Natalie

I woke up to the sun shining on my face.
I felt so comfortable I didn't want to open my eyes.
But of course, a strong headache hit me and made me moan in pain.

My mouth was dry and every part of my body hurt.
I felt weak and confused.
What the hell happened?
And then the memories came rushing back.
The club. Liam. Damon. Fight. Tequila.

Tequila... I hate tequila.

After swearing to myself a couple of times that I'll never touch tequila or any other alcohol, I looked around. I knew where I was.

The huge window to my left didn't look beautiful anymore, but the opposite, the sun was shining right at me, annoying the shit out of me and everything felt too bright.

I sat up with my whole body aching, I felt so weak I though I was going to fall back to sleep.
Oh, I'd like that...

I considered going back to sleep but I decided I'll take a nap when I come home.

I snapped back from my thoughts when I heard the door open, and inside came a very sexy and shirtless Damon with breakfast.
"Good morning, sunshine." He said enthusiastically.

I blushed when he realized I was checking him out. Hell... I could wake up like that everyday.
"Like what you see?" He smirked and I bit my tongue and didn't answer.

He placed the breakfast on a small cupboard next to the bed and I just couldn't keep my eyes away from him.

He had a perfect six pack and muscular arms. He wore casual grey sweatpants and his hair were messy. He looked so handsome I felt nervous around him. Whenever I saw him, he always wore a suit or formal clothing, now he looked so causal and comfy it felt like I was staring at a completely different person.

When he stood there, in the door with breakfast in his hands, it felt like that's how I wanted to start every day.
I also couldn't keep my eyes off of the breakfast, it looked delicious and I was very hungry. There was a stack of pancakes with syrup, bacon and eggs, a chocolate muffin, orange juice and a deliciously looking coffee.

He looked at me and I bit my lip. There was silence in the room for good 2 minutes while he eyed me carefully up and down. I realized I must look like a mess.

He noticed me blushing and began,
"There are clothes for you to change into in the bathroom, there are also fresh towels."
I nodded and he pointed at the food,
"Eat up." He ordered and he walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

After I stuffed myself with breakfast I went to the bathroom and gasped. It was beautiful.
I immediately saw the pile of clothes and towels, all neatly folded.

I tried to take my dress off, but the zip was far at the back and out of my reach. I tried and I tried for a good 5 minutes but I just couldn't reach it.

"D-Damon!" I shouted.
I saw a very confused Damon Queen as he walked towards me and into the bathroom. He was about to say something but I began first,
"I can't unzip my dress." I looked down and held my breath. I tried my best not to blush.
He looked at me and smirked.

He walked behind me and grabbed my waist. He pulled me closer to him and I could feel his breath on my neck. He gently took my hair to one side. I was nervous... and I didn't even know why.

Then, he began to unzip my dress. Slowly and carefully.
Then, he walked out, and as if nothing happened, closed the door behind him.

I took a hot shower and changed into the clothes he gave me. There was a tight grey shirt with mid sleeves and tight black leggings. They fitted perfectly on me.

After I came out of the bathroom, I went out of his bedroom into what looked like a breathtaking living room. I remember running out of here the other day.
I sighed.

I was in Damon's Queen penthouse.
He was a ruthless billionaire who only cared about himself.
He was known for sleeping around with women and killing in cold blood.

You know nothing about him.
Get the fuck out of here, Natalie!

There was no sigh of him so I rushed back to his bedroom, grabbed my stuff and headed for the elevator.

As I nearly reached my destination he, out of nowhere, stood in from of me blocking my way.
I held my breath as I looked at him in fear, he was now wearing a formal white shirt and black trousers. His hair were a little wet so I assumed he was taking a shower.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked, a little hurt.
"H-home." I stated and held my breath.
"Home?" He asked, sarcastically.

Suddenly, he raised his hand, and I flinched.
I immediately regretted it because he actually had no intention of slapping me and I just showed him that I was used to such behavior, or expected it.
I kept looking down.

"Natalie. Look at me." He ordered but I couldn't move. It felt weird to hear him say my name.
"Look at me." He ordered harshly and coldly. I still didn't move.
I felt his hand on my chin making me look at him straight in the eyes.

"Why did you flinch like I was going to slap you? I would never hurt you."
Yeah, sure.
He looked at me with pity and I couldn't find any words to say.

"I just want to go home." I stated, my voice shaky. He nodded.
"I'll drive you back."
"No, I'll be fine." I tried to argue.
"I wasn't asking." He stated.
Of course he wasn't.

The drive to my apartment was silent making me think as the cold reality hit me.

I was unemployed.
Soon to be homeless.
I spent a lot of money on tequila.
That fucking tequila...

And a guy I thought was alright tried to force a way into my pants.
Oh, and I made myself a fool in front of Damon Queen.

When I ran away, I knew it would be hard to get a life in such a city like this, but I never thought I would fail at it so badly.

I had 2 options, I could go back and live the rest of my life in torture and utter pain.
Or I could starve on the streets.
Either way, it's not living.

It's like I was born to live in pain and constant danger.
A tear made its way onto my cheek and I wiped it away carefully, so that Damon wouldn't notice.
The traffic was awful. It would take at least half an hour to get through this.
I sighed.

"How's the work at the Café going?" Damon asked breaking the silence.
"Um... good." I lied because I didn't want him to think of me like I couldn't take care of myself. Even if I couldn't.

"Oh really? I've heard they went bankrupt and fired all their workers. Is that true?"

I held my breath, staring only at what's in front of me, even though we were standing in traffic for 5 minutes, probably not going to move for the next 15.

I could feel his stare on me as he took my silence as a yes.
"So you don't have a job?"
Yes. And soon I'm not going to have a home. Interesting right?

I sighed.
"Yeah..." I answered not to make him angry.
"Hmm.." he looked deeply in thought but I dared not to ask him what he was thinking about.

"Is that why you were drinking?" He asked straight away and I held my breath.
I could feel his stare on me so I just nodded.
It looked like I couldn't handle my life. Because actually, I couldn't.
We fell into an another silence of awkwardness.

Why do I have to ruin everything? I'm just like he told me for all those years, useless. I can't keep a small fucking apartment and a job.
I always ask for too much. Why did I even think I could have a life? I guess I was just too caught up in my fantasies...

I didn't realize I started to shake in my nervousness. I looked at Damon just to find that he was already staring at me.

I couldn't look at his judging stare. I turned around and saw that the sky was soon to be pitch black. The clouds were nearer and nearer until it was very dark, and then the rain dropped.

It was raining heavily and I began to shiver.
I could see all the lightning and hear the loud thunder.
God I hate lightning and thunder.

I jumped in fear as I saw a bright lightning followed by loud thunder.

"Scared, much?" He smirked sarcastically.
I just looked at him like I was about to stab him with 20 knives.

"So how are you going to keep your apartment?" He asked changing the topic.
"Why do you care?" I said a little too soon.
He looked at me as if I just really offended him. I shivered as I felt his cold stare.

I leaned my head against the glass window and watched the heavy rain.
He still didn't stop looking at me.
For a moment I caught his gaze and I looked him in the eyes, him staring back at me.
Somehow, I didn't feel scared of the thunder anymore, I felt safe.
I felt safe with him.

He broke the silence once more, making me slightly jump in surprise.

"Work for me."