Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Are you calling me for money?” he demanded. “I ain’t giving you any money. I’ve been supporting you for too long. It’s time for you to support yourself!”
“I wasn’t calling for money, Daddy. Actually, I got a new job. It’s temporary, but it’s going to pay me really well.”
“Oh yeah? You should swing by and float your old man something. Maybe pay me back for everything that I did for you. When do you get paid?”
Was that all he wanted from me? Money? Didn’t me miss me even a little? “I don’t really know, Daddy. How are you?”
“I’m fine, and you’re interrupting my TV show.”
Some stupid part of me craved to hear him ask about me. Find out where I’m was staying. Ask me if I was okay. There was nothing but angry silence on the other end of the line. “Right. I’m sorry, Daddy. Have a good day.”
The phone clicked without even a goodbye, and I slowly lowered the phone, desperately needing someone to talk to. Not that I could even talk about Mr. Langston, but my isolation was getting to me, and we weren’t even through the first week.
Maybe Suzie would stick around to chat with me tonight.
By the time I finished up my chores, my stomach was grumbling. I should have grabbed a bagel or something since missing lunch, but there was no point now. It was too close to dinner now, and Mr. Langston always made sure that I ate all of my meal. Stripping down, I stepped under the punishing hot water of the shower to get ready for his return.
Scrubbed clean but still anxious, I quickly slipped into the dress that he’d chosen for me. It was a beautiful powder blue cocktail dress with long gauzy sleeves, a plunging neckline, and a bare back. Gazing at my reflection, I twisted my hair up into a bun and pinned it. For the past few nights I looked like I’d been dipped in sin, but now that I’d lost my innocence I looked like an angel.
What kind of games was Mr. Langston playing?
Suzie arrived at the last minute with dinner. Her cheeks were flushed, and she scrambled to get everything prepared. As she barked out orders, I quietly followed them. We had just minutes to spare when we finished setting the table.
“Daisy,” Suzie said softly. “I don’t have much time tonight, but I can tell that something is on your mind. Do you want to talk about it?”
Glancing at the clock, I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “No, I’m fine. But thank you for your concern.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll come earlier and we’ll chat.” She leaned over and squeezed my hand. “And then I have the weekend off, but my number is on the refrigerator if you need anything from me, okay?” She grabbed her bags and headed for the door with me following behind.
I was grateful for the older woman, but I feared what kind of temper Mr. Langston would be in if he caught us talking again. Locking the door behind me, I hurried to the kitchen to check on the trays in the oven when the lock turned and the door opened.
Mr. Langston walked in, his face was unreadable as he stopped and took stock of me. Straightening, I held my breath as he inspected me. His gaze swept down my body, leaving my skin singed from his heated eyes, and when he met my gaze, I slowly turned. My heels clicked on the floor, but I’d been practicing, and I didn’t stumble.
“Hello, Daisy,” he said in a low voice. “How was your day?”
How was my day? That wasn’t what I expected out of his mouth. “It was good. Thank you for asking.”
His eyes hardened. “Was it good because you had a visitor?” I could see the anger simmering just below the surface.
“I didn’t know he was coming and didn’t let him in,” I said quickly.
“But you gave him your lunch. The lunch that I bought you. I have cameras set up outside the door, Daisy. I know everything that happens here.” He took a threatening step towards me, but I held my ground. I did nothing wrong.
“Like I said before,” I whispered. “I didn’t know that he was coming to visit, and I didn’t let him in. He mentioned that he was skipping lunch to check on me, so I gave him mine.”
“Because you think he cares about you?” Mr. Langston spat. “You can’t possible be that thick, Daisy. He’s checking on his money. You’re nothing more than a tool for him to use, although I can see that concept is hard for you to grasp. I know you also called your father.”
“You didn’t say that I couldn’t!”
“I’m saying it now. You need to see that they are only using you.”
“And what are you doing?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I immediately lowered my gaze. The air grew tense around us. Would he ever get mad enough to hit me? Like Dad used to hurt Mom? I shook the thought away, refusing to take the words back.