Enjoy the Silence

Enjoy the Rules

Danny Caplin

Age: 21

Hair Color: Dark dark brown

Occupation: Heir to the Caplin industry

Personality: Extremely intimidating

He didn’t ask me a single question after what’s your name. What I got next was a brief set of descriptions and instructions.

“I have maids and three siblings in the house. You don’t have to explain that you can’t talk. I’ll let them know. The second oldest is Damien and you can hang around him if he ever tries to talk to you. The youngest is Clara and I don’t care what you do around her. But stay away from Xavier and I’ll warn you now that I don’t take well with people defying me.”

I nodded quickly and he continued.

                “You’ll have a room of course. If it isn’t to your liking, let my sister know and she’ll provide you another. We have a house full of rooms that we never use so I personally don’t care which one you pick. Clara has a second closet of unused clothes. Take whatever you like and use them at your leisure. If she gives you any trouble about it, let me know, although I hardly think she will considering……….the circumstances.” It sounded like he wanted to say something else but suppressed it at the last minute. I didn’t try getting an answer out of him. It seemed like doing so would open up a handful of problems.

The silence lasted for only a few seconds before he spoke again “I’ll have people get you your own clothes if you give them your measurement. Write it down for the maids and they’ll take it with them when I assign them to do the shopping. It seems like a better idea than having to rely on hand me downs from Clara.” I nodded although I truly didn’t mind. Getting the luxury of a closet is a dream itself.

Danny didn’t take his eyes off the road as he spoke the next set of words. I could see his expression turn hard in the reflection of the windshield. “There are certain places you’re not allowed to enter such as my office, the basement, and the conference room. People will show you where they are and if I ever find you in them I won’t hesitate-“

The car stopped abruptly and I lurched forward. “Damn it,” he cursed and I quivered at the phrase. My thoughts ran back to my father’s voice screaming the words Damn it before every brutal attack he delivered with his fists.

Goddamn it Ashley! You can’t do anything right CAN YOU!

Answer me damn it! I’m your father and you will answer me!

Damn it, I’ll kill you Ashley!!! I’LL KILL YOU!

I shut my eyes forcing the tears to go away. The bruises on my body drew my attention as I forced images in my head to disappear.

Next to me, I heard Danny mutter “Why do people always have to stop at a red light at the last minute.”

                 Suddenly I heard him say “Are you okay.”

                I looked at him through the curtain of blonde hair that fell over my face when the car lurched. His expression was something quite unfathomable. Panic flickered in it for a brief moment before being replaced with genuine concern, something I’d never seen in my life. Nobody ever bothered about me before.

I was to stunned to find my voice or else I would’ve slipped up in that moment and said something. There would’ve been nothing hiding my secret then unless he went deaf at that very moment. Thankfully I shut my mouth and simply nodded to his question.