It was Saturday. Finally. I was going to meet with Chris, and hopefully meet with whoever was in my apartment. I had taken care of it so much and I didn't want just anybody in there. Especially considering the way Chris had been acting. Like he didn't want me to meet her.

But I banished those thoughts out of my mind. Mr Reeves warning was still clear in my mind. I had to be back in time for dinner. It was almost like the man was grooming me, or testing me. I really didn't know.

We barely spoke during these dinners. So I didn't understand why he was so insistent on them. He didn't need company that bad. I mean, he was not unattractive so I definitely didn't see him begging anyone to have dinner with him.

I smiled as I came out of the cab. It felt like I was breathing clean air for the first time since I had gone to Mr. Reeves' house. Between Jones who looked at me like I was about to steal something, and Mr. Reeves who was silent but expectant during those dinners of his, I didn't quite know how to feel anymore.

It had been just one week, but it felt like forever. I couldn't wait till I saved up enough money and moved out and on to the things I was actually interested in.

"Hey," I said, after Chris picked up my call. He had said to meet him at his apartment but from all indications, he wasn't even home.

"Baby? Why are you calling?"

I fought the urge to drop my jaw to the ground. Why I was calling? Was this man mad?

"Why am I calling? Chris, we planned to meet each other today." My words were impatient and there was no doubt that he didn't hear the hostility in them.

"Oh shit baby. That was today?" Chris asked. "I got caught up at work. I'm coming right now."

Before I could respond, he had hung up. I stared at my phone for a few seconds, debating whether to stay here and wait or not. This man never worked on saturdays. Then on the one Saturday I had to come see him, he was suddenly caught up in work?

I took in a deep breath to calm myself and walked to a nearby cafe, then sent him the address. I really didn't want to ruin my mood because of Chris. Today was the first time I was leaving Mr. Reeves' home. I wanted to enjoy it.

I waited for a while, with no sign of life from Chris.

I was angry. No. I didn't even know if there was a single word that could describe how much I felt like strangling Chris. I wanted to say it wasn't like him. But honestly, this behavior wasn't surprising.

As soon as I stood up to leave, I saw Chris walk in. I stood up to walk past him but he held my hand. I snatched it away and gave him a baleful look.

"Hey, why are you acting like this?"

I looked at Chris like had grown two heads. This man... he had the nerve to ask me why I was pissed?

"Chris let me pass. I don't want us to cause a scene in this place," I said, trying hard to control myself.

It was a switch up, but it was amazing how he behaved like he didn't care when just the previous week, he had been begging me not to move in with Mr. Reeves.

"We won't. Sit down," Chris said, taking my hand and pulling me down.

I looked up at him then looked away and let him sit me down.

"Are you going to just stare away from me for the whole time?"

I looked at him sharply. Was he on drugs? "Wait Chris, i called you last night, told you I would be here today and you didn't mention work. Texted you this morning and you didn't mention work. And when I come to see you, you're at work mysteriously. How do you expect me to react?"

I stared at him, waiting for him to give me a response that was actually worth it. Chris was silent for a few minutes before he pulled his hand through his hair.

"Okay. I wasn't at work," he confessed finally.

I looked away from him. This was why I didn't want to trust this man—or any other man to be honest! It was human for people to make mistakes. And when trust gets involved, it is hard moving past those mistakes.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I was?" he asked. There was a cajoling tone in his voice, but I was simply not in the mood to entertain him.

"Where were you Chris?" I asked tiredly, finally looking at him.

I watched Chris swallow, then pull something out of his pocket. It was a jewelry box. I frowned at it.

"Chris..." I started, then I stopped when he opened it.

Sitting in the box was the most beautiful pendant I had ever seen. It was simple but classy; no extras. Just the most exquisite gold pendant I had ever seen.

I looked up at Chris in askance. His eyes were twinkling with a mischievous gleam. And all of a sudden, I was taken back to when I first met him. I had promised myself I wouldn't let anyone get too close, and I had done so successfully for some time. That is until Chris decided he wanted me.

"What's that?" I asked in a voice that did not waver, surprisingly.

"A gift, for you." When I remained silent, Chris added. "This is why I was late. It's an early anniversary gift."

I was at a loss for words. I didn't quite believe his story. But I couldn't deny that it sounded very believable—and quite sweet. Our anniversary was in three days, and I had thought we could celebrate a little here before I had to go back to my gilded jail.

"Do you like it?" Chris's questions pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him, then down at the pendant, gleaming in the sunlight.

"It's beautiful, Chris..."

There was the unspoken message—the one that Chris undoubtedly heard because he pursed his lips.

"Let me love you," he said, then picked my hand and kissed it. I smiled slowly at him.

What would it hurt anyways? It was beautiful and I had no doubt it would set my skin off. Plus Chris seemed really apologetic and I didn't want to drag things. I wanted us to spend some time together before I had to go back, and the best way to kickstart that was by accepting his gift.

Chris placed it around my neck, then he pulled me in for a kiss. It was slow and sensual but I pulled away with a blush before it could escalate into anything more.

"Let's get out of here?" Chris asked.

I nodded. The rest of the day was amazing. Since I had met Chris, this was the day that we had both invested so much—time and emotion wise. I didn't want it to end. But unfortunately, I had to go back.

"You're leaving already?" Chris asked from the couch as I bent to put on my shoes.

"Yes," I said, packing my bag.

With that word, some kind of tension entered the room. I knew Chris was against me working for Mr. Reeves. I wanted nothing more to be able to give up on the job, and take up Chris's offer for him to take care of me. But that was going to lead the both of us into a terrible place—with each other and individually as well. I wasn't about to take that risk.

I watched Chris pick up his keys from the coffee table and I knew he was going to drop me off. I didn't mind. Rather, I wouldn't mind, if not for the tension that was readily becoming so thick.

"Let's go?" he asked.

"Let's go," I affirmed.

The car ride was silent, and there was a magnitude of questions I wanted to ask him. But I stopped myself. I didn't want for our parting to become even more sour than it was at the moment.

So I tapped my fingers on the door, looking out through the window and wondering what was going on in my partner's mind.

Soon enough, we reached. Chris parked outside of the gate, and we sat there in silence for a few. He broke it.

"I hate having to let you go."

I looked up at him. "Bear with me," I said simply, then I took his hand into mine. He squeezed it, then placed a kiss on it.

Then all of a sudden, he pulled me in and kissed me. There was more passion in this kiss than all the ones we had ever shared, and there was some sense of urgency I was starting to get.

When he pulled away, there was a grim determination on his face. I was scared to ask him what that was about, so I just waved and got out of the car.

I got into the grounds and walked to the main house, hoping that Mr. Reeves would not be in. He looked like the type of man to work no matter what day it was. And I hoped that was what happened today.

But luck was not on my side. When I got into the living room, he was standing next to the fireplace, leaning against it. A slow smirk spread on his face when he saw me.

But he let me pass with just a greeting. It was later, after dinner, that he spoke up. As I passed him to go up to my bedroom, he held me by the arm.

Then he said, "You know what I would get for you? A rose gold diamond that would set off that dark skin of yours so perfectly."

Then he let go of me. I ran up to my room, escaping when I had the chance. And it was in that moment that I realized I was doomed.

There was no way I could deny the attraction between us now...

***

Word Count: 1726

hi guys. i know ive been absent so long, so here's a longer chapter.

thoughts?

see y'all next time.

essie
xx