26- Always wash your hands after using the bathroom to get rid of yucky germs . 00 % I drop my feet off of my chair so that I can sit properly , no longer feeling comfortable the way I did a second ago . Is that what Torin really thinks ? That he OWNS me ? I agreed to work for him , I agreed to stay here for HIS peace of mind as well as my own safety . That does not mean that I belong to him ! " Excuse me ? What did you just say ? " I demand , my tone a warning . Torin freezes and I swear he looks frightened . " What ? No. I didn't mean it like that . I mean ... That came out wrong . " He backtracks , clearly panicking . He's a lot more expressive when it's just the two of us . I'm starting to think he holds back a lot around most people , probably because he doesn't want to risk offending them ... Like he just offended me actually . " You just said you feel like you own me . I'm not your property . I do NOT belong to you . " I state firmly . Torin slumps down in his seat . " I really didn't mean that . See this is why I don't talk to people . I always say the wrong thing . Saying I feel like I own you is wrong . I meant more like you feel like you're my responsibility . You don't belong to me , but I feel like you belong HERE . The point is , I don't feel like you're intruding on my territory because I'm the one keeping you here . " He reasons . I sigh . I do believe that he didn't mean anything bad by it . But he needs to be careful what he says . This situation we find ourselves in is balancing on a fine line between protection and prison . We both know that , all it takes is a slight change in attitude from either one of us and I am in a very bad spot . I mean on paper , I saw something I shouldn't have and now a strange and potentially dangerous man is keeping me locked up , withholding my phone and controlling my life with no end in sight . It sounds REALLY bad . I know that I agreed to it , except for the phone thing , and realistically it only happened because Torin saved my life . But this can't last forever , The situation is very temporary . Something has to give eventually. " You should think carefully before you make comments like that . I'm cooperating right now but eventually you are going to have to either let me leave or make me your prisoner for real . I don't think either of us want that , but it's inevitable . " I point out quietly . Torin avoids my eyes and clears his throat , but he doesn't say anything . He might be a scary . looking guy , but right now he looks like a kid with his hand caught in a cookie jar . Guilty 29 1/4 ||| O 11:20 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 26- Always wash your hands after using the bathroom to get rid of yucky germs . but also a little defiant . I can tell he isn't going to give in right now , so I do . 100 % " We don't need to figure it out right now . I still haven't worked out who wants to hurt me anyway and I know I'm safer here than at home . But to be clear . I don't belong to you or anyone other than myself . If you're comfortable with me being here , then that's great . But if the reason is because you think you have some kind of claim on me , then you need to rethink that because it is seriously not okay and we are going to have problems if you start thinking that way . " I lecture him . Torin doesn't answer , but he nods his head and has returned to his usual serious expression so I think he means it , or at least understands my point . " Alright then . " I nod back at him and let the topic drop . I spend an hour or so hanging out with Torin . He gives me the tablet again and I do some online shopping and watch videos of people mixing drinks . I end up finding the most over the top ones possible and showing them to Torin . He seems kind of appalled . While I kill time and money , Torin sorts through his papers . I don't know that he's actually making any kind of progress though . I swear the room looks messier by the time his phone rings . He answers it , grunts out a response and hangs up . " Jackson is finished with the bathroom . We need to go check his work . " Torin tells me . I bounce up to my feet , kind of excited . As Torin makes his way around the desk I link my arm with his and ignore how awkward he seems . " Lead the way . " I declare . He doesn't argue and leads me out to the hall , it's a whole ten steps from the office to the bathroom . The hallway is a lot tidier , but I can still see hints of white dust clinging to the edges of the floors and in the cracks of the floorboards . The guys have clearly swept up the mess , but it's going to need to be full on mopped before it's totally clean . Probably more than once to be honest . I'm itching to clean up , but I'm also kind of exhausted , I definitely didn't sleep enough . Jackson steps out of the bathroom . " Ronny is packing up the van , I just need you to do the final check and then someone needs to sign off on it and we're good to go . " Jackson says . His tone is cheerful but it seems a little forced and he isn't making eye contact . Actually , he seems focussed on where Torin and I's arms are linked . I catch his gaze and roll my eyes . I DO pull away from Torin though . Mostly because I'm eager to check out the bathroom . It's a lot nicer than it was yesterday . The sink has been moved to one side and a shower has been jammed in . It's crowded , but tidy . The whole room has been re - tiled with pretty blue tiles 29 ل ||| 2/4 Aug Lesson 26 - Always wash your hands after using the bathroom to get rid of yucky germs . and above the tiles the wall has been repainted white . It's basic , but definitely serviceable . " It looks good . Is it ready to use ? " I ask with a smile . Jackson is standing in the doorway and shakes his head . " Nah , it needs a few hours for the silicone and stuff to set . Ronny has a bit of magic and did what he could to speed it along , but there's no substitute for time . You can probably use it in about four hours . Although try to avoid scrubbing at anything or using any harsh cleaning products on it for at least another couple days . " He warns . I nod , disappointed that I can't try it out now , but relieved I only have to wait a few more hours . " Is everything acceptable ? " Jackson asks Torin . He looks nervous , waiting for his approval . Torin nods . " Yes . " He answers simply and holds out a handful of cash which Jackson pockets without counting . " Great , if you can just sign here . " I'm surprised when he offers a clipboard and pen , not to Torin but to me . I make no move to take it and just stare at him in confusion . Why is he giving it to me ? Does he want me to hand it to Torin ? He's right next to me , that seems kind of ridiculous . " Rina ? If you could sign please . " Jackson prompts me . Huh ? Why would he want ME to be the one who signs for it ? I didn't pay for it . I couldn't afford something like this anyway . I glance at Torin , expecting him to say something . But he just nods and gestures for me to sign . With a furrowed brow , I take the clipboard and read over what it says . It basically just sums up the work that was done and the payment given ( a horrifyingly huge number ) then has a statement that all work was completed and payment was received . Jackson has already signed under his spot . I'm supposed to sign under the customer's spot . Well ... I suppose it doesn't matter . I scribble my name and hand it back to him . Jackson grins . " Perfect . " He announces . Torin grunts his approval and heads back to his office . " I'll walk you out . " I offer and Jackson gives me a warm smile . " Thanks hon . " He gives me a curious look . " You and the demon seem ... Friendly . " He comments . I raise an eyebrow . 29 29 OD & O 3/4 11:20 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 26- Always wash your hands after using the bathroom to get rid of yucky germs . " And what's wrong with me being friends with Torin ? " I ask . Jackson sighs . 100 % " It just seems a little odd . " He answers , clearly reluctant to say more and make me lecture him again . " He's really not as scary as you think . I mean , would a scary , evil demon go out of his way to rush order a full bathroom renovation for what is essentially an inconvenient and unwanted houseguest . I saw what it cost and he didn't cheap out on it . " I point out . Jackson scoffs . " The ability to throw money at a problem doesn't make someone a good person . " He argues . " Neither does sticking your nose into other people's business but that isn't stopping you . "