Chapter 24: chapter 24

Next morning,        I woke up running my hand on another side of the bed, expecting him to be there. So that, I can nestle in his hands. But, he wasn't there. I touched it again to be sure, he was not there. I opened my eyes and searched for him, he is not in the bed. I rolled back and laid on my stomach, keeping my head on the pillow.There, I spotted him near the window. He was in his undershorts gazing at the scenarios outside the window. His green eyes are analysing the images he sees through them. What a morning view! I eyed him from top to bottom and swallowed hard. Did I spend a night with this sexy man? I let out a heavy breath and analysed the tattoos on his body.His left bicep was inked with a Taurus Zodiac tattoo. Following that, his upper right chest is inked with an eagle flying opening its wings. Below, his right abdomen was inked with his dog name 'Roger' in italics which ran vertically up to the tip of his hip. I raised my eyes again up and his left chest had minute letters which I couldn't get to read. But, I can be sure it's another language.His subconscious alerted him that someone is eyeing him. He turned to look at me and asked, "Hey, when do you wake up?""Morning" I turned and laid on my back stretching my hands.He sat near me with a gloomy face and rubbed my forehead gently, "How was yesterday?""Magical" I winked, "What about you?""I was happy until," he sighed and gently pulled down the blanket away from me. He stopped near my hip and touched my bruises, "What's all this?" He looked at me."It's nothing...it's just...umm...I slipped"."Ana, the truth" he ordered me."It's punishment bruises. Whenever I try to escape from him, I try to hide under my bed or in a closet or inside the bathroom. He'll pull me out vigorously shouting and this is the result".He kept his eyes back on the bruises, still running hands on them. He clenched his jaw in anger."Chris" I pressed my lips together and stopped him from running hands on them.He raised his eyes and spoke in an angry voice, "I want to kill him, right now"."No...No..." I sat up on the bed wrapping myself under the blanket, "That's not the right punishment for him. I want him to suffer. Killing him, it's just five minutes of pain. After that, who knows? He may be in hell, but I don't know for sure. I want to show him hell here. One day, I'll break his pride, his magazine and when he comes to know this all happened because of me, it'll be hell for him".He let out a breath, "That's your way of punishment. If I see him, definitely he gonna get a good thrash from me. I want to tear his mask and..." He grinded his teeth, "Never mind, I don't want the morning to be spoiled because of him. Distract me please"."Ooh...you want a distraction" I went near him and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing his lips, "Is this enough?"His mood lightened, "No...Not enough" he pushed me back to the bed, I fell and he kissed me, "Can we continue where we left?" He tickled me.I laughed till tears came out of my eyes, he chuckled seeing my smile and when we got tired, we laid on our back gasping for air.I hugged him and snuggled inside his chest. He wrapped his arms behind me and played with my hair.After few minutes, I spoke running my hands on his chest hair, "Boy, you have so many tattoos?""Actually, I didn't like it at first".I looked at him, "Then what made you to like it?"His lips twitched upwards, "Mr and Mrs Rovan didn't like it. So, I had this to irk them and it became part of me" he chuckled."Chris, at least they are one step better than mine"."No, they aren't" he opposed it strongly, "You don't know what they did..." He stopped.He held back something.After few seconds, he sighed, "I've already asked you, don't spoil my morning. Change the topic, please" he requested."Ok...ok...sorry...umm...you hungry?""Very" he licked his lips.I rolled my eyes, "I'm asking, Breakfast?""I am answering to that" he winked, "You dirty! You thought something sexy in your mind?""No...No...nothing" I raised from the bed before he can catch my blushing cheeks, "I'm going to prepare breakfast. Any special requests?""Orange juice, please"."Noted" I kissed his cheeks swiftly before he can catch me for another kiss. I headed to the bathroom, showered and changed into jeans and a shirt.When I saw my yesterday's clothes on the bathroom floor, I recollected about the pendant. Shit! It should not be spoiled from the rain. I took that out of my pocket and looked for any damages, nothing. I became relieved and came out sliding into my jean pocket.He was in his phone, with a towel wrapped around his neck. He was bit tensed and irritated, "Chris, you okay?" I touched his shoulder.He looked at me and immediately locked his phone, "Oh...no...nothing" he stood up and smiled."You sure?""Yeah...yeah..." He kissed my head, "I...umm...was talking to Chuck. Everything is fine"."If you say so" I shrugged, "I turned on the shower. Go inside before it can lose its steam".He went inside rubbing his chin.I came to the kitchen and started to prepare scrambled eggs, burgers and freshly squeezed orange juice. I remembered yesterday night. His magical touch was everywhere on my skin, the way his lips ran on my face and finally when we cuddled together listening to each other breath. It bought me a smile to my lips. I'm falling hard for him and couldn't get him out of my mind.I came back to sense, when he moved a chair to sit, "Is breakfast ready?" He rubbed his stomach, "I'm so hungry" he spoke like a child."Five minutes".We finished our breakfast and he wiped his mouth with a napkin, "Aah! My stomach and heart are full today" he took my hand and kissed the back of my palm, "Thank you".I stopped sipping my coffee, "Ooo...almost forgot...here" I took the pendant out of my jeans, "Here, Christopher Pendant for Christopher".He was totally surprised, "Ana, when you bought this?""Yesterday, I thought to surprise. You like it?""Oh...yeah" he smiled showing his teeth, "Thank you" he bought it from me, "I'll wear it till the end of my life" he kissed me, "Really, thank you so so much" he wore it on his neck. It suited his neck, "Now, it's my turn"."What?""Umm...have you heard about, Dr Slater Cape?"I pouted my lips, "No idea, why?""Well, he is the famous and best therapist in New York. If you wish, he'll be ready to give therapy for you"."Chris...umm...""No Ana, don't come up with any silly reasons. I can't see you in pain. Even yesterday night, you mumbled begging him to stop"."Shit! Did I?"He nodded, "It's just for a minute. But, you were shivering and scared" he took his hands in mine, "I don't want any trigger words to make you go crazy. Will you do this for me?"He is right, I should take my therapy back or else there is a chance for me to be in that shithole again. I worked so hard to contain that, I can't unleash the demon again. I sighed, "Okay, I'll see him. But, I need some time".He smiled, "Thanks and okay tell me whenever you are ready".I nodded.He looked at his watch, "Ok, it's getting time. I need to pick up Roger and there is a shoot"."Okay, I'll come there evening to meet Roger"."Bye" he kissed my cheek, "Miss you" he hissed and left my apartment.After he left, my apartment filled with silence. For the first time, I hated that. I felt safe and secure with him. Now after he left, I felt a void. Sure that he is going to be a big part of my life.I came to my office and tried to concentrate on the work. But my mind and heart swirled around him. God! I need help. I'm behaving like a teenager."May I come in?" Jamie knocked on my cabin."Jam, what's this new behaviour? Come in, Idiot!" I called him happily."Look at the glee on your face" he closed his mouth in surprise, "I have never seen this on your face. That's why I knocked, not to disturb your mood. So, this means everything went well with him".I nodded shyly."God! You dirty rabbits" he made Eww face, "I don't want to hear about the sex life anymore".I chuckled."But, seriously. Ana, I have never seen you this happy. I'm happy that you found your perfect partner. I'm sure he is the one for you"."Really? You think so?""Darling, I'm a perfect matchmaker. I can say Chemistry between you guys are very strong" he squealed in joy, "Omg! Come here, I wanna hug you".I raised from my seat, he came running to hug me, "Sorry, I couldn't wait".What else do I need? He is happy for me than me. I'm lucky to have him as my friend."Thanks, Jamie. Now, can you stop squeezing me?""Oops! Sorry!" He released me, "What do you want to do with others? You wanna tell them?""No, let's take it slow. Until then, Zip your mouth".He mimicked like Zipping his mouth, "Sure, now can you come back from your dreamland? I want your article for review".Later that evening,     I came to meet Roger and him. I rang the doorbell, he opened the door. He stood in his white t-shirt and blue pyjamas. I went inside kissing him. Roger was resting on the couch with E-collar around his neck."Roger" I called his name.He raised his head to look at me and wagged his tail, "How's he?" I asked Chris, taking a seat near Roger."Good, but tired" he tucked hands his pyjamas, "Doctor advised him to take rest" he replied in a dull voice."Why are you sad?" I asked petting Roger's head.He sat near me, "Ana" his voice was nervous."What's up, pretty boy?" I tried to cup his cheeks.  But, he caught my hand and let out a breath, "I need to say something to you and I want you to react in a good way"."Okay" I replied with a doubt.Before he can open his mouth, the front door was opened with a loud noise. Jason came inside fuming, followed by Chuck.I raised from my seat, "Jason...what you..."He didn't care about me and asked Chris, "What do you mean by you are dropping the plan, Chris? We had a deal. You said you'll make her Dad feel terrible".I was confused. Chuck, behind him, apologised to Chris, "I'm sorry Boss. I tried to stop him".What the fuck is happening here? I looked at Chris for an answer. He stood with guilt.