Davis is weird

She couldn't let this happen. She just couldn't.

“This isn't about Davis!” she declared, her voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor in her hands. "This is about me and no – this is about you, Donovan. Why don't you scram and leave me the fuck alone?! Why can't you just let me be with...” She couldn't finish as she halted.

A stunned silence descended upon the room. All eyes turned to her, waiting for her to elaborate. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and met Donovan's gaze head-on.

“I'm tired of you trying to control every aspect of my life, Donovan. Get this into your head. I am not your girlfriend and never was. Now, LEAVE!”

Donovan's reaction was a study in contrasts. His initial surprise morphed into a controlled anger. His jaw clenched, muscles tightening in his arms. Yet, a flicker of something deeper flickered in his eyes – hurt, hatred, or perhaps even shock.

She had never raised her voice on him. That would be a bummer for him. Silence stretched as he glared at her, unblinking. Finally, Donovan spoke, his voice piercing like ice.

"You... you have no idea what you're doing," he rasped. “This won't end well for you.”

"Oh, I do," she countered, her voice surprisingly firm. "I'm finally doing what I should have done a long time ago. Taking control of my own life and attaining my independence from you.”

She was already on the verge of breaking down. Her emotions seemed too alive to be contained. Davis sensed this and stepped up.

“You heard the lady. She doesn't want to see you around her anymore. You are an ex now. Make peace with that.”

Oh, how much Juliana wanted to embrace Davis for this. For standing up for her – for being able to discern her emotions and suspect she was at her lowest. From now on, she knew he’d never buy her tough facade again.

“Trust me, Juliana, you will come back begging for my love.” Donovan adjusted his suit and declared.

Juliana felt the threat sending goosebumps across her but she wasn't ready to let Donovan see that.

The silence that followed Donovan's veiled threat hung heavy in the air. He held Juliana's gaze, his expression unreadable, before turning abruptly and stalking out of the room, his thugs strolling along with him. The door slammed shut behind him and Juliana slumped in the chair, head in her hands...

A tremor in her hands made them tremble and a prickling of fear settled at the back of her mind.

Davis placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her.

"He won't win," he said, his voice firm yet laced with concern. "You did the right thing, Juliana."

Did she?

She did just put him in trouble. Was that the right thing to do?

“I'm sorry our lunch got ruined again.” She forced a bitter scoff.

Davis, bless him waved it off like it wasn't a big deal. “Shit happens. I guess we have to do this sometimes again and do it right next time.”

He wanted to try again with her.

Oh, how sweeter could he get?

“That will be lovely, Davis. I'm sorry again.”She nodded.

“Would you like a ride home, Juliana?"

Juliana wanted to refuse. She’d caused him enough trouble. Taking her home was another top-tier demand. But the flicker of her father's smug face in her mind made her bite her tongue. "That would be nice," she conceded, hating the insincerity in her voice.

When her father saw her come home with him, Theodore would finally be made to return to school. Her father had retained him back home, warning Juliana that he’d not return to school should he not see the progress she was making with the Davis mission.

Juliana wanted her brother to return to school. All she wanted was for the boy to live a normal teenage life.

.

She left the restaurant with Davis. His manager drove her car after them while Davis drove the both of them back home.

The drive home was awkward and filled with silence. She had been lost in thoughts and focused her gaze on the landscape outside when Davis spoke.

“So you broke up with your man, eh?”

He did his best to sound casual but she could hear the curiosity in his voice. She nodded. “That much is obvious.” She didn't mean to sound that savage but she was tired and mad.

“I mean, yeah, it is.” Davis laughed, not picking an offense. “I was going to ask why.”

“That much, Davis is also obvious, I believe.”

He laughed yet again. “I want details, I get.”

He was right to want more. After all, she had just gotten him in trouble. She might as well give him enough information about his opponent.

“It's not that simple," she finally spoke, her voice tight. "It wasn't a real relationship, Davis. Not in the way you think."

She hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something in Davis's patient silence encouraged her to continue. "He controlled everything. Every aspect of my life. Who I saw, what I did, even who I could talk to." Shame burned in her throat, but she pushed it down.

“That sounds… awful," Davis murmured, his voice devoid of judgment. "Why didn't you leave before?"

The question was simple, yet it felt like a punch to the gut. Guilt and frustration welled up inside her. She couldn't tell him that it was the fate written for her by her father. And that now, she was moving on. Moving on to the next pawn on the board and that was – him.

“It wasn't easy. He had — ways of making me stay.” She lied. “And honestly, part of me was scared. Scared of what he might do, scared of being alone." That much was true.

A heavy silence settled again. Juliana wasn't sure what she expected him to say. She wasn't sure he’d buy her explanation but he surprised her.

"It takes courage to break free," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "And you had that courage today. That tells me a lot about you, Juliana."

Davis Montgomery was so easy to convince and deceive. How on earth did he make it so wealthy and successful? Or was his judgment clouded because he liked her?

Hell, what was she saying?

He never said he liked her but then again, it was obvious. Davis Montgomery liked her.

Poor man.

His genuine and understanding words washed over her. They weren't helping. It wasn't helping that he was so understanding and sweet. It was making it all harder. A single tear escaped, tracing a warm path down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, embarrassed.

“Don't be," he said, reaching out and gently squeezing her hand. "This isn't something to be ashamed of. You're strong, Juliana. Stronger than you think."

Oh, was she? He had no idea.

“Thank you, Davis. Thank you. Really, thank you.”

.

As they arrived at her father’s estate, the grand facade loomed before them. The mansion had always felt like a prison and now, returning back here after such an emotionally demanding day felt suffocating. Could she ever truly feel safe here?

“Do you — do you want to come in?" Juliana asked hesitantly.

Davis seemed like he was eager to. However, a smile played on his lips. "I wouldn't want to intrude." He denied.

Why?

“It's not an intrusion," she insisted. "My dad would be glad to see you.”

Well, she wasn't lying.

He studied her for a moment, his gaze searching. Then, he nodded. "Alright, but only for a bit. I don't want to raise any eyebrows."

She understood him. They’d seemed like cat and rat before and their sudden closeness would birth questions. However, that would have been so in a normal family.

Not hers. This would, in fact, make her father’s day.

Inside the grand mansion, the familiar faces of the maids greeted them. "Is anyone available?" Juliana inquired, her voice

strained.

“Yes, Madam is in.” They chorused.

Gesturing for Davis to take a seat. “Get her.” Juliana commanded.

One of the maids disappeared, returning moments later with news, "Madam will be with you shortly."

Juliana and Davis sat beside each other. “Would you like anything?” She asked him, unsure.

“Nah. I'll see your parents and leave.” He replied casually and she didn't say anything further.

Moments later, Juliana's mother, elegant and poised, descended the stairs.

“Mr. Montgomery! What a pleasant surprise," she exclaimed, her smile genuine. "Business is well, I trust?"

Indeed, Mrs. Starkwood," Davis replied, offering a polite smile. "And yourself?"

“As well as can be expected," she sighed, her eyes flickering briefly to Juliana. "Mr. Starkwood is still at the office, I'm afraid."

Somehow, that sounded like Christmas in Juliana’s ears. Knowing that her father wouldn't get the satisfaction of savoring this moment. He’d heard about it but not seen it. Either way, she won.

Theodore would return to school.

Of course," Davis echoed, noting the early hour. "I wouldn't want to interrupt his busy schedule. It was kind of me to escort Juliana home from our — unfortunately canceled meeting."

Juliana flinched at the reminder, feeling her mother's gaze shift to her. "Indeed," she murmured, unable to meet her eyes.

“And how is dear Theodore?" Davis inquired, a concerned wrinkle appearing on his forehead.

Why did he seem like he was worried when he mentioned Theodore? Juliana wondered.

"He's not feeling well, resting in his room," Juliana's mother replied, skilfully delivering her lie.

Theodore was sick? Pfft!

Her father had held the boy hostage in his room. Stripped him of his freedom because he wanted her to get Davis at all costs. Because she said she was tired and didn't want to be her father’s pawn any longer.

Her father used her brother to coax her this time. Her father belonged behind bars! How much she wished she could yell this out to Davis. To tell him to help.

However, she’d already landed him in enoigh trouble and frankly, he was already doing a lot getting used by her and her father.

Davis offered to go see Theodore, but Juliana quickly shot down the suggestion. "No, he needs his rest. Perhaps later?"

His eyes held hers for a moment, searching for something she couldn't decipher. With a nod, he rose. "Very well. I shouldn't impose any further. Until tomorrow, Mrs. Starkwood, Juliana."

See Theodore and discover their lies? She’d pass.

He shook both their hands, his touch lingering slightly on Juliana's, sending a spark of something she couldn't define through her. She saw a flicker of something in his eyes when he took her hands.

Why was Davis Montgomery – weird?