Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

Chapter 596: The Last Phone Call

It took Damien a few minutes later to lift his arm off his face. Then his gaze darted to the closed door where his father disappeared earlier. His father wasn't always vocal about his feelings, but when he did, it felt like a kick in his gut. He felt bad, and he didn't know what to do.

Trying to take his mind off it, he turned on his Sony PlayStation 2 and began playing Grand Theft Auto 3one of the most popular games that year. He played for about half an hour before someone knocked on his door. He pressed pause, thinking that it was his father again, but one of the servants came inside to serve him his dinner.

"I'm not hungry," he said before going back to his game.

"Young Master, your father said you need to eat even just a little. Your stomach needs to be filled for the medicine you need to take," replied the servant who was already setting up the tray of food on a folding table by his bed. Her name was Rose, and she was in her early thirties. "Please? I was told to force-feed you if I have to." She smiled. 

Damien gave the servant a look and clicked his tongue. "You're a player, Rose." Then he shut off his game and started to eat spoonfuls of porridge and chicken while the servant stayed at the side to watch him finish his food.

"Where's...my dad?" he wondered when he was halfway through eating.

"After cooking the chicken, I saw him come up to the second floor. I thought he came to your room. He left in his car about ten minutes ago."

Damien stopped eating, his fist curling as he became uneasy. His father must have been hurt by what he said to him earlier when they fought. He placed a hand over his chest as if that would make the uneasiness go away. "I'm full," he muttered, setting the spoon down the tray and turning away.

"Okay. I guess you ate enough. You should take your medicine. Good night, Young Master," greeted Rose as she put away the folding table and carried the tray out, closing the door behind her.

He took his medicines and sat up on the bed with his back against the tufted headboard. He thought about his father again and all the things he said. Even though he was rude to him, he still caredeven cooking dinner for him. His father didn't cook for him a lot; after all, they had chefs in the mansion. But his father knew how to work in the kitchen, and the food was always delicious. Even the simple chicken at dinner was good.

Looking at the time on the clock on his nightstand, Damien bit his bottom lip. It was five minutes to nine in the evening. He grabbed his flip phone and dialed his father's number. It rang several times and with every ring, he got more nervous. What if his father was ignoring his call because of what happened? 'No, that can't be He said he loves me,' said the voice in his head.

Just when he was about to end the call, the line connected.

"Hello, Son?"

He took a deep breath and released a sigh of relief. "Dad"

"What's up? Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

"N-No I just took my meds. It's uncomfortable, but I'll manage."

"Good. That's good. Are you going to bed?"

'Spit it out, you idiot. Apologize!' He swallowed. "I'm not sleepy yet. Where are you?"

"I'm in the city. I...I just needed to step out for a bit. Clear my head. Do you need anything?"

Damien felt like his chest was being squeezed, thinking that his father must have wanted to get out of this house because of their clash earlier. If only he wasn't in crutches and in a cast, he would also have probably run away to get out of this house for a bit. And yet his father was still concerned about him, asking if he needed anything.

"Dad I'm sorry about what I said to you. You're not...selfish. I was just mad because of my foot. I didn't mean my outburst."

His father sighed. "I know, Son. If only I can carry that injury for you, I will. Just...hang in there, alright? Everything will be okay."

This time, Damien could no longer hold it in. He sniffed and wiped the tears from his eyes, nodding even though his father couldn't see him. "Okay. What time will you be back?"

"While I'm already out here, I'll need to take care of something. I need to go meet someone. I'll be home after that."

"Will you wake me up when you come home? Just in case I fall asleep," he asked.

"You want that? Sure, Son, okay." There was shuffling in the background and some footsteps. He thought his father was already on the move. But before Lawrence ended the call, he added, "Listen...why don't we go somewhere or do something tomorrow? We can do whatever you want as long as you can keep your foot off the ground."

"But you have work tomorrow?"

"I'll take the day off. I've mostly done what I need to do anyway. And there's nothing more important than you. Okay? So is there anything you want to do?"

Damien blinked and shifted his gaze here and there. "Um I don't know Movies, I guess?"

"Great. Then we'll go watch a movie or two. I'll see you later, okay? I gotta go."

"Dad!" he called quickly, afraid that his father would end the call so fast.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry again. And I...love you. See you later."

He heard a soft sigh, hearing his father's last words before the call ended, "Love you too, Son."

***

Present January 20

Damien's eyes fluttered open when he felt two arms wrapping around his torso, pulling him out of the memory from many years ago. He didn't even hear the shower door open. Katherine pressed her naked front against his back and squeezed him.

"Are you upset that I brought up your father?" she asked.

He turned to face her. She was getting wet from the water, too, as they stood under the shower. He shook his head. "Just remembered something. I'm not upset with you. I'm okay."

"You sure? I called you twice when I entered, and you didn't hear me."

"Sorry. I got lost for a bit." He forced a smile and kissed her forehead.

Katherine released a sigh and nodded. "Tell me what would make you feel better"

Pushing a lock of hair behind her ear, Damien kissed her lipsslow and passionate. "You." Then he gently pushed her on the wall behind her and wrapped her leg around his hip.