Nothing started as a plan. No. I just wanted a job. I was so desperate for one that I did not bother with a description when I was offered to be a help to the Alecs. I had migrated to a country I knew nothing of - illegally - and struggled to make it on the streets and refugee homes.
My father had gotten more abusive and my mom was more addicted to her bottles. My elder brother kept the wrong kind of company and they wanted a taste of his sister. He wouldn't listen or believe me when I would tell him. Especially when I told him of Miguel.
I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of Miguel, my brother's bestfriend. He was the worst and relentless. The night I turned 18, I packed a bag, the stash of cash I had kept hidden for two years and fled San Juan. I joined the pack transporting that night and found myself in New York, waiting tables in restaurants and bars before I got kicked to the curb and then met the nicest woman, Laura, who introduced me to the Alecs. I met Mrs. Luna Alec and her three year old daughter, Paige. I didn't meet her husband, Zander, until three months later when he returned from his business trip.
I was wary of him, he didn't seem to like me either. It was always a game of cat and mouse with him when he'd pierce me with those discerning eyes and a grim scowl. I memorized his schedule by heart so as to avoid him. He used the in-house gym as early as 5am till 6am. I would be in the kitchen at 6:30am when he would have left - he never waits for breakfast. He returns when everyone has gone to bed and it made things really easy for me.
But after a while, things changed. He'd be at the table by 7am. He'd be home by 7pm. In all this, the only person who seemed to appreciate his presence was Paige. I would hear the late night arguments at about 10pm and the slamming of doors. I got to find out later that Mr. Zander started sleeping separately.
When Paige turned four, a year of me staying with them, things took another drastic turn. Mr. Zander went from being hostile to me to being friendly. The alarm bells went off in my head but I had ignored them. I had a roof over my head, food, a good paying job and it was really too good of a life to begin to overthink. Yet, the danger sign flashed when I began to crave his presence too.
I don't know when, but I wanted to look my best when he was near. My breathing sped up when he would rest his greeny-blues on me. Then came the subtle grazes, light touches when no one was looking and then the gifts. I could have stopped it. I could have spoken to Laura or even just quit. But I couldn't - didn't want to.
That day, Luna had left really early for what she said was a business meeting. Paige was in school and I had the house all to myself. I thought of going out for a walk but did not entertain that thought for long because he walked into the house. And I just knew it. By the shift in the air and the look on his face. I knew it when he stalked towards me in the living room where I stood frozen. I knew it when he drew close enough to tower over me and I knew it when his hand went to my nape right before his lips landed on mine. I knew I would make a mistake. I was making a mistake. I made a mistake. A mistake that burned so hot and so cold that it was both pain and pleasure.
And now, as the two yelled at each other, Paige crying so loudly and tugging at my dress, asking to be carried, I knew that mistake would forever haunt me.
"You have no right to talk about fidelity! Luna. You don't get to question me because you are no saint." Zander bellowed. I lifted Paige and she threw her arms around me, burying her face in my neck, making my conscience take another hit of self-loathing.
"And you are?! For how long has this sh*t been going on under my nose? She's barely legal!" Luna fired back.
I was right there as they argued. On Paige's birthday no less. Her fifth birthday. There had been so much tension leading up to today. I could tell but I expected the gasket to blow later not today. I knew Luna had found out. Women can hardly bottle their emotions, but I did not expect that it would happen today of all days. It was the first time they had both been available for Paige's birthday since I'd been here. And now, it was ruined. Because of me. I squeezed Paige a little closer when she sniffled.
The guests had taken the cue when Luna smashed an entire bottle of Champagne against the wall. Champagne. At a five-year-old's party. There wasn't a single kid her age either. They were all teenagers or blooming adolescents. The whole place was empty a minute later when the voices came from the kitchen followed by things breaking. Everyone just left, like it was none of their business. Like it was normal.
"She is twenty and can make her own decisions. So can I. As did you with those boys you've been off with for the past two years."
Shock made me go still. Silence fell on the house. Zander, in his crumpled shirt and disheveled hair pinned down Luna with a hard stare. She stared right back at him. She was much shorter than he was. Even shorter than I am but all bones in her body screamed defiance. She was the definition of a wealthy barbie. Long shiny blonde, deep blue eyes, a heart-shaped face, slender figure and glowing skin. She always carried herself with an air of arrogance that seemed to vanish the moment Zander finished speaking.
"You had me followed." She stated.
"Yes. I'm no fool, Luna. I knew the very moment it started. I just thought to let you play around a bit. You never wanted to get married in the first place. You didn't stop but jumped to the next guy and the next and the next until I could barely look at you."
"Then why did you not say anything? Divorce me?"
"Because I do not care and we are never getting divorced. This life you chose, you'd have to get used to it."
With that, he left, slamming the door shut. I stood there not knowing how or what to feel. Because it was at that moment I realized I had made two mistakes. I slept with a married man and I fell in love with him.
This is my response to the Inkwell Fiction Prompt.
© June, 2023|| Deraaa.
