Wrongful Desires Read online

  Wrongful Desires

  ODETTE RAYE

  Copyright © [2021] [Odette Raye]

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by UK copyright law.

  ISBN: 9798541916645

  United Kingdom

  This book is dedicated to my boyfriend - who is a constant definition of honesty, purity and unconditional love.

  And my fat cat.

  Yours, O x

  Table of Contents

  1 ~ Sponge Cake

  12 ~ An Exchange of Glances

  24 ~ The Unseen Touch

  36 ~ Schedules

  48 ~ Consequences

  62 ~ An End to Bitterness

  74 ~ A Sweeter Turn…

  85 ~ Paper Thin Walls

  98 ~ Dreamy Waves

  109 ~ Devious Intentions

  121 ~ A Different Face

  132 ~ Perception

  142 ~ Lust Spelt L.O.V.E

  154 ~ What’s Mine is His

  166 ~ Touching Her is My Drug

  178 ~ Heart of Thirst

  190 ~ His Way

  203 ~ A Toy with His Name

  214 ~ Be Grateful

  226 ~ An Issue with Names

  240 ~ Possession or Obsession?

  252 ~ Simplify My Honour

  264 ~ Rightful Desires

  276 ~ Pathetic Validation

  289 ~ Complexities of Time

  301 ~ Our Glass Heart

  313 ~ Epilogue

  Sponge Cake

  ~ Joy ~

  I scribbled on my notepad, an argument between lovers was erupting only a few metres away. I didn't bother to listen to their words, I decided to at least let them have some dignity; I instead concentrated on their body language. I loved to draw people, sketch out not only their features but also their overspilling passion for one another - whether it be sensual or simmering with rage. I had never managed to grasp pure darkness within their eyes or the tension their body held - so this was the perfect opportunity for some referencing.

  However, I was cut short by the ding of the door, as a young boy stumbled in with a woman. I pushed my notepad away slowly and shot up an inviting smile. I didn't recognise the new customers, the cafe was so small and consumed by the presence of London that we hardly were greeted by newcomers. The little boy with dirty blonde hair sprinted to the glass counter that locked away the baked goods, he pressed his face against the glass as the woman behind him stared intently at her phone. She had chocolate brown hair that was cut short around her head, just above her shoulders, she wore a swede jungle green jacket paired with a halter neck and bootcut jeans. She didn't seem interested in the boy's behaviour or actions and instead chewed her gum loudly, her smacking lips causing my body to cringe.

  I turned my attention to the young boy who had his eyes resting on our vanilla sponge, decorated with chocolate icing and fresh strawberries. I moved towards him behind the counter and lifted myself to look below it as I only stood five feet above the ground.

  "Would you like to try a little to see if you like it ?", I asked the boy softly, he jumped at my words but smiled and nodded. I put him at around five years old, I thought to myself as I opened the cabinet behind the counter to slip out the cake. He kept his eyes on the cake as a bit of drool escaped his mouth. I passed him a sliver of a slice, his small hand reached up and swiftly grabbed the cake from my grasp. He devoured it immediately, however, smears of chocolate icing stuck to his face as I giggled and passed him a napkin.

  "You have to try this, it's so yummy hmm chocolate my favourite," he pulled at the woman's jacket, a flustered look appeared over her face causing the boy to retreat his steps. She moved her gaze from her phone and huffed in frustration as she plunked down a five-pound note onto the counter and went to sit down on a nearby table. The boy looked upset and deflated in his mood, I couldn't help feel bad and irritated by her clear disinterest. I placed the money in the till, and leaned over the counter again,

  "How about I get you a milkshake to go with your cake hmmm? We can sit next to your mum," I cooed, he turned around and his smile beamed. "Really?" He questioned, he ran towards the counter and gazed up towards his beloved cake. "Of course!", I confirmed, "Would your mum like something?". The boy's smile faded and his face appeared puzzled, "She isn't my mummy, she is my nanny. Mummy is in heaven," My face dropped, I looked towards the woman but her face stays fixated on her phone. I had no idea what to say, as his expression slipped away from the happiness I tried to recover it,

  "Oh-"

  "Can we sit by the pretty window instead?" he interrupted, his smile had returned and his arm pointed in the direction of the corner seat that stood in front of the window covered in plant pots of colourful flowers. Before I had the chance to say a word he had already skipped to the table, past his nanny who remained unnoticed of the event, my face strained to wonder if the boy was allowed to sit so far away from his carer. I tided my thoughts away and assembled a chocolate milkshake and a thick slice of cake, which I carried towards the boy's table. He licked his lips as he grabbed the fork and tucked in, I smiled and sat down next to him, gazing out the window that displayed a busy street bustling with life.

  "What's your name?", He questioned through mouthfuls of cake and milkshake, "Joy, what's yours?" I replied. "Harry", he spluttered,

  "Do you work here?"

  "Yup," I exclaimed, popping the 'p'.

  "Does that mean you get to eat cake every day?", he beamed.

  I laughed and smiled back towards him, "Yes, it's so yummy."

  He giggled between mouthfuls, "I like your hair," he said shyly, his firm gaze fell onto my apricot coloured hair that fell down to my waist. "I like your t-shirt, is that a scary dinosaur?", I joked and he peered down to see his shirt. "No it's a happy dinosaur, he is laughing not being mean," he stated defensively. I chuckled in response, and he let out a small giggle.

  "Kid we gotta get back your dad is waiting for you," a cold tone rained onto my conversation with Harry. I turned to see his nanny tapping her fingers against her chair, and glaring up from her phone. Harry's face fell as he slumped off the chair, "Don't worry you can come back any time you want for cake and milkshakes," I reassured him, patting his head in comfort. He grinned and went to hug my legs which took me by surprise, he emerged from his tight embrace and skipped to join his nanny exiting the door. He turned to give a small wave which I returned and the door closed behind him. I sighed and drifted back behind the till resting my elbows on the counter awaiting the tiresome hours of my shift to come to an end.

  ~ Narrator ~

  Damien exchanged glances with Lucas and moved his gaze back to his client.

  "We have a deal, but only on my terms, not the ones you came in here with, " He stated, handing the client a document. The client skimmed through it, nodding slowly as he turned through the pages.

  "Hm, these seem fairly reasonable... I accept, " he replied, with a small smile on his face and stood up to shake Damien's hand. Damien, who remained seated, returned the handshake and nodded to one of his employees to show him the door. Lucas plunked himself down a chair at the corner of the room and sighed, "Ahhhh, so this is what money smells like," he breathed. Damien gave a small smile and turned his head down towards his desk, back to his scattered documents.

  "We still have to go through the probation period to see how well our product takes off," he exclaimed, his voice deep yet calm. "They're fancy cars, how hard can that be," Lucas responded. A knock turned the men's attention, as a young boy entered the room with a tall woman.

  "Dad I had the most best day ever, I ran down the sidewalk and I saw a dog that looked like a bear and-,"

  "Okay champ, slow dow
n we have time." Damien laughed, he helped the boy onto his knee whilst the woman swayed towards his desk, leaning over and bearing her ampul breasts. "I need my check," she spoke seductively. Damien scrunched up his face at the sight of her display and avoided eye contact before slipping her a cheque from under his papers. She gripped it gently and then examined it for a second before turning on her heel to exit the room. He returned his gaze to his son who fidgeted with his t-shirt,

  "So what adventures did you partake in today," he spoke softly, the boy smiled before continuing with his tale of events,

  "We saw a dog that looked like a bear but Sara didn't seem to like it, we then went into this place to eat and there was a really nice girl and-and-and she had pretty hair. She gave me the best cake in the world! Can I go again tomorrow? Pleasseeee," he whined, Damien sunk back in his chair and chuckled. "Sure I will take you tomorrow after lunch," he added, the boy lit up and jumped off his knee and head towards the door.

  "Harry where are you going?", Damien enquired, moving his elbows towards his desk. Harry spun around, nearly toppling over. "Um, to draw," he answered, Damien, smiled at him and sat up straight in his chair. "Neil," he summoned calmly, a blonde man opened the door with little effort. "Take Harry to his room to play," he finished, Neil held out his hand for Harry to latch onto before disappearing down the hall.

  "I think I need to find a new nanny again," Damien sighed, rubbing his temples with his fingers, Lucas slumped back further into his chair and nodded.

  ****

  Joy locked up the cafe, before turning on her heel to head home. The evening air was crisp and stung her face, she huddled up in her coat as she gazed upon the trees that towered over the sidewalk. She arrived home quickly as she was blessed she was a mere ten-minute walk from her job and unlocked the aching door. Her apartment building was old and crooked, the brick was littered with greenery and missing paint chunks found their way to the ground. Joy's place was small, only containing a small living room with an open kitchenette and a bedroom with a tiny bathroom.

  It was cramped even for one person, but the windows still opened properly and the heating worked seventy per cent of the time so she was quite sufficient with it for the money she was paying. She worked six days a week at the cafe and studied at night doing her assignments for her art degree online. Her parents were paying for that which was fine since she didn't allow them to cover the costs of her living and rent, she felt bad for the little they had and moved away to be closer to job opportunities. She wasn't fond of the cafe due to the dull atmosphere but it was a job that paid well nevertheless. She shuffled inside and went to hang up her coat, she then plottered to the kitchen and decided to snack on some bread and cheese before curling up to start her work for this evening. She yawned lazily and stretched out before a slumber overcame her.

  An Exchange of Glances

  ~ Narrator ~

  Joy awoke suddenly in a trance of confusion, her eyes quickly dashed to her phone and saw it was less than ten minutes until her shift started, crap she thought. In a hurry she slammed her laptop and quickly got changed into a white t-shirt and a knee-high navy skirt, she tossed on her apron and flung out the door just after dabbing on some makeup. She had no time to eat and filling up on baked goods wasn't something she found appealing so early in the morning, she paced in a panic to the cafe.

  "I am so sorry I am late, I fell asleep studyin-" Joy started as she shoved open the door, a woman with a blonde bob was at the till when she paused joy mid-sentence.

  "It's fine, I am heading out now. Food is all prepared to display it, as usual, see you tomorrow", the woman swept out the door brushing past Joy, a cool breeze swam in behind her. Joy's role was to sit there and serve, the baker would come in and produce all the goods for the day before leaving - the owners would only come in once a week to take stock, send out checks, and view sales. Joy soon realised that it was the most wearisome job, however stuck it out in hopes of finding something new.

  Joy sighed before hanging up her coat on the rack, she placed her bag behind the till and got out her notepad and pens before leaning against the counter awaiting the slow trickle of customers. Her phone started to ring, she jumped at the noise and then stooped to get it for her bag,

  "Hello?"

  "Honey, hey how are you?", a voice cooed back.

  "Mum... hey I am good back I am at work, can I call you back later?", she always put off their calls, she loved her but her mum remained judgemental of her life choices.

  "You never call like you say you will," she replied coldly, Joy winced in impatience and chewed her nail. "I will later okay, I have to go..." she trailed off, her voice fading into a whisper. She heard a sharp intake of air and an emotionless goodbye before she placed the phone on the counter. She flicked her phone away as to try and realise a burden of guilt before she heard the door open to her morning regulars.

  Her usual morning lineup of duties passed quickly as the day progressed, it had just hit two when she carried her laptop to a nearby table and started typing up some work to make up for the lack of it last night when she heard the bell at the door chime. Before she had the opportunity to look up, a small body charged into hers causing her to almost slip out of the chair.

  "Hi Joy," A small voice spoke laced with excitement, Joy recognised the presence and turned her body to allow for her to embrace back. "Hey Harry, back so soon I see. Cake and milkshake again?" she whispered softly.

  "And milkshakes? I thought we were just coming for cake, what a treat..." a deep voice responded to her comment. Joy removed her gaze from Harry's head and hesitantly looked up, there stood a man in a slick midnight suit, the top button undone to symbolise he was relaxed, with thick coffee-coloured hair that was swept up. His nutty brown eyes met Joy's as she paused to admire his confident and handsome persona,

  "This is my dad, dad this is the girl with the pretty hair.." Harry reached for his dad's hand and pointed to Joy who had spun round in her chair, her luscious auburn locks fell to her waist which complimented her creamy white skin, her soft eyes locked on the man who stood before her.

  Joy shook herself out of her daze and stood up from the chair, her frame appeared even smaller in the man's large height.

  "Um, I'm sorry, sorry I am just busy with work well not work as in this shop, as you can clearly see we have no customers aha, I mean busy with school work like for my degree. I do art, it's fun but dem- sorry can I find you a table?", she stuttered, her face turning scarlet from her talkative state. She placed her hands behind her back and peaked up to see the man holding back a laugh as he breathed,

  "We will take this one," He pulled up the chair of the table she sat at, as Harry climbed onto his seat. She closed her laptop and put it behind the till as she re-adjusted her hair in the mirror to the side of the counter. She took small steps towards the table and held her arm around her back with her other hand as her eyes peered up.

  "So, um, what can I get you both?", she asked apprehensively, her courage taking hiding somewhere else. "I'll take a coffee, black and strong. Harry will have your suggestion from earlier," the man answered, Joy, nodded as she whisked to assemble their order on a tray before transporting it over. She passed them both their requests before turning to leave,

  "No Joy, you stay," Harry whined, swinging his legs on the chair. Joy bit her lip and exchanged a glance with the man to confirm that it was acceptable. He nodded and gestured towards the empty chair between them, Joy placed the tray by her feet as she took the seat watching Harry devour his cake.

  "I'm Damien," the man greeted himself with a small smile. Joy took a long breath, "Hey.." she replied whilst she straightened herself in her chair. "I see you two have already met.." Damien glanced towards Harry then back at her. She swallowed and nodded, "Yeh we enjoyed a treat and a conversation yesterday," she smiled towards Harry who beamed as he slurped his milkshake. Damien drank his coffee, keeping his eyes on the small girl who sat next to him, peeling his glare away ever so often. "Jo
y works here and eats all the cake," Harry exclaimed causing Joy to blush and mouthing 'cheeky', Harry giggled as Damien sunk back and chuckled causing Joy to drift her eyes towards him. He gave her a warm smile, but returned his gaze to his coffee;

  "So how long have you worked here?" he asked calmly, Joy moved back into her seat as a feeling of comfort washed over, something she hadn't felt in a while. "About two months, I moved as well to be closer to more job vacancies. It's a cute shop but dull, but it will do," she responded half-heartedly. Damien nodded, keeping his eyes on the coffee. "Um, what do you do?" Joy spoke back, her eyes locking with the tattoos that crawled up his hand. "I'm an investor with an interest in sports cars, cliche I know," he stated firmly before sipping his coffee.

  "That was yummy," Harry sputtered out after his battle with the milkshake and cake. Joy giggled, "Hmmm in my tummy," she scrunched up her nose before grinning as Harry stuck out his tongue back. "Naughty," Damien warned Harry softly whilst he let a snigger escape his lips. "So Harry, how old are you?", Joy propped her elbows up on the table slowly, letting her head fall into her hands.

  "five and a half," He said firmly, with a cheeky smile lighting up his face. "How old are you?".

  "I'm eighteen, so old right?" She joked.

  "You're eighteen?" Damien tried to hide his surprise with his coffee, "People say I look younger I know.." She replied meekly, "I was going to say you looked older..." he confessed.

  "Dad you are so old, Joy my dad is thirty-eight," he giggled, Joy's face puzzled by the youth Damien's body held.

  "Thirty-two," Damien shot back defensively, "I am not thirty-eight." Joy smirked and tried not to laugh at his defensive manner, and instead curled her hair around her fingers.