Chapter 5 4

MATTEW RUTHERFORD

"What in heaven's name is wrong with Jasmine." My wife, Doreen, laments as she folds her arm.

"Does she have any idea how many women would kill to be in her position!? She's married to a wealthy, kind, caring, loving man and yet she's still ungrateful!" Doreen hissed angrily, "I'll slap her so hard her brain would reset and she'll realize she's a wife and a mother, not a 17 year old teenage."

"You're right my dear, I just hope after all this Ludane doesn't get mad at us and deprives us of the allowances or takes away our house." I said to my wife, really worried.

Doreen's eyes narrowed. "If he does, Jasamine would beg him. I don't care if she goes down on her knees, if she has to be his slave, I don't care what she does but no matter what she must go back to him!" She yells at the top of her lungs.

I kept quiet and she continued.

"I mean if word gets out, what would our friends say? That we couldn't train our daughter properly? What's wrong with that girl after everything I've done for her, she repays me with this? I swear to God when we find Jasamine...." She swears as I pick up my phone.

I intervened then, taking the phone from her.

"Don't worry. I'm going to call my private investigator right now. He's the best and before the end of the week, Jasamine would be found and I promise you dear, she'll be back in her husband's house. Either willingly or by force." I said to her.

"Thank you so much dear. That childish girl doesn't know that marriage is for better PR for worse." Doreen says, sighing in relief as I dial his number.

The private investigator picks on the second ring.

"I have a job for you".I say simply the minute he picks up.

TANNER

I should have known that she'll ask personal questions that are off limits. That's why it's always safer not to interfere. I really hate being sober.

I stared down at my clothes and wondered when the white shirt turned to gray? When was the last time I change clothes anyway?

Doesn't matter. I'll get her food, tell her a thing or two about where she'll get a job, then I'm leaving and going straight back to the bottle. I need to be drunk. I can't afford to think.

Thinking means remembering. And remembering means trouble.

Twenty minutes later, I carried the food nylon and opened the door to her place. The child was sleeping at one side of the bed, but the girl's eyes were closed, she was breathing heavily, sweating profusely.

From the looks of it, she is sick. Really sick.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TANNER

I froze at the door when I entered the room. Hell, she looks sick. Really sick.

I walked closer to her and placed the back of my hand on her forehead. "Fuck." I muttered. It really burns.

What will I do now? I can't just stay here. If I do, I'll start thinking of the past. And if I think about the past, I'm gonna lose it. I need to have some beer. I need to get drunk.

Eight bottles will be too small for me. I'll have at least fifty bottles. I don't want to remember anything. I don't want to think at all. Taking care of her means being sober and being sober is a nightmare.

She's not my problem, I said to myself as I dropped the things I bought and faced the door. My legs won't move.

I need to leave. But...her sickness is making me stay. I stayed at the little baby sleeping beside the fragile girl and my legs won't move at all.

"Just one night." I finally groaned to myself. "One night and I'll be out of here. For now, I need to take care of her." I said begrudgingly.

I can't help glaring at the sick girl. Then, I remembered when she was awake.

All I saw in her eyes was pain. She's really sick. I'll just stay and nurse her for only one night." I said to myself and walked closer to her.

Hours into the night, as I sponged off her sweat and her burning body with a cold water, anger held me rigid.

Her whole body was all bruised up. The parts I can see. Someone has beaten this girl up really bad. My eyes clasped at the fresh bruise caused by a ring and my eyes darkened.

Who would beat up a young girl that just get birth?

Not my problem, I reminded myself. I need to bury myself deep into the bottles again. I can't afford to start thinking again.

I quickly sponged off the sweats on her body and made a move to get up.

"No! Please!" She suddenly cried out.

I turned and stared at her, but her eyes were squeezed shut. She's having a nightmare.

"Dale...! Dale...please...!" She screamed again.

I just watched her, unable to help her. She just reminded me of something I never want to remember again in my life. I fisted my hands and stared at the girl as she fought her demons, crying and screaming.

Minutes later, she finally settled back to sleep. I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"Just tonight. Then, I'm gone." I said to myself as I turned and headed for the next room.