I quickly rushed towards him, scared from the way he looked. What's going on? My heart is still pounding but I know he's not here to hurt me. I caught him around the waist, barely keeping him from falling. Oh God, is it too much to ask for one quiet night?
-What happened? Are you crazy? - I asked him, half crying, wanting to somehow take my frustration out.
- Just... Just help me. - He tried to say something else but started to cough uncontrollably and he just fell to his knees and began to vomit and I couldn't keep him standing. I sighed looking at him like this. All of this brought some of my own memories but I need to be strong. This is about him, not me. I've been through my hell and I got out, now I need to help him.
- Calm down. I'll take care of your wounds. - I've looked at his body and bit my lip, preventing myself from letting unwanted cries. It's terrible to watch someone like this. His whole body seems destroyed. His head, arms, legs, stomach... I notice two large cuts on his face, and a deep wound on his stomach, he's also limping, and once the white shirt is now, how I see, red.
- Ha... Ironically. - Of course, he had to add some stupid comment, and when he was just about to laugh, another attack of coughing stopped him and he was silent after that.
-You know, for someone who is intruding into my home you should really be nice. And it's not that I want to be rude but... What the hell are you doing here? - I asked him while crossing my hands and he just shook his head.
- Trust me... I don't know. Just... Just... - I rolled my eyes, waiting for him to stop coughing. I know it's sad but a little voice in my head tells me that I shouldn't get involved in this.
- Will you answer me? I'm waiting, Damien. - I said cheeky, but still, I'm watching him closely in case he needs any help. He is still coughing but he used the wall to straighten himself to his feet.
- Believe me, I wouldn't do this... But... I had no other choice. You are the last place anyone would look for me so I need to stay for a bit. I have a problem... - I frowned looking at him, wondering if this young man was real. After everything, he's expecting me to welcome him with open arms. But still... After all, I can't leave anyone in this situation, even my worst enemy.
He needs my help, and besides. If I don't take care of these wounds, he could die. My vision is a little blurred due to tears and I realized how pathetic I act. No! Of course, he will not die, and I don't have anything to do with it. Why do I even care? Can't I just tell him to leave my house or I'll call the police? I bit my lip harder until the taste of blood dominated my mouth. I don't know what to do... For a second my eyes closed, just to keep my peace and prevent a headache I feel coming.
- FINE! But please, you have to go see a doctor. I don't know how to help you. I can't let you die on me, Damien. - I said seriously, and he just closed his eyes.
- NO. No hospitals, no doctors. I believe that you will help me, Desiree. I wouldn't come here if I had doubts about it. If I go to the hospital, tomorrow morning I'll be dead. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Just help me clean the wounds and I will not bother you again. I will hide somewhere in here and you can go on with doing your own thing. - He spoke slowly, trying really hard not to cough and I formed a fist not believing what's he telling me.
- Damien! I don't understand how can you be so careless. If you do not go to the hospital you will die! And as much as I hate you I will not let that happen. Do you understand? - I said angrily and Demien just chuckled and slowly took my hands in his.
- I know you are a good person and you have good... intentions... but no. Please, Desiree. Just trust me. I know what I'm talking about... I know... - A cough interrupted him and he began to lose his balance. I quickly caught him around the waist and managed to keep him on his feet. Oh, God... Should I take him to the hospital or not? What if he dies? What if the wounds become infected and he dies in my house? Not only that my conscience would never be quiet but my life would be destroyed too. How do I explain to the police why is there a dead man, in my house? There is absolutely no way. No one would believe me. I sighed finally deciding what to do.
- Come on. We're going to take you to my room to clean you up. - I know. I'm stupid. I've made peace with the fact that I will most likely get hurt eventually but for now, I decided to trust him. Slowly, I brought him up to the bedroom and turned on the lights because it was dark outside already. Even the atmosphere around us fits this grim setting. It's twilight, the worst time of the day. That creepy vampire movie doesn't carry that name for no reason. I gently lowered Damien on the bed, making sure that it didn't further harm him.
- Wait for me, I'll be back. I'm just going to get the first aid kit. - After I brought everything I needed and a bowl of warm water to wash him, I got right into the job. At first, I kind of took off his bloody shirt, then pants, leaving him only in boxers.
- I knew you couldn't wait to undress me. - Damien added half-dazed because of the medication for pain that I gave him and I just rolled my eyes.
- I will not even comment on that. - He chuckled but the new fit of cough stopped him. HA! Suits him right. A little bit pleased, I smiled took a cloth, and began to clean his body. Once I've finished with all that, I realize that his condition is not even that bad. Most of it was just blood and cuts. He has a large wound on his stomach, that will take some time to heal but it doesn't look that serious. His hand seems to be swollen and a bit blue, but there are no visible cuts or wounds. His leg is also swollen. The rest of the body is... well... Bearable. I finally sighed and when I finished I made sure to gently cover him up. As I was about to leave the room and let him sleep, his panicked voice interrupted me.
- Wait! - It made me stop on the spot. For a moment, I flinched and then turned to him.
- What? - I asked softly looking at him, not used to seeing him this helpless. Although, I believe he will be fine. I still think it's a better idea to take him to the hospital but I'll not do it against his will. I don't know why but I believe him. I believe he's telling the truth. No matter how stupid it sounds.
- Can you... Stay here for a while? - He asked as some child and something in me softened at his vulnerability. I couldn't say no. Even tho everything screams that this will end badly I have a feeling this is something I must do. The logical solution was to throw him out when I saw him bleeding in the hallway. But Noooo... I have to play a saint. I sighed and turned off the light.
My steps were soft as I approached the bed and lay on the other side of him. My mind drifted to the day I first met Damien. Specifically to the night I first met him, at the club. Maybe things would have happened differently If I hadn't drunk then. I wouldn't have taken things too far with Travis, I wouldn't have run off and ended up in the same room as Damien. He wouldn't have taken an interest in me. On the other hand, some part of me thinks everything would have built up to this point. Perhaps it would all be the same. I'd met him the next day at work and likely found a reason for not liking him. I felt an arm around my waist and jerked myself out of thinking. Damien gently pulled me towards him to give me a sign that he wanted to get closer. I turned to him.
- We're not friends Damien. Do not let this confuse you. - I still hate him a bit. He put me through a lot. And he was also a reason I wanted to get better, I reason why I worked at getting better. Also, he's not trying anything with me, well, nothing more than usual. So why do I always feel the need to defend myself? To put up these walls and keep everyone away.
Damien has this gift of getting under your skin. In any way possible, whether that being his being charming or him being annoying. You can't get him off your mind. He is a hard person to say no to. Something about him made me get lost at the party at Zachary's house. I got lost in his eyes, he seemed somewhat safe and I wanted to try with him.
- Do not worry, kitty... I wouldn't have thought that even for a second. - He winked at me briefly and I didn't even notice that my lips slightly moved into a smile.
- Do I have the right to ask you a few questions? - I asked quietly, somehow scared that my question would disturb this comfortable silence in the room. It seems too... fleeting. As If all will collapse in an instant.
- Yes, but only If you promise to try and be my friend.- He said in a whisper, matching my tone, and my eyes widened. Should we just put everything behind us and be friends? Is that his real intention?
- Do you really think it's possible Damien? Do you really believe that I could forget everything and pretend that I like you? I should tell you my secrets, gossip about my boyfriend, and maybe we can do each other's hair and polish nails, what do you think Damien? Is this possible? - I sat up in bed ready to get up and leave the room. I can't believe what he's asking. Suddenly I got so agitated. I'm not sure I can forget everything. I am not the kind of person who forgives and forgets.
- Yes! Of course without your sarcastic addition of hair and nails, but why not? Isn't it easier to leave it behind? To let go of the hatred and just start anew. Forget it all and maybe you'll find a good friend in me. - I couldn't take this anymore and I frowned.
- It is impossible. You can say what you want, but some things can't be forgotten. I can't just forget all that happened, and you don't even want to be my friend. If you had wanted that, you would have tried from the start. - I said angrily and he just rolled his eyes.
- I'm just saying you could try. It's not too late for us. I learned my lesson so give me a chance. I promise that If by the end of the night, you do not find time with me at least somewhat enjoyable I won't bother you. I swear Desire... - I looked at him suspiciously, thinking for a moment. That's what I want right? I want him to leave me alone. I bit my lip, thinking.
-No Damien. I can't. - I said now quieter and he just sighed.
- Here we go. I'll start. I will talk about anything that's on my mind, and then you can ask me anything, and if you feel that you can... You can tell me anything and it will never leave this room. Okay? - He asked quietly and I could hear the rapid beating of my heart. What should I do? My heart says to try. But my brain says that I'm stupid. This is Damien. I'll end up hurt again.
- You can talk If you want, but I'm not going to. - I said quietly and turned on my back, looking at the ceiling. I can actually feel Damien's smug smile. Oh my, God, this is so wrong.
- You know... When I was born... My mother had a difficult delivery. I barely survived and she died. It has affected my father very much. I don't know what kind of man he was before, but everyone told me that he has changed a lot. He treated me as his servant. I was supposed to become his obedient little puppet, put up with everything that he wanted, and be a successor worthy of our name. But of course... That's just not me. That's why I used to get into a lot of trouble. Ever since childhood, I'd run away from home. I stayed in the house waiting and hiding until everyone fell asleep and then jumped over the fence and ran away from the babysitter and all the teachers and the people who were replacing my parents. Of course, in the end, they caught me and told my father. He wasn't light with his punishments... So, the first chance I got, I ran away from there. I started to make money, and did some things to embarrass my family, my father... - Even tho I wanted to not care about his sob story, I got immersed in it. The attention with which I'm listening to him talk is undivided. I'm hanging on his every word and I can't help but imagine a small boy who grew up in such a hostile environment. I know better than anyone how hard it can be, yet we all have our own pain.
-You probably know about the incident on the anniversary of our company. I let a certain video out, with my dear stepmother. I just didn't expect that it would be the last straw. So Kevin set an ultimatum. I'm only getting the inheritance if I ensure that this job goes well with your company and improves my reputation. So no major scandals. Trust me on one thing, Desiree. I have the money. However it is earned, it's mine. So... My father got rich because of my mother. He married her and came into possession of her family business. And now. He wants to leave everything to some woman he's seeing. I can't let that happen. It would soil my mother's name. My mother did so much for the company and now it will all go away and fall into the hands of a... some outsider A woman who is not even worth mentioning her name. I don't want that Desiree. I know my mother probably wouldn't be proud of me. I'm certainly not the son that she wanted. Despite that, I want to at least save her legacy.- He finished his speech and I turned towards him, observing his face. So that's how it all started.
Perhaps it's not all his fault that he's like this. He had such a sad childhood, he was neglected and abused and that can leave a scar on a person, I know that very well. I can pretend that my own childhood is not bothering me, but deep down I know I'm lying. It always comes back, it always haunts me. In some moments I still feel like a scared little girl, unable to defend myself.
- ... Desiree? Desiree? - His voice is soft and pleading, enough to bring me back from my own memories. It made me smile sadly, looking at his beat-up face.
- Sorry, I drifted off somewhere...- He smiled at that and lifted his hand as if to touch my face which made me tense slightly. What is he doing? It seams as if he sensed my hesitation so he dropped his hand.
-I'll try to answer your questions, okay? I want to be honest, but some things I won't tell you for your own good.- Right. As if this isn't the best possible excuse. It made me roll my eyes and question how honest he's really planning on being but I'll try anyway.
- What happened to you? - The room was again silent and you could clearly hear our breathing. It gives me the creeps. I can see only darkness in here, and can hardly recognize the silhouettes of things.
- Damien? - Did he fall asleep on me? Or is he avoiding the questions? Of course, I would ask that. I want to know why the hell was he bleeding in my house. It made me tsk with annoyance and I pulled his hair a bit which made him hiss.
-Ouch, no need for violence, I had enough of that.-
-Than answer my question, I have the right to know.- And I do stand behind my words. He is the one who just dropped by unnounced and he won't tell me a single thing.
- I can't tell you. Sorry... I know you deserve an explanation, but no. It's safer this way. I can't tell you some things even If I want to. Don't ask me how I got this injury, or why I got it, or why I came here. Ask anything else. I will answer any questions that you have about me. everything except what happened. Please don't be mad, it's really for the best. - I closed my eyes for a moment. Is he real? He again promised me something he couldn't deliver. Why is it so important that I don't know what happened? He might be ashamed of something. He was beaten up. Maybe he owes someone money. Maybe he fucked someone's wife. Maybe he pissed off someone and that someone realized that the world would be a better place without Damien. Maybe...
- You know, Damien. You didn't leave me with a lot of things to ask. - I said sarcastically, but I'm actually angry. It was his idea to talk and be friends. Why doesn't he want to tell me? If he's really my friend he would tell me.
- Relax princess. You still have plenty of things to ask. And besides. I believe it's your turn. I wonder what's your story. Rich kid, with the perfect family... What has happened to the poor Desiree to turn you into this? Do not get me the wrong way baby. Just... You have problems, You acted strange more times than I can remember. - I was looking thoughtfully into the void. Am I so damaged? Is it so noticeable? Rich and perfect, ha?... So wrong. All of it.
- So... It seems that you know everything, Damien. I had the perfect family. I still have everything. I'm a spoiled, superficial, rich brat. That's it. There is nothing hidden or interesting under that. Trust me. - I said sarcastically and turned on the side, away form him. For a moment he growled in pain and I felt guilty, but what could I do? I don't want to talk about this. This was a bad idea from the beginning. We're not friends. We can never be.
- Stop it Desiree. You're doing it again. You are acting like a spoiled drama queen again. Perhaps my description of you is not so wrong after all. - I closed my eyes, trying to prevent a tear from slipping. I don't know what's wrong with me. Why do I care what he thinks? he is a completely irrelevant person in my life. Just some idiot that I wish would leave me alone. I want to get away from him and go to sleep.
- Good night. I'm sleepy. - I just said that and opened my eyes looking at the dark and remembering my life. It's obvious I didn't have the worst life ever, but if you ask me, I would say it's far from the best. All the farse, even the new family, and money... It wasn't worth it. I would have given up everything for a chance of a different life. It's even better to be neglected than what I had. It left a scar on me. I'm afraid to trust, to love... At one point it seemed as if I had everything. As if all my sorrows were gone and I finally had a protector. Yet of course it didn't turn out well. It was like piece by piece was ripped out from me, leaving me to be broken.
- I know you're not sleeping, Desiree. - I kept silent, not wanting to talk to him again.
- Stop it, Desiree. You're not sleeping... - Damn.
- What do you want Damien? - I asked softly, sounding hurt and on the verge of tears even to myself. I felt an arm around my waist and Damien slowly approached my body to his and I felt his breath on my neck. My breathing accelerated but I didn't say anything.
-It was too harsh of me. I didn't mean it. You are none of those things...- I felt the rapid beating of my heart and a tear that slid down my cheek. I bit my lip and finally let my tears fall. I felt a gentle kiss on my neck and a slight smile sneaked onto my lips.
- You're so much more than anyone can imagine... -