As I open my mouth to respond, my mother pushes in front of him and wraps her arms around me. “Etta! Finally. I’ve missed you so much. Ignore your father. He’s just upset that he hasn’t seen you properly for over a month.”
I hug her back, feeling odd being back here again. It’s strange. It was my home for so many years, but it doesn’t feel that way. My eyes drift back over my shoulder, to the space where I just saw Damien, missing him already.
“Come in, your Dad’s been cooking his special roast potatoes. He might not seem it right now, but he’s been looking forward to having you visit.”
My father leads the way toward the kitchen and dining area where everything is set and ready.
“So why did Damien leave without coming in?” he asks again.
“Barry,” my mother admonishes.
“What? He’s been monopolising our daughter’s time for weeks now. So we never see her. I want to know why he can’t spare a few moments to come in and say hi.”
Before my mother can respond, I say, “He’s got a business meeting to go to.”
“A business meeting? What kind of business is he doing? I thought he was a university student, just like you,” my father says, placing his hands on his hips as he looks to me for information.
“I don’t know exactly,” I lie, avoiding eye contact as I move to sit at the table across from my mother.
“How do you not know?” My father asks, as he collects a tray laden with food, and walks it over to the table, setting it between us all.
“Can I get anybody a drink?” my mother says, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Because it’s none of my business,” I state, staring at my father defiantly.
“I thought it might be nice to have a glass of red with the lamb,” my mother continues, ignoring my father and me. “How are your classes Etta? Have you decided on what you’re doing for your research assignment yet?”
“Well, you should make it your business,” my father continues. “You spend enough bloody time with him. You should know every freaking thing about him.”
My mother lifts the bottle of wine and pours each of us a glass. Her cheeks starting to flame red as she becomes flustered by our refusal to change the subject.
“Is this why you wanted me here? To question me about Damien? It would be nice if you could spend some time being interested in me for a change, and just me. Not my relationship. Not my training schedule or my grades. Just me. It might help if you actually took the time to try and find out who I am as a person. Then I might want to come around a little more often. I moved out for a reason dad. You don’t get to start demanding information from me the moment I walk in the door – especially when you’re the one who insisted that I come here.”
Glancing down at my wrist, I see the Ki bracelet he gave me for my birthday. I’ve worn it every day without fail because I felt it was such a touching gesture. But suddenly, I don’t want it anymore. I undo the clasp and push away from the table, dropping the bracelet on the table.
“You know what? I’m not hungry anymore.”
“Etta!” my mother calls as I head for the door.
“I’m sorry mum. I just didn’t come here to be brow beaten over Damien.”
I pick up my bag and pull the door open, heading toward the train station on foot so I can go home.
“Etta,” my mother calls, just as I step over the property line. “I’ll give you a lift.”
Stopping, I look back at my mother as she aims the electronic key at her Barina and presses the doors open. I press my lips together and walk over to the passenger door and get inside.
“I’m sorry mum,” I say, as she reverses out of the driveway.
“So am I Etta. Honestly, I’m disappointed in both of you. You certainly aren’t the innocent party here. You’ve barely called, you’ve cancelled dinners. And whenever we’ve stopped by your place, your housemates tell us that you’re out with your boyfriend. I’ve had a hard enough job stopping your father from storming down to the gym every morning to give you a piece of his mind. What you’ve done. It isn’t fair. You’ve gone and moved out and practically removed yourself from our lives as well. Don’t you think we’ve lost enough? Don’t you think we deserve better than a cursory text or phone call to let us know you’re alive?”
“Yes. You do. I’m sorry mum. I’ll try and be better to you.”
“Don’t try Etta. Do.”
Before I know it, we’ve pulled up outside the townhouse, and she’s reaching into her pocket for something. “Here,” she says, handing me back the Ki bracelet. “Put it back on, and tomorrow, I want you to call your father and smooth things over.”
“But mum,” I start to argue, taking the black cord from her hands.
“Just do it. I’m not interested in being caught in the middle of you too. I can only handle one strong headed person at a time.”
I look down at the bracelet in my hands and roll the cord between my fingers. “Ok, I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you, and Etta, I want to see you properly too. I miss you. I know you’re young and you’re caught up in the glow of a new relationship, but you need to remember your family and friends.”
Leaning toward me, she holds her arms out for an embrace. I of course, lean in and wrap my arms around her small frame.
“Thank you mum. I’m sorry dinner didn’t work out.”
“It’s ok. Although I wish you could have stayed, you look like you could use a good meal. Are you not eating properly?” she cups my chin in her hand and studies my face. “You look tired too. Too many night clubs huh?”
“Something like that,” I smile, dropping my eyes from hers. I can’t really explain the truth. How do you say to your mother that you’ve been so busy being ravished that you have begun forgoing food and sleep, just to stay in his arms.
“It might be a good idea to ask Damien to check in with your father too. He hasn’t been attending the usual training sessions and your father is starting to develop conspiracy theories.”
“Ok,” I laugh, shaking my head slightly. “I’ll see what I can do.” I bid my mother farewell and climb out of the car, heading to the front door of the townhouse while I dig around in my bag for my key.
Just as my hand clasps around the smooth metal of the keychain, the front door bursts open. “Etta! You’re here,” Jessica exclaims overly enthusiastically, blocking my way slightly.
“Well, I do pay rent for my room,” I say, trying to move past her.
“Yes. Yes you do.” Something about the way she’s talking and moving beside me, makes me think that she’s trying to herd me up the staircase instead of letting me through to the lounge room.
“What’s going on?” I ask slowly, narrowing my eyes at her as I sidestep her and head to the living area. “Oh. I see.”
Sitting on one of the couches are Kensi and Jeremy, she’s half draped over him in propriety, so I know that she obviously landed her prize. On the other couch is Aaron.
“Hey Etta. How are you?” he asks kindly.
“I’m not dating him,” Jessica says behind me, quickly and quietly. “You know – girl code and all that…”
“What?” I ask, not fully understanding what she said at first. “Oh! Girl code. Ok, I get it. It’s cool. You can all hang out with or date whomever you choose.”
“I’ll um… leave you all to it.” I nod, backing away from everybody before heading up to my room, where I can call Damien in private and grab a few things to take back with me.
Sitting on my bed, I pull out my phone and select Damien’s number before holding it to my ear to await the connection. Although it goes straight through to voicemail.
“Dammit,” I say to myself as I listen to his short and abrupt message.
“I’m unavailable, leave your details and I’ll get back to you.”
“Hi, it’s me. Don’t get all upset at me, but I’m not at mum and dad’s place. Dad was picking a fight with me, so I left and mum
dropped me off at my place. I’m just going to pick up a couple of things, and if I don’t hear from you soon, I’ll walk over to your apartment and wait for you there.”
As I disconnect the call, there’s a gentle tap on my door. “Etta?” Aaron says from the other side. I realise that the last time we spoke, was when I was trying to run away from Damien.
Opening the door, I smile at him. “I guess I should explain what our last interaction was all about.”
“No. You don’t. I just want to see how you are. I haven’t heard from you. You haven’t been in class. I just need to know that you’re ok and if you need any help.” He keeps his voice quiet as he stuffs his hands into his pockets and studies me with concern in his eyes.
“Why would I need help? We just had a fight and I over reacted. I shouldn’t have forced you in the middle of it,” I tell him defensively, not liking what he’s insinuating.
“If you say so. You just don’t seem yourself. It’s unlike you to fall so far behind in your studies, and it’s unlike you to avoid your friends to spend all of your time shacked up with some guy.”
“You wouldn’t be complaining if it was you I was shacked up with,” I retort, taking offense to his supposed knowledge of the inner workings of my mind.
He presses his lips together and just nods his head, keeping his distance from me. “Ok.” Is all he says before he starts to turn away from my door. He takes two steps toward the staircase before stopping and turning back to me. “I know I keep saying this. But when you’re ready – when you need me. I’ll be there for you.”
“That’s really nice of you, Aaron. But I won’t be…”
“You will. Eventually you will. I have no doubt in my mind that you will one day call me, and I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to help you.”
“Why?” I ask, wondering how he can be so sure and so unwavering.
“Because I love you Etta. How can you not know that?”
As he turns again and walks quietly down the stairs, I’m left with my mouth open and a pain in my chest as I watch after him. He’s right – how could I not know that? He’s been waiting for me this whole time. Ever since my father broke us up.
Feeling physically shaken after Aaron’s revelation, I sit on my bed and look around my room, paying attention to all of the things I have adorning the surfaces, all of the things that represent me.
Damien’s apartment doesn’t have anything in there of me at all. I spend all of my time there, just being with him. While it’s what I thought I wanted, as I sit on my own, amongst my own things, I realise that I’m completely neglecting myself, and all those who were important to me before Damien came along.
Standing up, I look in the mirror and study my reflection, paying close attention to the way my eyes seem to sink into my face due to my lack of sleep. It’s not that I look ill or anything, I just look tired. And I am tired. I’m very tired.
A burst of laughter travels up the stairs, and feeling left out, I decide it’s time for me to go. But not before I try to make amends by making plans to go out with everyone soon. Plans that I’m not going to break.
“Hey guys,” I say as brightly as I can, as I come down the stairs. “I’m going to head back out, but do you think we could maybe make some plans for this weekend? Maybe we could go to the city or something.”
“Yeah Etta,” Kensi nods. “I’m always up for a party. Make sure you’re here Friday, we’ll all travel in together.”
“Am I coming?” Jeremy nudges her, his arm resting lightly around her shoulders.
“Well, that all depends…” She leans in to him and whispers something in his ear, causing his eyebrows to shoot up high on his forehead.
“Excuse us,” he says, grabbing Kensi by the hand and heading for the staircase at great speed.
She gives me a wink as they pass, and she runs up after him. “See you Friday.”
“Alright,” I laugh, before turning back to Aaron and Jessica.
“Do you need a lift anywhere?” he asks.
The disappointment on Jessica’s face is obvious the moment he suggests leaving her on her own, while Jeremy and Kensi go at it upstairs. So I don’t have the heart to drag him away from her, and I especially can’t do it after what he said earlier – I don’t want to give him the wrong idea.
“No thanks. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Turning away from them, I walk out of the townhouse and head to Damien’s, checking my phone again to see if he’s called, and I missed it. Although, in a way, I’m glad he’s still out, I think I could do with some sleep.
***
“Henrietta,” I hear whispered in my ear, startling me awake. It’s grown dark and I wonder how long I’ve been asleep for.
“What time is it?” I mumble, inhaling sharply as I try to wake myself up.
“After nine. What are you doing here?”
“Sleeping, and waiting for you. What time did you get back?”
“Henrietta. You can’t come back here when I’m working. Not after last time.”
“What?” I say, sitting up in the bed. I reach over to turn the lamp on. “You weren’t even here.”
“Not at first, no. But I don’t think it’s very professional of me to have a naked girl in my bed when I bring clients around. You are naked aren’t you?” he asks, sliding his hand underneath the sheets brushing his fingertips down the length of my body. “Well, you got that part right.”
“Don’t,” I complain, flinching away from him, it’s probably the first time I’ve ever had restraint around him. Sitting up, I keep my body covered, trying to get this all straight in my head. “Firstly, what the hell was she doing here? And secondly, why would she ever see me in your bed?”
“You left the bedroom door open, we could see straight in,” he explains.
“And why was she here?”
“So I could walk her through the process.”
“You took her into the spare room?”
“I did,” he states, dipping his head to plant soft kisses on my shoulders. Knowing that he’ll distract me with sex, I try to keep my wits about me. Although my resolve begins to waiver as the sheet falls away, and he takes my nipple into his mouth.
“Please show me what it is you do. I want to know Damien. I won’t be ok until I know.”
Sucking my nipple into a hard peak, he sits back on his knees, pulling his shirt over his head. My hands immediately reach out to touch his skin running my fingertips down over his chest and abs with my need to feel him whenever he’s near.
“That wouldn’t be fair. Only clients get to see the work. There are rules,” he murmurs, removing his pants and sliding into the bed behind me. His hand reaching over my waist and down to my mound, a finger slipping between my folds to tease my clit.
“What if I became a client?” I whisper, closing my eyes as the delicious sensation of his touch starts to flood my body and my mind.
“I wouldn’t take your money. When I create a portrait for you, it will be for my absolute pleasure.” He grips my hips, tilting them so he has access, and enters my warm, wet depths.
“When will you show me?” I ask, gasping as his thrust presses firmly against my g-spot, and his fingers work my clit. I don’t know how much longer I can hold a conversation for.
“Soon, my love, soon.”
***
Surprisingly, the next morning when I ask Damien to come into the city with everyone on Friday, he actually agrees immediately.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he stops eating his breakfast to reach for his phone, his fingers working furiously to type out a message on the screen.
“Telling the guys. They can set something up.”
“Like what? A fight?”
“Yep,” he confirms, giving his phone a final tap, before setting it down beside him on the table.
“I thought you said that I could choose. Portraits or a fight?”
“Yes, but as my main money maker. If you chose fighting, it would h
ave meant that I’d be out there every weekend looking for someone to hustle. Now I can do it for fun. Besides, we need the cash.”
“But you just got a commission, didn’t you?” I ask him, confused.
“Yeah, but I need money to hold us over until I’m done. She’s only paid me the deposit.”
“How is it that I’m feeling as though I’m the one getting hustled right now?” I comment, shaking my head at him for managing to get his own way – again.
“Take your clothes off. I’ll give you your way for the rest of the day,” he growls erotically, the rumble of his voice sends glorious chills racing around inside me.
I stand, and pull my dress over my head.
“You’re on,” I say, turning around and striding toward the bedroom, boldly naked.
***
When Friday rolls around, Damien drops me off at my place so I can get ready with Kensi and Jessica.
“Make sure they understand that I don’t want any of you watching when a fight goes down. I can’t make any money if they start getting hits in,” he reminds me for the billionth time. He’s made me promise to stay inside the nightclub when the fight happens.
“I wouldn’t dream of distracting you. I don’t know if I’d enjoy looking at your face anymore if it got all beaten up. I’m very superficial you know,” I joke, unable to keep the grin off my face as I speak.
“That’s bullshit and you know it. You’d love me with a smashed up nose – as long as my tongue still works.” He winks, pulling me toward him to press his lips against mine before he heads off to meet up with the guys who are the lookouts for his fights.
Humming as we separate, he presses his forehead against mine. “I’ll see you in an hour,” he murmurs, kissing me once more before unlocking the car to let me out. “One hour,” he repeats, calling after me as I walk up the short driveway.
“Alright, go!” I laugh, shooing him away as I head inside and call out that I’m here. Kensi, of course, is already making pre-emptive cocktails in the kitchen.
“We were wondering, since you have never slept in your room – can we turn it into a home office or a gym?” Jessica asks me when I walk through the door.
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