JessicaI pull my sweatshirt over my black camisole in this tiny bathroom and look down at the matching sweatpants I wear and sigh- I was told to wear something comfortable to work, but I will not be staying in this; I will be given my sexy uniform tonight. Sexy…That word haunts me. I have never been sexy.I turn around and face the closed bathroom door, grabbing my makeup from the space saver that hangs on the back of the door, and a memory flashes across my mind. One when I was seven and I was in my mother’s room. I had sat at her vanity, and I had begun playing with her makeup when she caught me. I thought she would be angry but it’s one of my most precious memories of her. One I keep close to my heart now that she’s gone.“Here, let me help you,” My mother’s voice echoes as I stare into the mirror. “Jessica, you have natural beauty, you don’t need much.” She says, grabbing a makeup remover wipe and wiping my face full of the bright blue eyeshadow that I had put all over my eyeli
DamonThis place is already packed, and the lawyers are already at the table, wasted, horny, and hitting on all my girls. They said they had taken a party bus here, and that’s apparent. I’m pretty sure they have been on that bus ALL day with how drunk they are and how they are acting. “Damn, Damon,” Mindy grimaces as she walks past me. “They were wasted before they even got here, and the tall blonde one keeps grabbing Chi-Chi’s ass.”I nod and stand taller as I look at the table, they may be a huge client, but they will not disrespect my girls. I walk to the table with a stern look on my face, “How is everything?” I ask, placing charm but yet, making sure they know I am the boss.“It’s great. Are you the owner?” One asks me with slurred words. He’s tall and blonde, so I assume this is the ass-grabber. “Good, and yes, I am, but I want to remind you all of one rule, though: DON’T TOUCH MY GIRLS. Unless they invite you to. Do you understand?” I say, my eyes meet each one of theirs, and
JessicaThe streetlights illuminate the road, and I look ahead. This is awkward, but I need this job, and Mike is also my boss, so I am not sure what to say, so I reach into my purse and grab my favorite cheap perfume, spraying it lightly around myself.I watch Mike inhale the scent while a small smile creeps on his lips, but he says nothing. He then clears his throat. “So, having your siblings…how is that going?” Mike’s question catches me off guard, but I think it’s sweet that he cares. I play with the fabric of my sweater pocket as I glance at him.“It’s hard,” I admit. “I never knew if I even wanted to have children. Honestly, I was focused on school all my life,” I laugh, looking at Mike, “But you know that. I am much older than both of them. We didn’t have a tight-knit relationship before this all happened.”Mike sighs, “I really am sorry, Jessica. I know this is probably not the life you wanted. What was college like? I always wanted to go.”His confession surprises me, and I l
DamonI move quickly, scrambling to get out of my office to stop the commotion. Jessica is frozen like a statue; everyone is. The look of shock resonates on every face in this club, and I need to remind them of who I am.I rush toward the table; Mindy stutters as she speaks, “She’s n-n-new. She didn’t mean it, did you, Cherry?” She asked Jessica. Jessica has tears in her eyes as she begins to speak, but I cut her off.“You were told NOT to touch the girls!” My voice almost comes out in a roar, and the entire club now focuses on me. Jessica’s face turns to sheer panic as I discipline these lawyers, but they are too drunk to try to argue.“But that’s why we are here, to touch. I guess I will need to get my firm involved,” the tall blonde slurs his words, but I shake my head.“See that camera,” I say pointing ahead, “I have all of this on video, and I have a tech guy who can zone in on the table voice media. Cherry here had every right to smack you since you wouldn’t stop sexually harass
JessicaI watch how Damon handles the customers, and my heart is racing, not because he’s defending my actions but because I know I am definitely fired. Most of the lawyers are looking at him seriously, but the tall drunk blonde that has caused most of the issues tonight is trying to argue.“Oh! So, I guess I’ll get my firm on this!” he threatens, and I watch a smile creep on Damon’s face. I see he likes a challenge, but I can also see he doesn’t lose. His eyes flicker as he looks around the table; I know he won’t back down. Mike walks over now, and my heart flutters! He asked me out tonight, and I said yes, but then I feel panic; what if he is mad at me too!? Did I just screw everything up with him?Mike tells the lawyers to leave, and the tall blonde gets up, glaring at me as he throws shot glasses down on the table. I grab Mike’s arm and he stands close to me, making sure none of them retaliate against me. His cologne is more pungent, and I inhale as I swoon over him. It wasn’t t
DamonI yawn as I walk through the club, turning off all the lights. Tonight was pretty intense, but it’s not the worst one we have had. I get to the end of the hallway and stop as my cell phone rings; I look at the caller ID and sigh as I see Mikey’s name pop up. “Hey, Man. Is everything okay? Did you get Jessica home okay?” I ask in a hurry. I am curious if anything happened, and I know he knows. Silence.“Mikey, are you there?”“Yeah, I got her home,” he pauses, “And before three AM.” He adds. I smile- knowing he is telling me this, so I know nothing physical happened. Mikey is a good friend, but I also know Jessica isn’t that kind of girl.“Are you headed home now?” I ask casually, not to give my jealousy away.“Yeah, and you?” he asks.I flip the last switch off and reach into my pocket, grabbing my keys, “Yeah, I’m headed home too. Tabby is waiting for me,” I say mischievously, but I have already texted her, telling her to go home.It just doesn’t feel right. Not anymore.“Per
JessicaMike says nothing but reaches the back of his hand up, wiping my saliva off his face. I sit back in the seat as awkward silence ensues, and then I can’t help it, I laugh hysterically at my idiotic mistake. Mike looks up slowly, not knowing what to think, but then he laughs too as he stares at me, “Are you ok?” he asks once the laughter is broken.I nod and then shake my head, “I just sucked Mike Clody’s fucking nose,” I say, looking at him. This is beyond embarrassing, and he smiles, shaking his head. His fingers reach for my chin, and they take hold of it gently.“You did. THE Mike Clody, Jessica Sanders.” He winks, “You just tried to eat my nose,” he says, lifting my chin to meet his eyes. I blush, and then it happens; he leans into me, his lips slowly brushing against mine. Then they touch completely, and he kisses me. LIKE REALLY KISSES ME.Time stands still or at least it feels like it. His tongue brushes against my lips, and I open them granting him access. Our tongue
DamonI stomp towards my room as my father’s shouts only grow louder, “Damon! Get back here!!” But my mom’s voice is louder, “Leave him be! You aren’t ready to tell him!” She argues with him. I stop, turning on my heel, and step back toward them, only to stop.Tell me what!?“Beverly! Shut up!” My father whisper-yells, and their voices become quieter; I know they won’t tell me, so I saunter on, quickly getting to my wing of the mansion and opening my bedroom door. The room is dark, and I walk in fast, slamming the door closed and flipping on the light.“There you are!” A voice comes from behind me, and I jump, pulling my pistol and turning around, aiming at the voice. “What the fuck, Damon!” Tabby shouts, sitting up in my bed. She is completely naked, and I glare at her.“What the hell are you doing here? I told you to go home!” I say, unloading the gun and placing it in my desk drawer. “I know you didn’t mean it, baby. Plus, my home is so close,” her eyes meet mine, “I live on the
EricI can’t believe it’s been five years since I have seen her, but as she opens the exam room door, my entire world is made right once again. She looks the same but even more beautiful- if that’s even possible.She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight as she sobs into my shoulder, “I thought you were out tomorrow,” she whispers, her tears wetting my shoulder, and I smile, holding her tighter.“He let me go a day early,” I respond, looking back into her eyes.These last five years have been hard, but I knew they would be worth it once this moment came. It felt like the years went by too slowly, but now that this day has arrived, I know it was all worth it.Turning on Marcus was difficult. His goons even came after me, but they failed to kill me. Agent Latter agreed he would leave my family alone if I did this, but really, I knew he had no evidence to prosecute them. We always ensured we were careful where Marcus liked to throw his power around like a drunk emperor.Saying goodb
JessicaMy whole body shakes as I sit in an interrogation room; what the hell is happening? I was only able to hug Damo briefly before they put us in separate cars and took us here. Even after everything Marcus has told me, I still want to be with Damon.I want to hear his side; I want to know what truly happened.The door finally opens, and Agent Latter appears; he has a can of soda with him and a sandwich. I watch as he walks inside the room and places them down on the table in front of me, “Please, eat and have a drink. We have a lot to talk about.”I shake my head, my stomach still in knots, and he sighs before I speak, “You knew my parents?” I ask, and he nods, sitting up straighter.“Yes, I was in charge of them,” he states, now sitting back. “Your parents were in a lot of debt, and I had made a deal with them.”My eyebrows raise, “A deal?”“Yes, if they could gather info on Macrus Lovoto and testify against him in court, then your family would go into witness protection, and yo
JessicaTonight has been like a weird dream, but the kind you don’t want to wake up from. I am finally with Damon, and it feels right. The way he was so gentle with me when we made love. The way he knew it was a big deal to me but also didn’t push it or made sure it was truly what I wanted was everything.He is mine.My heart flutters at every glance he gives me as we clean up the club, and I can’t wait to go to breakfast with him; I can’t wait to see what this will become.End game.He said the words, not me. He means those words, and I agree. I know it seems quick, and I know it seems crazy, but our future is bright- I just know it.I grab the last trash bag and tie it, sneaking glances at Damon while my heart flutters with anticipation…. I have fallen in love with him. Everything has led me here…to him. I wave at Damon as I open the back door and walk outside toward the large dumpster with a smile on my face. After this, it will be just the two of us, and we can talk and begin to t
DamonHer hands wrap around my neck, and my heart instantly races. Things have been so weird between us since the funeral, but I am not giving up on us- not yet.She pulls back from me, her eyes meeting mine, and I can’t help but see just how beautiful she truly is. My hand goes to her cheek, and I touch her soft skin as she stares at me, my head coming closer to hers as my lips push against hers. I can feel her stiffen momentarily, but she doesn’t pull away. She returns the kiss, and my whole being shudders with pure delight- this has been what I have always wanted, but why did I try to deny it for so long?She pulls back away from me, her eyes showing fear. My fingers trace her soft lips, the essence of what she tastes like still on my tongue. She tries to get up, but I pull her back to me, “Jessica,” I say as I look deeply into her eyes, “This,” I pause, “This what was always meant to be,” I say softly, though I am pleading as I speak the truth.This has been a nonstop dance for b
JessicaIt’s been two weeks since Mike’s funeral, and it still doesn’t feel real. I took an Uber here to work tonight, but Mindy has been picking me up. I cried the entire way here; I miss him so much. Nothing will ever be the same again. Damon offered me a ride, but he isn’t in the suitable head space right now, and I couldn’t allow it. He is hanging onto me as a link to Mike. He thinks I don’t see it, but I do.There was always that tension between us, but how can I just throw myself into him now? It wouldn’t be right or fair to Mike.“Jessica, table six needs more shots,” Mindy smiles, and I nod, walking to the bar.“No problem, we only have three tables tonight; I am on it,” I giggle, and she nods, walking to the other. The club has been pretty much dead since we re-opened; people are afraid to come here…. not that I blame them.What happened here still haunts my dreams, but the evidence no longer remains of what happened to Mike at this club, thankfully. Damon made sure to redo
TabbyEverything comes down to this moment, this exact one that I am, but it didn’t have to. If only Damon hadn’t tried to play me as a fool. If only he hadn’t treated me so poorly…maybe I wouldn’t be destroying his family…. or her.When I dropped off that envelope to Jessica, I did it because I hated the way they looked at one another. The way he looked at her was the way I wished he would always look at me, but he never noticed me. He never wanted me, not like that.He looks at Jessica like she’s made of some sort of fragile, expensive glass. He acts like he’s afraid to break her, but I see the desire in both their eyes and the way they long for one another.I thought that by asking him to be my fake boyfriend, he would finally see my value. See me more than just a plaything or something he fucked, but that couldn’t happen, not with her around.The pictures were supposed to tell her to back off. I was hoping she would hate that Damon’s dad slept with her mother. I was hoping that sh
DamonThe service was nice, and even though that speech was hard to make, it was what Mikey deserved. Everything I said about him was true. Each story that every person shared was a beautiful reminder of who he truly was.Jackson’s story was the one that surprised me the most, though. I know it can’t be easy going to two funerals in such a short amount of time. Mikey had only been in Jessica’s sibling’s life for such a short time, but he made a mark and a positive impact on them- that’s just what he did.I sit on the couch at Clody’s house, and there is still crying but also laughter as everyone talks about him. More memories are shared, but I sit there in a daze. - how can this be real?“Damon, would you like a slice of cake?” Mindy asks me, and I shake my head.“No, I am not really hungry,” I sigh as I look up at her, but she hands me the plate anyway.“It’s marble…his favorite. Have a slice for him at least,” she pauses, “Plus, I haven’t seen you eat a single thing today. You might
JessicaI can’t believe how many people are here. Mike was popular in high school, but I went away to college. I had no idea he was this popular in the entire town. I see some of our old peers from high school standing among the large group, but I also see cashiers from the grocery store and even restaurant owners along with their staff. So many people have shown up today because Mike was that type of person; he was loved. The crowd is so diverse, showing that, and my heart aches…..“Now, Damon Ricci, Mikey’s best friend, would like to make a speech.” The preacher announces, and I hear Damon inhale deeply beside me. My eyes widen as Damon stands- I am unsure if he is in any condition to make a speech, but if anyone should, it should be him. He and Mike have been friends for many years now; BEST FRIENDS.Damon carefully watches his footing as he walks toward the podium where the preacher stood. His eyes stay on the ground till he arrives at the wood stand. He then turns around slowly
DamonMy whole world was shattered in one moment. One minute Mikey was talking to me, and the next, he was flatlining. It still doesn’t feel real, and sometimes I even forget he is gone. I have even tried to call him a few times before I remember he will never answer.My heart hurts so much sometimes that I don’t know how to breathe. He made me promise I would take care of Jessica and her siblings, but right now, I can barely take care of myself. Mindy has been making sure I eat and bathe. She has been staying with me at night while I have my breakdowns; she is a true best friend…but she can never replace him.My father hasn’t let me near Marcus since he found out Mikey died. He says that Marcus needs to suffer, and if he lets me near him, I’ll kill him in a fit of rage. He isn’t wrong- I would probably kill him as soon as my eyes saw him.He doesn’t deserve mercy, and that’s what a swift death would be.I will say his screams coming from the basement have given me some relief…. he de