Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“Are you trying to ask me to be your friend?” he asked.
Beth took a deep breath. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”
“No, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. I don’t … have friends,” he said.
“So maybe you and I could do something radical, and perhaps be friends?” She didn’t even know why she was suggesting this. There was so much about Rome she didn’t know.
“You want to share all your secrets with me?” he asked.
“You’ve already got my two biggest.”
“What?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes, and then sighed. “That I was a virgin, and how I feel about my brother—my desire to leave him so I can go out and have a place of my own.”
“They’re secrets?”
“Two that no one else knows, not even my brother.” She looked at him with a smile on her lips, and she looked so sexy. “It’s an offer, Rome. I’m here if you want or need a friend.”
She started to walk away and even though Rome knew he should let her go, for some odd reason he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“Why?” he asked.
“Why what?”
“Why would you offer me your friendship after everything I have done?” he asked. “You’re not here of your own free will. I gave you an ultimatum, and you’re giving me the offer of friendship. Do you see the double standard here?”
She chuckled. “I see the double standard, but I don’t care. I might also have to mention that my parents found me a little weird. Even though you’ve done what you’ve done, Rome, you’ve treated me with more respect in the last five days than my brother has in the last five years.”
****
Rome was not going to take her up on her offer. He didn’t need to talk about his past or his feelings. What happened, happened.
She didn’t need to know that after his mother left, his life went from dark to hell. His father had always beaten his mother, at least that was what Rome could remember. The endless nights of listening to her scream and beg for him to stop. From a young age, Rome hated his father.
That was not going to stop. He didn’t know what finally got his mother to snap, but one night she was cooking dinner that was not good enough for his father. The food ended up on the floor, and that was where he made her eat her own food from. The next morning, when he woke up, she was gone.
His father had been so enraged. For the first time in years, though, he’d started to rant at no one. He’d start by threatening to kill her, hunt her down, and drag her back, make her pay for her insolence. For an entire week, his father went out hunting for her, and each night, he came back empty. Rome remembered getting the punishment for her insolence, and for his failure. He’d get whipped until his father couldn’t hit anymore.
Then, the next morning would come around and it would all start again. He’d not thought about this in a very long time.
Staring across his office room, it was dark outside, and he suddenly heard movement. He got up from his seat, knowing it had to be Beth walking around. His door was partially open, and he watched her sleepily come down the stairs and turn in the direction of the kitchen. She looked so tired, and he couldn’t help but follow her. He stood outside the kitchen as she went to the freezer and grabbed a carton of ice cream.
“You don’t have to stare at me from the kitchen door,” Beth said. “Am I allowed to get ice cream, or will Philippe be pissed at me?”
Rome smirked because she looked so tired and yet grumpy.
“What woke you up?” he asked.
He’d been working all afternoon, well into the evening. He skipped dinner, knowing Beth would be alone, but he didn’t wish to continue his conversation with her.
“Bad dream,” Beth said. “My entire night is now screwed.” She grabbed a spoon and opened the carton of ice cream.
“A bad dream?”
“Nightmares, I get them from time to time.” She frowned as she lifted out a scoop. “What time is it anyway?” She spoke before sliding some ice cream into her mouth and turning toward the oven. “Two-thirty.” This time she spoke with her mouth full and a groan. “Why?”
“So, no chance of you going back to bed?” he asked.
“Not usually.” She pouted. “But don’t you worry about me. I’ve got ice cream and a good movie, or a bad one. Whichever one I find in your movie room. I’m sorry to disturb you.”
“You didn’t disturb me.”
“You know, I’m not sure you’re aware, but working late like you’re doing is not good for the soul.” She put the spoon back into the carton and tutted as she shook her finger back and forth.