Not fair

Not fair
Damon and Samantha sat in the living room, watching television while Cici prepared dinner in the kitchen.
The two sat on opposite couches, with their attention fully on the crime TV show broadcasting on the screen.
Sam tucked her hair behind her ears and stared at the man wearing a sweater, clearly ready for bed after a long day of being a defender in court.
She cleared her throat. "Damon... Mr Bridge."
She lowered her voice on the last words.
"Miss Stone?"
He turned his head, his brown eyes staring into hers.
"I would like a huge favor. I promise that I will not be a nuisance if you let me stay here until..."
"No problem, you can stay as long as you want. However, don't come to my bedroom."
He said seriously, his stern expression leaving no room for her to argue.
"That ain't hard to do. Anyway, how was your day?"
She smiled politely, her lashes fluttering under his cool gaze.
"Such a tricky day. Yours?"
He said coolly, his hair covering one side of his face.
"No wonder why you look tired." She paused as he lazily raised his eyebrow.
"Oh, my apologies. My day was fine. Our studio got a new big deal from the Smith Group."
She uttered with excitement, and he nodded lightly, not trying to match her mood at all.
Moments later, Cici appeared from the kitchen to announce that dinner was ready.
Sam waited for Damon to go first before following after him, making sure she did not drag her slippers to avoid nagging him.
Damon thought deeply and started a conversation.
"Yesterday, Bald told me that you were with your parents at the restaurant."
"Yeah, and trust me when I tell you, it did not go well at all."
She shook her head, and Damon smirked, thinking how a conversation with her flows so easily when she is more frustrated by something.
"I can be your ears."
He softened his tone.
Samantha took a mouthful of rice and stared at him with hesitation in her eyes.
'Why is he so curious all of a sudden?'
She thought to herself while his deep gaze remained on her, patiently waiting and searching for something.
"Nothing much, just family having a normal disagreement."
She forced a smile and continued eating.
"I don't mean to pry, but if I am going to share a space with you, shouldn't I know something about you too?"
He arched his brows, his lawyer demeanor challenging her with hidden wonders of his own.
"Alright, Mr Bridge, let me reintroduce myself."
Their eyes met.
"You know my name, but those two adults Bald saw are my parents, Mr and Mrs Stone, and they are very strict, judgmental, but both have much love for me."
He leaned back casually, his face growing more serious.

"No parents who love their daughter would want her to go back to the man who used to mistreat her. Right?"
He said coolly, with a slim glass of juice in his hand.
"Wait, do you have a wire on me?"
She asked with her eyes widened.
"I have no reason for that. Perhaps it is because you said you guys were arguing, plus the way Bald found you gave it all away."
She narrowed her eyes at him, reluctantly nodding even though she did not fully trust his words.
"It is fine, Damon. With your look, I know you are digging for something."
He shook his head, causing her to sigh helplessly before parting her lips.
"My dad wanted to go and talk to the Blairs about their son's behaviour, but I refused because I know that Aaron can never change for the better.
What bothers me is that Stone wants to do this so the Blairs can continue sponsoring his business. Is that fair?"
She asked, with disbelief flickering across her face.
"No, that is not fair. How about we continue this conversation tomorrow?"
He carefully put the empty glass on the table and waited for her response so he could go upstairs to rest.
"I apologise for throwing this burden on your shoulders."
Her expression fell.
"The reason I am leaving for bed is not because of you or your problems. I had a long day."
He stood up with ease.
"What about the food on your plate?"
She measured his plate with her eyes and realised Damon hadn't eaten a lot.
Maybe I should have never shared these things.
She silently scolded herself.
"Don't stress about me."
He curled his lips and left the room.
"I guess there is more for me then."
She muttered under her breath and opened her phone.
She had done a SIM swap to her original numbers since her credit cards operated with those numbers. Even when they might need her for work purposes, her side hustles were where clients found her there.
Many text messages popped up, from her friends, her parents before they met, even the recent ones.
Aaron's message also appeared, and she did not hesitate opening the text, her curiosity not letting her avoid it.
Aaron: Hey Sam, I'm sorry for what happened the last time. Your dad met with my father last night and they talked.
I promise that I have learnt my lesson, and I will not repeat it again if you give me one more chance. I love you.
Tears shimmered in Samantha's eyes as she thought of how good her relationship with Aaron was before he started being violent and causing her bruises.
To her, his aggressive behaviour started when her parents slipped about her being adopted, which gave Aaron an advantage to treat her however he chose because, to him, the Stone family would do anything to get their business running, even if selling their kidneys was an option.
What hurt her the most was her love for her foster parents, with hopes of them prioritising her feelings first, but when?

That isn't enough Aaron, please leave me and my family alone.
She typed furiously and a minute later Aaron was typing to her also.

Unfourtunately i can't do that Sam, I am, not ready to give up on the love i hold dearly for you. Atleast come fetch your things so we could talk.
What if you lock me inside, that would not be the first. Guess what, you can keep everything.
She shrugged her shoulders, the appetite she had long before now gone.

I would but not after seeing you put all your hard work in these paintings. I know Damon is taking care of you, buying designer clothes and many things but think of what is at stake here.
She stared at his text, contemplating what to say to convince him to give her things back without them meeting.

Is that a threat Aaron?
No, you can take your time but please don't do anything with Damon.
Her stomach twisted as she read his message.

What do you take me for?
It's him i don't trust, he will use you to his pleasures and discard you like you're nothing.

His words brought back a memory of Damon sneaking out on her and Nancy the other day.