Chapter 5 Fifth episode

RACHEL left the building and immediately called Abigail. For a brief while, she was certain that Rachel was watching the building to see when she came and went. But a second later, she brushed the thought aside. She would never be so committed to anything. "Hey, Abigail, how are you doing? Rachel enquired. "I'm working, but I must run an errand, so please be brief." "I just want to know where to send the items for the wedding favors." Abigail rolled her eyes and said, "Um, sure, yeah." "Please forward it to my office." Is that okay with your boss?" It will work out.

Rachel, I'm a little pressed for time. She went to her car and said, "I'll message you the address." "You just need to send it to your location and -" "You're my maid of honor, Abigail. Can't you give me a moment of your time, even though I need you right now?" I'll forward the address to you. She didn't have time to argue, so no problem. "Go! She went for the car handle and jammed her phone into her pocket. James, he Abigail !! James Abigail !" You have to be kidding, right? At the sound of Matt's voice, she turned and pushed herself up against her car. His clothing was undone and messy, and he smelled strongly of alcohol. Matt lurched in her direction. He stammered, "I've made a terrible mistake, Shamie-Shames." "Why are you in this place? She growled. "What keeps you from working?" "It's a sick day," he stammered. Abigail stepped to one side, then to the other. "I should marry you, Abigail, not Rachel ." He reached to give her a quick pet but completely missed. "You're the smart, attractive one. Too kind for your good," he said with a sly smile. His gaze trailed down her, "Not to mention the shit you do in bed." "I have a feeling that if I find you, that extra roll thing you had going is gone, isn't it?" Abigail willed herself to stay composed. Even with heels and a long skirt, she could outrun the inebriated bastard if necessary. Are you considering canceling the wedding?" He raised his hands and advanced towards her even further. Abigail realized she had pushed herself up against the building's wall. I'm not sure. I love her. Lousy lies there and won't stop talking," he shook his head. He swayed as he stood, rubbing his eyebrow with his thumb and saying, "She bitches and whines a lot." "Are you even in love with Rachel? Abigail looked at her timepiece. She had no time for this discussion. She was sorry for her sister, too. She was prone to irritability, which didn't justify a loveless union. Matt, you're intoxicated. You must return home and get some rest. I'll act as though this conversation never happened. Clutching her arms, he shouted, "Shut up." Before she could object, he planted a kiss on her lips. "Just shut up." Rigid. He continued to grip her tightly, forcing her to the wall and crushing his body into hers as Abigail fought and choked. He pried open her lips and thrust his tongue deep into her lips. Abigail spit out even more. He gripped her hair to keep it in place when she shifted her head away. But he released her arms in the process. He pushed her more forcefully into the wall, locking her arms in place as she groped behind her to retrieve her phone. She gave up fighting him and concentrated on getting the phone unlocked. She didn't give a damn who she texted or called. She could get a number, and her struggle with him was audible to others. The phone dropped to the floor near their feet as he reached behind her and jerked her hand. Not even Matt noticed. He held her hand up to his little erection. Most likely too drunk to lift it. To free her mouth, she twisted her neck back and forth. Even when she bit his lip and tasted his blood, he refused to release her. "You know you want me," he said, reaching for her ear and making sure his palm was securely gripping her neck. "Give me up! Abigail began to struggle once more. She yelled, "I'll scream, Matt!" as his knuckles closed around her throat, obstructing her breathing. He kissed her once again and licked her, saying, "Shut up!" His excruciating squeeze on her suddenly relaxed. He returned via plane. In the parking garage, she had called out, and someone had heard her and came to her aid. Abigail struggled to breathe, and her hands went to her knees. The definite sound of someone punching her jaw snapped her out of her reverie and caused her to look up. Daniel continued to strike Matt while standing a few steps away. She sprinted over to take his arm. "Please stop," she murmured. "He's not worth getting arrested for aggravated assault." Gazing at her, Daniel was panting heavily. The anger flared in Abigail's eyes, making him shudder. "You're right." He gave his erstwhile friend, who was still inebriated and bloodied, a scowl. He lifted Matt by his shirtfront. Hissing, "Get the fuck outta here," Once more, he flung Matt to the ground. With an awkward gait, Matt staggered away, swearing under his breath. Abigail felt her adrenaline suddenly subside as she watched him go. Trembling and wiping her mouth, she collapsed against Daniel, prepared to vomit at the thought of Matt. "I'm grateful," she said. "I'm glad you showed up." He said, "I'm happy you gave me a call." "That was very smart of you." She gave a headshake. Her words, "It was a hail, Mary," She chuckled nervously, "I'm just glad I pressed one of my speed dial numbers and you knew where I was." She shivered, considering what would have happened if she hadn't done that. "I couldn't see my phone and had to do it behind my back." After removing his coat, Daniel wrapped it around her shoulders. He said, "Let's take you home." "You need to rest and calm down." She nodded, feeling abruptly worn out. "I only need to rest for a few minutes," she replied. "I'll be okay, I swear." "Yes," he said. "But please let me take you home. For my peace of mind." Abigail took a quick look at him and saw that he appeared more traumatized than she did. His breath came out sharply, and his hands were shaking. Well, she replied. "Let's go." Daniel's vehicle entered his home's garage. As the garage door closed, Abigail silently gazed out the window. He parked the car and sat next to her silently for a while. "I'd feel better if we head inside my place instead of yours. I can grab you a change of clothes if you'd like." I nodded, Abigail. "I neglected to pick up your dry cleaning." We could pick it up on the way home. "My attire is not a concern. He said, "I have plenty upstairs." and unlocked the car door. He turned around, opened her door, and gently, giving her just the right amount of room, stepped beside her and assisted her inside his home. "Come on, let's get you inside." He kept his hand on the small of her back without letting go, as if he wanted confirmation that she was still there. They entered the kitchen through the garage. It was furnished much like her flat downstairs. Lots of room and pastel hues. Everything was elegant and beautifully done. The kitchen included hardwood cabinetry, a state-of-the-art stove and refrigerator, and gleaming granite countertops. Daniel took her through the kitchen and into the living area, which had leather couches, a flat-screen TV, and walls covered in pictures and paintings in various styles. There was a spiral staircase beside the fireplace. She had to be living in the most opulent home she had ever seen. She could only assume that the masculinity of the space extended to his bedroom as well. As he walked her to one of the leather couches, Daniel showed her little regard for her amazement and said nothing about it. "Sit down. I'll go make tea." She declared, "There isn't any need." She did feel much better today, so she said, "I'm fine now. I promise." All she wanted was a heavy drink to wash away the terrible taste in her mouth. He marched over to the kitchen and poured a teapot with water, saying, "Even if you are, I'm not." "And I know you're not, Abigail. You haven't stopped trembling." Abigail clenched her fists together to quell the shaking. "I'm okay," she declared. "Just a little shaken up." He turned on the stove, returned, sat down, and furrowed his brow at her, saying, "Which means you're not fine." His fingers grazed the bruises that were starting to appear on her arms. Softly, "Does anything hurt?" he inquired. Unable to speak while he was caressing her so tenderly, Abigail shook her head. How could he, with a mere touch, make her mind go blank? "I wish there were some way I could make the bruises go away," he replied. "What on earth was that fool thinking?" "They'll get better," she stumbled. Oh no, why was she never able to think clearly around him? "I'm sorry," he said. With conflicting feelings of need and concern, he leaned in closer to her. Abigail's breathing became more rapid, but not because she was afraid. Precisely the reverse. She really shouldn't be fantasizing about him kissing her right now. It was incorrect in far too many ways. Daniel hurried to shut off the whistling teapot after it started. "What type of tea do you like?" "Do you have peppermint?" she inquired while self-fanning. "Yes," he said. He unlocked a cabinet, revealing row upon row of tea to Abigail. He saw her stare and grinned. "I enjoy tea." He shrugged. "Everyone always gives me tea gift sets when they need to buy me a present because it's one of the few things they know about me." She answered, trying not to giggle, "I see." "Well, there are worse presents to get," she said, glancing at a picture hanging on the wall. Along with an older couple, Daniel was in there with another man who shared his nose and eyes. Is that your household?" He looked after her. "Yes," "They appear to be very friendly," really? Is that your assessment of them? She swallowed, making an effort to hide her shame. "They are." A shadow obscured his face. Daniel Davis seemed to be secretive as well. As he handed her one of the tea mugs, the soothing aroma of peppermint rose to the surface. Abigail said, "Thank you," without hesitation. He took a seat next to her and gazed at his cup. "You know you can't keep bringing up other topics, Abigail. I understand I cannot control your private life, but it worries me." "I am okay." "So, you should warn Rachel ." She let out a sigh. "It's not easy." "No, it isn't. The man is an asshole. "We were dating once." "Oh my god. Are you not sleeping with him anymore?" Abigail glanced at him. Alright, don't murder me right now! He raised his hands. It simply appeared. Sorry. "He met my sister while we were dating. She shrugged, wishing she had a drink instead of tea now that they were engaged. It was awkward. "He is a moron. It seems like your sister and him are meant to be together. Before responding, Abigail took a drink of the tea to buy himself some time. "He was drunk. He would never do that in his right mind." "That doesn't matter. If he makes drinking a habit, then there's a good chance Rachel will be in danger." Abigail said, "She wouldn't believe me." She waved her hand, "She loves him. Or thinks she loves him." She hated how accurate her words were, "If I say anything, she'll just think I tried to seduce him or something." Given how long he went without saying, Daniel must have realised they were true as well. At last, he said, "I'll talk to Matt." "We've known each other for a long time, and I think he'll listen to me. He had better if he knows what's good for him." Abigail trembled. She was confident that Dad would follow his warning if Matt acted indecently again. "You don't have to." He said, "I have to. Someone has to take care of you." Abigail lost his appetite. She said, "Why are you doing this?" He looked away once more and continued, "You know why." "Don't make me say it." She uttered, "But I don't know," with a hint of irritation. "If you went to such lengths for all your employees, you wouldn't have the energy to run your company." "No," in response. "But you're in danger, and I can't have that." Abigail knew her cheeks were red, so he took another tea drink. "I appreciate you speaking with Matt," she murmured. "I don't want Rachel hurt, and I know she won't listen to me about this. Her judgment has always been a little cloudy regarding her man." He remarked sourly, "I had a feeling that's the case." "Among other things. But why do you care so much for her when she's so rotten to you? I'm not sure if I've ever seen family members as vicious and vile as yours are." She chuckled. "She's family; don't we all act that way occasionally?"Even if she manipulates me, I still love her," she shrugged, laughing again at the expression on his face. "It's complicated." But families are complicated by nature, don't they?" He looked at the picture of his family on the wall and nodded, saying, "That is true." He then turned back to Abigail and said, "Whenever it gets too complicated, you can always talk to me." However, if that bothers you, Ms. Campbell would probably be open to listening. You seem to be well-liked by her. And I believe your health plan covers therapy-" "You think I should be in therapy?" Abigail laughed." "All I'm saying is you should talk to someone," he said, grinning as he saw her playful tone. You're not required to work alone on everything. She acknowledged. "I know," she murmured. "Thank you, Daniel ." That's kind of you. I am truly grateful for everything you have done for me. He gave her a charming smile that was followed by a tiny blush, which made him look really attractive. What? Abigail enquired. "I was right about you calling me by my first name." Abigail blinked, "Excuse me?" He massaged the bridge of his nose and said, "Nothing. Sorry." "Mr. Davis, you have to stop. You can't say something so offensive and then try to hide behind nothing." "It's very attractive." He reddened his cheeks and fixed his gaze on his cup. Her heart slammed against her ears and raced, "What is?" "It's sexy, and I was right when you called me by my first name." "Really?" she giggled. "You're clueless."