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I wanted to ask so many questions, but I held my tongue. The last thing I wanted was to upset the one person I liked in the godforsaken house.
“Don’t worry, Eleanor. I plan to be nothing more than paint on the wall. One year, and I’m out of here.”
I headed for the door that would lead to the back staircase. It wasn’t the quickest way to my room, but it guaranteed I wouldn’t have an unplanned run-in with my mother or Richard.
“I hope so, but even if that plan doesn’t work, don’t let them break you,” Eleanor said. She didn’t turn around to face me. Instead, she started humming.
What does that mean?
“Breakfast will be ready once you’re done,” Eleanor said.
“Thanks.” Any other words I wanted to say got stuck in the middle of my chest. Was it weird to want to hug the woman who cooked for me?Probably is, and I’m not really a hugger anyway.
I turned and headed for the stairs taking them two at a time. The first day of school, and already I was begging for the day to be over. I made a beeline for the shower when I walked into my room.
The hot spray of the water rained down over my head, washing away the sweat from my morning run. The pressure helped ease my tight muscles, and I was begrudgingly reminded of the new luxuries I enjoyed.
“Might as well enjoy it while I have it.”
Just as I turned the shower off and stepped out, my phone rang. I grimaced at the name displayed on the screen. The tightness that the shower had relieved my muscles of came back tenfold.
“Shit.” I grabbed the phone up and stared at the screen. Maybe I should ignore it.Yeah, if I’m willing to get a hand cut off.
I was rather attached to my hands. Hitting the answer button at the last second, I held my breath, waiting for the familiar voice to come through.
“Where are you? My men have been out looking for you,” Wakeman asked.
Dread slid down my back. It felt as if a knife was scraping over my flesh, only opening it slightly.
“No need to look for me. I’m around.”
Wakeman hummed. “If that was true, then why the hell haven’t you been here?”
Because my batshit crazy mother moved me to Aridole. “Been a little busy.”
“You’re bullshitting me, butterfly.”
I shuddered. I fucking hated that nickname. It didn’t represent me at all. Still, Wakeman refused to change it.
“Not at all—”
“I don’t like this, and I think you’re dipping out on me before paying back your debt.” Wakeman cleared his throat. “The due date is fast approaching, and to my surprise, I haven’t heard anything from you.”
Shit, how could I have forgotten about Wakeman? I had no one to blame but myself. I’d been so wrapped up in my mom’s shit.
“Don’t worry. I’ll deliver.”
“You know how I feel about people who can’t keep their promises.”
I stared at myself in the mirror. There were no longer any bags under my eyes, and there was a healthy glow to my skin. However, this wasn’t my life. It was temporary.
“Have I ever missed a date before?” I headed out of the bathroom and tried to get my head in the game. I was becoming weak. A few weeks in luxury, and I’d forgotten everything.
“No—”
“Then why the hell are you up my ass?”
Haughty laughter burst through the phone, but my body didn’t relax for a second. I had no delusions that if I were in front of Wakeman right now, he wouldn’t make me pay for that comment, especially if it was in front of others.
