Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I walked over to the Pier and stretched my legs, holding onto Drako’s leash. He was jumping around excitedly for what was about to happen. I don’t think Drako even knew what was going on, but he hopped around and happily waited until I finished my hamstring stretches. The sun had begun to rise and its rays started to spread out along the sky.
“Are you ready, Drako?” I asked him and he barked. I laughed and started a light jog; it had been months since I ran and I didn’t want to overdo it the first time out. My mind began to relax and the diner started to seep in. It was almost a week since it had last been open; there would be no way to save it now. Selling it wouldn’t be an option. The price we would get wouldn’t even pay the debt or the suppliers we owed money to. I could maybe sell off the equipment since they were paid off, but the money from that wouldn’t cover the back rent. The more I ran, the more I realized how screwed I was, but Daimon had bought me and my price included the diner. I was hoping he wasn’t about to change what he said. Even though I knew Daimon would never go back on his word, I was always apprehensive when it came to him. The more I thought the harder I ran. I didn’t realize how far I had gone until I reached the end of the boardwalk. I stopped, trying to catch my breath as Drako ran around me, almost tripping me with his leash. “I think it’s time to head back,” I said to him as he jumped and barked.
Once I regained my breath, I started to run back. It was amazing feeling free for the first time in a while. The business weighed heavily on my mind, but I felt like the chains that held me there were finally gone. Granted, they were now replaced with Daimon’s shackles. It’s funny though, it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. Yes, I hated him, but at least with him I didn’t have the same tiring obligations I did for my father or the diner. Daimon I didn’t care for, but my family I loved more than anything in the world.
“Good morning, Ms. Addie. I see you just came back from a jog,” Phil said as we both made it back to the penthouse.
“Yeah, despite being September the weather is really great,” I said as I entered. I took out the key card Daimon had given me and slid it in. Drako kept jumping to get my attention. “What is it? You want me to hold you?” I asked as I reached down and he jumped willingly into my arms. I laughed as I held him. The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside.
I could hear faint murmurs and some laughter, as I walked toward the living room. I could see the dog walker with her hand on Daimon’s arm as she laughed at some stupid joke he must have said. The blood within me began to bubble over. Drako started to growl, making them both look our way. She stood frozen like she was caught red handed, while Daimon smirked as if he couldn’t wait to watch what I’d do. I weighed my options. Should I tell her off? Why should I? If he wants to claim that I'm his, shouldn’t he be the one to be faithful?
“I'm here to walk the dog,” she said while stepping away from Daimon.
“Are you really? Then here’s the leash, you can take Daimon out now,” I said, throwing her the leash I held in my hands. She stood still not knowing what to do.
“Are you calling me a dog?” Daimon snapped.
“I'm not calling you anything. I'm telling you, you are a dog,” I smiled and put Drako down. “Then again, a dog is loyal, where you are not. Do what you want, Daimon. Oh, and dog walker?” She stood at attention as she looked at me. “You can have my sloppy seconds. If he was any good, I would have fought harder for him,” I said dismissively as I walked up the stairs while Drako followed close behind.
Asshole Daimon and his asshole ways. I stepped into the shower and began to wash the sweat and dirt off myself. Here I was, finally feeling happy this morning despite all that loomed over my head and Daimon had to fuck it all up with his flirting ways. I stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed and ready to go see my father when I was stopped by a seething Daimon.
“So I'm a dog now?” he hissed.
“Yes, you are,” I said. “I'm sorry. I'm confused, aren’t you the one who graduated from an Ivy League university? Did you really not understand my simple statement?” I asked, looking at him incredulously.