"... if you like some of it, why don't you pick your choice and leave the remaining to me."She raised her neatly drawn brows at me."Ah... no ma'am.
I could never... touch the things that was meant for Mr Jake's girlfriend?! No way.
I am too young to die, please."When she said Mr Jake's girlfriend, I choked on my own saliva. Girlfriend?!!!"
You must be mistaken, I..."
"Ah,Ah,AAhh. Mr Jake never lies, pretty. Even if he does, he is saying the truth. When he wired me an awful lot of money, he said you were his woman and I should pick the best. ET VOILA!!...
" she gestured at the clothes,"... aren't I the best personal shopper?" She asked, beaming with smiles.
My face brightened as I wanted to laugh. She's really funny and high spirited. I am guessing she knows a lot about Jake.
"Yes you are."She clapped happily at herself."Okay.
I got you painkillers and oh... you need to leave the bed and clean up."I moved out of the bed.
My legs were wobbly and my body felt achy. I walked to the bathroom, pretending to be alright.
My body was on the verge of breaking, but... it's only for a while..... I got to my apartment, opening the door and then moving in. I felt like not doing anything today, rather than sleeping.
Zoe dashed out of the kitchen, startling me."Oh my God, Rachel! Where have you been?!!"She was wearing an apron, obviously, she was cooking."I was... out."
I said, dropping the shopping bags and then plopping into a couch beside me.She checked the bags.
"You brought clothes?"I covered my eyes with my arm."Yes..."
"Rachel, what's the problem? You don't look good at all. You look like you have been through hell."I didn't respond.
I just kept thinking about nothing else but having a long rest.She sat beside me."Talk to me, I am your best friend.
Did anything happen?."
I took my arm off my face. Staring at the ceiling."
I was raped last night."She was stunned, her eyes and mouth were wide opened.
"RAPED?!
You were...RAPED?!! By who?! How, How did it happen?!!"I began sobbing, covering my face with my hands.
"I'm such a fool."She moved closer, stroking my arm tenderly.
"What happened, Rachel? Talk to me. What the hell happened?!!
"I took off my hands from my face, cleaning off the tears with the back of my hands.
"Jake."
"The next door neighbor?"I sniffled as the tears flowed."Yes."She was dumbfounded,"But how? How did it happen?"I sighed, staring at the ceiling to stop the tears from falling."His... PA was here last night. She said he was sick and he lodged in a hotel.
I panicked because I thought it wasn't a wise decision. If he is sick, then he needs treatment not a hotel I thought he was ignorant about his health.
I begged her to give me the address. She was hesitant but later she did.
On getting there..." I sobbed,"... on getting there, Jake was behaving strange.
He said he was on drugs and then, he forcefully had his way with me.
It was very painful, Zoe. I felt like I was going to die."
"Ha! That bastard!!" She snapped."That's not all..." I sniffled,"... he left this morning without saying a word to me only to wake up to a strange lady offering me clothes, courtesy of him.
"ZOE slammed her fist on the couch."You know what?! I am going to face that rapist of a scoundrel and give him a piece of my mind!!" She angrily got up from the chair.I hastily grabbed her wrist.
"No!
You shouldn't.""Why?! Why can't I deal with that bastard?!! He fucking raped you!!!" She yelled.I sighed.
How am I going to tell her about the double lifestyle he is living and how he once made a threat on her life?.
"I... I can handle it on my own, you don't have to worry."She pulled her hand away from my grip."What?! Can you hear yourself?!!
"I got up from the couch,"Zoe,I will handle this on my own. I won't let him get away with it."She frowned."I am calling your father and I am telling him everything!"I grabbed her shoulders.
"Don't!
Don't do that! Listen to me... I, Rachel, will handle it. Got it?"
She held my gaze for some time before looking away.
"Fine. Fück! I feel like punching that bastard in the guts."I let out a faint smile."I know.
"She sighed.
"Rachel. This evening, we are to see Dan and Steve. We promised them, remember?."Yeah...I remember.My blind date with Steve.
As much as I wanted to go, what happened last night, made me devastated and left me in complete disarray.
"I don't think it would be possible.""C'mon Rachel, it's just a blind date. What could possibly happen? Besides, you need to come with me.
What you need now, is a little pick-me-up and Steve is such a cool guy." I sighed, staring into her eyes.
"Alright."She squealed in excitement, hugging me suddenly.
"I literally love you!"
"I know..." I smiled,"... you don't have to say it.".....
Evening|6:45pm|:
We were at the fun fair, having a cup of ice cream with Steve and Dan. It was fun. Zoe and I were all giggly and smiles, laughing at the joke they both told.
Steve... he is breathtaking and handsome. His hair was blonde and styled in a quiff. He had attractive green eyes and was really tall too.
His dimples were to die for and he spoke in the British accent.He was wearing a San Francisco 49ers sweat jacket, over a white T-shirt. Grey sweatpants with a pair of white Nike air max sneakers.
"I like you a lot, Rachel." he said."Are you serious, Steve?"I asked him.
"Of course, you look so beautiful this evening.
"I was wearing a pink long sleeved crop top and a denim short skirt. On my feet, I wore a pair of denim ugg boots.
We left Zoe and Dan together, strolling to a more quiet place."You look handsome too." I said, scooping some ice cream with a spoon.
"Nah Rachi. The moon only captivates your night time beauty, but the sun rises with it as well."I blushed.What a smooth guy.
"You shouldn't say that. You are flattering me." I said, focusing on the cup."Why should I flatter you?..."
he held my arm. I glanced at him to see him staring at me,"... You are beautiful and that's not a lie.
"I felt my heart beating slowly. He held my waist, bringing me closer."
When I was told it was going to be a blind date, I thought of the worst that could happen.
On seeing you for the first time here, I was relieved and to be honest, it was love at first sight for me."I smiled.Me too.But I can't tell him that. I can't even bring myself to staying happy and relaxed.
My thoughts kept going back to last night.I sighed, pushing him backwards.
"It's good that I am attractive to you. That's a honest feeling, but right now, I don't wanna get hurt."He held my arm.
"Hurt? I could never hurt you. Why should I?"
"You don't understand. It's just that..." I paused, not knowing what to say.I looked away from him. With his index finger, he tilted my chin to look at me.
"I can never hurt you, Rachi. The thing is, I like you and I want you to be my girlfriend. I will be happy if you accept me as your man.
I promise to make you happy." He said, inching his face closer to meet my lips as his thumb kept stroking my cheek.
Our noses crossed paths and..."Don't even think of doing that, Rachi.
A voice said from behind me. I gasped, recognizing that tone. The sternness and coldness of it, made me quiver.
I quickly turned around to see Jake approaching us with his hands tucked into the pockets of the black trench coat he was wearing.
I moved backwards in fear, bumping into Steve. He held me,"Are you alright, Rachel?. Who is this guy?" Steve asked.
Jake stood two feet away from us, staring down at me. He glanced at Steve."Who is he? A new boyfriend?"
"Yes.
I am her boyfriend, mister. You were interrupting a beautiful moment!" Steve snapped.
I was stunned by Steve boldness.Fuck!I saw the way angry sparks flew between the two men as they locked gazes.
"What are you expecting from me? An apology?" Jake asked."More like you should get lost, right now!!!"
Steve yelled.Jake chuckled."Steve Callahan. 24yrs old, a pending quarterback for the Miami bulls.
Son to a well known republican and also a chronic playboy.
"Steve was astounded. He stared at Jake with disbelief in his eyes.
"How did you...?"
"Know?. Pfft, you are easy to read. Well, do you do this on the fly? You know..."
Jake shrugged,"... kiss your baits?"Steve clenched his fists.
He grabbed my wrist."Lets get out of here and leave this psycho to his madness.
"I had nothing to say, he simply dragged me along.
"She's not yours, Steve.
What about Paula? Isn't she your girlfriend anymore?"
I shot my head up to look at Steve. He looked uncomfortable and angry, gritting his teeth."You don't take what ain't yours, boy.
You have to give it back.
"Steve angrily turned around to look at him."
SHUT UP!!!
"Jake grinned."Why? Is the truth that bitter?"Steve left my wrist, he stormed towards Jake.