Sunday morning

SHELDON 

I hated to break it to myself that this miserable night wasn't over. I was still in this house with four annoying guys, a heavy rain going on outside, and an overbearing cousin. 

Winter suggested she shares her business card with Denzel's friends because it was rare to see sons from wealthy homes in one place. If they ever needed girls for parties, Winter wanted to be the one on speed dial. 

For her not to humiliate me more, I escorted her to the living room, hating the look from Denzel. He forgets that things are so not cool between us. 

"...Trust me, my nightclub is the best in this city. I also got the prettiest girls for any service you desire." She said passing the cards to Soren, Gil, and Justin.

I didn't know this was how it works and we get clients regularly. She actually straight-up tells people she is a hooker? 

"Expect my call. That's a promise." Justin stated as he put the card carefully in his breast pocket. 

"Thank you." Winter smiled warmly before giving me a pat on the shoulder. 

Walking mindlessly, I sat on the couch next to Soren who had tossed the card on the table like he was uninterested. 

"I'm inviting you to my casino. You should come around sometime." Justin added before dramatically kissing the back of her hand. I can't tell if he's just flirting or if he really likes her. 

I instantly noticed that Denzel was now putting on his pajamas and wasn't unclad like earlier. I wanted to unsee what I saw before.

"So, Sheldon..." Justin began and I shifted in my seat. He's the one I never wanna hear talking. "Since you're not the help, who are you to Denzel?" 

I looked up, curious that Denzel hasn't told them about the arrangement. I decided not to take it seriously either way.

"I already told you, she is none of your business." He intervened. 

His friends laughed like they already knew what was up. This can't be mere friendship. They honestly concluded that we are just sleeping around with each other and today, we got caught. 

Well, I don't care as much as he does. 

The rain eventually stopped and only drizzled with soft noises.

Everyone went to bed two hours later after the senseless talks and card games. Winter made a bet with Justin and she ended up making a lot of money. 

I made sure to enjoy every bit of it while Denzel was quiet like he'd rather be somewhere else. He was tapping away on his phone.

I got tipsy in the middle of the whole thing. 

Sometime later, my nostrils were suddenly filled with Denzel's perfume and my body enfolded against his as he carried me up from the couch. 

"What are you doing?" I asked in my drunken state.

"Taking you to your bed. No one sleeps on my couch, ever." He replied with a scoff.

"Where is Winter?" I asked remembering we were both drinking on the couch before I fell asleep. 

"She's with Justin, upstairs." 

"Justin? That rude mother..." I sneezed. "What is she doing with that guy?" 

Denzel kept me on my bed and I rolled to the side. 

"You can ask her tomorrow morning and since you're so good at handling alcohol, I hope you wake up very early. It's important." 

"Go away!" All I wanted was to sleep. The weather was so perfect for it. 

"I'll see you in five hours." He said before I heard the door close. I pulled the blanket up to cover myself.

And like that, I drifted to sleep in perfect harmony with everything around me. 

   When Denzel woke me up the next day, I had only closed my eyes for a short time. It didn't feel like a good sleep at all. 

"Leave me alone, jerk. I just want you to leave me alone." I sleepily argued shrugging off his soft taps on my back. 

"That's enough sleep. You really gotta wake up." He persisted.

"This is the last warning. Touch me one more time and I'll break your damn fingers!" I grunted.

I fought going back to sleep until I felt him drag my ear. He stretched it and I screamed as high as my vocal cords could go.

"Denzel! Get lost." 

"You leave me no choice, Sheldon." 

"Do your worse, you son of a—" 

The rush of cold water pouring down on my face made my whole body scream in awareness of what was going on; It jolted my brain to reactivate.

I jumped right out of bed and inched away from Denzel who was holding a now-empty bucket. 

"You brute! Just say the word and I'll get out of your house. You won't have any more chances to torture me with your stupid money and your nonsense rules. Just say the word, dammit." I ranted.

I was drenched. Even my clothes were affected. I've never been so startled.

My eyes were wide open. Void of sleep and weakness.

"Good morning to you too, Sheldon. I'm sorry I had to go this far but you didn't want to wake up no matter how much I tried doing it nicely." He sighed. "My mom is on her way to pick us up. We are going to church with her this morning. I would appreciate it if you take a bath and put some clothes on." 

I boiled even further. 

What exactly was I getting into when I accepted this job?

"Tell your mother that I'm out of town, period." 

"She already knows you're here. We can't run from this one." He replied. 

"We've never run from anything concerning your family yet," I complained before climbing out of bed. 

Denzel was dressed up in a blue suit. Looking so decent for church. 

"Where are those rascals? Your friends and my cousin?" 

"All gone. I kicked them out." He answered sauntering toward the door. "Don't forget to wear the ring and of course, modest clothes." 

I dawdled to the bathroom which had enough space for three people to use at once. I let my night outfits go and had a sorrowful bathing time. My dress-up was interrupted by Denzel's heavy banging on the door. 

"Please, Sheldon! Just get out here, I hear their cars!" 

Cars? 

Is his whole family coming here just to pick us up? 

They didn't have to bother. Denzel has enough cars to move around. 

I forced my feet into my shoes before grabbing my purse. I was out before Denzel could pound again on the door. 

"Can I at least do my makeup?" I asked, bored. 

"You really don't need it." 

"Would it kill you to compliment me and let me know I'm beautiful?" 

"I don't have to tell you for you to know that you are." He objected. 

"You're damn right you don't..."

"Please, don't use curse words in front of my mom." 

I giggled and rolled my eyes for the finishing touch. 

I left food for my cat available on his plate because I didn't know how long we would be away. 

When we reached the front door, three shiny SUVs were parked before the house. Their engines were still alive.

"I know you're still mad at me because I haven't apologized so please, promise me you won't say anything crazy in front of my family." He whispered as we both held each other. 

"I promise," I grinned. 

Who said I was saying something crazy? I only have to 'do' it to show my wrath.