Chapter 116: My wife calls, I answer.

I spent the rest of yesterday in my bedroom.

I didnt even make it to my office. The thought of going downstairs and risking another encounter with either Sanchez brother is enough to make me pull my blanket over my head and pretend I no longer exist.

Unfortunately, pretending I don’t exist doesn’t stop my problems from existing.

And this morning, I have a new one.

My period.

I woke up with cramps twisting through my lower abdomen and an overwhelming desire to either cry or commit a crime. Possibly both, depending on how the day goes.

I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling.

Wonderful...Just fucking wonderful.

As if my life isn’t already a complete disaster, my uterus has decided to join the enemy.

I drag myself out of bed, take a long shower, and get dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a loose top. I consider wearing something prettier, but the thought of squeezing into anything tight makes my stomach cramp in protest.

Nope.

Comfort is the only thing I care about today.

I check my phone while brushing my hair and find a message from Victoria telling me that she wants to see me.

Perfect.

I call her.

"Hello, stranger," she answers.

"Don’t start."

She laughs. "Good morning to you too, sunshine."

"I woke up bleeding and cramping. If you value your life, don’t call me sunshine today."

"Oh, so we’re in that mood?"

"We’re in the mood where I might throw a chair at the next person who annoys me."

"Noted. Do you still want to meet?"

"Of course. Your ice cream shop. In about an hour."

"Done. I’ll save you the biggest bowl of ice cream we have."

"Make it two."

"You’re going to give yourself a stomachache."

"Victoria."

"Two bowls. Understood."

I hang up before she can say anything else.

Now I just need to inspect my office, get out of this house, eat enough ice cream to drown my sorrows, and avoid Lysander.

I grab my bag and leave my bedroom.

The house is quieter than usual, which I appreciate. I have no intention of meeting anyone....especially Lysander, if the universe is feeling particularly generous, I might not see him at all today.

A girl can dream.

When I reach the section of the house that has been converted into my workspace, I slow down.

The office is almost finished.

A genuine smile spreads across my face as I walk farther inside, inspecting the work.

True to lysander’s words every single person working here now is a woman.

One of the painters looks up and smiles politely before returning to her work.

I shake my head.

I appreciate that he took the situation seriously.

I do.

But did he have to turn my office into a women-only establishment? What’s next? Is he going to interview the delivery men before allowing them to bring my packages?

Perhaps I should ask him to install a security scanner at the entrance.

I snort to myself.

Ridiculous man.

Still, I can’t deny that the office looks beautiful.

I thank the woman nearest to me, tell her the work looks good, and make a mental note to bring my equipment over later.

Then I turn and head out.

I am almost at the entrance when someone approaches me.

"Hi, ma’am."

I stop and look at him.

He’s a young man, probably a few years older than me, dressed in a neat black shirt and dark trousers. He stands straight, but there’s a slight hesitation in his expression.

"The housekeeper mentioned you were heading out," he says.

"Yes. Why?"

He clears his throat.

"I’m your new driver and security, ma’am. Hakeem."

I stare at him.

"My what?"

"Your new driver and security."

I blink.

"Why?"

He looks momentarily confused by the question.

"Why what, ma’am?"

"Why do I need a new driver? What’s wrong with my other one?"

"He’s on leave. I’m taking his place."

"Oh."

I adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder.

"Great. I’m heading out, so drive me or hand over the keys."

The words come out sharper than I intend and I wince internally.

See? This is what my period does to me. It turns me into a tiny devil with an attitude problem.

Hakeem scratches the back of his head.

"About that..."

I close my eyes

I don’t have the patience for this.

"About what?"

"The boss asked me to inform him before we leave."

"Excuse me?"

"He said I should let him know whenever you’re going out."

I feel a muscle twitch in my cheek as I pull out my phone.

"Oh, don’t worry. I’ll inform him myself."

I find his contact and press call.

It rings a couple of times with no answer.

I pull the phone away from my ear and glare at it.

"Pick up, you infuriating...."

The call ends.

I take a deep breath, remind myself that murder is illegal, and call again.

This time, it rings longer, I am about to hang up when he finally answers.

"Nerissa?"

His voice is rough, slightly distracted.

"What’s wrong?"

I don’t bother with pleasantries.

"Why do I need your permission to leave the house?"

There’s a brief pause. Then I hear something in the background.

A sharp crack, another and then a cluster of gunshots, loud enough that I instinctively pull the phone away from my ear.

What the hell?

I stare at the screen before putting it back against my ear.

"Did you hear me?" I demand.

"Yeah."

Another burst of gunfire echoes through the phone. What in the actual hell is happening over there?

"Why do you need to know where I am at all times?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

A sudden spray of gunfire interrupts him. Then his voice returns, calm as ever.

"So you don’t get killed or....."

"No, wait!" I interrupt. "Where are you right now? Is that gunfire I’m hearing?"

"Yeah."

He says it so casually, as if I have just asked whether it’s raining outside.

"Yeah?" I repeat incredulously. "That’s all you have to say? Lysander, are you in the middle of a fucking shootout?"

"Work got a bit busy."

I squeeze my eyes shut.

"I am going to lose my mind."

"I’m currently in active gunfire, Nerissa."

"Oh my God!"

My voice shoots up several octaves.

"Do you have a death wish? What the hell is wrong with you? Why are picking my call during an active shot out?."

I hear what might be a chuckle.

A fucking chuckle.

"My wife calls, I answer."

I nearly drop my phone.

"This is not the time to be charming!"

"Have Hakeem send me your location. I’ll see you after."

"Lysander, don’t you dare...."

The line goes dead.