Chapter 39 - Red Against Black

When the celebration day arrived, I found myself more concerned that Damon had not come home last night. It was a completely empty and unruffled bed when I woke up and went to sleep. It was something he hadn't done in a long time, not coming home. Shouldn't I be relieved instead of questioning it? The truth is that the pressure between my legs kept me from getting much sleep.
A longing for Damon's body, touch, and presence had returned. Despite how rough or painful, it was difficult for me to realize that I wanted more.

A group of humans entered sometime in the late afternoon to replace the bed. As though they were fully aware of what had transpired, they looked at me with pity and a knowing look.
Unquestionably ashamed, I had cowered down in their gaze. I enjoyed sleeping with Damon, perhaps. Actually, I loved it. About five o'clock, Maria ran into the room. On a mobile metal closet, she had a dozen black dresses hung.

"We have three hours to get you ready, Bullet will be here at eight pm sharp."

"Did you hear anything, any news?" I took a stand. I put the birth control that I was fiddling back in the closet. I made a mental reminder to take it once my period ended.

"Nothing yet, but I have a guy looking."

"Who-"

“Now stop talking. We're out of time to discuss this.” I stood now staring at the display row of dresses.

"Why are the dresses all black?"

"It's an all black event. Master Damon said to dress you in black.”

“But last night, that was changed.He ordered me to tell you.” I lied.

“How come you didn't? I got up early to specifically choose all of these clothes for tonight."

"I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

“So, what’s the new color? Anything that's in your closet will have to do."

“You don’t need to worry, since he had already chosen a dress and understood it was last-minute,” as I made my way to the wardrobe.

"Let's see it."

I took up a plastic-wrapped bright red gown. Maria appeared surprised by the choice once I showed her. "He chose this?"

I shrugged and said, "I guess so."

"It's a little risky, don't you think?" she said, staring at the heart-shaped hemline of the pretty large cleavage."

"I agree but I would like to stop defying him. He'll probably just kill me the next time it happens.”

Maria took the dress and examined it and said,

"Well, if this is what he wants. Sickening isn't it, that the color stands for all of the bloodshed they are celebrating.”

"Exactly."

By eight o'clock at night, my loud black heels were shining and clacking against the shinny marble as I strode down the stairs and into the lobby. Maria had made me into an exquisite, stunning woman, just like the previous time. I knew Damon would go crazy seeing my dress, which had to be the brightest red to have ever existed.

To hide what I was wearing, I shrugged on a large black fur coat. Just like with the dress, I wanted the reveal to be equally spectacular.

I only wanted to irritate him, just like he had done by putting distance between Evan and me, I had no reason to disobey him.

Outside now, the call that was pulling up was not Bullet's van, it was a black convertible sports car that roared loud enough to alert everyone within a mile of its presence. It halted next to me but the roaring did not stop, the engine hissed almost threateningly, it was Damon, wearing a black suit. I felt the pressure between my legs again. Fuck.

With no regard for me, Damon rolled down the windows and yelled, "Get in."

I bent down to the car's low level and said, "No, I'm not getting into this death trap." My goal was to make the entire evening difficult for him.

"Ava, get inside, now." It was the first time I had heard him call my name.

The name he's given me, not mine. I entered and forcefully shut the door after saying, "Okay."

Even more furious, he said, "Don't slam the door."

"Too late." We headed towards the party after he let out a frustrated blast of air. Driving his car like he stole it, Damon showed me no mercy. I fought to make sure the jacket covered my dress as warm breeze whipped my hair and head back.

"Damon, slow down!" Amidst the sounds of the engine and the blustering gusts, I attempted to shout. On the contrary, Damon increased his speed. As I started to feel like throwing up, all I could do was pray that we arrived quickly.

When it looked like we were about to crash, I let out a scream as Damon sped past another car.