by Mia Ford
Incidentally, that also meant that she had a full-time salary. He was offering her a hundred thousand dollars to do all this, as well as bonuses and tips whenever he saw fit. She would also get bonuses for going on vacation with him and his family, which seemed to her like a two-fold benefit.
Altogether, this whole deal seemed like an absolute dream come true. The pay would be more than enough to satisfy Calvin, and that was what he had seemed most concerned about. In addition, he would be saving money that he could have been spending on food. He could probably also move into a smaller apartment by himself, since she would be living at Davenport’s home.
Secretly, Veronica was grateful for the opportunity to move away from Calvin and spend her time elsewhere. Living together had, in her opinion, not really served to benefit their relationship. Spending so much time together, in her opinion, seemed to subtract from their intimacy, and caused them to fall into a pattern. To Veronica, it seemed like the separation would, in fact, be a good thing.
Veronica determined that she did, in fact, want to take the job. The money alone was too good to pass up, and all the other factors only served to make her more determined to go through with it. She would listen to what Calvin had to say about it, and truly listen to what he had to say, but ultimately the decision was hers, and she had all but made it.
“So,” Veronica spoke as she gathered up all the papers into one pile. “What do you think? Calvin seemed deep in thought, his eyebrows meeting in a frown in the center of his head. His fingers stroked over his chin as he thought, and Veronica fought the temptation to roll her eyes.
“Well I think the pay is a great deal,” Calvin offered, though his tone did not seem very thrilled. “And the duties outline in the subscription don’t seem too far out of the norm of what you do at anyone else’s house for a lot less money than what he’s offering you.”
Veronica nodded silently. She could already tell that there was a ‘but’ coming up, and she was already preparing her rebuttal.
“I have to be honest with you though,” Calvin said, and ran a hand over his face. “I don’t really like the idea of you taking up residence over there. It just seems like a little bit too much to ask, in my opinion.”
“Well,” Veronica said slowly, folding her hands in her lap. “He did explain that the reason he wants me there as a permanent resident is just to take care of the kids. He probably just doesn’t want to deal with wet beds and kids coming up to him to talk about bad dreams. He probably just wants to be able to come home and have a good night’s rest.”
Calvin blinked, and frowned.
“I don’t know,” Calvin shook his head. “I just really don’t think it’s the most… appropriate thing for you to live there.”
Veronica felt the first sparks of irritation.
“The contract explained that several of his household staff reside there,” Veronica explained as calmly as possible. “And my situation would be no different.”
Veronica watched as Calvin seemed to undergo some kind of internal struggle. She knew that he wanted to say something, but was obviously reluctant to do so.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked him as gently as she could.
Calvin looked over at her and released a sigh.
“I mean it’s just,” Calvin said softly, and gestured to the room around him. “We have this great setup here. We moved in together, we’re in a serious relationship. I think we’ve got a great thing going here. And to just lose all that for the sake of a job? I don’t know. The job is supposed to help supplement all this, not lose it altogether.”
Veronica listened, and she supposed he was making good sense. Still, as much sense as he was making, she couldn’t really bring herself to completely agree.
“Well you make a good point,” Veronica said, speaking as slowly and gently as she could. “But honestly, what we have here together… is it really that great?”
Calvin’s face fell, and then contorted into an expression of confusion. Veronica nearly groaned, knowing that their conversation was now going to take a much different turn.
“What do you mean?” Calvin asked, shifting on the couch to face her more head on.
“I think…” Veronica paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. “I think that maybe the situation we’ve created for ourselves is not the situation that’s for the best in the long run.”
An expression of hurt passed over Calvin’s face, and he said nothing. Veronica felt a twinge of guilt, but she knew that she had opened the door, and that she couldn’t very well close it now.
“All we’ve managed to do by living together,” Veronica explained slowly. “Is fall into a routine, and lose all the variety in our life. There’s no spontaneity. There’s no romance. We have a set schedule. We barely go out because you’re so disappointed by the way I conduct my work and you’re worried we’ll go broke.”
As she spoke, Veronica started thinking less and less of how it would impact Calvin, and more about how good it felt to finally get some of these frustrations off her chest.
“I am grateful to live here, and at first it was nice to live with you,” she went on. “But now, I just feel like I’ve been here for the past ten years. We live together, but it’s like all that I do create more problems, without the added benefit of closeness and intimacy. Speaking of which, we also barely ever have sex anymore, and what’s the point of even having our own place together if we don’t even need the privacy.”
Calvin looked shocked by the admission, and she could tell that her comment about their sex life had made him a little uncomfortable.
“I’m… sorry,” Calvin shook his head. “I had barely even noticed.”
“Calvin,” Veronica said, her tone slightly accusing. “I try to come onto you every single night, and I’m lucky if I get any kind of action every two weeks. I hate to break it to you, but that’s really not enough for me. And it certainly doesn’t justify staying here where I have to pay rent when I could just live somewhere else and get paid to do it.”
Calvin still looked a little affronted, and Veronica could all but see the wheels turning in his head as he processed her words.
“I just really think,” Veronica said softly, reaching out to place her hand on his knee. “That this situation could end up being really good for us. We can both spend some time on our own and figure things out for a little while. And eventually, maybe we can try living together again. But for now, I think it will be better if I move out, and you could find a smaller place to live on your own. The contract did say he would pay to break the lease if it inconvenienced me.”
Calvin nodded, but was silent. He seemed a little dejected, and again Veronica felt a little guilty.
“Hey,” she said softly, looking over toward him. “Are you okay?”
“I think so,” Calvin nodded, giving her a small smile. “I just had no idea things were like that for you. I mean, I know I was riding you about your job. But I really had no idea you were feeling any of these other things.”
“Well,” Veronica said, shrugging. “I am.”
Calvin was quiet for another long moment. Veronica sighed and ran a hand over her face.
“Look,” she said, standing up from the couch. “I’m going to go take a shower, and you can think all this over. I’ve made my decision, but I can see you need time to process all this.”
Calvin looked up at her, and it looked as though he was about to speak, but he closed his mouth and nodded. Veronica nodded, too, and headed back into their bedroom to shower.
Veronica took her time, as much for Calvin as for herself. She had known this would be hard for him, and he deserved time to accept it. She knew that they still had things to discuss, like packing and a place for him to live. Ultimately, though, it was in essence a done deal.
Veronica got out of the shower and went through her post-shower moisturizing ritual, and then unwrapped her hair. She wrapped her towel around her body and then stepped back into the bedroom. Sh
e crossed to her dresser and withdrew a pair of shorts and a tank top, dressed herself in it, then returned to the bathroom to hang her towel up on the rack.
Veronica looked at herself in the mirror for a moment and released a soft sigh. She hadn’t expected for this decision to be so easy, and she felt a little guilty that she had hardly struggled with it at all, particularly given the specific circumstances. She knew, though, that if things between her and Calvin kept going the way they were, their relationship would be on a fast track to demise.
Veronica shut off the light in the bathroom and stepped back into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She blinked and sighed softly to see Calvin already laid out on the bed, looking over at her somewhat expectantly.
Silently, Veronica moved to get on her side of the bed, then covered herself with the comforter. She was more than a little surprised when Calvin scooted closer to her, pressing his side to hers. She looked up raising both her eyebrows.
Calvin said nothing, but lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. Veronica blinked in surprise, and softly kissed him back, juts as an instinctive reaction. Calvin deepened the kiss a little, and moved his hand to cup her cheek.
Veronica knew that this was just Calvin trying to respond to her complaints with a display of intimacy, and that she should stop him, knowing very well that it wasn’t going to change her mind. Still, they hadn’t been intimate in what felt like ages, and Veronica couldn’t help but feel her body respond.
Calvin’s hand moved lower, and he took up the hem of her tank top. Veronica raised her arms so she could help him to raise it up over her head. He disposed of the shirt, and then removed his own. Calvin kept himself in fairly good shape, and he sported a lean, toned physique.
Veronica felt Calvin’s hand at her hips, and she allowed him to lower the shorts down her legs. Calvin kissed the top of her thighs, and ran his hand between them. Veronica moaned a little as he brushed against her slit.
“Sorry,” she whispered. She knew that Calvin didn’t like for her to make any kind of noise, always afraid he would get a reputation for annoying his neighbors.
Calvin said nothing, and kidded a line up her thigh to her hip, and then over to her mound. Veronica tilted her hips up, and hoped that he would move lower. Calvin hadn’t given her oral since the early days of their relationship, and she certainly wished that hadn’t phased out of their relationship.
Alas, Calvin moved up her body, and she could soon feel his hardness brushing up against her thigh. She felt a surge of excitement, and she bit her lip to keep from voicing her excitement. She moved her hands to the waistband of Calvin’s shorts, and began to push them down over his hips and down his legs.
When the shorts were completely removed, Veronica looked up at Calvin expectantly. Calvin, in turn, shifted his weight and situated himself so that his tip was aligned with her slit, and before she could even anticipate the motion, he slid into her.
Veronica arched her back into his thrusts, and allowed a soft thrum of pleasure to fill her body. She arched up to meet him as he increased his pace, and she heard his breathing start to come in soft pants. She felt Calvin’s cock tighten inside of her and she felt him jerk a couple of times.
Veronica felt the familiar surge of disappointment as Calvin sighed to his completion, slowing his movements as he softened. Veronica was still twitching with her own desire, but the only feeling she was rewarded with was that of Calvin withdrawing from inside of her.
Calvin settled down beside her and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“Was that what you were missing?” he whispered softly into her ear.
Veronica offered him a smile, then reached to her nightstand and pulled out a few tissues to clean herself up at least minimally, then rolled out of bed to go to the bathroom and do a better job. She wet a washcloth with warm water and washed between her legs, then tossed it in the hamper before making her way back to bed.
She laid herself down and then turned off the lamp. Calvin leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Goodnight,” Calvin murmured softly into her ear.
“Goodnight,” Veronica answered. “I’m going to report to work tomorrow and sort out the details of my employment for Davenport.”
Calvin stiffened in the bed and was quiet for a long moment.
“If that’s really what you want,” he said a little shortly. “I can’t stop you.”
Veronica said nothing. He was right, and they both already knew it. With a sigh, she turned over onto her side and looked over at him.
“It’s a good opportunity,” Veronica said softly.
“I know,” Calvin nodded, offering her a smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “I just… pictured all this a little differently.”
“Me too,” Veronica lifted her hand and cupped his cheek.
They remained that way for a moment, silent.
“Well,” Calvin sighed, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “I guess we’d better get to sleep.”
“Yeah,” Veronica murmured.
“Well, goodnight,” Calvin said, and settled down into the bed.
“Goodnight,” Veronica responded, and settled into the bed as well.
She felt Calvin wrap his body around hers, and she didn’t protest. She knew that this would be the last night they spent together for a long while. She wanted to feel more sentimental, but the feelings never stirred within her. She simply made herself comfortable and fell asleep.
When Veronica’s alarm went off in the morning, she was a little surprised to find that Calvin was no longer in bed with her. She looked around for a moment, wondering if he was in the shower. She listened for a moment to try and tell if he was in the kitchen, but she heard nothing.
She rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, brushing her teeth. She realized about halfway through that she was headed to Davenport’s estate today, and her stomach fluttered with excitement, and not entirely about getting such an incredible job. She wondered if Davenport would be there to greet her himself, or one of his associates.
Veronica scolded herself for her wayward thoughts. She may be moving out, but she was still with Calvin, and Davenport was off limits.
Veronica moved out of the bathroom and headed to her closet. She carefully selected a simple outfit of a white blouse, a black blazer and a matching pencil skirt. She would likely have to be more practical with her wardrobe in the future for her tasks around the house, but for her first day she figured something nicer couldn’t hurt.
Once she was satisfied with her wardrobe, she considered the fact that she was to start living there immediately. The paperwork had said Davenport would arrange movers to come to her apartment and collect her items, but he had perhaps not accounted for the fact that she lived with Calvin.
So, she collected a few sets of clothes, and put them into a small suitcase. Then, she would speak with Davenport about her situation, but still be able to stay there as per his request. When she was fully packed, she gathered up her suitcase and purse and headed down to the ground floor of their apartment building.
Veronica stepped out onto the street and reached into her pocket for the business card that had been among the papers Davenport had given her. The number on the card was for a driver that would take her to the estate. She felt a flash of nerves and excitement and dialled the number.
“Thomas Elkhart speaking,” a man answered after the first ring. Veronica recognized it as the name on the card.
“Hello,” Veronica said, feeling a little awkward. “I’m Veronica Lawrence, I’m starting work at Mr. Davenport’s estate today. I was told to call this number to get there.”
“Certainly Miss Lawrence,” the man answered pleasantly. “I have your address right here and I will be there to collect you shortly.”
“Oh,” Veronica blinked in surprise. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” the man said, and the phone went dead.
Veronica felt another flash of nerv
es and excitement. She set her suitcase on the sidewalk and sat on top of it as she waited. It was not long until a car pulled up on the curb just in front of her. She stood, and the driver, fully dressed in a crisp black suit, stepped out of the car.
“Miss Lawrence?” he asked her, a smile on his face.
“Yes,” Veronica nodded, moving to pick up her suitcase, but he beat her to it.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he said kindly, moving to put her suitcase in the trunk of the car. “I’m Thomas.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Veronica replied.
Thomas moved to the rear passenger’s side door and opened it for her. Veronica stepped into the car and allowed him to close the door behind her. She buckled her seatbelt, and waited for Thomas to seat himself in the driver’s seat.
Soon, they were moving back on the road. Veronica felt her heart pounding in her chest as they navigated outside of the city and into the more richly populated areas on the outskirts. More and more space began to form between homes, until the countryside surrounded them.
Finally, they turned down a long driveway and approached a large gate between brick pillars. Thomas pressed a button on a remote he had on him, and the gate began to draw back and open, allowing them access to the rest of the driveway.
Veronica allowed herself to look ahead, and her jaw nearly dropped as she took in the sight of his home. It was not quite a mansion, but it was still a very large home. She could see that outside was a pool house, and there was surely a pool to go along with it. There was a fountain in the circle drive, and there was yet another gate to pass, this one situated between more brick columns, but gold instead of the black of the first.
Thomas once again pressed a button on the remote, and the gate opened inward. Thomas drove into the circle drive, and he stopped when they were in front of the entry to the home.
Thomas stepped out of the car and moved to her door, then opened it. He offered his hand to her and she took it, allowing him to help her onto the driveway. He stepped away to get her suitcase out of the trunk.