Chapter 2: Homeless

Damian’s POV

As soon as I reached the room, I picked up my phone. I needed a place to sleep tonight.

I packed a few things, Nolan slowly helped me, silently folding clothes and handing them to me like he knew words would only make this harder.

I picked up my bag and left through the back door without informing them. I grabbed my coat, my hands trembling slightly.

I was ready for this.

Or at least I kept telling myself I was.

I walked out through the gate, leaving behind the only car that I had once loved and cherished—the one my parents gave me when I entered medical school.

I walked out of the house for the last time, leaving behind the house I had spent most of the beautiful memories I had after staying at a foster home for some time.

I sighed, the sound heavy and broken.

I walked through the streets of New York, looking for a cab I could hail hoping to get to the best hotels that were available.

As everyone passed through the street. I couldn’t bring myself to think about all the things I would do to prove my parents wrong.

The clouds began to darken, just as doubt started to settle in. As I flagged a cab who stopped almost immediately.

I opened the door and slid inside.

“Good day,” I greeted quietly.

He responded with a nod.

“Take me to a hotel far away from here,” I begged, my voice barely above a whisper.

He glanced at me through the mirror and drove off without asking questions.

“Bad day uh?” He asked gently.

I nodded, afraid I would completely break down at that moment. He looked through the mirror and chuckled softly.

The rest of the ride fell into silence until we reached the hotel.

I handed him the money and walked straight into the hotel.

At the reception desk, I forced a smile at the lads whose face flushed slightly the moment she saw me.

“Good day. I’d like to book an exclusive room,” I said.

She battled her eyelashes, as she checked the prices on the laptop.

“That would cost you $500 per night,” she replied.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my card.

She took the card and swiped it through the machine.

It beeped.

Her expression changed instantly. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry….your card has been declined.”

I raised my eyebrows at her, fear slowly start to creep in.

My chest started to beat rapidly. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

I had enough money on that card to last me a month. I ran my hand across my hair, my foot tapping uncontrollably against the floor.

“Could you try it again?” I asked, my voice strained.

She swiped it again—this time faster.

It beeped once more.

She looked at me with pity. A look that I hated more than anything. “It’s still the same.”

My parents had gone that far. They froze my card.

I had nowhere to go. I was alone and all I had left was the $50 in my wallet that could barely buy me a burger and a drink.

I knew I needed help; a shelter just for this night.

And I knew exactly who to call.

Derek.

I dialled his number just immediately. His voice sounded tired as he answered on the phone. “Where are you?”

He knew something was wrong.

I gave him my address.

“I’ll meet you there. Just stay right there,” he said.

The moment the call ended. I struggled to breath. I pressed my fingers into my chest. I hardly called anyone for help. This was something I wasn’t built to do.

But tonight, I had no choice.

****

Few minutes later, Derek was here.

“It’s okay”, he assured me.

We got into the car and we went home.

So many thoughts filled my mind as I thought of what my parents had done. This night was gone already. Tomorrow is a day to get ready and start putting out proposals.

Derek interrupted my thoughts.

“I was just leaving the hospital when you called,” he pressed the wheel of the car.

I heaved a heavy breath.

“With the look of things. I was sure that did not go well with them,” he continued.

I nodded my head abruptly.

“You can stay at my place till whenever you get back on your feet.”

I shook my head slightly.

I couldn’t leech on him because of my stupidity.

“You can have a room to yourself,” he said, immediately reading my mind.

Where was Derek staying? He had more than one room. He must be staying with his parents too.

“My dad hardly comes home because of work.” He held the wheel tightly. “So you have nothing to worry about.”

I sighed deeply, feeling grateful for having him to stick around.

In no time, Derek got to the front of his house… mansion.

The building stood elegantly beautiful as the cream colour displayed its specialty.

Derek laughed at me seeing the way I was too stunned to speak.

“It’s nothing” he chuckled, while he turned off the ignition.

This was something. It was bigger than my foster parent’s house.

“Let me carry your bags for you.” He grabbed the big bags. “There are no maids in this house.”

***

“This is your room” Derek took me to the last room by the right upstairs.

The bed was bigger than my bed at home. It had enough space for my artworks.

I wish I could stay here forever, but I had to leave and do some things for myself. I needed to find a way to get my talent. Everyone needed to see me.

And I wasn’t going to bound myself just because my parents don’t want me to become an artist.

He dropped the bag and tapped my shoulder. “Just freshen up and come downstairs. I’ll fix us something to eat.”

He shut the door slightly, while I drowned in the seas of my thoughts.