Taken (Dark Desires 1)

Veronica laughed. As she faded away into sleep, she basked in the feelings of contentedness that she was feeling after having gone so long without them.

For the next several weeks, Veronica’s life at Franks estate went much like the first several days. In the morning, the each worked out and then met for a rendezvous in the kitchen before the girls arose, and then they went their separate ways, Frank to his office and Veronica remaining at home to take care of the girls.

For her part, Veronica grew to feel like this was the home, and practically the family she had always wanted. When she was a little girl, she had always imagined what her life would be like as an adult, and this was very close if you subtracted the mansion-like home.

Every now and then, of course, she had her moments of doubt. She remembered that she was no more than an employee here, and in spite of Frank’s assurances that he had feelings for her and that his intentions were to win her over, the cynical part of her mind insisted that she was just a way for him to pass the time until the next nanny got there.

It was in these moments that Veronica felt exceedingly guilty for ever even entertaining the thought of cheating on Calvin. In spite of the fact that their relationship was less than thrilling, there had been nothing truly wrong with it. And up until recently, they had both been faithful to one another.

It certainly didn’t help that while she was delving into a potential relationship with Frank, Calvin was still trying hard to save theirs. It seemed that he had actually listened when she voiced her complaints about their relationship, and was actively seeking to build her up more. Unfortunately, he was only serving to fuel her guilt for being constantly unfaithful to him.

They spoke on the phone every day, though, and one day, Calvin suggested that she take an afternoon off and go see him. Veronica had no idea what to say.

“Just one afternoon,” Calvin pressed, his tone hopeful. “It doesn’t go against the terms of your contract. Davenport should be home at that time, right?”

“Yes, of course,” Veronica said. She didn’t know how to tell him how much the terms of their contract had changed in the time she had been there.

“Great!” Calvin said. “So that’s a yes?”

Veronica sighed, and ran her hand over her face.

“I can’t say,” Veronica said. “Davenport is my boss; I have to run it by him.”

“But I mean it shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Calvin said easily. “I mean he said he would allow you time off.”

“Yeah, of course, you’re right,” Veronica said a little snappishly, her emotional turmoil starting to rise to the surface.

“I mean, if it’s too much trouble for you, you can just forget about it,” Calvin said kindly, but Veronica could hear the disappointment in his voice.

“No, no,” veronica insisted. “Of course I want to go, baby. I just have to ask first, okay?”

“Okay,” Calvin answered, and his voice was filled with relief.

“I’ll talk to him about it tonight and I’ll tell you what he said tomorrow,” Veronica said. “And if it all goes well maybe we can set a date and time.”

“Great!” Calvin said, excitement evident in his voice. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow then. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Veronica said, her heart heavy. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” she heard Calvin say, and she immediately hung up the phone.

Veronica let out a long sigh and leaned back against the wall, shoving her phone roughly into her pocket. This whole thing was really starting to wear on her, and she didn’t know how much longer she could effectively keep it up.

“Calvin, I assume?” Veronica turned to see the familiar figure of Frank in the doorway.

Veronica nodded, and took in his appearance. He wore a pair of dark wash jeans and a grey cable knit sweater. He stood with his arms crossed and his brow raised, a somewhat cold look on his face.

“Please don’t look at me that way,” Veronica said to him.

“Fine,” Frank said, raising his hands, and then putting them into his pocket. “So are you going to ask me or what?”

Veronica’s brows met and she cocked her head at him, annoyed.

“So did you just eavesdrop on my whole conversation, or what?” Veronica asked.

“Well I couldn’t help but hear,” Calvin said, his voice very calm and measured.

“Well since you asked,” Veronica said, irritated. “Calvin wants to know if I can take an afternoon off to go on a date with him soon.”