2 years later...

*Ella*

"So what is it about me, that makes you want to leave like everyone else" I stood in the middle of my penthouse, with an oversized t-shirt and socks.

"I don't know, Ella" Zac sighed. "It's been 3 months and you won't even let me sleep with you"

"I didn't let the other 2 before you sleep with me" I listed with a frown.

"Because the other 2 disappeared without a trace and I kind of think I'm next on the list" he nodded "Are you some type of assassin who kills off anyone who rejects her?"

I sighed "Enough jokes, Zac" I rolled my eyes "We've gone on numerous dates and...fun times...can you give me time"

Zac walked towards me in his business suit and placed both his hands on either side of my arms. "I really like you, I really do" he looked down at me "But this won't work. You won't even allow me to see you in a bikini"

I puffed "It's not that easy"

"I don't know why you're so insecure. You're beautiful. I do hope someone can show you that, Ella" he placed a kissed on my forehead "I enjoyed these 3 months, I honestly did"

I chewed the inside of my mouth weakly.

"I hope you do well in the Environmental Inc. company. I know how much you love helping the homeless and all. You earned that roll as assistant to the manager. I wish you all the best"

I gulped "Thanks"

"Goodbye, Ella" He smiled and the showed himself out, slamming the door shut.

I groaned aloud and collapsed onto my bed in such a starfish like form.
What was it about me that no guy liked?
Was it because it took me forever to have sex with them?
3 guys and they all walked out.
2 of which, disappeared without a trace but a letter saying how they liked me and enjoyed their time followed by a goodbye.

I studied simple things and worked in-between. I even just got a promotion at work as an assistant to the manager who looks at environmental issues and what not, one of the biggest companies standing now.

Things changed about me, a lot of things did actually. I grew up within a year and finally understood what independent and powerful means.
Sure I had 3 guys take me out on dates, but I set standards. I didn't sleep with them within days, weeks or even months.
I observed what they had to offer to the table so we could grow together, but I also knew that with or without them, I would no longer starve alone.

Being a so called business woman wasn't easy, living in a luxurious penthouse when just a while back I was homeless was extraordinary.

I know that poor Nicolas had given me half a million dollars to start off, which had paid for this penthouse and as I worked, I slowly paid Nicolas back. I do hope he's receiving my posts.

Life was getting better, well, as I keep telling myself.

I stood up and walked over towards the mirror plainly hooked on the wall in the lounge room.
I unbuckled my shirt and tossed it aside, to stand there completely naked.

As I keep telling myself, I said.

These scars that have healed yet left such a seen mark, was forever here.
Were things getting better?

I wonder what Zac would've said if I had offered myself to him. I wonder what any guy, would have said if I had offered myself.
Think about their reaction.

Disgusted?
Shocking?
Apologetic?

Most importantly, would they have accepted this?

Although the marks were a whitish or greyish scars that couldn't be seen so much from a distance, there were still there.

Within them, was Josh.

Even though most of them were caused by Greg, Josh's touch was within them all.

I wonder what he's up to.
Has he found a new submissive?
Is he touching her the way he touched me?

I ran my fingers along my abdomen then around my waist.

Is he kissing her the way he kissed me?

I sighed, picked up my shirt and put it on again before making my way to the kitchen and putting together breakfast.

I frowned and dropped the pan on the stove that I had just picked up from the cupboard.
I walked over towards the outdoor pool. Making my way around the pool, I stood by the railings and looked down. A dozen stories down, it was busy. Cars beeping and people rushing.

But why did I have a nerve telling me somebody is watching me.

Where?

I looked around, before making my way back inside.

I jerked and yelled before covering my mouth and rolling my eyes followed by laughter.
"Jesus Jack!" I groaned.

"I'm sorry did I scare you?" Jack laughed.

I rolled my eyes and walked back towards the kitchen. "How did you get in?" I asked, fiddling.

"The front door" Jack took a seat at one of the kitchen stools.

"Wasn't that closed?" I awkwardly asked, cracking a few eggs within the pan.

"No" Jack held a serious face as he sat across me.

"Funny, I know Zac shut the door behind him" I frowned.

Jack bit down on his bottom lip and cleared his throat.
"How is Zac?" he asked, knowing he didn't like him for some reason.

"He left" I gulped, scrambling the eggs.

"Left? Like left, left" Jack smiled.

"I don't know what it is about me, making everyone I meet walk out like I was nothing from the start" I spoke, turning off the stove as I held up the pan and emptied the eggs onto a clean plate.

"It's them, not you"

I smiled, continuing to put together breakfast, this time for two since Jack had arrived.

I remember Jack being the guy who was with Greg, whipping me in an alley way and ready to rape me.
Yet I also remember the Jack who warned me Greg and Fernando were after me.
I also remember the Jack that had written me a letter that I had received once I woke up from my coma.

Dear Ella,
Hey there beautiful. I heard what happened to you, I heard it all. I'm glad you survived, well survived it all.
By the looks of it, Josh would probably set you free after having you half die for his family.

So, if he does. Come find me at the restaurant and I'll help you to a new start. I do really hope you chose to, New York is a pretty scary place for fresh ones.
If Josh keeps you on the other hand, still reach out to me. I know a little about therapy lessons. I shouldn't joke, I'm sorry. But I don't wish Josh would torture me again, that did hurt.

Get well.

Jack, love.

It was kind of him to reach out to me, without him now, I probably would have spent my head start money on a garbage apartment and allowed many to seduce me into giving them everything I had.

I owed him.

"What do you say, dinner tonight?" Jack gulped as I placed a plate of scrambled eggs and vegetables in front of him on the bench.

"Hm" I smiled, picking my food.

"It's time a real man shows you what you're really worth" he added, flushing a light red as he began to eat.

That, well I know that takes balls to tell a lady.

"You know what" I took a deep breath "Sure"

"Alright" Jack smiled "9pm, what do you say...about Sushi?"

I shrugged "I was aiming more on crispy honey wings and a mean greek salad"

"Your wish is my command"

I smiled.
Maybe I ignored all the good men out there and only fell on the stupid ones.
Jack has been here for an entire year, helping me grow, yet I never gave him a chance, well did he want to be more then friends?

I wasn't sure I wanted to. I enjoyed have that one friend.

Although I tried to find my other half and move on with my life, he always managed to be there.
His scent, his ghost presence and his touch.

Because he did break my heart, he did hurt me emotionally.
I did love him.

Yet everybody thinks I don't know what love is, I've never fell in love and my heart is one piece.

But little did they know, I did love and I did break.

But the one I loved was clueless at the fact my heart fell for him, but known to the fact it broke for him.

He was always on my mind from dusk to dawn.

So how was I meant to escape and find love now?
If he was still haunting me.

Maybe I waited for that serious face and hidden smirk to stand there and say "I love you" just one time, but all I could imagine was him and the words "You're my submissive"

I wanted more, I deserved more.

I wonder what Josh is up to after this whole year.

I wonder...
If the thinks of me, as I think of him.

I loved him and maybe, I still do.

I wish he had known.

"Yoghurt?" Jack asked.

"Sure" I gulped back tears.

_______________________

I updated today 8/8/17 marking one year of shelter !!!!

Welcome to Refuge #Book2 of shelter.

Thankyu all for such love and all.
I hope your a fan of kickass ladies bcoz Ella is no longer weak & hidden!!!

BUT
(I always come with a but)

What does Jack really want and who is he really?

Find out in the next chapter!

Mia x