Page 108 of Voices

I slowly lower my arm and chew anxiously on my lip.

He sees how much you’ve let yourself go!

He’s disgusted by you!

Now he has to fix this mess so Mother won’t fire him!

I start shaking so I tighten my muscles, trying to stop. But then my teeth start chattering the longer he doesn’t say anything.

“Damn, Charlie. I knew you were smaller than me but shit, you’re like a fucking toothpick now,” Benji laughs from beside David.

“Hush you,” David snaps. “You’re finished. Be gone.” He shoos Benji out of the room along with Sasha.

I feel like I’m choking on my tongue as he walks up to me. His eyes are gentle as he grabs my hands and pulls me into his hard, flat chest. He smells like sweet vanilla. He strokes one hand over the back of my head and the other up and down my back. His rings hit the nobs of my spine, making me bury my face even deeper into his chest.

“Sweet child. I don’t know what you’re going through but whatever it is, it’s not worth your life. I hear the way you’re treated around here and I want nothing more than to put these people in their place. Believe me when I say your mother needs to be taken down a peg or five,” he chuckles. He picks my head up and smooths my hair back into place. “Don’t worry about anyone but you.” He bops me on the nose. “I’ve gone through a lot to get where I am. I had to build walls to keep the haters out and protect those who stood next to me. This world is full of ignorance. Don’t let them dull your light, sweetness.”

He steps back and wipes away the tears that fell down my cheek.

“Now, let me get a better look at what I’m working with here.”

He spends the next twenty minutes adjusting the sides of my pants so they’re no longer bunched. When I put the jacket on, he almost rips it as he pulls it off just as quickly.

“I have something better.”

He walks over to the wall with elegant gowns hanging up, moving them around until he finds a black garment bag. Unzipping it, he pulls out another navy blue jacket. This one has a subtle swirl design on it in the same color as the jacket so itdoesn’t stand out too much. He walks up behind me and helps me into it.

“Oh yes. This is it! We have a winner!” He nods enthusiastically with a proud smile. “Want to see?” He guides me over to the full-length mirror.

Looking at my reflection, I start at my shoes and slowly make my way up, stopping below my chin. The dark blue suit and magenta tie work well together. The jacket’s detail adds a bit of elegancy I normally don’t go for but the whole outfit works.

“It looks great. Thank you, David.” I give him a small smile as I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Blue: Where are my sexy selfies?? I swear I’ll blow up your phone all night if you don’t send me at least one! Pleeeaassseee

I snort as I read Shane’s text.

“Oh? Who has my sweetness smiling like this?” David points to my lips, his own grin lighting up his face.

I contemplate telling him about Shane. Knowing he works closely with my mother has my guard up but then I remember how he just comforted me.

No one in this house does that.

“My boyfriend,” I whisper.

He holds his hand around his ear and leans down. “Your what now? Say it proudly, baby!”

I clear my throat and repeat myself but with my head held up this time. “My boyfriend, Shane.”

“That’s what I thought I heard. He better be treating my sweetness like the king he is!” He crosses his arms and tries to look tough but fails a second later when he starts laughing. “Do we have a pic of this Shane?” He stands next to me as I show him my background picture of us. “Dayum, he’s fine! And those eyes! Yes, I approve! As long as he’s treating you right of course.”

“He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I say softly as I look at our picture.

I wonder if…

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything for you, sweetness.”

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