My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (books like harry potter txt) 📖

        “What?” The surprise in my voice was genuine. “How is that actually relevant?”

        “Mia” his demanded tone made me wince.

      Henry got up from the bed and was looking down at me. Only now, there wasn’t an ounce of the tenderness in his eyes that had been there a moment ago. And what did I do to deserve this attitude?

      I wanted to touch his pride somehow. To stab to the heart. To make him nervous, after all. Saying something like “It is my loving man!” in his face, and in fact, I wouldn’t lie. Now in our family, James is really my little loving man.

      But in contrast to my thoughts, I got up from the bed, adjusting my t-shirt, which had lifted up, and answered in the same tone as my companion.

       “My brother!” I try to reach my foot to the second slipper so that I can leave as soon as possible and not see his displeased face.

        Henry sat down on the bed and rubbed his temples, groaning as if he had a headache.

       “Why didn’t you tell me that the money was for your brother’s surgery? What was the point of this farce?

        I was so furious by his question that I literally jumped.

       “A farce? It was you who offered me money in the car! Or am I confusing something?” I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes, putting my hands on my hips.

        “Oh God,” Henry growled. Now he looked exactly like the wolf I’d given him on his birthday. Deceptively calm. “You could have just asked me!” he shook his head, clearly reproachful.

      “Yeah? Would you give that amount of money to a girl you’ve known for a couple of days?” What a benefactor you are, it turns out.” There was so much irony in my voice that the man frowned menacingly. “And besides,” I suddenly realized, “how do you know about the operation?!”

         And really, how did he know? I certainly didn’t tell him that. Did the accounting girls let it slip? No, I don’t think so.

        “Your mother called while you were sleeping,” solved the mystery Henry.

        “What did you say to her?!” I cried out unconsciously, trying to find my phone. Mom can’t worry right now. And in light of recent events that have happened to me… My lies. Where the money came from. Falling overboard and narrowly escaping death. No! She definitely shouldn’t know about it!

         I didn’t have to look for the phone for a long time. It was on the nightstand on my side. Phew... A few missed calls from “Mom” and one message from her, too. No incoming calls.

        “I don’t poke my nose into other people’s phones...” the man muttered, but I couldn't hear him anymore. After reading the message, I was already frantically dialing my mother’s number.

        Henry didn’t bother me with his presence but grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the table and went out onto the balcony, closing the door tightly behind him.

         I talked to my mother for about ten minutes. I found out that James bravely passed the operation and, in general, we will soon be able to see him. When I was listening to my mother’s happy voice, tears were rolling down my cheeks. Tears of joy and relief.

        My mother was trying to find out how I was doing and what kind of urgent conference I needed to attend. I just assured her that everything was fine and that I would be able to come home soon.

      When I turned off the phone, I noticed that the man wasn’t in the room yet. I sat for a couple more minutes and was about to go to my room quietly but suddenly changed my mind. I have to stop running.

        I went out to the balcony and found Henry sitting in a wicker chair. The smell of tobacco hit my nose. He was smoking again. The man was sitting with his back to me and taking advantage of the fact that he couldn’t see my face, I moved closer. A beautiful view of the coastal park opened up in front of me.

        “I’m sorry,” I gasped, trying not to look at Collins’s reaction. “And thank you for everything. For saving my life and…” I knew I’d have to say it anyway, but the words wouldn’t come out. Summoning up all my willpower, I squeezed my eyes shut and whispered, “I’m ready to ‘repay’ your help!” I hope he heard my words because I won’t say them again.

        For a while, the man was just silent, and I was biting my lips, being nervous. It was only when I felt the metallic taste on my tongue that I stopped myself.

        “I saw you ‘ready’ half an hour ago,” said Collins suddenly, blowing out a smoke ring and finally looking at me.

       Well, what should I say to him? That I’m just a coward? The girls from the restaurant once discussed their first time. About how it was terribly painful and that their guys were only concerned about their own pleasure while they were bleeding... Ugh.

        “Get ready,” Henry interrupted my terrible memories, putting out a cigarette in the ashtray, and getting up.

        “What? Where?” I was worried. I’ve actually had enough of traveling.

        “The weekend in Spain is over,” the man said calmly, and then, looking at his wristwatch, added, “We have a flight in two hours.”