CHAPTER EIGHT: DAMIEN'S MUM

  I frowned at his behaviour and went to the back room. After changing into the uniform I found a corner to sit in and rest my eyes. I wanted to catch up on the sleep I had missed . My eyelids felt heavy and I dozed off leaning against the wall.

I don’t know how long I was out but something soft hit my face. I stood up quickly, looking around alertly, then heaved a sigh of relief when I saw it was just Daniel. 

  “Relax, the towel didn’t hit you that hard” 

I smiled and picked the towel that had slid off from my chest to the floor.

“Bar’s open,” he said, taking the towel from me. “Why do you always come early just to sleep? This isn’t a hotel”

   I couldn’t tell him that I was scared of being alone at home, so I just stood there smiling awkwardly.

  He rolled his eyes and threw the towel into the laundry basket in the corner before heading out.

I put on my apron and followed him out. The music was on and the thumping beats made my head hurt.

 Sigh.

 No matter what, I'm never going to be used to loud music. I put on a smile and began work.

  The next day after school, I waited near the gate for Damien. A car pulled in front of me. The window rolled down, and I saw Damien in the back seat, looking as smug as always.

“Get in,” he said like he owned the world.

I climbed in without saying a word. The seats were soft, and the inside smelled like leather and expensive cologne. I sat stiffly, holding my bag close to my chest.

The ride was quiet, but I could feel him glancing at me from time to time. I ignored him and stared out the window.

When we got to his house, my jaw dropped a little. It wasn’t just a house—it was a mansion. Tall gates, trimmed gardens, shining windows, and more than one car parked outside.

“This is where you live?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Of course,” he said, stepping out of the car. “Where else would we be?”

I slapped my mouth, knowing I had asked a stupid question.

I followed him in feeling very small all of a sudden.

Inside, the house was even more beautiful. The floors were shiny and white. The walls were clean, and expensive paintings hung neatly. Everything looked like it came from a magazine.

He led me to his room. As soon as we entered, He threw his bag on the bed, then jumped on it. 

   I walked towards him timidly. “Let’s talk about the pay. We haven’t talked about how much I will get paid per tutor session”

He sat up “Let’s make a deal. If you make me to be in the top twenty this semester, your debt will be cleared”

My jaw dropped “Top twenty?” Your rank is in the fifties. How on earth do you want me to boost your score within a short period of time? What do you think I am?”

Damien smiled “Do you think clearing your one million debt is that simple? You need to work for it. Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to study hard”

    I didn’t believe that statement one bit.

There was a knock on the door. A woman walked in with a big smile.She looked kind and gentle, and she had long hair and soft eyes.

  “Mum, why are you in my room?” Damien groaned.

My eyes widened. That’s his mum?! Why does she look so graceful unlike Damien?

“I didn’t come here for you” She said, glaring at him “I came here to see your new friend” She came towards me with a gentle smile “You must be Liam, Damien has told me so much about you”

   “Mum!” Damien said, standing up immediately.

 I was confused. Damien talked about me? I was curious about what he might have said about me but I didn’t ask.

Damien pushed his mum towards the door. “You have to go, we want to study”

She shook him off and walked towards me, ignoring Damien’s groan, then she gently took my hand “I’m glad my son finally has someone helping him with school. Tell me when he’s being difficult. I’ll whoop his ass for you”

I smiled at her “I’ll be sure to do that Mrs. Carter”

Damien rolled his eyes and went back to his bed. 

She smiled in satisfaction. “Okay then, I won’t disturb you both. I’ll bring you snacks in a while” She said and left.

I sat down at the desk and opened my notebook. “Okay, let’s start with what we were taught in class today, defense mechanisms.”

Damien didn’t move. He was lying on the bed, arms behind his head.

“You don’t expect to learn from over there do you?” I said.

He groaned and dragged himself over to the chair beside me.

I started explaining, trying my best to focus. “Defense mechanisms are things our minds do to protect us from things that hurt. Like… when someone is in denial, it means they refuse to believe something painful is true.”

I went on, giving him examples. Repression, projection, displacement. He listened, but I could tell he wasn’t that interested in the topic.

“You seem to know a lot about this,” he said suddenly, cutting me off

I gave him a side glance. “It’s not hard if you pay attention in class.”

“Is that how you deal with things too?” he asked.

I blinked. “What?”

“You know… defense mechanisms. Like when I saw you crying. Or how you never talk about your job or your family.”

“Why do I have to talk about my family with you? We are not even friends”

“We can be friends now if you want”

“I’ll reject the offer. Focus”

I continued explaining, after sometime, when I realized he was no longer responding, I turned only to see him staring at me. 

“What?”

“So… Do you have another job?” he asked.

I stared at him. “Why do you care?”

He shrugged. “Just curious.”

I looked away. “It’s none of your business.”

He leaned forward. “It’s my business if we’re going to be friends”

“Can you focus?” I snapped. “I’m here to tutor you, not to make small talks”

He raised his hands like he was surrendering. “Fine. Chill.”

I looked away, trying to calm my breathing.

His mom knocked at this moment and came in with a tray of snacks and juice. She smiled warmly.

“You boys doing okay?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said politely.

“I’m so happy Damien has a friend helping him,” she said, placing the tray down.I forced a smile and nodded. I wasn’t really his friend, but I didn’t want to be rude.

Damien stayed quiet.

She left, and Damien grabbed a cookie. “She’s weirdly excited, thinks I’m suddenly turning into a good student because of you.”

I didn’t respond. I pushed the tray aside, preventing him from taking another cookie. “Focus”

He sighed and focused on the notes I was making. 

I realized that he was surprisingly smart—when he actually tried.

The rest of the session went quietly. At least until I checked the time.

“It’s past six. I have to go,” I said, packing up my books, remembering that I had to go to the bar  “I’ll send the driver to drop you off”

“No need” I rejected immediately.

He didn’t insist, he led me out of the house to where I would get a cab. 

As soon as I reached home, I freshened up and went to the bar. 

Gregg smiled when he saw me “Good news lad. You are getting the day off tomorrow”

I was surprised “Tomorrow is Saturday, why am I getting a day off?”

“You are starting the job of entertaining guests next week, so I’ll be nice and give you a day off”

He patted me and skidded off.