Two Mistakes Ago

Chapter 15

"Cruella bought this apartment for me," he said when he noticed I was running my eyes all over the place again.
My eyes widened with surprise. Why would Cruella do him such a favour. I mean, the company provides all the workers with accommodation, but its mostly a single room or a flat like mine not a fully furnished mansion. I thought he was just a wealthy guy or something. Even if he wasn't that rich, why would Cruella of all people be the one to give him such preferential treatment.

"Close your mouth, Master", he said and almost startled me. "You are asking too many questions with your eyes. I said Cruella bought the house for me...for now, its in my name and all but I'd pay her back in little installments. I'm not used to accepting favours from cruel people, you know.. Are you okay now?"

"Me? Okay? Well it's not like I care who buys who for what at Multimedia, I just feel its quite strange that Cruella of all people and you!? I have never even seen the two of talking to each other. Not even once since I started working," I said.

He handed me a glass of water and signalled me to sit. I was just staring at his chocolate skin and the thick beard around his temples. His soft and slightly pink lips were quite a sight. He really was a delicious looking lad. I just didn't know what to do with all the admiration in my heart. I knew it was developing into something else. I should be angry with this guy. He just confessed that he's a woman predator and an opportunist. Definitely there has to be a reason for Cruella to do him this huge favour. I don't even think Cruella herself lives in a house like this. Without saying a word, he slid into one of the rooms and came out wearing a pair of maroon shorts under a white singlet. He gave me a big yellow towel and purple morning coat.

"Please take off your tight dress. You will feel extremely better in this. You are free to have your bath if you want to but don't spend several hours like the other time. Its almost 3am, you need to sleep." He concluded.

"Thanks Dan. I mean simply Daniel. Whatever!" I giggled and rushed into the washroom.

That was just what I needed. A cold bath. Too many occurrences in just one night. Aunt Mara and Aunt Mara again. I just couldn't bring myself to believe that she was actually sleeping in my house at this very moment. Long live Daniel! For offering me this wonderful escape!! I came out refreshed admiring the expensive morning coat. It felt so soft and silky.

"You look amazing. The morning coat does not even look this good on its owner", He said, his eyes practically tearing the coat apart. I didn't know if it was lust I was seeing in his eyes or savagery.

"Who is the owner of this coat!" I demanded and sat down by him. Picking up the glass of water I was sipping before I went to take my bath.

"Cruella", he said casually.

I dropped the glass.

"You are joking aren't you!?"

"I'm as serious as hell. Its hers. Cruella and I have a horrible past I don't want to remember now."

"What! Daniel, so why are you telling me this now. If you don't want to remember, why do you keep talking about her. I want to know everything please. Tell me." I was furious now. Obviously, Daniel was Cruella's gigolo. How on earth did I bring myself to crush on this scumbag? Cruella is his sugar-mummy (cougar). He's her secret lover! And she bought him a house!?

"The thing is Cruella and I-..."

"-are lovers? You have no shame Daniel. You have no shame." I said rather calmly. I felt so sad that I didn't have the energy to scream.

"I know. I have no shame. If being in love with the wrong woman is shameless, then I admit I have no shame. Cruella is a Cruel person but I am the reason for all that...Sheila are you sure you want to hear this?"

"Tell me everything." I said trying my possible best to hide my jealousy  invoked anger.

"Why is she the wrong woman? Is it because she's a bit older than you."

"No. When we first met, I was 20 and she was 26. That was no big deal for the two of us".

My eyes grew wild with fury but I didn't even know what kind of right I had to be angry. I didn't know why I was taking up the role of a jealous wife when Daniel and I had just known each other for less than a month.

"You see, we have known each other for about fifteen years now. I have a serious history with Cruella, I mean Grace...Grace Hamilton,"he said clenching his fists. His eyes turned dark and cold. Like my own mother's eyes when my father left us for the white woman.

"Wait. Are you married to her? Your own name is Daniel Hamilton right? That's your name!!"

"Shoddy, you have to be patient. I have no plans of holding anything back. I am going to tell this story word by word. This story I have never told. This story that has made love tasteless to me."

"Mmmn..mmmn,"I cleared my throat and made my ears ready. If there was anything good about this moment, then it was because he was confiding in me. But that was all. I was deeply hurt and disappointed. I never expected this. I know understood why he kept talking about Cruella all the time and why she knew so much about her family. I understood why he became gloomy all the time Cruella was sick in the hospital. They were secretly married for fifteen years! Was the wild teenager his child?

I was curious, broken hearted, disappointed, shocked, perplexed, all at the same time.