The Devil Behind Me(36)

My father stood cursing and swearing at him under his breath. He growled and marched passed me. I felt shame because I had brought this man into our lives. I was the one who desperately tried to ease my father’s pain and stress; yet, here I was the one who caused all his problems.

“Do you want to talk about it, sweetheart?” Silvia asked as she clutched at my arm.

“No,” I said meekly.

“Addie,” My father cried out from the back of the restaurant. “Go home. You’ve worked enough for today,” he snapped. I knew he was angry and I also knew he would be in pain all day from the stress.

“Dad, I could—”

“No! You go now,” he said curtly.

I took my things and left. I was walking out on the street, pushing back the tears, willing them to not come out. I hated when my father was disappointed in me. I hated the shame I felt when he was curt and cold, as though I hadn’t met any of his expectations.

I came home and Sofia was there, still angry with me about Frank and about yelling at her. I was growing tired of her silent treatment, but I was the oldest and I wasn’t about to give into the little tantrum she was having. I took a hot shower; my body ached from exhaustion. I eased my hands up and down my body careful not to touch my scar. I hated touching it. I hated the feel of how different my skin felt. I hated the memory it came with.

I crawled into bed, relishing the cool sheets. My mattress was lumpy and old, but I didn’t care. To me it was the best feeling in the world. I lost consciousness within seconds of my head hitting the pillow. I was lost in my dreams, enjoying the world I was creating in my mind.

“Wake up!” yelled Sofia. My alarm on my phone kept ringing. “You’ve been sleeping for ten hours,” she kept yelling.

“Shit,” I groaned and moaned, moving my aching body.

I picked up the phone and saw the time. Sofia left in a huff. I had the night off which left me wondering. If I should or if I shouldn’t? I kept looking at the minutes go by until I decided to fire off a text. The moment I sent it, I regretted it instantly.





Me:I’m off 2nite, can date night happen now?





I seriously wished there was a way to retrieve messages. I lay down on my bed wondering what the fuck I had done. Knowing Daimon, he’d tell me to know my place, that in the contract he decided when date night was to happen. Thirty minutes had gone by and I had no answer. I shrugged it off and threw my phone onto the side of my bed.

The doorbell rang and I stood alert, worried it might be Frank. I ran down the stairs just as Sofia went to open the door. There in my doorway stood Daimon with a navy blue suit and light grey shirt. I stood still, floored at how damn sexy he looked. It was Sunday night, was he working?

“So you want to go out in that?” he smiled with that sexy grin of his. I looked down at my frumpy over-worn pjs.

“You didn’t text me back so I didn’t get ready,” I said sounding stupid. Sofia rolled her eyes and left us.

Daimon, still smiling, walked up to me and lightly touched my cheek with his fingers. “So go upstairs and get dressed. It’s not every day you ask me out.”

He looked down at me. The intensity of his light blue eyes nearly took my breath away. Easy girl. I had to remind myself this wasn’t real. I had to understand we were going to end this sometime soon. When? I didn’t know exactly, but Daimon had said that he would let me know.

“Addie?” he murmured.

“Hmm…sorry. Yeah, I’ll be ready in a few.” I forced myself to leave his presence and headed up to my bedroom.

“Nothing fancy, just some jeans and a t-shirt,” he called after me.

I hurried up, worried Sofia might say something. I washed my face and applied some mascara. I didn’t know what to do with my hair so I put it up in a ponytail. Once I finished, I ran down the stairs to an awaiting Daimon who had his hands in his pockets and was leaning up against my doorway.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” I said. “Sofia, make sure you lock the door up. Daddy should be here any minute.” I called out to her, but she didn’t respond.

“She’s very… you,” he said laughing.

“What are you trying to say?” I asked.

“She seems like a stubborn pain in the ass,” he offered.

“Thanks,” I scoffed.

“Well, she seems to take after you,” he said playfully.

He led me to his car and opened the door for me. This was new, the Daimon I knew never opened doors unless...

“Is there someone watching us?” I asked, looking around.

“What?” he asked.

“You know, your father? Do they have someone watching you to see if we’re really dating?” I asked seriously.