"I was engaged to someone, he wasn't a nice person at all, and the relationship got to the point where he had my phone, he checked any calls and texts before I did, when I answered calls it had to be on the loudspeaker. I couldn't go out anywhere, eventually I couldn't even go to university without him" Taking a break, I have a drink, his eyes still on me.

"He'd accuse me of things, it got to the point I was not allowed my phone, I couldn't leave the apartment, I never saw family or friends. One night I ran, going to Georgina's she drove us here, we stayed in a hospital until we found the apartment. That is why I flipped when I thought you answered my phone, and why I freaked out by you demanding to know where I was" I can't tell him the details, I can't go into that much without breaking down.

"Did anything else happen?" He asked, pushing for more information, but I can't give him it yet.

"No, what now then, are you going to run away?" I would be shocked if he didn't to be honest, I have not exactly been nice towards him.

"No, why would I? I do think though that maybe I am not the best person for you, but we both have pasts which we tried to hide, failed at and well now we both know about them. We do need to talk more about it though, as I am sure you have questions for me just like I do with you"

"I honestly would not have asked where you were or acted like I did today, Georgina looked scared for you, she wound me up going on and on about it, I still don't understand why she would think you would be tracked down?" He had no forgot, clearly, I was going to have to answer.

"He was locked up, but kept trying to reach me, he said he'd find me when he was released" Explaining, it was like Max's voice in my mind, his face there plaguing my thoughts, this isn't a good thing at all. My heart is seriously broken, today has not been a good day at all, I just want to climb in my bed and shut myself away from the world.

"Let's get you home" He stood up, his arms pulling me up, wrapping around hugging me, fighting back tears, I try to push the thoughts from my mind, thoughts I never want to see again. The drive back we sit quietly, I feel like I have told him my darkest secret. Yet, I didn't even tell him the whole story.

Not even Liam knows, and it is not something I tell anyone, I am scared he is just being nice, so it doesn't hurt my feelings, then he will walk away. Walking through the door, Georgina runs to me and hugs me.

"Alena, I was freaking out here, you should have known we would have been worried" I feel sorry for her, I know how much she must have been scared for me I just totally forgot.

"She's okay, no harm done. She just needed some space" Jackson explaining to her why I was hiding, she seemed to glare at him, Liam looks at us confused, he seriously has no idea what is going on or why people would be worried over me staying out for a few hours.

"Oh, I get it you finally told her and now she's freaking out your ex is coming back to get her" Liam's assumption making Georgina look confused, shaking my head at her to just leave it.

"Look, I need to go to bed, I'm worn out, I will see you all tomorrow" Walking off, not saying goodbye to Jackson, I climbed into bed, tears beginning to fall and not stopping as I fell asleep. Waking up, my eyes looking around the room, my mouth is dry from the alcohol, I don't even know what time it is, walking towards the door, I opened it hearing Georgina's voice, peeking through she sat with Jackson both with a drink in their hands.

"You do realise she's broken, don't you? Max made sure of that before she got away from him. She got used to having no freedom, not having a say in where she could go. She didn't even see her family for over a year, she showed up at my house, black and blue covered in blood, that was the last time she saw him" Flinching at her words, I purposely left that part out, Jackson's fist clenching, his whole body shaking with anger, he looks about ready to kill someone.

"Didn't she tell you all of this? Please don't tell her I said anything, I have put my foot in it now. She will kill me if she finds out" Georgina realising she messed up.

"Max sounds like a right piece of work, where is he now?" Jackson asked, looking at her.

"No idea, she changed universities, moved half way across the country, I came with her, he got out a year ago, she was an absolute mess" Sitting on the floor next to the door I listened to them.

"What sort of man would hit a woman and lock her away?" He shook his head, like the whole thought was crazy.

"He did more than that, I don't know how much she told you but, he did a lot more" Her head fell, looking at her his eyes widened.

"Are you saying he, you know" He couldn't bring himself to say it, she just nodded.

"Look, you're the first guy since Max, something made her snap out of being safe, made her go out after university alone, in a way that is a good thing, your good for her, I think, the fact she stood up to you and Liam yesterday was amazing, she has not stood up for herself or spoke up in years" He nodded looking at her.

"Just don't fuck her over, as I said she is broken, there is no guarantee she will make another relationship like that. I am amazed she spoke to you, honestly, she hasn't even told me the full extent, she was alone with the case worker when she told her everything, me I got a few short sentences she never tells anyone" He nodded to her.

"I was thinking that, maybe I am not right forher, somethings in my life I don't know if she can cope or handle it, but Ilike her, I don't know why, but in a way she has already helped me, I have notbeen with anyone since Caroline. To behonest, I would give everything up to keep her if she didn't like it. What is Max's last name?" I hope she doesn'tsay. Turning so my back is against the wall, I pull my legs up, hugging themlistening to Georgina and Jackson talking, slowly falling asleep next to thedoor.

Waking up to the sun shining through the window, I have no idea what time it is, feeling glad I don't have university though. Rolling over I screamed, jumping back, Jackson sat next to me, looking at me confused.

"Good morning beautiful" He is smiling, he seems in a good mood despite what Georgina had told him, the fact I lied to him and he found out. I feel awful, my head hurts, my eyes feel heavy like I have huge bags under them, I know I will look disgusting.

"I highly doubt I look beautiful" I sit up, looking around the room. How did I get in bed, I fell asleep at the door?

"You do to me, I'll just go grab you a coffee now you're awake" He got up walking out, using this as a chance I got out of bed quickly walking to the bathroom, looking in the mirror, I am shocked I look awful, my eyes are red and puffy from crying.

My hair sticking up everywhere, turning the shower on, stepping in the water numbing my body and mind, it feels free everything running away as my body relaxes the feeling amazing, closing my eyes, tipping my head back I let go, everything being washed away.

All my worries almost gone, disappearing down the drain with the water, I feel so much better now, getting out I wrap a towel around my body. Walking into my bedroom, jumping I nearly scream. Jackson sat on my bed, holding a coffee, I forgot about him still being here.

"What is it with me scaring you? Do I look like a monster or something?" He laughs, touching his face to make sure it felt okay.

"Have you looked in the mirror lately? You're far from monstrous, I just forgot you were here, that's all" Explaining I climb onto the bed next to him, realising I am wearing just a towel holding it closed tightly.

"You look much better, I am guessing you needed that sleep?" His hand rubbed my arm, his eyes watching me.

"I certainly did, I'm glad I don't have university what time is it anyway?" I have not even checked.

"It's one thirty, you missed breakfast and dinner" His smile growing.

"Oh, crap I should get up, I have work today. Did you stay over?" My mind trying to remember what happened after I fell asleep at the door, but it was useless.

"I slept on the sofa, I was up late with Liam and Georgina. Georgina was kind, even offered your bed for me to sleep in, Liam however, said I had to sleep on the sofa and kept checking me" He started laughing I can see Liam doing that.

"Yep, that sounds like them two, alright. They never agree on anything" I can't help but laugh along with him. Finishing my coffee, I was moving to get up, his hands pushing me back down, his legs either side of me, my heart feels like It is about to explode through my chest.

"Do you trust me?" His eyes looking into mine, he is clearly talking about what Georgina mentioned last night, is he going to be asking me this every time he goes to touch me?

"Well, you're currently straddling me in my bed, while I wear nothing but a towel, what do you think? My answer is playful, feeling a bit of myself coming back. His lips, pushing down on mine, kissing me fast and violently, his hand grabbing both of my wrists, pinning them above my head as he kissed down my neck.

"I've been waiting for hours to wake you up, Itold myself to behave, but seeing you with just a towel on, I can't controlmyself" He breaths against my ear,