housekeeper

18. Statement

(Dave)

Upon waking, I notice the stiffness in my neck. Glancing down, I can't help but smile. Vanessa is there, sleeping peacefully, curled up with her head resting on my legs. Her eyes flutter open and meet mine directly.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" I inquired.

"Yes, but I'm still quite tired."

"Then take some more time to rest. It's what you need."

Vanessa sits up and gazes into my eyes intently. I can tell she has a question at the tip of her tongue, yet she hesitates to speak.

"How about we have something to eat before you go back to sleep?"

"I could eat something," Vanessa replies, her eyes wary.

"Alright, I'll call the housekeeper."

"No need," she responds quickly, and I chuckle at her reaction.

"Don't worry, feather. I'll whip up some pancakes for us. That way, you'll have time to do what you need to do."

"Pancakes?"

"Yes, I can manage a few dishes, and luckily, pancakes are on that list." I peck her on the hair and hurry to the kitchen.

I gather the ingredients for the batter and swiftly begin to prepare it. As I'm working on the third pancake, Vanessa enters. She pauses and gives me an odd look.

"What?" I inquire, smiling.

Vanessa shakes her head and moves to stand beside me. "It's just odd seeing you like this. Not long ago, I was your housekeeper, and now..." She trails off, silently observing as I place the pancake on a plate and pour the next batch of batter into the pan.

"Your resignation request took me by surprise."

"What else could I have done after what transpired between us? I was wounded."

I tighten my jaw but remain silent.

"I understand you blame yourself for what occurred," she says.

"It's my fault," I admit.

"Stop it," Vanessa yells, jolting me. "That's not true. It was entirely Kevin's fault, and I was the naive one who fell for his trap."

"You're not naive."

"And none of this is your fault."

I quietly turn the pancake over, guilt evident in my gaze, yet I continue to argue. "I should never have introduced you as my girlfriend to Sara. None of this would have happened then."

"Ugh, are we going through this again? We were both foolish. I was the more foolish one."

"Why do you say that?"

"I was raped, Dave. I was raped," she says, trying to hide her tears.

I shut off the gas and embraced her tightly. Her body trembles with sobs.

"If I had that man's neck in my grasp, I would squeeze until his last breath left him. Nobody lays a hand on my girl."

"Your girl?" she echoes, taken aback.

"I've mentioned it before. You've stolen my heart, Vanessa."

She gazes at me, perplexed, as if I've posed a conundrum she can't solve. Confusion now fills her eyes.

"I'm serious, Vanessa," I persist, my tone gentle yet firm. "You've reached a part of me I never knew was there. Dave Lavens in love? It's unbelievable. I'm still coming to terms with it myself."