It would have felt like deja vu had it been the same car she got into the last time but thankfully it wasn't. This was another luxury car but why would she be surprised or impressed? She only felt a twinge of jealousy, he was what? Just like... five years older? She thought when she glanced at him, he didn't look that much older and he already owned a big company such as hers would she be able to achieve same when she was his age?
"Stop staring, come along let's go." He said walking to the car, as she followed behind him she began to curse at herself for being so... spineless. Had it been her older sister they would never had been able to make her do something she didn't want to. Why did she come out like this oh God.
The last time she entered his car he held the door open for her, she thought as she pulled the door open to enter. Maybe this was his twin brother? No, he had the same name, he sounds the same and his scent... gosh, she was going mad. Did he really not remember her? The thought gave her some comfort but she also felt hurt, over the past month he found a way to slide into her thoughts once in a while. But that was it, this is it. 'Charis snap out of it!' She scolded herself. She can't continue doing this, he doesn't even remember you.
*************
Charity stiffened when the cold metal of the gun finally touched her temple. Somehow she knew Jonathan was a spineless coward that had more chances of flying to the moon than actually going through with shooting her. But mistakes happened and she heard him removing the safety of the gun.
"Look at me" Absalom said, his voice powerful yet calm. She obeyed, her eyes fixed on his. Jonathan was not very pleased about that, his arm around her collar bone moved to her neck and he gripped on it hard.
Her hands instinctively flying to the source of the pain, she struggled in his arms. "What the hell are you doing?!" She exclaimed.
"I know what you are trying-"
"Now!" A loud voice thundered, before Jonathan or even Charity for any matter could realize Jonathan grip loosened on her as another loud gunshot echoed in the massive ballroom. Wasting no time Absalom reached forward, using the opportunity he pulled Charity to himself and held her close to him.
Looking down at her, her face showed no emotion, remaining blank but he knew how terrified she was by the way her body trembled aganist his.
Jonathan fell to the ground with a thump and a Yelp. Blood gushing out of a wound on his shoulder, the police showed no mercy still as the pinned him on the ground and handcuffed him.
"Are you okay?" An officer walked to Charity but Absalom, using his larger body shieled her from everyone. His hand lowered till it laid behind her knees, with one swift movement he picked her up and carried her out of the room. Charity still dumbfounded still hadn't said another word. A few moments later, after the check up she sat at the back of an ambulance with a red blanket around her shoulders. Absalom whose eyes never left her even as he spoke with the police, walked over to her when he saw that she was alone.
"Charity?" He called softly and slowly she raised her head to look at him, she stared at him but Absalom didn't feel seen. He didn't feel the skip in his chest everytime she looked at him with that ever present mischief that rested in her blue eyes. "Hey, are you okay?" He walked you her, pushing her hair behind her ear, the warmth of his hands on her cheek caused her to lean into his touch.
"I was about to marry that man" she whispered but Absalom heard what she said. "The police said he is involved in terrorism, I, Charity Sweeney a preacher's kid was about to be married to a terrorist." She laughed, looking up at Absalom she laughed. "Wow... wow, really just wow. God I am so fucking pitiful, not only did he ruin my whole life and leave me stranded that asshole had the guts to hold a gun to my head" she laughed, biting her lip her tear filled eyes finally overflowed, "do you know what the worst thing is? I not angry, I am not buring with rage or desire for revenge. The first thought I had when I saw his wound was... I hope he is okay. I am hurt, it hurts right here" she said placing her hand on her chest. "It hurts so bad" she sobbed, Absalom walked forward and pulled her into his arms. Gently tapping her back as it rocked with each choking sob she let out. Both unlike his gentle hands rage filled his mind, he was mad.
********************
"How did you get home?" Annie asked as Charis walked into their shared apartment. "It's almost dawn" she said as she glanced at the clock.
Charis' eyes widened she turned back to look at the clock that sat above the door sill and sighed, "oh stop exaggerating, it's just past 2AM. And why are you awake?"
"Whose fault is that?" Annie pouted, "anyway you had something to tell me?"
"Huh?" Her eyes widened, then she realised what it was, "oh I kissed the new boss."
"What?!" Annie exclaimed.
"Yeah, I'm sleepy see you tomorrow... or later today? Good night." She said walking to her room but Annie grabbed her arm to keep her steady but Charis pulled away and walked unto her room.
"Hey! You can't just leave me in such suspense!"