The Couple

Celia

My head's spinning like a ferris wheel. And it is hurting like someone is hammering a nail into it. I got up and sat on the bed with my head leaned with my eyes closed on the headboard. Looking for Chris, as I patted my hand on the bed to get ahold of him I didn't find him and called out for him but no response.

What the hell? It is neither my room nor Chris's, where am I?

As I tried to get up to look around the room which contains a bed on which I am lying and two chairs, a table with a wooden closet, I fell back on the bed holding my head. This room might be strange, but is cozy and warm. I opened my eyes and looked out of the window to find I am deep inside the forest where the wolves are spotted by the town people.

I clearly remember, I didn't drink much last night at the party. I was in my senses until Harris came to me to show the photographs in his phone and then Chris joined us and asked me to turn around. I did as he said, I heard some shouting from behind me but I couldn't get myself to turn and look. I gulped down my drink which Harris brought me and the another one nearby on the counter lost in my thoughts. How did I get so drunk, who brought me here, does Chris know I am here? How do I get out of here?

I found my dress on one of the chairs, and some clothes of a man on the other which I think belong to Chris as it is the same tuxedo he wore last night. A sense of relief washed down on me until the next thought struck me. Why did he bring me deep in the woods, when he can take to any place in this town?

I took off some red shirt that I was wearing and put on my green dress back. Harris must have spiked my drink but why Chris brought me here only is the only disturbing question to me right now.

I made my way outside holding the wall by my side for support and found Bryan sitting casually on the couch in the middle of the hall scrolling his face. He looked in my direction as I opened the gate and stood up as I saw him.

I guess my face was betraying me and showed how scared I was as his serious face pitied as soon as he looked at me. He stepped towards and stepped back inside the room and locked it behind me. It was really Christian who brought me here in the forest while I was unconscious.

I was sitting on the bed when I heard the front door and Bryan talking to someone and then door closing. There was a knock on the door and it was Christian.

"Heaven, please open the door. It is me Chris." I almost ran to him when I reminded myself that this man might be my boyfriend but I have known him for only 3 weeks and he brought me here where no one can find me and I might be in the biggest danger of my life right now.

With no reply, he continued.

"I get it you're scared, I know I should have been by your side when you woke up but I needed to get medicines for you. I left Bryan here to protect you. You're safe here, please open the door, Heaven." I wanted to let him in and hug him, cry out my fear like last time and be in his embrace but can I really trust this guy.

"Why are we here, Christian?" I asked him through the door.

"I will tell you everything, please open the door, Heaven." He spoke more like whispered in pain.

Hearing him hurt moved me, I couldn't control myself anymore and hugged him as soon as I saw his sweet handsome face. He responded with a tight hug that I suffocated for a moment with my face buried in his chest.

"Christian, your arms are too tight. Relieve me a bit." But he tightened his grip.

"Stop calling me Christian first. I am Chris for you."

"Okay, fine Chris, please relieve me."

He released me and dragged me to the couch where Bryan was seated sometime before. He returned with a glass of water and a packet of medicines.

"Take two tablets, please." He pushed the tray to me and sat beside me with his hands on his knees and head down. Only then I noticed how he was covered in sweat and his wet shirt was sticking to his body. I gulped down two tablets with the water as he asked me to do but only after checking the pills. I know I might sound lame to someone but right now, I don't want to take any risk and make a fool of myself.

My head is still aching due to last night. I made some space between us and started massaging my head leaning on the headrest of the sofa. I didn't realise when he started massaging after pushing my hands away. The pain was relieved a bit.

I opened my eyes and sat sideways to face pulling away from him. I need answers to my questions first. I looked at him. He looked hurt and angry.

"Someone spiked your drink last night and I think it was Harris. You looked upset when you were talking to him. I came up to you both but you were lost. He tried showing me something on his phone. I guess I was wrong the other night at the pub, I should have killed him."

"He showed me the photographs of me and Peter in our parking lot. He told me if he showed you those, you won't believe me and leave me. It was nothing like he showed you. Peter was threatening me, there is nothing he told you. Trust me." I sounded more like a fool right now.

"I know, our relationship has been a mess from the beginning but trust me. I am not a cheater." He came close and shushed me as he wiped my tears, I didn't realise till now that I was crying.

"I didn't see anything, he wanted to show me. And I trust you more than anyone. What didn't you tell me that he threatened you?"

"I didn't want you to beat another guy because of me. I might look delicate but I know how to handle these man whores. I hurt his man part with my knee, he was too sensitive." I don't know which part made him laugh but he was laughing too hard.

"What are you laughing about?"

"You're too funny, Heaven."

"Which part was funny for you?" Hearing me, he stopped laughing suddenly.

"I am sorry, but that was funny. Although I appreciate how you handled that." He coughed trying to hide his laughter.

"Why did you bring me here? We could have gone to my apartment."

"I didn't want you anywhere near that bastard. And tomorrow you're resigning and this is not up for discussion."

"We could have gone to your house or inn in town. But why here deep in the forest, Chris?" He frowned as if he didn't like me questioning that made me move back but there was no more space for me to move back.

"I couldn't take you because then I couldn't stay with you at night there and at the inn it would be too much gossip to handle for you by today." I was analysing his words when he spoke again.

"I didn't realise you were afraid of me till now, I thought you were angry that I was not by your side when you woke up. I can never dare to hurt you, how could you think of that?" I was shocked with his sudden statement. I was speechless, I didn't know what to say or how to explain myself. His reasons explained much and were quite satisfactory. I can't doubt his intentions now.

"If you still don't trust me, I can call Ethan and Mary. They knew I brought you here. My family knows of this place, Jeanne knows too. If you want..." Before he could explain himself and embarrass me more, I reached out and hugged him. I knew I was a fool to doubt him but couldn't help myself.

"I am sorry, Chris. I know I am stupid." He responded back and hugged me. We stayed like that for quite some time when my phone rang in the room.

"Let it ring, don't leave me." He pulled me to the couch again as I was about to get my phone.

"I need to get it, leave me." I got up and went to pick up the call. It was Jeanne. I showed the caller id as he followed me in. He shrugged and pulled me close into his body.

"Hello, are you alright? Mary just told me what happened last night. Thank god, Broda was there for you."

"Hello to you too, J. Yes I am alright." I tried to sound like I just woke up and was still in a hangover.

"Good, where are you?" I looked at Chris for an answer but he was busy caressing my neck and collarbone. Before I could reply to anything, she continued herself. "I don't care. Just come home now with all your stuff."

"Jeanne, all the stuff?" I tried shutting my mouth as he nipped my soft spot.

"Yes, all your stuff, come soon we all are waiting for you."

"In an hour, is it okay? I need to shower and get ready." I tried sounding more sincere and genuine. I just hope she won't know I am pretending while I am better now and with her brother.

After a few more reminders and questions from Jeanne and my vague answers, we ended the call. I turned and looked at Chris before I spoke.

"Is one hour enough for both routes? I don't know where we are, so I just told her I am at my apartment and I also need to shower and change clothes."

"Yes, if we do it quickly." I pushed him a little bit and gave him a serious look to tell him I am serious and want to leave this place as much as I want to spend time with him.

"Okay, okay fine. Lets leave. First we go to your apartment. Get a shower together and then leave for my house." As he held my hand pulled me to the main door of the cabin and then to his car parked outside. "We're not taking the shower together. We need to hurry and not get late."

He chuckled and we got in the car. He drove really fast while telling me on the way how everything will now be at home and how grandma will react. He even imitated grandma once.

"Ohh my child, are you alright? I am so sad that it happened. You will stay with us now. Please let me take care of you." It was really funny how he told me everything till we reached my apartment. He walked beside me in alert mode. He was making sure that he encountered Harris and his friends first before me.

I took the shower as fast as I could and packed a few clothes with me knowing Jeanne and grandma won't let me leave their place soon. Even I want to change my place now.

He let me drive my car as it might make J and grandma ask more questions. He drove behind me while Bryan was on his motorbike before me. He called Bryan to help him drive me safely to his house. It feels strange driving like this, between two vehicles and bothering two people for my safety. We reached a nearby house and stopped at a distance while Bryan was still riding before me.

Jeanne ran out and hugged me. She neglected Bryan as if it was okay being him with me. I don't know why it doesn't bother her but thankfully it doesn't because I don't know how I would have explained to her that Chris asked him to follow me around me for a while.

We went in while Bryan carried my bag from the car and went upstairs. Grandma pulled me in a hug.

"Oh my child, I am sorry you went through that. Are you alright? Now you live with us and let me take care of you." Hearing the same words that Chris told me made me laugh. I tried to suppress that laughter. Fortunately, grandma was still hugging me and can't see my face but Mary got me.

Grandma pulled away and asked me if I had breakfast and I denied. Now, I get why Chris didn't feed me on our way to my apartment when I told him I am hungry. We went to the dining room and they fed me like a baby. But I still don't know what Mary told them and how much of it is true. I need to talk to her.