Chloe
As sweet as Blake has been, I am still on edge being in an apartment, alone with him. I don’t know him, and even though he has not given me any reasons to feel threatened, I still can’t relax. I guess that happens when you have had trust issues your entire life and anyone you have ever trusted has either lied or hurt you.
I am not used to people coming to my rescue. I have come to terms with the card I have been dealt in life. Yes, Max can be horrible, but he can also be amazing. If it wasn’t for him, I have no idea where I would be today, if I would have survived. He gave me a job, a place to stay and took care of me, loved me, and he still does these things, but sadly he can’t control his temper, not in the way he used to, not since he started drinking again. I am hoping he will find a way to stop drinking, and I can get the man I fell in love with back. He was sober for three years when I met him. We have been together for over two and a half years, and he was sober the first year and a half of our relationship.
“Chloe, what is on your mind?” the sound of Blake’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
I turn my attention to him to find him looking at me, a concerned look on his face.
“Nothing,” I answer simply. I am not opening up to him.
“Okay, but if you need to talk, I am here,” he says softly, “Are you hungry?”
I shake my head. I am a little hungry, but I don’t want to ask for too much since him helping me out and bringing me here is a lot to ask from a stranger.
“If you change your mind, don’t hesitate to ask. You can use the shower if you want, and I can give you warmer clothes to put on?” he suggests.
I don’t understand why he is being so lovely to me. He must be expecting something in return because that’s how life works. One person can be this sweet and caring. It is impossible. The world is full of evil, not good, well, my world it. Maybe it isn’t for other people.
“Um, yes, please, a shower sounds good.” I smile.
It would help relax me and heat me up. Plus, I am a little sore from when Max pushed me against the wall. It was forceful and hurt my back.
“Come on. I will show you where it is. I will also grab some clothes on the way to the bathroom. There are warm towels already in there, and use any of the products you need. I apologise. I don’t have anything other than man’s shower gel and shampoo.” He replies.
I manage a soft smile, “That’s okay. I don’t mind.”
He nods, encouraging me to follow. He has such a beautiful apartment. You can tell by looking at it he has money.
“Do you want a tee to wear with the joggers or use the hoodie you have on?” he questions as he looks things out for me.
“A tee, please.” I would probably get too warm once in bed, so a tee for underneath is good.
He hands me his clothes, and I thank him.
“The bathroom is in there, and the door next to it is the spare room where you can sleep. Do you want to take a look or shower first?”
“Shower first.”
Blake opens the door, “I will wait in the living room for you. Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?”
“Positive,” I say, heading in and closing the door behind me, locking it.
The bathroom is massive! It is probably the size of my bathroom and kitchen in one, maybe bigger. I have never seen such a spacious shower, and its head looks huge and powerful. He also has a bathtub. I strolled over to the shower and became confused instantly. There are so many nobs and buttons on it. I have no idea what any of them mean.
I unlock the door, popping my head out, “Blake, I don’t know how your shower works.” I call out, feeling like an idiot, unable to do it myself.
I hear him coming upstairs, and he soon appears in front of me, “Sorry. I should have shown you. It is not only a shower but a steam room too.”
“Fancy.” I laugh, much to my surprise.
“Yes, I know. But it is amazing. If you want to try, I can show you how both the shower and steam room work,” he chuckles.
“One complicated thing at a time, please,” I snicker.
“You have a pretty laugh,” he blurts out.
My cheeks heat at his compliment, “Thanks.” I say awkwardly.
Blake rubs the back of his neck nervously, “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, it is okay. It has been a while since someone has complimented.”
“That’s a shame because you are beautiful,” he smiles, “Anyway. Let me sort the shower out for you.” He adds, changing the subject.
The heat on my cheeks worsens, and I anxiously nibble on my lower lip. Blake shows me how everything works, and once I know, it doesn’t seem as complicated. He put it on the right setting for me.
“If you want it warmer or colder, just press this button here.” He smiles.
I thank him, and he exits the bathroom. I lock the door again before stripping down and stepping into the shower. The second the warm water ran over me, I started to relax. There is a good chance I may stay in here for a long time, hopefully, he won’t mind.
***
I have no idea how long I was in the shower, but I should get out. I work out how to switch it off and climb out, drying myself off and pulling the clothes on he gave me. I use his comb on my hair, slipping it into a tie.
I leave the bathroom, heading back downstairs to where he was. My clothes and the towels in my hands.
“Where do you want me to put the wet towels?”
He walks over to me, smiling. He has a beautiful smile. “I will put them in the machine. Do you want your things washed too?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you to do that.” I protest.
“I don’t mind. Did you enjoy your shower?” he asks, taking everything from me.
“Yes. Sorry I was in it so long.” I whisper, embarrassed.
“Nothing to be sorry for. I am going to make some grilled cheese. Would you like some?” I believe he is determined to convince me to eat.
“Sure.” I smile.
Grilled cheese sounds good. Blake disappears towards the kitchen, and I stand there awkwardly. Do I follow or sit back down? Thankfully he answers my question for me, motioning me to the kitchen.
“Do you want onions with it or some potato chips on the side?”
“Potato chips, please. Can I help?” I am the one who does everything at home—all the cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping. Max makes me do it and tells me it is my way of earning my keep.
“No. You sit down and relax. There is water, soda or fruit juice in the fridge if you are thirsty.”
I took a bottle of water, asking him if he wanted anything, and he wanted the same. I grab a bottle from him, too, sitting down.
“Blake, are you sure you don’t mind me being here?” I feel like I am imposing.
“Chloe, you can stay here for as long as you want. I understand you don’t want to talk about what happened because you don’t know me, but I beg you, do not go back to him.” He glances at me with hopeful eyes.
“It isn’t that simple. He hasn’t always been bad. He is the only person in my life, the one who knows me. I have my job and a place to stay because of him. All of my things are in our apartment. I have nowhere else to go, and he would find me even if I did disappear. If he can stop drinking again, we would be okay. He wouldn’t be hurting me.” I sigh, trying my best not to cry.
It is easy for people to make assumptions and judgements, but they don’t have a damn clue.
“It is possible to start again, Chloe. My mother did. My father abused her for years, but she finally found the courage to leave, find a better life for herself.” I can hear the sadness in his voice.
“I am happy she did, but it isn’t possible for everyone. Not everyone has the strength your mom had, Blake. Can we please stop talking about it? I will be gone by tomorrow, and you will never see me again, so please stop trying to fix me and my situation. I appreciate everything you have done tonight, but my life is complicated.”
I am trying to keep my voice calm because I don’t want to seem ungrateful.
“Yes, you do have the strength. You just don’t realise it yet. I will drop it, though, but please sleep on it, and if tomorrow you don’t want to go home, you can stay here for as long as you need. I can help you find another job.” He leans over, squeezes my hand and leaves the conversation there.
I won’t change my mind and be gone before he wakes up. He will forget all about me in no time and get on with his life.