Whoa

Jessica

Damon is quiet as we drive, and I look at the thong he placed in my lap- why did he have this? Where did he find this? Has this been in his pocket all day? I have so many questions. Why did the God have MY underwear in his pocket?

“I found them behind the bar. I was going to give them back to you tonight, but now is fine too. You can slip them back on if you want,” he says, not even glancing at me. 

“Here? Like right now?” I ask, and I watch a slight smirk curl on his lips.

“It’s up to you. I won’t tell anyone you aren’t wearing panties,” he eyes me, “Well unless you want me to.” He says, with his eyebrows raised. My cheeks burn red with embarrassment as I feel the lacey fabric and untangle it, reaching down for my ankles. I glance at him as I reach them and nervously place the panties around each of my feet, “I won’t watch. I promise.” He says in a serious tone, and his eyes return to the road.

My eyes don’t leave him as I pull them on as quickly as I can, but his eyes remain on the road the entire time; he kept to his word.

“Thank you,“ I whisper.

“I own an Exotic Dancing Night Club, Jessica, but I’m not a pervert,” he says, laughing, but I shake my head.

 “No, thank you for giving me a job,” I pause, “And buying my groceries and…taking me to my sister. I know I am a terrible dancer, but I promise I will work really hard. I’ll even pay you back for the groceries,” I say, looking at him, and I see a look I don’t expect to see; it’s one of pain.

“No, Jessica. It’s really okay. I had the time and the money to help you. Mindy even offered to help teach you to dance. Sometimes, we all get down in some rough times, but we can’t stay there. I don’t know you, but I want you to know I admire you.”

“You do?” I ask, floored.

“Yes, you dropped out of medical school to raise your siblings instead of letting them go into foster care. That is something to admire. Family is everything, right?” he asks, looking at me, and I nod. 

“It’s what my parents would have wanted. They left us with nothing, though, which is hard to believe. My dad always talked about money. I can’t believe how much debt they had, and now I’m starting out the same way…” I sigh, and Damon shakes his head.

“You owe me nothing. I am going to help you get on your feet and help you re-apply for medical school here when the time is right, okay? Your life drastically changed, and you need a helping hand, but don’t give up on your dreams, okay?”

Holy shit- he is hot, smart, and sweet?

I wipe the few shy tears quickly that escaped my eyes, nodding as we pull up to the school, “Thank you, Damon. I promise I’ll be in for work tonight. You won’t be disappointed,” I begin to say, but I’m surprised when he parks the car and opens his door, getting out. He bends down, looking in at me.

“Your sister still needs to get stitches, and I have a doctor on call, so you don’t get stuck with the medical bill.”

“You have your OWN doctor?” I gasp, and Damon chuckles.

“Jessica, I’m a billionaire. I have THREE doctors on my staff that rotate.”

My mouth gapes, and I get out of the car as I look at the school. There are so many memories here, mostly bad. I was the nerd, the geek, the girl that never got kissed. The girl whom the popular ones made fun of. I promised I would never come back here, but now I don’t have a choice. 

Even if it’s not me trapped here in this hell, I still feel that pain.

“Are you okay?” Damon asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry. I hated this place,” I admit.

“Mikey told me you were a nerd,” he smirks, and I frown, looking down, “But he also said you were so hot, and he wanted to ask you to prom.”

“He did?” I ask, looking up, and Damon nods.

“Yeah, and I can see why. Don’t sell yourself short, Jessica. You have a lot to offer, and you aren’t that same girl anymore. Walk in there with your head held high like you own the place, got it?” His tone is domineering, and I feel my core throb. 

No one has done that to me in years. 

“Got it,” I say, and we walk toward the front of the school. Honestly, I am not sure why Damon insists on coming with me, he didn’t even go here, but he’s giving me the strength I didn’t know I had.

Mike was right; he’s a big old marshmallow.

I ring the bell, and the intercom speaks, “Come in, Ms. Sanders; we have been waiting for you.” Ms. Kale’s voice is harsh- I never liked her as the head Mistress. She never listened when the Popular kids bullied me and I’m sure she isn’t helping Julie either. I sigh and the door unlocks but Damon grabs it, and pulls it open for me. I walk inside first and he’s right behind me.

Julie greets me in tears; she has a black eye and blood is splattered on her shirt from her nose. Her elbow is bleeding and she’s holding a rag over it. This must be where she needs the stitches at. 

I can no longer remain calm. What the hell is this!?

“Oh, my God, Julie! What happened?” I ask, full of panic but the head mistress Kale interrupts me.

“She got in a fight with Laurie Francie. According to the other witnesses, Julie started it,” her tone is rude and Damon stares at her as she waves us into her office. Julie and I sit down but Damon stands as he sizes her up.

“Julie, is this true?” I ask and she shakes her head as she bites her lip.

“No, Laurie called me a poor fat orphan. She told me my parents died to get away from me,” her voice shakes, and I stare at the head mistresses in shock.

“That’s not what the other girls said, Julie. Tell your sister the truth and I’ll go easy on you.” I am in absolute disgust at her words but as I’m about to speak, Damon cuts me off.

“Jessica don’t say another word,” he says, looking at me. “I am going to call my lawyer and the police need to be contacted so we can file a report. Also, the news station needs to report on this. Orphaned girl gets beat up by classmate; school blames her.” He says, his hand waving in front of him like it’s the headline. 

Head Mistress Kale stares at him in disbelief and he smiles grabbing is phone up, holding in the air as a threat. 

“And whom are you?” she asks.

“Damon Ricci,” he replies, and her mouth opens wider.

My panties are definitely wet now and how come everyone seems to know that name but me?