Sinful Indulgence

5. Bloom

CHAPTER 5

BLOOM

Twelve guests in total. I sighed. The mini bar was already set by the time the well-groomed guests began trickling in. Expensive bottles of champagne were exchanged and soon enough only the excited chatter filled the house.

I set the last set of forks neatly on the dinner table, watching enviously as the group of people exchanged bits and pieces in the living room. I would never have what they have; freedom and that sucked more than anything at the moment.

"I must admit, you are quite efficient at your job. As a matter of fact, way better than my last maid," Jenna walked up to me. I was not sure if her words were literal or she was just making fun of me.

"I'm glad you find me efficient. With your permission I would like to retire early to bed. It's been such a long day,"

"I suppose there is no harm in that. Have a good night Bloom, “She sashayed back to join her group of rich, sophisticated friends.

I slowly retired upstairs and I was about to walk into my room when a voice from Vincent's home office caught my ears. It was clearly wrong eavesdropping on his conversation but something about his voice was literally a drug.

"Dammit Brandon! I have been waiting for you to arrive and now suddenly you are not coming? You have no idea what's it's like down there. Its non-stop medical talk...Hey, laugh all you want but one day it's going to be your burden to bear too," he paused and a second later, his sexy throaty laugh filled the silent hallway. Something about his laugh made tingles rush down my body.

I had been so lost in my imagination that I did not hear him ending his call or coming out of his office until he spoke.

"Bloom?" I loved the sound of my name on his lips but it was only ever going to be a thought in the back of my brain.

"Boss, “I dawdled in a small voice, trying to straighten up my form.

"Boss sounds rather formal, don't you think?” He advanced.

"I could call you Sir," I suggested modestly, unfruitfully ignoring his masculine cologne drifting into my nose.

"Or Vincent could just be fine, “The corner of his upper lip tilted into a smirk.

His palms found their way to his pockets and for a moment I was distracted by how his cream shirt tightened on his well-developed chest. I was pulled out of my reverie by his low chuckle. When I look up, I realized he was not laughing at me but rather at something on his phone.

"Well goodnight Si-Vincent, “I blurted out and proceed to walk inside my room but his grip on my arm stopped me.

A second later I was completely frozen, my breathing growing difficult. Jarred images of a man from my past conquered my mind. I tried to fight it off, to focus my mind on the present but it was difficult. I only realized seconds later that Vincent had been calling my name, tagging at my arm repeatedly. I snatched my arm away, afraid to see the look on his face.

"Are you okay?" He questioned with utmost concern.

"I'm fine. Have a great dinner with your wife, “I half smiled before dashing into my room.

With my back rested on the door, I sighed, ignoring the sudden pain clawing on my insides. I swallowed down, trying to push it to the back of my gut but that proved futile as well.

"Are you okay in there? “My eyes flew open at the sound of Vincent outside my door. He was still here? Why?

"I'm fine, “I replied, hoping my voice had not betrayed a thing.

"Okay, “He paused," Have a great night Bloom," he muttered and when I didn't reply, he began walking away, his footsteps receding into the distance.

I pushed myself to the walk in closet, stripped into my undergarments before walking to the dressing mirror. For a moment, I let my eyes shut afraid to see the scarred mess I'd become. After garnering enough ounces of energy, I forced myself to eyes open.

Staring back at me, were large brown eyes tainted with fear and hopelessness, layers of brown skin mapped with all manner of scars and the tattoo running cursively on the right side of my waist up to my mid chest. The name Raymond was what it read. Unconsciously I ran my fingers over it, letting tears of pain cascade down my cheeks my bare body. Maybe to an extent I deserved to feel the pain; every angle of it.