Sugar Daddy

“Give me the pocket watch,” Daniel said, startling both of them.

She’d not even heard Daniel come toward them.

“Darling, we were just talking about—”

“I know what you were talking about. You thought I didn’t hear you. Threatening my girlfriend. You know the only reason I’m here. I want the pocket watch, and then I’m out of here.”

“You’re still after that stupid pocket watch. Even after all of this time. What about your name? Your legacy?”

“I never wanted it. I told you both that years ago. This is done. I want nothing from any of you.” He stepped toward his mother. “If you think to threaten what’s mine again, let’s see if I’ve become the master at raining down all kinds of hell on the both of you. Elizabeth, go and wait in the car.”

She nodded, and brushed past Susan, more than happy to get the hell out of that house. The mansion may look beautiful on the outside, but within it was evil. His parents were cruel people, and she hoped she never had to see them again.

Daniel didn’t take long, coming back to the car minutes later.

Within seconds they were driving out of the mansion, and onto the main road. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him pull out the pocket watch, handing it to her.

The gold was well worn, but over the years it had been cared for.

“Open it, read it,” he said.

She opened the watch, and turning on the light in the car, she read the inscription. “Daniel, never forget who you are, and make your own way with my blessing.” It was signed by his grandfather. “That’s all you wanted?”

“It means something to me.”

“Can your parents do that? Can they ruin me?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t let that happen.”

“But they can. You’re not going to be around forever, and even you said you’re not interested in relationships. They can do what they want, and it won’t bother you.”

“I’ve told you I wouldn’t let anything happen.”

“You can’t control everything, Daniel.” She felt tears fill her eyes, and she closed them. Everything his mother said scared her.

She’d fallen in love with Daniel, and she’d known it all along, but she’d been fighting it. She didn’t fit into that world, or any of his world. They’d met each other because he wanted sex without complications. She provided that.

“Don’t do this, Elizabeth. Damn it, don’t let her get to you.”

“I’m falling in love with you, Daniel. You don’t want that, or this, and I can’t … I can’t keep pretending that I don’t have feelings anymore. I’m sorry.”

She saw him grip the steering wheel even tighter.

“Elizabeth.”

“I want you to take me home, and then I don’t want you to talk to me or contact me in any other way. I don’t think I can handle the pain.” Speaking the truth didn’t help her, not one bit. In fact, she was even more brokenhearted because the truth was finally out.

He didn’t love her.

He’d never love her, and she’d fallen for him.

She’d broken his rules, and it would only be fair that she gave him a clean break.

“No,” he said. “This isn’t over. We were fine until we got there.”

She shook her head. “We weren’t fine. Not really. You want something and I thought I could give it to you, but I failed, Daniel. I failed you. I’m so sorry.” She looked at him through teary eyes. “I tried, but I love you.”

Wiping the tears away, she tried to ignore the pain as he didn’t say a word. They’d never had this much silence before, not that she could recall, and knowing he didn’t feel the same way, broke her heart.

What did you expect?

He didn’t promise anything.

He paid for everything.

Whatever happened, Elizabeth knew she would never be the same again.

****

Daniel gripped the steering wheel even tighter. His rage knew no bounds as he recalled what his fucking mother said to Elizabeth. She’d not given in, though. There hadn’t been a sum she’d been willing to settle for, but now he felt like the fucking loser.

He’d gained his grandfather’s pocket watch, and it had cost him Elizabeth.

Her words of love didn’t fill him with rage, and he couldn’t bring himself to respond to her. Time passed, and it didn’t feel long enough when he pulled up outside of Elizabeth’s apartment.

Everything in him screamed for him to stop her, but he didn’t. The rules he’d been clear on. Don’t fall in love with him. It was only sex.

It’s not just sex anymore.

She climbed out of the car and he followed her, grabbing her suitcase from the trunk. He held onto it a few seconds longer, and tugged her close. Normally, she fell against him, accepting the kiss.

This time, she didn’t. Her eyes were red from crying, and he felt like the biggest asshole in the world. He’d done this. He’d made her cry.