“You could have in the past. But let’s get this clear and out of the way once and for all now. This is my home now and I do things differently. So, the next time you arrive unannounced you will be turned out. Am I understood?”

Her eyes flare and then a tear rolls down her cheek. “Why are you behaving like this?”

“Your tears will never ever affect me again. So, drop the act.”

“Damien, please...”

I raise a hand to stop her. “Enough! Let us not pretend that you’re here to visit on a whim. It’s clear as day to me that you have spies working for you here, giving you information about my whereabouts and who I bring into this house. Believe me when I say I will rain hell on them when I do indeed catch them and rest assured I will find out who is reporting to you.”

She flicks off a tear from her face and throws me a nasty glower. “So this is about her, isn’t it?” Celia rasps. “A girl you barely know.”

“What I do is none of your concern. And throwing our ages old history in her face was a disgusting move on your part.”

Celia laughs. The sound is shrill and evil to my ears.

“Oh, Damien!” she rasps. “You and I are meant to be. I have patience in spades and I will wait for you to come to your senses about this girl. You will come back to me. All this will be ours and we will be glorious together.”

“Fuck! You are delusional.” I stand up straight, looking down at her. “I want you gone, Celia. First thing in the morning, I want you out of my house.”

And with that statement I leave her there.

I’m convinced I left and disappeared because of this darkness and unhappiness that people like Celia, my brother and my parents brought to my life. I ascend the stairs to my room, the need to be with Aaliya beating a tempo inside me.

I open the door to my dimly lit bedroom and find Aaliya sprawled on my bed on her stomach wearing a short beige satin nightgown, her hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her legs are crossed behind her as she scrolls on her phone. She paints a pretty picture with her skin glowing incandescent in the gleam of the fire from the fireplace. She swings her legs back and forth behind her, oblivious to my entry. I capture a foot to stop that tantalizing motion and kiss her sole. She wriggles as she turns. I lay down beside her and both of us stare silently up at the ceiling. Her hand reaches for mine and she clasps it, twining her hands together.

After several moments I say, “I’m sorry Aaliya. I had hoped to give you a better first day here.”

She squeezes my hand in understanding.