Once Upon A Prostitute

CHAPTER 31 - WALLS CRUMBLING

Luke

The sound of rattling locks woke me up. Looking out through the open window, I see the sun is just starting to rise. She'd been out all night. I came in yesterday to an empty caravan. Another sleepover? I had tried calling her, but it kept going to voicemail. Her number was either switched off or out of coverage, and since Twinhills is within the coverage area I'm guessing she switched it off.

Why are girls so difficult? Fine, I messed up with that comment about her not being like Olivia. But I was angry, and people say stupid things when they're angry. Her phone conversation with that Dagogo had me feeling some kind of way - like she was cheating on me. I know, it doesn't make sense because we are not even in a relationship. But if we're sleeping together, I expect some level of exclusivity even though we've never talked about it.

Maybe I'm getting too comfortable. Why else would I be trying to make amends? I had sent messages saying I was sorry, which trust me, was not an easy thing for me to do. She didn't reply. I had called but she didn't answer. I came over and she had gone for a sleepover. What more did she want?

I rouse myself and sit up as she walks into the room. She freezes when she sees me.

''Nice sleepover?'' I ask dryly. ''A heads up would have been nice.''

Then I notice she was not wearing sleepwear. She is still dressed in an evening gown, just like when playing the piano. It is a blue gown that stops half-way between her knees and ankles, and it clings to her curves. Her hair looks quite dishevelled, making me quirk an eyebrow. Who the hell did she have a sleepover with?

She turns and walks out of the room, completely ignoring me. I follow her to the kitchen.

"Where were you?'' I query as she rinses a mug and fills it with water. She takes a sip, then sets it down on the sink.

"Out'' she said lowly.

There is something off about her. She looks weary, and her shoulders slump in a dejected way. She has that faraway sad look in her eyes that I have glimpsed so many times before she hid it behind a smile. It didn't bother me too much that I barely knew any thing about her, but now I want to know everything about her. Why she has those nightmares, why she looks so sad when she thinks I'm not watching, who she talks to at night when she thinks I'm asleep, who she spent last night with. The last thought had me clenching my fist in anger.

''where were you?'' I demand.

''What do you care?'' she asks in an emotionless voice.

''I won't have you being with other guys while we have something going on. If you're seeing someone...'' I say curtly.

''But you can have multiple women?" she cuts in, then chuckles. "Oh I forgot, I'm the substitute. The sidepiece. I can't complain''

I furrow my brows. ''What are you even talking about? Who said you're the substitute?''

''You didn't have to'' she snaps. ''You make it obvious enough. You have a beautiful relationship with your perfect girlfriend, and then you come here, sneaking in the dark like Oliver twist looking for dessert. You come here, get what you want, and then you leave like nothing happened." she pauses and draws in a shaky breath. "What are you even doing with me?''

Mina...''

"I know I'm the fucking substitute, but don't you ever come here and question me about my whereabouts because I don't owe you any loyalty.'' she says with eyes blazing.

''Okay..., calm down'' I say. "Let's talk about this. Decide some boundaries...''

''I think you should leave'' she says and crossed her arms across her torso.