Harvey

Should I knock or just jump in say
"Hey! I came like the judge ordered"

Am holding Ashton's hand, my bags behind at Crescent avenue. Yes, I googled him, this is his place.

What a beautiful mansion? Probably costs money I will never earn in ten years. A driveway, fountain, front seats with a canopy, indoor and outdoor pool, basket ball court, waterfall like heated pool, extensive gardens, am sure so much more outside.
So this is how the rich lived?

I knock on the door and it is opened by a woman dressed on a uniform? Is she like some sort of house keeper?

"Mr. Harvey Andrate?" She asks

"Yes...." I say tentatively

"Come on, we were told to expect you, I'll show you to your rooms" she says leading us upstairs. All the while i can't stop looking at the opulence and decor of the house. Tastefully well done.

She opens a door and i am amazed, a beautifully decorated nursery complete with a bed and bright colored wallpaper, drawers for clothes and toys.

"This is amazing!" I exclaim.
He did this for Ashton?

"Am not a savage, I know what kids require"

I turn at the sound of his voice startled.

"Thank you for doing this for Ashton" I say

"I did this for Ashton, I could care less about you" he says

"I didn't expect any less" I say back

"Guess who is coming for dinner? Sophia Andrate!" He says

"What?" I ask panicked

"Oh she is dying to meet her son in law !" Damien says

What will I do? Why today of all days? She is going to drag me and Damien won't have my back!

"Quit acting like i married myself, you were there " I say arms crossed

"But I am her son". He smirks

A few hours later,

Am literally still in a towel, sweating ! Why did I use hot water? I couldn't decide what to wear, it was already 8pm....it was time for the dinner.

I heard footsteps by my room door and my door handle opens. Damien peeps in dressed immaculately in jeans and a T-shirt. He looks me up and down and laughs at me.

"She hates people who are late for dinner " he says laughing and going down.

I quickly throw on a sweater and rush downstairs out of breath and I find them already seated. I awkwardly grab a seat and right across from Sophia.

"Uhh... Goodevening" I say
She gives me  a disapproving look, nods and signals dinner to be served....

After food has been served, we start eating and they talk to each other excluding me. Oh great! What a way to kill my appetite and spoil dinner.
I get up with my plate,

"Excuse me, I'll take this upstairs" I say

"How immature! You don't even have the decency to wait for everyone to finish !" Sophia throws

"Clearly am no appetizer and I am not needed" I say

"Is this how you will behave in front of everyone?" Sophia asks

"I don't who everyone is but I won't stay where I am not needed, have a nice meal" I reply

"No, Enough of this,Harvey stay...we can all be civil here" Damien says

For a minute, I am tempted to move away but I don't want to be the toxic person who won't even try. I'll give it my best shot.

I return my plate to the table and sit down to finish my food.

"What kind of work do you do ?" Sophia asks not even looking up at me

"I have my own software business i started" I reply

"And now that you are here, how will you earn money?" She asks

"I work from home, with occasional visits to clients " I say

"And modeling?" Damien asks

"Am no model" I reply

"Well, after the shoot, we received offers for you, if you want, you can take a look" he says

"I don't know, I'll check it out" I say

After that, we go back to the awkward silence and all you can hear is the sound of cuttlery and glass.
Finally,dinner is over and Sophia leaves. I sigh full of relief and go upstairs to pick my laptop and do some work. Ashton is blessedly sleeping. After feeding him and giving him a bath, he slept off. He is such an amazing kid. No tantrums or anything. He just was a happy kid who played. How can I let anyone take him from me? He was my only family.

After getting my laptop, I go downstairs to the living room and get absorbed in my work. I look up at see Damien and I shout startled ! I didn't see or hear him coming.

"What?" He asks

"Nothing, you startled me" I say

"There is no rest for the wicked" he says

"Oh really, why are you still up then if you are not wicked?" I ask

"Excuse me, I came for water" he huffs

"Yeah, because you're already in hell burning with thirst" I reply

He bursts out laughing and I didn't expect that! He continues to the kitchen as I continue with my work. This was going to be a long, long six months!

chapter 11 is up too....Kindly vote and comment ❤

Preview of chapter 11 👇

"Hey, stop! What are you doing?" I ask wide eyed as Damien removes his shirt and hugs me

"Harvey, you drive me insane " he says running his fingers lightly across my jaw.
My breathe hitched as he rubs his fingers in my hair.