Cleo
They say curiosity killed the cat. I always say; curiosity might have killed the cat but the cat died satisfied... But then a cat has nine lives so it lived to tell the tale.
I have many ways to cope when it comes to flashbacks that sometimes leave me on edge or shaken. I run , do cardio, self defense or yoga. I haven't seen Duncan in over three years and I guess I'm doing all right; more than all right because I think I like someone. I didn't lay any charges on Duncan , he was well off and he could afford a good lawyer that could discredit me on the stand. I never really liked him because of his status or money . I liked him for who he was or so I thought before he became controlling and promiscuous. When I called him out on his unsavory and unsanitary behavior, he flat out denied it, and funny thing is I made him wait as in I didn't give it up to him because I wasn't sure I wanted to at that stage of our relationship. I wanted to make him work for it . Mainly because I didn't want to make him think I was easy. My independence streak didn't sit well with him. If I knew then what I know now I would've walked away. Maybe I wouldn't have scars if I had listened to my inner voice, instead of being impulsive. I can't blame myself for someone's bad behavior .
Last night was totally unexpected for lack of a better word. Angelo used Jane's key to "break in" and invade my space. He apologized for what happened earlier at the office. He ended up opening up to me about something heavy. I can't explain it; but I didn't want to see him hurting . As peeved as I was about the incident at the office, I understood why he reacted the way he did. I admit I wouldn't know what to do.
I was slowly coming around and waking up. It was still dark outside or the sunshine would have disturbed my slumber. Unless I shut the blinds. What happened last night? Hmm; nightmare , thunderstorm, Angelo in my apartment, Chai tea with Angelo , he was crying... Warm shower and bed. Okay I need to wake up. what the hell is going on, what happened the night before this morning. Come on Cleo wake up . Quick mental body scan. Head on shoulders , no beeping machines... (No beeping machines. Thank you Creator for another day of life) . Check. Oh my word my pelvic muscles are a tad bit sore. I didn't go into my toy collection last night after my nightmare and I keep all three toys locked up. My cunt feels different this morning and there is a heavy arm on my waist. Brendan and I have boundaries and he's my friend , eew no nah ah . Deep breath . Let me take a deep breath and opened my eyes.
" Morning ."
He smiled at me and I winced.
"I'm dreaming right ? You're not here. I wanted you but not this soon and if I'm not dreaming then . Damn you heart ."
The guy laughed and pulled me closer to his chest and ran his fingers up and down my bare back.
"Good morning Bella. Don't freak out."
Blue . I'm waking up next to a real life version of Hercules who has a sexy voice period and he's smiling. Air punch . How did I get so lucky. Oh I remember what happened last night . That's why I can't feel my legs .
"Blue .Good morning. Did you sleep well ?"
Angelo was smiling from ear to ear and he looked even sexier with his messy bed hair.
" Like a rock. After our sessions last night and this morning I'm surprised you're up... "
I started having flashbacks to last night and early this morning. No regrets. I slid up to face Angelo."
"Are you complaining ?"
Angelo looked at me and kissed me . I kissed him back and pulled away.
"I am not .You were amazing, by far the best I've ever had. Thank you for what you did last night. I will pay you back in full I promise. "
"No need to. We seem to have a fun way of coping . "
"I love your way."
I spotted my PJ top at the far corner of my bed and I crawled out of the covers to put it on.
"I promise to tell you . Its only fair Blue."
This guy isn't human. He's a machine . Okay he's human because I saw Angelo not the CEO or father but a guy I like .Oh hell my scars. He's seen them. I have to come clean before I can think of anything else. He showed me his flames and taught me how to handle them . I have to show him mine .
I slid back into the covers next to him. It was a bit cold outside there was a cold front that hit us hard.
" If it wasn't cold . I'd tell you not to cover up . However those black undies go well with the top."
Angelo opened his arms for me to snuggle into. Once I was on his chest he wrapped his arms around me with a thick fleece blanket .
"Aren't you cold.?"
"With you in my arms , I have all the warmth I need. Body, heart, mind, and soul. You've thawed away the icebox that caged my heart. I've not only found me, but someone who gets me."
Angelo kissed my forehead and went silent . I knew his silence spoke volumes...
" You're so sweet... Last night marked there years since I was almost killed ..."
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes .
" No judgement zone and I cross my heart and pinkie swear my babe . This stays between us."
" I woke up that morning of the attack normally. I had breakfast and through out the week I packed some of my stuff from Duncan's closet and brought it home. We had been a couple for a year and the cheating started six months into the relationship. I found him with Nikki hence she was able to remember me . "
"He broke the bro code . You don't sleep with best friends sisters ."
"Yeah , he was pretty much sleeping with his Friend's sister's behind my back. When I told him we were over he was in denial. I had ignored him all week . The weeks leading up to my decision to end the relationship, I was subjected to emotional and physical abuse. After Sunday lunch with my mother I realized that a bracelet I was given by a friend , wasn't in my stuff. I'm always in order and if I can't find something I'm looking for I will go crazy. I also value anything given to me . I remembered that I left it at Duncan's family cabin and I called a meter taxi that would drop me off and I figured I'd take the the risk even when my inner voice was against it.
"Why didn't you drive yourself?"
"I had one too many glasses of wine... Two. Once I made it to that side of town I figured I would book into a B&b.
I had already packed an overnight bag so all I needed to do was get my bracelet where I had forgotten it which was in the study."
"I'm right here."
"I'm thankful. I saw he's car in the driveway , knocked and he opened. I said hi and ran upstairs into the study by the book shelf and I found it.
When I turned around he was leaning on the door frame . I told him he startled me and he was angry so he slapped me and told me I'm nothing to him, I didn't fight back. I had a weave on and the hair was shoulder length. I looked up and slapped me so hard. I hit the ground . When I told him to stop and asked why. He mentioned my missing clothes and that he doesn't lose. I got up and made my way out , before I knew it I was pulled by my hair and my body was thrown at the wall. One of the ornaments had a sharp edge and my skin and bone made contact with the object. It felt like being cut by something metallic . When I got up he punched me in the gut . I said nothing . I was in a black crew neck sweater and skinny jeans. I had an ankle boot on and I had left my bag outside because I thought I wasn't going to be long . In a fit of rage and wanting to fight back I elbow punched him on the groin and tried to make it to the stairs . When I made it to the first step I was stabbed and pushed down. I rolled down to the foot of the staircase and my head hit the steel banister . I could move . I had injured my shoulder so badly and my head hurt. I fell down one flight . "
Angelo started soothing me. I started shaking and crying.
"What happed next?"
"He started kicking me harder saying stuff I couldn't comprehend because of the state he put me in . The last thing I remember was a blade in clavicle area and trees and then a car and then funny enough a bracelet that was given to me by the guy who saved me ."
" Why didn't you report him?"
"I couldn't. He had enough money to hire the best lawyers and I didn't. I also couldn't subject Brendan to a lie he would fabricate saying I made him do it."
"Have you slept with Brendan?"
"No."
"After Thursday night ?"
I turned and kissed his jaw and neck .
"No he's like a brother to me. I would never cheat on you if that's what you're asking."
"Duncan will pay."
"No Angelo. No more. I have you. This is going to sound strange but in the short time I've known you."
"Three weeks."
"All I've ever wanted to do was run away from you."
"How did that work out ?"
"It didn't and I'm glad it didn't Gio is an angel he is so you...
I've fallen for you . Head over heels ."
"How do you handle your flames?"
"Same way you do, but since I have no one . My toy collection does the trick."
Angelo flipped me over and started tickling me.
" I guess I need to reward you for being a great sport last night so it's my turn."
I looked at him and he gave me a salacious smile.
" I dare you to top what I did last night."
" Challenge accepted."
© #KCMmuoe