Damien Haas An Reader.

part 4

Life seems less melancholic. I'm still very sad, but I'd say there are a few good things worth fighting for now. I don't even think about Todd anymore, he's just a fading stranger. I don't think about my dog Stanley every day though. I should have fought harder to keep him. But understanding the law, there was no way I could've. But I'm getting content. I'm happy with the knowledge that I was a good dog mom for a couple years an that he will always be apart of me.

Damien and I chatt all the time too, we often text through of the day. Some time we even call eachother to talk about our day. We haven't hung out properly sense the coffee shop though. Conflicting schedules kept us from making plans, but thats ok. He comes to the dry cleaners every now an then to drop off a muffin, he's incredibly sweet. He's a man anyone would fall for, even I might be falling.

It's been a month sense the coffee shop, the time went by the fastest when damien an I weren't texting. Life seem to slow down for us when we did though. He picked up his dry cleaning a few days after, very happy with the results. It turns out the charity event got pushed back a month though, so I guess his an his roommates suits got done rather early. I told him if he need another cleaning before the event, I'll give him a discount. It's the least I can do. I'm sitting at my job now, organizing the rack of clothes by materials so they can get cleaned properly. Some fabric take longer then others or are more delicate. It's a slow day today so I let my guard do a tiny bit to relax. Which was a huge mistake.

My boss came through the door, I greeted him casually like always. But the vibe seemed off. The boss usually has a great attitude with us employees. "Hey boss, is everything ok? You seem off", I wanted to help anyway I can. "Well, there's no need to sugar coat it. (Y/n), I sold the business. Effective immediately, you an the other employees are being let go. I'm sorry. Your final paychecks are coming in tomorrow, you can pick it up or I'll send it through the mail." He's face was uncharacteristic. He looked neutral an emotionless. But his eyes have a very devastating sadness in them. The kind where even lies can't protect you.

"What's going on, step back a second. Why did you sell the business?! " I was feeling alot of emotions. I was angry that I didn't understand. " it's complicated, I rather not discuss it now. An apology letter will be sent out with your last check. Now please, clean out your stuff an go home. You'll be paid for the full day." He turned an locked himself in his office. I've never been more mad in my life, the coward can't even say WHY this is happening? I feel like screaming, trashing the building, crying.... I feel like I need damien...

I collect my thing an leave the building, back to the dull deep anguish I was slowly chipping away. I just start walking home. I can't call my sister, she's working. I'm in a state of anger fueled shock. I'm not sure what to do anymore. I've had this job for the last five years. I don't have a plan. I failed...

I found myself at a park. I sat at a picnic table, an pull out my phone. I don't know why I'm calling him. It feels like I'm running on E. My anger subsided an turned into pure unadulterated numbness. I can't feel anything. If the bench is wet, if the wind is bustling, even if I was set on fire. I don't think I'd notice. The phone on the other end rang a couple times. The damien picked up. As soon as I heard his voice. Everything came out at once. " Damien, the drycleaning is sold. I don't have a job anymore. I don't know what to do. I need you so bad, I'm so lost. I need you. Please " I cry an scream an plead. The pain of everything is beginning to take over.

"(Y/n), sweetie, breath it's OK I'm come to you. Where are you now. Can you look for any signs. Take deep breaths, an follow my voice ok." He trys to help. I looked around for a sign. "I'm on 359 Elmore Avenue..  " I say, trying to breath. "Alright I'll be right there, everything will be ok". He stayed on the phone with me as he drove to my location. Making sure I don't spiral harder then I am. He's saying sweet things to me an keeping me calm, I'm still crying but not as hard. When he gets here I run to him, an he catches me into a big bear hug. Crying into his chest, he pets my hair an rubs my back. Calming me.

"Everything will be ok, I'm here now." He has us sit on the nearest bench, so we're not standing in the middle of a park. We continue to hug until I'm calm enough an pull away. "What am I gonna do, I've had that job for the last 5 years..." I say, tapering off into a few sniffles. He holds my hand, "for now, you've earned a break. For a few weeks try to relax some, an then when your ready I'll help you with a job". He sounds so reassuring an smart. "What about rent, I can't just live at my sisters house for free." I say, defeated. "I'm sure she'll understand. But if it is a problem, then..." He starts contemplating some stuff in his mind, "you can stay with me". I immediately turn pink. That outcome was unexpected.

"What about your rent..."I shrimply say, voice small with nervousness coating my throat. "No problem, I'm still at shayne's so we aren't  exactly tight on cash, plus shayne will understand completely", he smiles at me. "Plus me an shayne are out of the house quite alot so it will be nice to have a cat sitter". He's so calm about this, as if it's normal to just have a girl in a boys house. Still shocked an combative I continue go come up with more questions, "where would I sleep, and, and, and feminine products and.." He cuts me off, "it's OK (y/n), your worrying to much. Tampons an stuff don't bother me an shayne. We're adults, we've gotten comfortable with that. Plus you can sleep in my bed..", I turn from pink, to super red. My eyes shift downward towards the grass. "Oh I mean, like I'll take the couch, an you can have my bed, sorry. I didn't mean... sorry about that." He also turns a crimson color.

After awhile, I agreed to think about it. So now we are heading back to my sister's house. The prospect of living with damien is crazy, we havent known eachother that long. I decided for myself that I'll talk to my sister about it, she could help me with  different perspectives. We pull up by my sisters house. I hug him again, thanking for the ride an the comfort. An then I'm gone in the house. So much of today was a bizarre turn of events. But all I know, is that I am puzzled for sure. What do I do?

                                         ~

Damien's pov.

I texted shayne after I dropped off (y/n), I told him I need to talk when i get home. I told him it wasn't bad news, but a little urgent. I got home only a few minutes after that. Shayne was on the couch, so I plopped next to him. "So what up, what's the urgent matter?" Shayne looked at me worried. "Well, you remember (y/n) right?," I start, waiting for him to nod. " well she lost her job today. An she got all worried about her future an her living. Soooo I maybe, saidshecanlivewithus..." I instinctively raise my shoulders, looking down an turning pink. " She hasn't awnsered yet, she's thinking on it, an I said I will take the couch. I'll even pay extra rent if need be, I'm sorry I didn't ask first. She's very stressed an alone right now an she needs a break from it all and..." He puts a hand on my shoulder, breaking me from my thoughts. "Hey I get it. I know you only do things if it's really important to you. I trust you. Next time though, I'm gonna reaaaaally lay down the law." He smiles an pats my shoulder. I smile, an open my arms for a hug, inviting him in. An we hug. It's nice.