Lingering

"How is that even possible?" Trisha's voice echoed through the phone.

"I don't know."

"What are we gonna do?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!"

"Because I don't, Trisha!" I nearly yelled at the top of my voice.

Trisha went silent for a while, "Derrick shouldn't be there." She said.

"You know how he nearly ruined your life the first time. Now he's going to completely destroy it!"

My tension worsened with her words, "I know, Trisha. That's why I'm scared."

"I know he's up to no good, Trisha. I just know it!"

"Does He know?" Trisha asked, "I mean does your husband know about your past with Derrick?"

"I don't think he does." I replied.

"You need to tell him, Mélie!" "Tell him before Derrick does something crazy!"
~

Returning home took longer than usual after my butt became magically glued to my office chair, making me the last person to walk out of Paradox aside security. I drove my Porsche into the house and parked behind the row of the fancy sports cars I've gotten used to seeing. Alighting from the car, I slowly dragged my feet into the mansion accompanied by the tapping sound made by my Louis Vuitton heels.

"Welcome, madam." Sharon greeted me as I walked in.

Her bright red hair made my head hurt and I squinted my eyes and raised my hand to my face, "Sharon."

"Oh, is madam okay?" She asked with concern.

"Not feeling too good." I replied, "Will you be kind enough to make some herbal tea for me, please?"

"No problem, madam. I will bring it up to your room."

I thanked her and walked to the elevator, feeling too exhausted to take the stairs. Punching the elevator door open, I stepped into it and pressed the button. The door was about to close when a pair of hands stopped the door from closing.

"Hello, Mélie!" A sharp smirk pierced his face.

"Derrick!"

His blue eyes studied me for a moment and his smirk turned into a ridiculous grin. I shifted back uncomfortably as he stepped into the elevator, punching the button beside him, "What are you doing?" I asked.

"Hello, Mélie. It's been a while." He said in a casual tone, "I see you've been doing quite well."

I swallowed, "What do you want, Derrick?"

"Got married to my brother, had a child, you're a CEO…"

"What do you want, Derrick?" I asked again.

He continued, "Or maybe you got your ass pregnant so that you can marry my bro and secure your position as CEO?"

"Enough!" I yelled, feeling insulted by his words, "I won't stand here and hear you say shit about me!"

Derrick drew back, a little startled by my response. Then he chuckled, "I know you better than anyone, Mélie."

"You're nothing but a bitch!"

My hand moved across his cheeks with rage as he uttered those words. A gasp and I dropped my stinging hand to my side, staring at the red marks my fingers made on his shocked face.

"How dare you, you wretched bitch?!" He yelled, his entire face now turning completely red like a texas bull,"You'll pay for this!"

I winched in fear as he closed in on me. The elevator door slid open, "What's going on here?" A voice said behind me.

"Debbie!" I shrieked in relief as I saw the familiar old maid. Immediately, Derrick inched away from me. He eyed me briefly and then at Debbie who held a cleaning cloth in her hands then rushed out of the elevator.

I stared at Debbie, feeling awkward about what she might be thinking at this point, "Uhmm...You're...cleaning!"

"Oh, yes madam. The elevator needs cleaning." She replied in her friendly old lady's voice.

I briefly surveyed the inside of the elevator and picked up a few specs of dust, "I see."

"I'll leave you to it, then!" I added and strode out the elevator, vanishing into the passageway without giving her another glance.
~

"Damien!" I said in alarm, not expecting to find him standing in front of the door inside my bedroom.

"What are you doing here?"

Damien Jaeger gave me a warm smile and ran his fingers through his hair, his bangs playfully bounced against his forehead, "I'm here to help you relax."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"What, can't I help my wife relax after a tedious day at the office?" He asked more playfully.

This made me laugh and I had to admit, I felt a little better, "And if I may ask, Damien Jaeger, how do you intend to help me relax?"

"I don't remember you being a masseur." I said, "And neither do I remember you being a yoga instructor!"

Damien Jaeger laughed heartily, "My hands are magic. Wanna see?"

He took a step closer and before I knew it, swept me off my feet.

"Damien!" I exclaimed, my giggles filling the entire room, "Put me down!"

"Not after performing my magic, I won't." He replied. His elbow weighed down the door knob and opened the door I just closed.

"Where are you taking me to, Damien Jaeger?"

He scoffed, "To your room, of course!"

"That's my room!" I said, gesturing to the door we were walking away from. He had me in his arms bridal-style.

"No, that's Darcy's room. Your room is with me." He said as a matter-of-factly, "Unfortunately...or fortunately rather, the sleepover has now come to an end."

"Darcy won't like this!" I cried.

"Oh, she won't mind at all." "I've made sure of it." He added with certainty.

"How?!"

"Father-daughter stuff, you won't get it."

"Ahha!" I exclaimed, feeling betrayed, "That's how it is now, huh?"

"Put me down. Put me down right now!"

Damien Jaeger adjusted his grip around my butt, "No! Just look at those heels. I bet you've got blisters."

"Who says?"

"I say." "Now shhhhh, stop whining." He said.

My lips thinned into a line and I rolled my eyes at him, "Whatever!"