The Secret Billionaire

Chapter 4

ERIS

I woke up on the couch with a blanket on me. I got up and groaned. I have a pounding headache. How did I even get home last night? I don't have the most incredible tolerance for alcohol. Obviously.
"I didn't hear you wake up," I jumped at the voice. Darius walked in from the kitchen with something in his hands. "I got you medicine. Would you like breakfast?" He handed me the medicine, and I took it.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"We bumped into each other at the club last night. We...caught up, and I wanted to make sure you got home safe," He chuckled.
All the memories from last night came flooding back to me. Fuck.
"You kissed me," I said, and he laughed.
"Technically, you kissed me," He sat on the couch beside me. "I made sure Stacy knew you got home safe,"
"Thanks," I looked at him, and he had the softest smile.
"You don't have to be here anymore. I don't work this weekend, and I can take care of myself,"
"Let me stay with you. I'll make breakfast for us,"
I don't know why he was being nice all of a sudden. A couple of months ago, he made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me. Loud and clear.
"Thank you,"
He stood up and went to the kitchen. I fell asleep listening to him moving around the kitchen. Breakfast was quiet but not awkward. I thanked him again, and he cleaned up after me.
"I'm sorry I have to ask, why are you being so nice to me?"
He finished washing the dishes and turned around.
"I know I left things in a rough patch, but I never stopped thinking about you," He sat in front of me. "I'm sorry for acting out that way,"
"Acted out? Darius, we were together for four years, and you had sex with someone else," I said. My eyes began to get watery, and I looked away.
"And I'm sorry about that. I know I can't do anything to change the past, but I wanted to work things out with you,"
"Things like that aren't easily forgiven," I turned back to look at him.
"Give me a chance, please," I couldn't resist him. After all these months, the feeling of his lips on mine sent me over the moon. The look in his eyes was making my knees weak.
"I'll think about it," He smiled and nodded. Seeing him excited made my heart warm.
"Look, I know you'll be fine now. You ate already. I can go ahead and leave you to think about it in peace," He stood up and kissed my forehead. He excused himself and left me alone. I groaned and lay down on the couch again.
He puts ideas into my head, and I can't believe I'm considering them. On the other hand, I think about how much pain he caused me and how long it took me to heal. Physically and Emotionally. I might go to work tomorrow. I don't want to be alone all weekend.

~

People always ask if I get tired of the coffee smell at work, but I don't. I'm addicted. I don't think I would've stayed in a job I wouldn't enjoy.
"Can I have whoever is next?" I asked. My heart dropped when I turned around. There he was again. Dressed in his running outfit, he was looking at me. I still didn't know his name.
"One small coffee,"
"Are you stalking me?"
"Just here for the coffee,"
I poured coffee into his cup and handed it over to him. He comes in every day to order the same thing. He always hands me a twenty and insists that I keep the change.
"Why do you keep overpaying for the coffee?" I asked. He took a sip and cringed.
"It's good," he shrugged. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Let me take you out,"
"I'm good. As you can tell, I am swamped," I pointed to an almost empty coffee shop. He shook his head and reached out for a piece of paper. He scribbled something down and handed it to me.
"Call me if your boyfriend doesn't mind,"
I looked at the paper and scoffed.
"I don't have a boyfriend,"
"It didn't seem like that the other night,"
"That...was an ex-boyfriend,"
"You treat all your exes like that?"
I put the paper in my pocket and laughed.
"No, I had a little too much to drink, and it all just happened,"
"I have to go, but you have my number. I'll be expecting your call,"
He walked away before I could ask for his name. He made me feel a certain way, but I couldn't figure out what it was.
At the end of the shift, I headed through my usual path to get home. Maybe it's time to change my route. Someone came up from behind me, and I threw a punch back.
"Ow, Eris! What was that for?"
I turned around and saw Darius standing there, holding his stomach.
"You scared me! Why would you sneak up on me like that?" I asked. He stepped back and looked around nervously.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise you," He looked up and stepped close to me. "I wanted to see if you have given any thought to our previous conversation?"
He stepped closer, and I began to feel uncomfortable.
"Yes, well no, sorry I had a long day,"
"What's there to think about? You know how well we work together," His face was so close to mine. If any of us move, our lips will be touching. "Remember the sex?"
I stepped back and cleared my throat.
"Yes, I do. Do you remember how it felt with her?"
He sighed, and his fists balled up. I gripped my keys tighter and looked around. He released his hands and laughed.
"Okay," He shook his head. "I'll see you later," He walked away but glanced over his shoulder as he turned the corner.
I bumped into many people on my way, but I just wanted to get home. As soon as I stepped in, I sat on the floor and broke down. All the memories came flooding in. I remember him yelling at me, hitting me, and telling me I was crazy. He made me believe it was always my fault. That I was lucky to have him in my life. Slowly I realized, with every hit to the face and stomach, every single cut and burn. He was killing me on the inside little by little.