𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦 | 𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐮

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE AFTERMATH

     After we got done with walking through to the end of the park then back to the car, Tom asked me if I was ready to go home.

     Going back to work was pointless since it was the end of my shift and Tom had already texted Jeffery that I wasn't coming back to resume my work.

     I was surprised that with one simple text message it was enough for Jeffery to let me miss my shift, especially on my first day. But with the knowledge I have on Tom, I think he has the power over Jeffery and many other people to get him to do whatever he wants and pleases.

     The drive back was completely silent and we were left alone ik our thoughts. I didn't know how to make small talk to him after our little get to know each other game and I don't think he knew either. I had to admit I was pretty lost on what to do without his smart remarks or just a tiny bit of his confusing words.

     Although it did give me time to gather up my feelings about Tom.

     We pull up to my house and the street is bare except for one car that's parked at the other end of the road.

     "So will I be seeing you tomorrow?" I ask when Tom turns the engine off and leans back into his seat with his head pressing against the headrest.

     His eyebrows pinch in confusion, looking into my direction with the back of his head still resting against the seat, "What do you mean?"

     "Are you coming to pick Reggie up? For work?" I add on to clarify for him, "Or do you guys take the weekend off?" this is my first weekend home so I'm still not one-hundred percent on how things run around here.

     "Oh," he realizes until he chuckles quietly, "No, I'm leaving the car here for Reggie to use to go back and forth."

     I nod, showing I was listening to him until another question pops into my head.

     "How are you going to get back home then?"

      "By walking..." he states in a 'I should have figure it out for myself' kind of tone.

     "Well I should get inside before my mother is running out here for my head." I unbuckle my seatbelt, turning to the door and getting out.

     Tom does the same and gets out to meet me on the sidewalk in front of the house. He stands there while I dig into my purse for my house keys until my hand touches the cold metal against my skin and I pull them out.

"Do you always leave the car with Reggie on the weekends?" I ask, sliding the key into the lock and twisting the key until I hear it unlock.

"Not usually." he answers shortly.

I step inside and gesture Tom to come in but a shake from his head and a raise of his hand tells me he's not coming in.

"Your mother has made it crystal clear in the past that I am not privileged enough to take a step through that door." he outlines the door frame with the tip of his finger and smiles softly, "It's fine, just let your brother know I'm here to drop the car off."

      Nodding to him, "I'll go get him, I'll be right back." I close the door behind me, placing my purse on the coatrack next to the door and start heading upstairs until a figure in the kitchen makes me freeze in my tracks.

     "Where were you?" my mother asks, slowly my body turns around to look into her direction.

     She's wearing a light blue apron, cooking mittens on her hands and her light brown hair in a neatly done bun. The air in the room smelt of melting cheese and heavy amounts of pepper either meaning she was in a good mood or she was cooking away her negative feelings.