𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲

SALLY

26 years old

I took off the tie from my hair and let the brown strands fall around my shoulders.

The dark circles around my eyes were getting more permanent, not even the concealer was helping me anymore.

The bathroom I had in my room was small but very neatly organised. It had a shower stall, a sink, a big mirror and pretty led lights that I like to turn on when talking a shower.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth and threw on my black pyjama set that consisted of long pants and loose t-shirt.

I ran my fingers through my hair and got out of the bathroom. My room was better than what I expected I'll get when I started working here. I mean I was the only maid in the house so I didn't even know how things were going to work out.

When Mr. Ferriera offered me this job, I was pretty sceptical. I didn't really want to share a roof with a stranger but then I couldn't really think about it too much because I had no choice but to move out off my friends home.

I didn't want to be a burden to her anymore.

I have been working here for a year and I was able to say that this was the best job I have ever had till now.

It was only me but I didn't have a hard work. I cleaned around, did sir's laundry, sometimes cooked his dinner or breakfast and served him whatever he needed when he was back home from work.

He was not a messy person and he usually made his own food whenever he had time. It looked like he enjoyed being in the kitchen because it was where he was spending most of his time.

Sometimes he would invite me to eat with him and ask me about my opinion on his dishes.

He wasn't a very talkative person but he tried his best to communicate with me.

I sat on my bed and took a deep breath. I was never able to sleep peacefully. Not when my mind was always going to Ian.

I wanted him with me yet I knew I didn't deserve it. Nothing I did was going to make the situation better and actually make things right.

My gaze flew to his picture I had on my night stand and tears immediately started to sting my eyes. They fell down my face and I brought my hand to my chest, trying to rub the ache away.

I remember it like yesterday when I found out that I was pregnant. I was not prepared for it but still my heart told me that things were going to be alright.

At that time I wasn't in the best place mentally but I thought I was able to make things work. I was going to stop drinking and smoking weed. And I did. Even though getting high and drunk was taking my mind off of things, I was going to do better for my son.

After Aiden died and my parents left, instead of getting closer to my sister, I pushed her away. I thought the only person who was able to help me was Wayne. And he did. He was there for me.

Our relationship was toxic from the start but I was too blind to see it.

He didn't react in any way when I told him about my pregnancy but he told me that he was going to be there for me and our baby.

Things kind of started getting better and soon I gave birth. I held my little baby in my hands and I felt like life was breathed into my body yet again for the first time.

He was so small and adorable that I was going to do anything for him.

Even though my depression got worse, I was trying.

Until things started to change. Wayne started bringing his friends to our home, apartment his parents left for him. Friends that I thought were good.

Because I was dealing with a severe depression and anxiety, his friend Gabe with his girlfriend Talia, offered me a drink that Gabe guaranteed it helps with low energy and anxiety. He said that his mom use to make it for him. It was like some type of tea which looked harmless. Also I was not breastfeeding Ian anymore so I thought it was going to be alright.

I was barely nineteen and on the brink of losing it with having to take care of a child alone, with a vers small help of Wayne. They fooled me and I fell into their trap.

It was later on that I discovered he was giving me drugs and got me addicted to them. I noticed it when I literally had to beg Gabe to give it to me. I was ready to do anything to get it.

Wayne started distancing himself and things got even worse. Because I didn't always have money, Gabe used that against me and forced me to do things that made me feel worthless.

He would sometimes call his friends and pay some of his debts by offering me to them. I thought that Talia, his girlfriend, might help me but she was the same as Gabe.

I had to endure my addiction, Gabe and taking care of Ian. My little angel didn't deserve that. It was when I decided to leave him with Elsie. I couldn't put him in more danger than we already were. I couldn't even tell Elsie what was happening because I was ashamed.

I was so ashamed and disgusted with myself.

Wayne and I got close again but nothing changed. He was already doing hard drugs and with my addiction as well, our relationship became extremely rocky. I loved him but that same love completely destroyed me.

I felt my breaths get shorter and it felt like my lungs were being squeezed. I stood up from the bed and a sob left my lips. The room was starting to suffocate me. Before I did anything else, I took the pillow and the blanket and decided to go in the living room.

There were big windows and the space itself was massive.

Sometimes I was sleeping there and made sure to wake up before Mr. Ferreira did. I felt safer in that room.

I bit my lip while tears streamed down my face and made my way down the hallway. My feet tapped on the cold marble floor. Everything was quiet. It was past midnight.

All of the guards must be outside.

My breaths were the only noise in the quiet house.

When I reached the living room, I tightened my hands around the blanket and the pillow and stopped in my track.

Mr. Ferreira was seated on the sofa with a book in his hands. The lamp was the only light except for the lights coming from outside.

He was dressed in a grey t-shirt and black sweatpants. As soon as I entered the space, his bright eyes flew to me.

My lips parted and not a single word came out of my mouth.

"Is there something wrong?" His full eyebrows furrowed upwards and he closed the book, placing it on the sofa next to him. There was a slight accent to his voice and sometimes got thicker with certain words.

I cleared my throat and was very aware of the tears staining my cheeks.

"Um,... I..."

He stood up and placed his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants.

"I wanted to sleep here tonight. But it's okay I'll go back to my room." I bit the inside of my cheek because I felt tears well up in my eyes yet again. I was embarrassing myself in front of my boss.

He didn't move but rather observed my face. My chin started to tremble and I took a deep breath.

Why did I had to break down in front of him?

"Sit down." He pointed to the sofa and on shaky legs, I closed the distance between me and the furniture and lowered myself on the soft material.

I thought he was going to leave but after a moment, he came back with a glass of water.

He sat down next to me and offered me the drink. I eyed the glass in his hands and fisted my hands.

It's just a water Sally.

I reassured myself and took the glass with a trembling hand. My cold fingers wrapped around the glass and I took a sip.

The liquid traveled down my throat and I closed my eyes, my breathing still not calming. Why couldn't this just stop? Why did I have to experience this almost every night?

Mr. Ferreira took the drink from my hand and placed it on the table.

"Do you feel better?" His soft voice made me lose all the strength I used to stop the tears.

A sob left my lips and I lowered my head on his shoulder, my hands covering my face. I cried.

For the first time in such a long time I cried in front of someone.

I cried for all the mistakes I did in my life and I cried for Ian.

I didn't deserve him. I didn't deserve Elsie's love and I didn't deserve to even look his way.

Maybe what Gabe was doing to me was my punishment for bringing Ian into this world and not being able to take care of him.

A hand sneaked around my shoulders and I was pressed into my boss' chest. I buried my face into his neck and clung onto his t-shirt.

His palm ran down my back gently.

"I miss my son. So, so much." Even though I was seeing him, I didn't know what the future held. He might distance himself when he grows up and is able to realise what happened in the past. What his mother did.

And I won't be able to do anything about it because he will have every right to feel that way.

I pulled away and wiped my eyes with the back of my hands.

I need the weight of my chest to be lifted up, so I began to talk. I didn't even know why I was telling this to my boss but I didn't have anyone else.

I didn't want to burden Elsie more than I already have.

I told him about my brother, about my parents, about Wayne and then about Ian. With so much struggle and tears I told him about Gabe as well. What he did to me.

With every word I said, I felt the air come back into my lungs. I have never share it with anyone. Not even with Riley, my friend, or Wayne.

Mr. Ferreira's carefully listened to all of my words and did not for a second made me feel like I didn't matter or that my story didn't matter.

His eyes stayed on me and he brought the glass to my lips after I finished with talking. He rubbed my back while, I took a small sip of the water.

"What's his name?" I knew exactly who he was referring to.

"Gabe. Gabe Robinson."

He nodded and wiped the tears under my eye with his thumb. I closed my eyes for a second at the contact and then quickly opened them again.

"You won't fire me?" I asked, my voice filled with pain. I don't think anyone would want an ex addict to work in their home. Someone with past like mine.

"No, Sally. I don't have any reason to fire you." I gulped down the lump in my throat and nodded slowly.

"Thank you." I whispered and intertwined my fingers.

He stood up and took the blanket and the pillow from next to me. He placed them on the sofa.

"Sleep here tonight if it makes you feel better. Tomorrow you can move your things to the guest room on the second floor." My lips parted at his words and my eyebrows shoot upwards.

That room was the biggest guest room and had huge windows that overlooked the forest. It was beautiful and I always admired it whenever I was cleaning there.

"Okay." I said.

Before he turned around to leave, he spoke. "Good night, Sally." This was the first time I have exchanged so many words with him and first time hearing him talk this much. And on top of that he wished me a good night.

"Good night, Sir." I spoke back.

I watched his back as he made his way out of the living room.

I bit my lip and looked at the pillow. I lowered my head on it and closed my eyes. Even though I didn't fall asleep right away, my heart felt more at peace.

BENICIO FERREIRA

31 yeas old

Little bit of Sally's story.

By the way this is the guy who was with Fenix at the dinner when him and Elsie met for the first time 😁

I'll try to write a chapter for Cillian and Bridget and the for Aislinn (Fenix and Elsie's daughter)

🤍🤍🤍