Chapter 5 – Home Sweet Home

An hour later, I was sitting in a white Bentley all changed into a set of more relaxed clothes. There were black Range Rovers in front of me and behind me. I could hear muffled voices of my dad and Damon exchanging some words as they came nearer to the car.

“Thank you, Mr. Williams. I won’t let you down.”

“You better not Ashford. Your life depends on it,”

“But I gave you, my daughter. My debt is cleared to you”  

Excuse me? He made me marry off some mafia man to pay his debt off. I knew something was off the minute I came here but I never expected dad to just pawn me off like that. To clear is debt. Is that how much I’m worth.

Ten fucking million dollars.

“Your debt remains. She is collateral.”

What the hell? I signed my entire life off…to be some fucking warranty. I hated the way Damon was so casually saying it. Not that I expected something out of this marriage but it still made my heart uneasy to hear him say that.

“What do you mean? I don’t understand. You said,” dad started pleading again.

“I know what I said. It’s you who has forgotten,”

“Mr. Williams,”

“Goodbye Ashford. I shouldn’t keep my wife waiting. Get me my money as soon as you fucking can.”

Wife.

What a joke.

Dad pleaded, pathetically while Damon ignored him and sat inside.

I was too mad to react and I didn’t want to say something to piss him off. Not yet.

He didn’t utter a single word either and started the car.

We followed behind the Range Rovers.

I wanted to ask where we were going but I decided not to. Because there was a good chance, he’d say something that’ll just piss me off further.

The ride remained quiet. After two long hours we finally stopped inside the basement of a building. Damon got out the car and walked towards my side opening my door.

Oh, so we can be gentleman and a dick.

Nice.

I ignored his hand and got out myself disregarding the glare I got from him.

I stretched my legs and looked around the basement full of cars. I was too damn tired and sleepy considering I hadn’t rested my eyes yesterday. There was no way in hell I was dozing off with that devil in the car. I way too uncomfortable already sitting in the passenger seat next to him. All the way back, his strong cologne kept my nerves on edge.

Damon and a guy exchanged some words before the guy nodded and walked towards me.

“He’ll take you up the penthouse. If you need anything, tell him,”

“Take me far away from him,” I turned to the guy who just looked at Damon in response.

Turning, I caught a glimpse of Damon’s face who seemed eager to shut my mouth.

“Relax, I’m joking,” I rolled my eyes. “Let’s go,”

A part of me wished it could be that way. That I could be far away from this hellhole.

The elevator ride up seemed too long.

“What’s your name?” I asked the guy beside me with whom Damon had a conversation.

“Alec” he replied shortly.

“It’s good to meet you Alec,”

“The pleasures mine, Mrs. William,”

My eyes squinted. “Please, call me Vivienne. Or Vivi.”

He didn’t reply. Tough crowd.

“And what are your names?” I looked behind me at the two other guys.

“Mark,”

“Luis,”

“Are you Spanish, Luis?” I asked, interested.

“Yes, Mrs. William,”

A thin smile formed on my lips.

Fuck this. I can’t even have a decent conversation with either of them without having them remind me my last name after every damn question.

“Wonderful,” I turned back around.

Alec handled all the formalities. He registered my card for the penthouse but didn’t give it to me. He said and I quote, “The boss will hand it to you himself.” He told me the food was prepared and the clothes were all set in the wardrobe. He explained he, Mark, and Luis will be right below me so if I was to need anything, I shall ring them through the bell by the elevator.

I explored the penthouse which was like a statement of power. It had floor-to-ceiling glass walls across the entire living area which opened to a breathtaking night view of the city, it’s lights stretching out. The ceiling soared two stories tall. A cascading crystal chandelier hung from above, long glass rods which gleamed golden spreading throughout the space.

The living area had modern sofas facing each other and a dark coffee table lay in the center. On one side of the room near the glass wall was a black slate pool table, its wood frame shining. I walked towards the sliding door which opened into a wide terrace. There was an infinity pool as well.

Not surprising.

There were lounging chairs and firepit nearby. Made me think of Damon swimming here, shirtless…naked…

I walked back inside and walked up the sleek staircase with glass railings. Upstairs, covered behind a partial wall overlooking the living room, was the master bedroom. It was a spacious suite and on one corner it had its set of towering windows.

There was a second bedroom downstairs too.

This was my home now. No complaints for this though. I took a long hot shower, not before locking the main door. I was too paranoid to keep it open. I changed into my gray bathrobe and walked downstairs checking the fridge. There was some food and an ice cream bucket.

I turned on the TV. I skimmed through the channels before stopping at some random movie and started my feast.

I didn’t realize I was famished. The shower soothed me down.

I gobbled the food and the bucket in minutes. It was past midnight.

I should change and sleep in the guest room before Damon comes back.

The thought came to me. I should have listened to myself right away.

Damon’s POV:

The elevator door opened and I walked in, exhausted. My sleeves were rolled up, a few buttons of my shirt hung open from the top. I tilted my head the sight in front of me.

Vivienne sprawled on the sofa, the TV humming in the background. She slept like she didn’t have any care in the world.

Open.

Vulnerable.

She was wearing a gray bathrobe.

My gray bathrobe.

Clenching my jaw, I went closer to her. The collar was loose around her neck exposing the curve of her cleavage. The bathrobe parted slightly from the chest to her stomach. She was naked underneath. Nothing inappropriate was showing, only some skin.

Thank God.

Why is she sleeping down here though? Much less in this state.

Is she deliberately testing my patience?

Huffing, I adjusted her robe, carefully, so my fingers wouldn’t touch her bare skin, before I scooped her up in my arms. She squirmed but didn’t wake up.

“What a nuisance.”