Chapter 19: Waiting for Him

Seraphina’s POV

The sound of the SUV fades into the distance, leaving me standing at Steven’s doorway with his debit card clenched in my hand.

I’ve never seen Damien this terrified before. Well, it’s his mom’s health we’re talking about. He really can’t lose the only parent he has left, it’s too painful to imagine.

The thought of my own parents brushes my mind as I heave a sigh.

I turn and find Steven staring at me with a polite smile. “Come in, you look exhausted” he says.

I force a smile and step in. “I am okay.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t push. The sitting room smells like cinnamon and fresh coffee… comforting, but my heart is far from calm.

“Make yourself comfortable,” he says. “Michael will be back soon. You will like him once he gets to know you.”

I nod, standing beside my bag near the couch. “Thanks.”

“You are welcome,” he replies.

The moment he disappears into the kitchen, I sink into the couch, staring at the walls as if I’ve never been here before.

I can hear him making a call from the kitchen, but I don’t pay much attention.

Damien’s thoughts fill my mind. He’s probably at the airport by now. I wish him a safe flight back home. I am going to miss him, and I will also miss Nina and Dona Maria.

I sigh, glancing around the living room. Photos of Steven and Michael fill the shelves… smiling, carefree, happy. I envy that. Happiness without fear. Love without limits.

The door clicks.

Michael steps in, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His eyes dart to me, and he freezes for a second.

“Oh, so you are the guest,” he says flatly.

I smile awkwardly.

He nods but doesn’t return the smile. “Damien’s maid, right?”

The word maid stings, but I don’t correct him. And how did he even know? Damien introduces me as his girlfriend to them, not maid.

“Just staying here until he returns from New York,” I say quietly.

He huffs, dropping the bag. “Right.”

Steven rushes out of the kitchen. “Michael! Be nice,” he warns, giving him a look.

Michael shrugs. “I didn’t say anything.”

But his tone did.

I excuse myself and ask Steven for a guest room. He leads me to a quiet corner of the house… a simple, warm room with white curtains and a small bed.

“You can stay here as long as you need to,” he assures me. “Don’t mind Michael. He’s protective of me, and not great with strangers.”

“I understand,” I reply softly.

He smiles and leaves me to settle in.

The moment I am alone, I fall on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I can’t rest. My heart won’t let me. Damien’s words echo in my head: Wait for me. I will be back.

What if something happens to him? What if he doesn’t come back?

I keep thinking until sleep quietly takes me.

When I wake up later, I see a burger and a bottle of wine on the bed beside me.

Has to be Steven.

As though he knew I’d wake up hungry. I take the burger and bite into it, savoring every chew. Then I pour some wine into a glass and take a sip.

Steven walks in as I am finishing up. He smiles and sets his laptop in front of me. “This should keep you busy so you don’t drown in thoughts.”

“Thanks,” I say happily.

“You are welcome,” he smiles, and leaves.

I finish the burger and the wine to my satisfaction before turning on the laptop. It isn’t password-protected.

I try logging into my email and social media accounts, something I didn’t get to do back in New York. We weren’t allowed to use gadgets, and besides, I had none. I lost mine back in La Terra.

But no matter how hard I try, I can’t log into any of them. Eventually, I give up and decide to stream some movies instead.

Night creeps in.

Steven calls me to dinner, but I barely eat. Michael barely talks. His eyes stay on me like he’s studying every move I make.

After dinner, I help clear the plates even though Steven tells me not to. It keeps my hands busy. My mind, too.

When I finally return to my room, I notice the laptop’s keyboard light blinking. Probably a message but definitely not for me. Maybe just a system notification.

I check quickly and realize it’s an email from someone named Dr. James. I don’t bother opening it, it’s for Steven. I continue streaming movies until I eventually fall asleep.

Morning comes.

After breakfast, Steven tells me he tried reaching Damien several times, but his line is down. He hasn’t been online either.

“Do you think he landed safely?” I ask, concerned.

“Well,” he gulps, “I guess so. Since we didn’t hear any news about a plane crash this morning. Don’t worry, okay? I am sure he’s fine,” he says as he grabs his car keys from the kitchen table. “I need to get a few things from the supermarket. Want to come along?”

I really don’t feel like going out, but I also don’t want to be left alone with Michael. So yes, I have to follow him.

I nod, and he gestures for me to come. We head out to the convertible Mercedes-Benz and hop in.

As he drives, I keep myself busy looking around until he decides to raise the roof. Now I can only see outside through the windshield and side windows.

He clears his throat. “Damien never gists me about you,” he says.

I don’t know what to say, so I stay quiet.

“And you look Mexican,” he adds, making me huff awkwardly. “Is there something you two are hiding?” His tone turns serious.

“No… nothing,” I manage to utter.

Since Damien hasn’t told him anything yet, it’s better I don’t either.

“How did you two meet?” he asks, taking a turn onto a busy road. He mutters a curse as he realizes he can’t reverse. Now we are stuck in traffic. “I.am listening, Seraphina,” he says, turning to me with a curious look and a forged smile.

I am speechless. What should I tell him? That Damien bo

ught me as a maid?

Or lie to him that we met at a bar? But what if he later finds out?

I shouldn’t have followed him!