Chapter Five - Her Punishment (2)

[Azure Hotel and Suite - Devians Private Suite]

Devian was back at Azure Hotel and Suites. As the owner, he had a private apartment on the top floor where he stayed whenever he visited for business. He sat inside his private study, lost in thought. A phone rested in his hand. He switched it on. A picture of Vanessa appeared on the screen. His eyes lingered on it for a few moments before he quietly placed the phone on the table.

Moments later, his own phone rang in his pocket. Without checking the screen, already knowing who it was, he swiped the green button and answered.

"So if I didn't call, you wouldn't have bothered calling me? I'm not treated properly by my own son." A woman's voice sounded as though she were about to cry.

His mother.

Devian's ogled his eyes but then his expression softened immediately. He fought back a smile, trying not to laugh and upset her even more.

"Mom," he said, smiling. "Can you stop being dramatic? I've only been gone for a day and—"

"Will you be quiet, young man?" Mrs. Ashford interrupted. "Why did you leave all of a sudden? You didn't tell me anything. Is something wrong?"

The worry in her voice was impossible to miss.

Devian decided not to tell her the truth. Knowing his mother, she wouldn't stop disturbing him until he returned home. He didn't have time for that, he never did.

"Mom," his tone became serious, "it's nothing. Just an emergency at the hotel that needed my attention."

Mrs. Ashford let out a sigh of relief.

"For a moment, I thought you were in trouble." Then her tone changed.

"But how come your father didn't mention anything about it?"

Devian wasn't surprised by the question.

"I don't know. Maybe he forgot, " he said with a small smile. "And I can handle things myself, Mom." He added, pretending to sound offended.

"Oh, I know, I know." She laughed softly. "I still can't believe my baby boy has grown up so much."

Devian leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"I've been grown up for years, Mom."

"Not to me," she replied immediately. "You'll always be my little boy."

He shook his head, amused.

"Where's Dad?" he asked, changing the topic.

"Your father?" Mrs. Ashford scoffed dramatically. "He's been locked up in his study since morning. I don't even know if he remembers he has a wife."

A small chuckle escaped Devian. "I'll call him later."

"You'd better. And don't overwork yourself."

"I won't."

There was a brief silence.

"So..." Mrs. Ashford spoke again. "When are you coming home?"

"I'm not sure yet." he said unsure of how she would react.

"What do you mean you're not sure?"

"I still have a few things to take care of here." he answered carefully. She sighed.

"Fine. But promise me you'll eat properly and get enough rest."

"I promise."

"And don't forget to call me tonight."

"I won't."

"Good."

The call ended.

Devian placed his phone on the desk before his gaze slowly drifted to the other phone lying beside it. Vanessa's phone. His fingers brushed lightly over the cracked screen.

"So... Vanessa Brown."

He murmured her name quietly. Stood headed to his bedroom.

********

Vanessa retired to her room, too exhausted from the day's chores. She had just finished preparing dinner for the family. The twins had been home all day, but surprisingly, they hadn't bothered her after what happened that morning.

Her mother hadn't returned yet, which had given her enough time to finish every chore she had been assigned.

Her father hadn't come home either. Maybe he had gone on another business trip. She hadn't seen him at all that day.

Holding onto the wall for support, Vanessa slowly made her way to her room. Every step sent pain shooting through her bruised body. Her back still stung from the beating she had received that morning.

She unlocked the door, stepped inside, then immediately locked it again, leaving the key in the keyhole.

The twins had a spare key.

She couldn't risk them barging into her room again. As she turned around, her eyes landed on a small white box resting neatly on her bed.

She froze.

"I didn't leave that there..."

She slowly walked closer, her heartbeat quickening.

Could someone have entered her room?

Carefully, she reached out and picked it up.

"A first aid box?"

The words were printed on the side.

Confused, she opened it.

Inside were antiseptic, bandages, cotton wool, pain relief cream, ointments, and several other medical supplies.

Her eyes widened.

Someone...

Someone brought this for me?

It couldn't be the twins.

Her fingers paused.

There was a folded piece of paper on the bed.

She carefully picked it out.

Her hands trembled as she turned it over.