shit





Me:Daimon I seriously cant pls understand there’s no one to work





Daimon:Addie make sure ur ass is here!





I tried calling him, I even sent him more texts explaining why I couldn’t, but he wouldn’t reply to me.

I watched as the clock struck at the hour I was supposed to be there. I knew I was in for it. He would make me pay. I waited, but nothing happened; not one call, not one text, which only made me feel more uneasy. I finished the night and headed home.

There in front of my house was Daimon, waiting. I lowered my shoulders knowing I was about to get into a fight. I was too tired and didn’t have any energy for it. I walked up to him like I was his puppy and he was my master, waiting for him to rail into me.

“What’s with the face, Addie? Feeling guilty?” he said gruffly.

“Just yell at me and get it over with already,” I breathed.

“Lead the way,” he extended his hand.

“What way?” I looked up at him, not knowing what he meant.

“This is your house, right? Don’t you remember what I said last time? Now lead the way Addie and let’s meet my lover’s family,” Daimon smirked, but I knew he was angry.

“Daimon, please. Please, Daimon,” I pleaded. I grabbed onto his hand and held on.

“This is new, you’ve never begged me before,” he huffed and released his hand from me. He walked up to my wire fence and unhinged it.

“Daimon,” I cried out, but he continued on his way until he reached my door. I ran to catch up to him, but he had already knocked. We both stood on my porch, glaring at each other. The silence was broken by my father.

“Addie? Addie, sweetheart, did you forget your keys?” My father opened the door and stood back, surprised to see Daimon was there.

“Hi Daddy,” I said softly as I entered. My father looked weak and tired as he headed back to his armchair. “How are you feeling?” I asked as I helped him sit down.

“Better,” he smiled, but didn’t meet my eyes.

“This is Daimon. He wanted to meet you.” I smiled, trying desperately not to show how angry and betrayed I felt.

Daimon stepped in and offered my father his hand. He shook my father’s hand and sat down across from him.

“Hello, sir. I'm sorry to intrude on you so late at night, but Addie makes it almost impossible for me to see her. I wanted to introduce myself to you and tell you that I'm seeing your daughter,” Daimon said flatly.

“My daughter does work hard. I'm sorry for that,” my father said ruefully.

“Daddy, it’s okay,” I murmured.

“It’s not, Addie, but I understand. It’s nice to meet you, Daimon,” my father said. “Addie? Why don’t you get the young man something to drink while he’s here?” my father said, sending me away.

I'm sure he wanted to do the fatherly duties and ask Daimon all the questions he wanted without me being there. I left the living room and headed inside the kitchen to prepare some tea and coffee.

“So what do you do, Daimon?” I heard my father ask.

“I own a company in Lower Manhattan.”

“I see and how did you meet Addie?” My father was just getting started.

“In high school, she was a classmate of mine. She never told you about me?” Daimon seemed surprised.