The week had been uninteresting. Mr. Reeves had apparently gone on a journey so I was much more free now. I didn't have to wake up early or anything, and I could do work when I wanted to.

But it never crossed my mind once to tell Chris to come over. It would feel weird and I wouldn't be comfortable at all. Plus, Jones was like a monitoring spirit, he was always there. And there was no doubt that he would tell Mr. Reeves about it.

I brought up going over to Chris a couple of times, but he always had an excuse. And I just stopped. I didn't want to force myself on anyone, no matter that we were in a relationship.

I didn't want to think of the implications all this had... I didn't want to think of the fact that despite me trying not to let anyone in, I had lowered my walls for Chris. I didn't want to think of him making it so I never trusted anyone in my life again.

I knew I was probably just dragging the inevitable. It was clear there was something other than our relationship going on. And no matter how oblivious I wanted to be to the signs, I couldn't deny it.

I sighed and closed my eyes, curling myself into a little ball. My thoughts started drifting to my past... one thing I absolutely hated thinking about. I thought of my dad... my mom and the siblings I would probably never see again.

I thought of all the times that my father had brought other women back to our apartment, uncaring that my mom could come back at any moment and meet him with them. I thought of all the times my mom had tried to fight back and we'd all suffered the consequences.

It was times when I thought about the past like this that I didn't want it to repeat itself. Chris and I were happy. He made me happy sometimes, no matter how angry he got me other times. I knew I was settling. But what was the point leaving him when there was no guarantee that I was going to meet someone better than him?

Plus, I wasn't the type of person who could confidently say they were self reliant. I had gone through a lot of shit. On my own. But I needed affection, I needed attention. And if there was one thing Chris did well, was give me the attention I needed.

I didn't want to leave him to try with someone else. I didn't know if that person would worth the effort, I didn't know if I would even find someone else. I was hardly ever home. Where the hell was I going to meet someone when I never went out?

No staying with Chris was for the best.

At that exact moment, my phone started ringing. It was Chris. I picked up immediately. I was bored, and lonely. And I had no one else.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey?" Chris asked. "That's all?"

He sounded disappointed. I smiled a little. "Hey babe," I said.

"Better," Chris said. I could almost hear the smile in his voice. "Are you free right now?" he continued by asking.

"Chris, you know I have literally nothing to do these days. So yes, I'm free," I answered, frowning a little. "Why?"

I was still a little miffed about all the times he had given me stupid excuses when I brought us meeting up. And I didn't want to make him know I had forgiven him so easily. Nope. He was going to continue taking me for granted if that happened.

"I have a surprise waiting for you. I want you to come over," Chris said, his tone still just as lighthearted.

Okay that meant my words had not gotten to him. I sighed. I wanted to say no as my own kind of revenge but I was so bored and lonely. I thought of the alternative; staying here all alone with that creepy Jones man staring at me like I was going to run off with the family heirlooms and the word no refused to come out of my mouth.

"Okay... how do I dress?" I asked, sighing at my weakness. I was supposed to be stronger than this. Sigh.

"Dress sexy baby." Chris's voice has reduced to a mere whisper and I frowned a little.

Why the hell was he talking like that? And what did he mean by dress sexy? Before I could ask him why he sounded unlike usual, he had put off the call. I stared at the phone in incomprehension. I felt weird.

I showered and changed nonetheless, debating on what exactly sexy was. I finally settled on a crop trop with high waisted jeans. Somehow, I felt reluctant going to Chris. I had a bad feeling about all of this, about today. I took in a deep breath to try and dispel my fears, then drank a huge glass of water as I waited for the Uber I had called.

A few minutes later, I was on my way to Chris's apartment. I couldn't help but rub on the ring I always wore on my right forefinger, something I did only when I was extremely nervous. Why the hell was I so nervous???

I tried to calm myself as I went into Chris's apartment, and I had to stand still for a minute, shocked at what was right in front of me. The whole place was full of rose petals; pink...white...red. This was so extra.

And for what?

I advanced cautiously into the living room, rolling my eyes at Chris's excesses. I knew exactly what was happening now and why he had said dress sexy. One part of me felt like just leaving without even letting him know I had been here. But the other part of me felt bad. He had gone to so much trouble. The least I could do was stay and listen to him, right? Wrong.

"Chris?" I called out, wondering where the hell this dude was.

"In the room, babe," was his muffled answer.

I raised my brows but I walked to his bedroom and pushed the door open. If I had thought the petals in the living room were a lot, the ones here were even more. I looked around and my gaze stopped on Chris. There was a smile on his face as he stared at me.

"You like it?" he asked softly.

I didn't want to lie, but I couldn't very well say I found it tacky when he had probably spent a lot of money and time doing this. So I nodded with what I hoped was a bright smile.

"I'm glad babe," Chris said, then in two stalks, he was in front of me. He kissed me softly on the lips, then pulled away. "I might need to teach you a thing or two about sexy," he added in a low whisper.

I shuddered a little, then moved away from him. "So what's the occasion?" I asked, staring around the room.

The lights were dim and all, there was low music playing and the petals were scattered in a heart shape. I would be dumb not to know what the special occasion was. Nonetheless, I waited for his reply.

"Must there be an occasion? I just want to celebrate you," Chris said.

My face broke out into a smile. I couldn't lie and say his words didn't affect me cause they did. I let him pull me into arms without resistance.

"Plus, it's almost our anniversary. Don't you think we should do something special for it?" he asked, then without giving me the time to answer, placed his lips on mine and kissed me.

For a moment, I was so surprised I couldn't respond, then I melted very awkwardly into the kiss. Chris hands left my waist and slid up, pulling up my crop top as he went.

Then he didn't even bother with the crop top, just slid his hands underneath it and place them on my boobs and squeezed. I hit his chest and tried to push but he wouldn't budge. I tore my lips away from his.

"Chris stop," I said, still fighting him.

"Shh baby girl, just stay still. You'll enjoy it."

"Let me go Chris!" I exclaimed. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and it was nauseating me.

Chris pushed me to the bed and kissed my neck. I felt like I would puke. My heart was going abnormally fast. And my palms were clammy and slippery with sweat. All my fight was leading nowhere.

"Chris..." I said pleadingly and it seemed like it worked.

He finally let go of me and I ran out immediately. I could not believe he had done all of that in a bid for us to sleep together. Even though I had told him I wasn't ready. I knew it had been a long while, but I couldn't force myself into something I would probably regret.

My heart was beating. I don't think I realized what had happened in the moment. Chris has tried to rape me. Chris had tried to rape me.

I sat on a part bench for a few minutes then I called an Uber. I was shivering the entire ride home. I didn't know if I would be able to sleep that night.

As soon as I got into the big house, I started heading straight for my bedroom so I could take a shower and rid myself of that unclean feeling... but something stopped me.

"Kayla."

***

posting on here bc Hinovel be bugging 🙃

thoughts?