A Night Attack
Julia pressed her back against the door and sunk to the floor hugging her legs.
In her silence, she recalled their passionate moment together; Jason grabbed her by the side. Her hand quickly went to that side of her body and she felt a burning sensation touching it. Looking at it, her skin had turned red, and it was bruised. It was a hand-print. She didn't know why, but she felt sad and tears started flowing down her face as she rested her head on her knees.
Jason was out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist and with another, he dried his hair. He picked some fresh clothes from the closet, put them on, and stepped out of the room after dressing up. He draws the curtains, allowing in some light and fresh air. He turned, and his eyes fell on a red dress lying on the floor, along with female underwear. He frowned deeply, wondering if Julia had run out of the apartment naked.
"How did she leave the apartment without her clothes?" Jason thought, heading towards the entrance door.
Passing by the stairs, he heard the soft sobbing due to how quiet the apartment was. He frowned and climbed the stairs only to find Julia sitting in front of the bedroom door hugging her legs with her head on her knees. She had no clothes on and, due to the colour of her skin, the red mark on the side of her waist was very visible. For some reason, seeing her looking that vulnerable, Jason felt an ache in his heart. Julia was still in her position, not realizing Jason was standing on the stairs looking at her.
Jason walked towards her and that was when Julia lifted her head to see him upon hearing the footsteps. She wanted to run away from him, so she got up but remembered she was naked and went back down covering her chest with her knees. Stopping a couple of distances away from her, Jason picked up the keys from the top of the doorpost and unlocked the door for her. Seeing the door open, Julia wanted to go inside, but she was finding it difficult to get up as she had no clothes on and Jason was standing right in front of her. He did, however, notice her discomfort and walked away.
"You left your clothes downstairs," Jason said as he walked towards the stairs. "There are some clothes in the closet. You can pick one to wear and some fresh towels from the bathroom cabinet," he added, and went down the stairs.
Julia quickly entered the room. After a few minutes, she slowly descended the stairs wearing a pair of shorts and an oversized T-shirt.
"Does it hurt?" Jason asked in a deep calm voice and Julia was confused.
"Your side, does it hurt?" Jason repeated and Julia shook her head in a no
Jason walked towards her holding a cup of tea and offered it to her. Julia took it from his hand and drank it.
During his first meeting with her, Jason was very violent, even hitting her, but now, he didn't like seeing her hurt or in pain. Julia's eyes scanned the living room but realized the clothes she had been wearing the previous night were nowhere to be found.
Jason went inside the room and returned carrying a first aid box. He opened it and picked an ointment from it and gave it to her.
"Here, apply this on your bruises, it will heal faster. It feels a little cold," Jason said and placed it on the table for her and Julia nodded, picking up the medication.
They both left the apartment using the stairs to the next floor. Jason took long strides, leaving her behind. He entered the living room, wearing a white T-shirt whose sleeves hugged his biceps and his well-formed chest was very visible. He wore that with black trousers. He climbed the stairs and went to his room. Julia was next to enter as she was far behind. Upon entering, she ran into Mrs Haward, who had just entered the living room.
"You know, for someone who is married, staying out late is one thing, but look at you, you went out, spent the entire night out till morning and returned in different clothes," Mrs Haward said, looking at Julia up and down.
Julia stood frozen with her head lowered but said nothing in response to Mrs Haward, and she started walking towards her room when Mrs Haward didn't say anything more to her for a while.
"I am talking to you idiot, where do you think you are going?" Mrs Haward said, grabbing Julia's hand violently.
"Who were you with, prostitute?" Mrs Haward yelled at her.
Just then, James entered the living room, now returning home, with his hand around the waist of a woman in clothes that made her appear half-naked.
"Wow, when did my bro start giving you his clothes to wear?" James commented, and Mrs Haward and Julia's gaze went to the clothing Julia was wearing.
Julia quickly ran upstairs and never stopped till she was in her room. In her attempt to close the door, she ended up banging it, making a loud sound. Jason stepped out of his room to check what was happening. As soon as he stepped out, he heard Mrs Haward calling him.
"Jason, Jason," Mrs Haward yelled, climbing the stairs, and James went into his room with the lady.
"Do you know you have a thief in the house?" Mrs Haward complained upon seeing Jason.
"Who stole what?" Jason questioned with a frown.
"That wife of yours is now stealing your clothes. She went out and stayed out till morning and returned in your clothes," Mrs Haward complained.
"She is my wife. What is wrong with her wearing my clothes?" Jason defended.
"Jason, where is your second head? Your wife spends the night out till morning and returns wearing your clothes, and you see nothing wrong with that?" questioned Mrs Haward.
"Mum, please leave her alone," Jason said, and went back to his room.
"One more night, you idiot," Mrs Haward thought with a frown, and continued to her room.
The day went by with Julia and Jason spending their entire day inside their room. Later that night, while Julia was sleeping, a hand covered her mouth and a knife was placed under her chin. She opened her eyes in shock but could not see who it was as the room was dark.