Before I managed to stop myself, I found my voice. “Umm…why treat me badly because of work? This has been going on for months?”
His eyes burnt into mine as if pondering his reply. “I’ve been scared you’re going to leave me,” he said as he glanced down at his plate putting on the ‘I’m sad so please feel sorry for me’ face. “I don’t handle stress well. As I said, work is going down the drain because some client hasn’t been happy with how we’ve handled their account. But mostly because I worry you’ll leave me, and I’ll be left alone. I love you so much, Abby. I can’t lose you, and that’s why I want to marry you. You’re my everything.”
More like I’m your regular punching bag.
There was no love in his words. He didn’t even reach out to touch me. It’s as though it had slipped his mind that he physically hurts me. What the hell?
“Why hit me? If you want me to stay then why use me as your personal punching bag?” Yeah, it kind of just spewed out before I could stop it. I don’t know. It’s like I suddenly gained the courage and decided to ask why.
In a flash, he was beside me, not allowing me a chance to get up or move. His hand latched onto mine, applying pressure, squeezing my knuckles together, and grinding them hard. He had flicked the switch. I yelped out in pain trying to pull my hand away, but his grip was like iron, strong and robust, unmovable once in place.
“You dare ask a question like that in a public place where I can’t punish you?” he seethed, with so much hate in his words. He applied more pressure causing pain to shoot right up my arm, but it didn’t stop me if anything I felt more determined. Time for me to deal with it, get over it and get on with my life.
“What just like you asking me here so I had to say ‘yes’,” I spat back at him. My face was so close to his. His posture stiffened and he became rigid. His free hand clenched into a fist causing his knuckles to go white. There was so much hate raging in those green eyes. That was my turning point and there was no going back now. “What the hell makes you think I would want to marry someone who hurts me like you do? Can’t you see the marks you leave on me, or do they become invisible to you after you’ve put them there? There is no love in this relationship.” My words kept coming and I knew I’d made him raging mad, but I couldn’t stop myself and it felt so damn good.
“You do not speak to me like that, you bitch,” he hissed, shooting a little spittle at my face.
“See, there you go,” I taunted right back at him. I had no idea what had come over me that night. “Always turning to violence.”
The pressure on my hand was so hard I was sure he was going to shatter all the bones in my hand. I was trying really hard not let him see that the pain was seriously killing me. I really wanted to cry out, but kept my back tall and did not allow him to waiver me.
“Because you deserve it. You never listen or do as you’re told.”
“I’m not a child that needs disciplining. I’m your fiancée.”
Not that I want to be!
I kept my voice even and strong. I won’t let him see me break again.
“You’re just someone for me to use when I need you there,” he seethed. His face reddened as the anger and annoyance at me grew stronger.
Did he really just say that? The heat began to rise in my chest as though I might breathe fire and turn him to ashes. If only I could do that.
“How dare you! In that case, I want nothing to do with you. This marriage will never happen because this, between us right now, is over.” With those words, I yanked my hand as hard as I could, which surprisingly worked as it was freed from his hateful hold. I reached down and grabbed my bag and speed walked out the door before he could come after me.
Once outside I took my shoes off and hit the pavement running as fast as I could, not stopping for anyone or anything. I felt free for the first time in a long time, like a bird who found its wings and glides in flight.
Chapter Eleven
Abby
Three Years Ago
After getting as far away as I could from the restaurant, I slowed to a walk, my heart pounding with such force from the adrenaline. Luckily, I had money on me to catch a passing cab, but knowing he would most likely show up at my house, I didn’t really want to risk going there. Then again, he probably wouldn’t want to go into details with my parents about why I ran from our date. He would just wait until I was on my own somewhere and then show up.
I began to take in my surroundings and noticed that I’d made my way over to my workplace. I headed into the park to sit on my all too familiar bench where I thought about my life that was spiralling out of control at a rapid pace. .
As I approached the bench, I saw a familiar person who caused my heart to leap up into my throat. He was wearing a hole into the grass pacing.
“Abby!” he called from the park. His voice was one that warmed me right to my core and set off a butterfly attack in my stomach.
Blake.
I turned toward him and before I could stop myself, the tears started to fall as I ran to him. He opened his arms for me as I got closer and I jumped right into them, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. His arms of safety enveloped me, sending calmness over my aching body. I sobbed hard into his shoulder, the fear, hurt and pain of tonight taking its toll on my emotions.
“Shh…it’s okay. I’m here,” he soothed me with his comforting words over and over until I stopped crying and relaxed into him. He didn’t put me down but held onto me for dear life. His scent wrapped around me tickling my senses. It was a mixture of shower wash and cologne. A perfect balance of both.
“What happened?” he asked when I’d finally composed myself. But he never let me go and held me continually comforting me.
“Can we go somewhere else?” I was worried he might come around looking for me. I slid out of Blake’s grip and glanced nervously around at the empty street expecting to see Jacob. My heart pounded in my chest with fear. A new kind of fear because I’d left him and ran, so I knew he was going to be majorly pissed.
Blake took my hand that didn’t get crushed by Jacob and led me through to the opposite side of the park where there were massive apartment buildings. He walked up to one and reached for his keys.
He lives this close to my work?
We caught the elevator to the fifth floor. Stepping off, he guided me to his door.
Opening it, he moved aside to allow me to enter first. “Welcome to my place,” he announced, waving his arm around the spacious area.
It was a studio apartment, very open. There was a small hallway that must lead to the bathroom and bedroom. The walls were painted a nice cream with a bright red feature wall behind the television. There was also lovely black leather furniture and a dark wood dining table. The kitchen, living, and dining area were all open space living. On one side of the room, there was glass panelling that led out onto a balcony. It was a simple yet it was perfect for Blake. His carefree personality showed.
“It’s very nice.” I walked over to the doorway leading out to the balcony, leaning against it, soaking in the coolness of the night air. It was so refreshing after the night I’d just been through. I wished only moments ago that tonight had never happened, but now standing in Blake’s apartment my night was turning around. I began aimlessly twisting the ring that I was still wearing on my finger. Looking down at my left hand, it suddenly felt as though the ring was burning through my skin. It was poison, like the person who’d given it to me. Poison in every way possible. I was so glad I did what I did. But now what? Where do I go from here? I knew he wouldn’t relent until he had me in his grasp again.