No More Tears

EPISODE 9: 

Danica was still amazed at how much things were falling together so quickly. She stared at her uniform to the ball that had everyone in town talking and smiled deviously to herself. A plan was set in motion for the night and it revolved around that son that had only just returned and nothing more. She was just grateful that she got an opportunity at the time she needed one. It was no surprise that she had gotten the job, it was simply the timing that surprised her. 

She had been out of college for what was like a year and had taken part time jobs instead of looking for a real job. She walked in an organization where she remained a waiter or an usher for certain events that were big enough to pay for their services and she made cool money from it. The thing was, she just never thought that she could get an opportunity to be at the Deane manor through her part time job which was why she laid her focus simply on the company of the Deane’s. Fortunately, she got this and at the right time and she was willing to make it work. 

Excited, she ran to the bathroom where she had a long and steamy bath. When she came out, she tidied up herself, took good care of her hair and did well to apply makeup on her face. It was neither loud nor mild, but just enough to enhance the beauty she endowed. Her oval face became more profound with her makeup and her nose long and strength. A nude lip stick to her lips matched the exact color her lip had and sharpened her heart shaped lips. Her long lashes fluttered beautiful, but because she wanted a little much, she applied mascara to darken it. Her blue eyes shone brightly and her almond shape eyes could not have looked sexier. A little contour here and there and she was ready to dazzle just the right man. She then went ahead to pack her hair in an updo, revealing her slender neck before turning to her uniform. 

A corporate attire of black tight-fitting pants, a white button up shirt and a bow tie, coupled with nice black heels that were comfortable enough to work on and a pair of earrings for finishing touches. When she was done, she stared at herself in the mirror and smiled. Danica was beautiful, she knew it and everyone who ever laid eyes on her knew it. She picked up her bag, right at the same moment, her phone rang. Tristan was the one calling and for a strange reason, it made her heart skip a bit. They had been talking good the past few days till it was late in the night. But she never told him of her night mares that were slowly returning. She had another one and fortunately, there were no attacks. Those night mares had always been there but it stopped when Tristan started getting in the picture and always laying close to her every night. She also did not inform him of the stranger who saved her again and how he badged into her room, that was only going to creep him out and make him panic. When it came to her, he always wanted her best interest, always wanted her safe and could over exaggerate when it was time to do so but it had gotten worse ever since he left and she didn’t want him worry. That and because even with the time they get to talk, he always seems to get busy with something when her thoughts go to that direction to tell him those things. 

“Babe,” she answered the call, placing the phone in her ears while tilting her head to hold it while she went ahead to pick up somethings and head to the door. 

“You sound busy,” he noticed the way she was breathing and the noises at the background almost immediately. 

“Oh! I am, I am on my way to work,” she replied, stepping out of the room and towards the kitchen to turn off all that needed to be turn of. 

“You didn’t tell me, you have a job, now” Tristan frowned. It was the first time he was feeling like there was something he didn’t know and he did not like that feeling. She had always shared everything with him, always told him what was going on in her life at all the time even when she yawns or blinks. How could he not have known that she had gotten a job when they get to talk every day. 

Danica stopped what she was doing, detecting the sound in his words as confusion, frustration and anger. 

“It only just came this morning,” she responded honestly. She had always told him everything and had never seen a reason to lie or hide anything away from him, even when she knew that he might not support her. All this while, she had been at home, planning, browsing and looking for a way to just get what she wanted. It was becoming even more frustrating because nothing was coming up about the son of the Deane’s anymore except for the upcoming banquet ball that was held in his honor. The whole town was riled up by that and the news was running far and wide. And suddenly, a job opportunity to be there in person arrived that morning, like a miracle. 

“What job is that?” he sighed in relief. At least she was not hiding anything or keeping him in the dark. He might die if that was the case. 

“I have to be a waiter at a ball,” she answered and turned to the sitting room where she began turning off the things that had to be turned off, then she picked up her key and turned to the door. Though she didn’t move out immediately, since she was still on a call, she just stood by the door. 

“Okay,” Tristan replied, not taking any thought about it at first. She was working for such organization anyway and would sometimes have such jobs lined up for her like this. But immediately he responded, he quickly remembered something. He had been keeping his eyes and ears out for any information he could get about the Deane’s and there was certainly a ball that was going to take place in the Deane’s manor at that very day. 

“My love…don’t tell me that….”

“Yes, sweet heart,” Danica knowing his next words intercepted him. 

“I am going to run late if I keep up with this call. I will call you the moment I return,” she added. 

“Danica….”

“I love you baby,” she responded and his line went quiet. His heart was getting heavier by the second and his thoughts were running wide at what would come next. 

“I love you too,” but he loved her with his entire being none the less. 

With a smile, she walked out of her apartment and boarded a taxi that took her to a meeting point where all the waiters and ushers were supposed to arrive three hours before the very banquet begin. On getting there, she realized that the number of ushers and waiters for the events was bigger than the previous jobs she’s had and was getting very excited to get things going. They didn’t take much time there, at least nothing more than forty minutes where they were told their roles and jobs and duties. Their boss seemed to be very tensed about this very event, probably because it was the Deane’s. everyone knew who they were and what they were capable of, and she was scared that her head might be cut off her body if she didn’t deliver. 

After the long speech and warnings, they took three vans that could contain them all and headed to the residence where they had to undergo another one hour of full protocol and secure measures for security measures. 

“Am I the only one who is super frightened at this job?” one of the women assigned as ushers said with a heavy heart. The silence in the van broke and everyone took in a sharp breath, before looking at each other. Danica stared at them, seeing how frightened they truly were, but this was what she had been waiting for. So many years had come and gone and an opportunity had finally come. How could she be scared? Moreover, she had seen first hand what those people were capable of and didn’t feel scared of them at all. They had it coming and she was going to have her way one way or the other. Her life truly depended on it. 

“let’s just do our jobs with straight heads, okay,” the head waiter said and again everyone took a sharp breath. She smiled dryly and folded her hands across her chest waiting on the very moment. The van came to a stop soon after and the very tight security measures had to be taken. The residence was indeed one of wealth and class and she found it funny that dangerous men were scared of death as well. The security protocol was a tight and tedious and very annoying one that might be said to be tighter than that of the president of the country. But they went through it and with another hour gone, they had one more hour to be ready and prepared for the event. 

They rode right through immediately after and straight for the manor that was huge and heavily depended on the blood that had been spilled for the sake of the wealth on it. Danica gulped, her heart tightening at the thought. She stared at the beautiful manor and could see nothing but blood, blood that had been spilled for the sake of such wealth. Her system racked with anger and the tension that was once in the van had solely come on her. The suffocation within carried on as they walked into the manor and with each step she took, her legs only became heavier. The air was stiff and breathing didn’t seem so normal and simple anymore but she pushed on. It was definitely not the time to have an anxiety attack and it would definitely not happen. With a lot of effort, she carried herself into the manor, where a staff had welcomed them. He had an amazing smile on his face and was truly hospitable that it eased their tension and fear. 

Danica was a whole different case altogether. She remembered him, she remembered him, she knew who he was. Tears burned her eyes at the very thought that he was still alive and well. Her chest hurt so bad, the anxiety attack that she was scared of was beginning to claw at the back of her mind. Memories upon memories of that night returned, flooding her and pushing at her sanity. How could she not recall his face. He might have grown older, but it was him. She might not have seen the whole of his face that night, but she would recognize that smile, that smile that had warmed her heart, the smile that had made her feel that it was going to be alright, the smile that lured her in right before he snatched her soul away from her, leaving her in the mercy of a monster, surrendered by the pool of blood and agony. 

His words blurred away from her ears as she followed and the others followed him from behind to where they were supposed to relaxed and settle in, then get ready for the event. 

“Do well to carry out a good job,” he entered and turned to them. They all stopped abruptly and watched him smile before he strode away with the air of elegance and a gentle man like nature, it was impossible to not like him. 

Danica at this moment was counting and had counted to the number nine. That strangers’ words did not go on deaf ears, she might not have returned to the hospital, but just as before she started taking her counting seriously. By the time, the last number came out of her mouth, the tightening in her chest was freeing up and the pain was slowly disappearing. However, it was not the pain of her heart. She first went over to the washroom, needing more air and threw up. She cleaned her mouth and stared at mirror. Even with all the makeup she had done, her face had considerable lost all the color on it and her eyes were getting blurred with tears. 

“No…” she bereted herself.

“Its not the time for this,” she sniffed, pushing back her tears to make sure her makeup was not ruined. The time for tears had come and gone and this time was different, different. She wouldn’t be the one crying anymore in this situation and she would make sure of it.

Guests started arriving one by one and their job officially began. Ushers brought them in and showed them directly to a table. The house was huge and it had been made and done to looked exactly like a banquet hall. Distinguished guests sat at their seats while waiters immediately began to do their jobs. Danica gathered herself together and continued with her job and set out goal. Nothing was going to stop her, even when being there was already suffocated. 

“Are you sure that you can do this?” a girl who had seen her throwing up, asked. Concern written in her voice. Aside that fact, no one was allowed to do something stupid, if that happened, they might get fired, or die. It was the Deane’s event anyway. 

“Yes, I can.” Danica smiled sweetly at her.

“Thank you,” she added. The girl gave up and picked her tray before turning to the hall while Danica picked hers up as well. With a deep intake and exhaling, she started. Walking elegantly with good poise and manners, she carried out her job splendidly. The smile on her face was welcoming and beautiful, it caught a lot of attention, from both men and women. A beauty was a beauty even when it came to women and there was a pang of jealousy in their hearts. They had come to dazzle the rich and influential men, though most could be said to come from such rich and influential homes. They had dressed in their best, wore the best gowns, the best mask, the very best makeup and it still seemed like a waiter who had nothing on except for pants and shirts could be so beautiful. Her beauty needed no effort and the smile on her lips was profound and enhancing, as well as enchanting. She walked with so much elegance, even for a waiter that it made eyes turn. Tables she attended to and people she spoke with could not help but take a second and a third glance at her, especially when she walked pretty close to someone. Her scent was strong, the combination of Jasmine and lilac, it drew attention, warmed the heart and certainly left a mark in their hearts, minds and body. Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled under that smile of hers and truly, the effect she wanted was being made and more effective than she hoped.