37

Just like the night before, right before 7 pm, Damon was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for me. Watching his eyes light up when he saw in me in tight fitting black dress. Liz did a wonderful job picking out this little number, including the matching stiletto heels. I had to admit it was fun digging through my old jewelry box to find the perfect jewelry to match.

Before I reached Damon, he motioned for me to turn around so he could admire my outfit. “You look exquisite my darling.”

Choking back a gaging sensation, I forced myself to blush, using the skills I’ve learned while working at the club with Angel. When Damon smiled, I knew it had worked and he was just as easy to push over as the other perverts who spent their paychecks watching me dance.

“Thank you.” I said, as I took the arm he offered to me. Once again making our way to the dining room, Damon pulled out my chair, allowing me to take my seat.

Damon and my father quickly took took theirs and the conversation between them started. Here I was, just meant to sit there and be a pretty ornament. After a while of listening to their stupid male babble, I cleared my throat. Not surprised that I was ignored; I cleared my throat much louder. Finally, they acknowledge my presence.

Damon turned to me. “So how was your day sweetheart? Did you keep yourself busy?”

It was about time, I had been waiting for this moment. Now I prayed I could pull this off with sincerity.

“Well it was a really enjoyable day.” I started off. I told them about packing up my old things and giving them to charity. Damon seemed impressed with the gesture, while my father just puffed out his cheeks. It wasn’t until I told them about throwing a picnic for the staff the my father’s face turned red.

“What in the hell did you do that for. I don’t have money to just throw around on feeding every one that sets foot through those doors. It’s it enough that I pay them their wages and give them two weeks vacation?” He huffed.

Great! Exactly what I was hoping for.  “Well Father, I think it’s time that the house is ran by a woman. I’m sure it’s been lacking certain details since Mother’s passing.”

I watched him turn his attention away from his wine as he looked at me. “What do you mean Vivian? I am perfectly capable of running this household.”

“I never thought you weren’t, but I also know that a woman’s touch is also needed when it comes to society and events. Sooo, I’ve been thinking… and I want you two to really listen to me before you interrupt me and shut me down. Can you both do that for me?”

“Whatever do you want now?” My father asked dryly.

“Thomas, let us just hear her out. We don’t know what she wants until she asks.” Damon interjected.  

I couldn’t help but smile. I knew Damon was trying his hardest to win me over, and this could only work to my advantage.

“Thank you Damon.” I began. “Well, you both know that I didn’t want this marriage and that I didn’t want to move back here. This all happened against my will.”

“Dammit girl, don’t start with that shit.” My father interrupted.

“Thomas!” Damon giving him a warning tone. “Go on sweetheart. What were you trying to say.”

“Yes… okay… anyway, this all happened against my will and I have just two choices as I see it. The first one is to continue to fight you both tooth and nail until the day I die or the other is to give in and make the best of it.” I paused for a moment to see what they would say.

“And?” Damon asked.

“Well, Damon the truth is, I don’t love you. I don’t know you well enough to love you. I don’t know if I’ll ever love you. What I do know is last night you did show me some compassion and the glimpse of a real person deep inside you. With that being said, I am not allowing you back into my bed, but I am allowing you to try to do what you should have done in the being and woo me. Treat me how I should have been treated in the first place. See what we can make out of this relationship. I can’t promise that I will ever love you the way you want me too, but it is the best that I can offer.” I told him, hoping her believed in my bold face lie.

Damon sat there. His eyes wide with the possibility of what I was laying out before him. I could totally see the wheels turning. “So you’re saying that I have to give you time.”

“Yes, but not only time. You need to show me that you’re worth the effort to learn to love. So far all your actions have shown me is you’re a douche.” I told him. I could tell I just verbally slapped him across the face.

“Vivian!” My father bellowed as his fist came crashing down on the table. “You need to remember who you are talking to. Damon is your husband, you are to respect him.”

I bit my lip to keep from cracking up laughing. Thankfully, Damon saved me before I lost all composure.

“Thomas, she’s right. I have not treated her right.” Damon told him.

“You’ve treated her better than the little whore deserves.” My father came back with.

Damon clinch his fists and pull them under the table before speaking again. “Thomas as much as I respect you, you must realize that the person you are calling a whore is not only your daughter but my wife. If you want either of us to continue to live under this roof, you will learn to speak to her with respect.”

I had to admit that I was in shock. Completely in shock. Here he was actually standing up for me. Shaking my head I cleared the thought, remember my true agenda. Listening to my father huff and puff, he just nodded in agreement before taking a huge gulp of wine. We sat in silence for a moment before Damon asked.

“So what else is it you want my darling?”

I knew this was my chance. “Well, since I am her and I am technically lady of the house, I want to run the household.” I told them.

“This household is run perfectly fine. I will not spend another dime in its upkeep.” My father grunted.  

“I happen to disagree. I believe that we are short on staff and we don’t treat them well. I bet you haven’t given Jose or Hilda a raise in years?” I challenged him.

“That is none of your business.” He bellowed.

I knew at that moment I had him. “That is where you are wrong.” I said, refusing to raise my voice to his level.

“Really and how so?” My father challenged me back.

Laughing a little. “Well from my understanding the house you live in and the money you use to keep it going is technically mine. I believe everything was to come to me after my 18th birthday and that day has come and gone.”

“So. I am your father. I have all rights to keep things running as they were, since you decided to up and leave me hear, all alone.  You deserted me.” He grunted.

“You know why I left.”

“You left me, your father. Do you have no sense of loyalty at all?” He had the balls to ask me.  

“Loyalty, you want to talk to me about loyalty. I know your blood runs through my veins, but that only goes so far. You should be grateful that I never turned you in for killing my mother.” I cried. “I saw what happened that night.”

“Here we go again. The gun went off. It was an accident.” He roared. “I loved your mother.”

“No, you loved her money!”

“Vivian!”

“Don’t’ Vivian me.” I told him. “The fact of the matter is the house and the money are mine. If you want to push me, go ahead. You can always push me further and I’ll lawyer up, just so I can kick your old wrinkly ass out on the streets.” I told him.

I watched him turning red as he turned to Damon. “Are you going to allow her to talk to me like that?”

“Well, if what she says is correct, you really don’t have a leg to stand on Thomas. I hate to say it, but it’s true.” Damon told him.

Well hot damn, he’s actually standing up for me.  

My father huffed and buffed for a few moments. I watched as he’s calm himself down, just to get pissed off in his next breath. Patiently I waited for him to gather his bearings.

“So, what do you want girl?” He finally said.

“I told you what I want. I want to run the house. I want to be placed in charge of all household activities, which of course I’ll run everything by the both of you.” I threw in the last bit to help them swallow this pill a little easier. “Is it so wrong of me to want to fulfill some purpose here?”  

“Okay, you want to run the house…  I still want to know why?” Father asked once more.

If he only knew the real reason why, I’m sure I’d be locked in my rooms unable to leave them again. “Dammit, is it so hard to believe that all I want is to help make things run smoothly. Am I not going to be running my own household one day? Am I not going to be allowed to become a proper wife, holding my place within society?”  

Waiting in silence for a few minutes, I wondered who would speak first. Even I had a hard time swallowing what I just said. It seemed like an eternity before Damon finally spoke.

“Thomas, I don’t see why not. If she spends over the allowance already set forth for the household, I’ll cover the overages. Expenses are going to go up any way with us leaving her. So I don’t see any harm. Especially, if what she says is true in regard to her inheritance.”

I watched my father’s eyes light up a little. Dollar signs always seem to have that effect on him.  “Fine, I’ll get you a copy of the household expense report. Anything over, you’ll pay for. Agreed.”

I watched as my father and Damon shook on this agreement, falling right into my plan. Now I need to figure out how to drive a wedge between them. Thankfully, Damon already gave me a clue.