OFF LIMITS!

ONE🎗

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Khloe saw his hand swung out, connecting to her stomach. The massive force of the blow propelled her down to the floor.

She writhed in pain and clutched her belly. He stood above her, angry as a raging bull and his hands still curled in a fist.

He bent down and grabbed her hair, yelling. "If I ever see you around that scoundrel again, you'll answer to me. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, " she whimpered and he let her go abruptly. He exited the room after that.

Hot tears were streaming down her face as she struggled to get back on her feet. Once she was able to grab a hold of herself, she carefully removed her clothes and climbed into the bath tub for a long shower.

She stepped out of the tub after what felt like an eternity and wrapped herself in a white bathrobe. She looked at her reflection in the mirror as she towel-dried her hair. Because of all the sobbing, her eyes were puffy.

Since he had twisted her arm a while earlier, it still hurt so bad. Her belly ached as well. For her painkillers, she combed through the drawers.She always kept them there and when they were finished, replaced them with new ones.

Dane's assault on her did not begin yesterday. Sometimes it was a hard slap, blows, or choking her to the point where she thought she was going to the other world. She nevertheless stayed with him for a few reasons even though it had not been an easy road.

She did not particularly love herself and believed she needed a man to make her feel whole. Dane, however, profited on her low self-esteem.

He would always reassure her that he was the one man for her and that no other man could ever love her as much as he did.And she completely trusted every word he said.

She had amazing physical attributes. Her dark golden brown hair always stood out against her caramel skin with a medium shade of brown.

She had the most beautiful, enticing brown eyes and a slim thick build. The only thing was that she was not totally slim thick. She had huge hips, thighs, and a bum, but her stomach was not flat, nor was her waist particularly small.

She was always under the impression that she needed to lose some pounds. She believed that she would appear more attractive if she shed some weight from her waist and around her stomach.

At least that was what Dane mentioned to her a few times. Approximately 5 foot 4 inches tall, she was on the shorter side.

She lived in his house and since he was barely home, the house felt like it belonged to her alone. And it got lonely sometimes. He had a nasty temper, was possessive and overly jealous.

He didn't even want any guy to take a glance at her. He was the reason she had low self esteem because he filled her head with so many lies that she became blinded and could not see.

He had also successfully driven away her friends and people around her so she was in her own little shell, away from the world.

The only person that really stuck around was Jessica, her best friend. Apart from her and her mother, she was not so close to anyone else.

Dane would always say, "You have me already and I take good care of you, so why do you need anybody else?"

After slipping some clothes on, she heard the door bell ring repeatedly. No one else came to visit her asides Jessica so she already knew who it was.

Jessica was waiting there when she opened the door, a box of chocolate in her left hand and a smile on her face. Her short bob hairstyle in cobalt blue looked incredibly lustrous and had slightly rounded ends. Her skin tone was immaculate, even, and as smooth as porcelain.

She wore a short leather skirt that looked excessively tight on her despite being slender and attractive. Her plump lips and intensely crimson lipstick looked great together, and her eyes glistened with happiness.

"Hi Mama," Jessica said as she let herself into the house.

"Hello to the most annoying best friend in the whole wide world." Khloe said shutting the door after her.

"You missed me, don't even lie"

"Yeah yeah whatever."

"Hope your man's not home?" Jessica raised a brow and looked around carefully.

"Nah, he's not," Khloe assured her.

"Where did he go?"

"You are aware that he rarely tells me," Khloe waved a hand and turned her head aside.

A little pause and then, "So what was little princess Fiona doing before I got here?"

Khloe rolled her eyes, "Stop referring to me like that."

"But I am not lying, am I? It is very similar to being imprisoned in your castle while being watched over by a fire-breathing dragon. That sleazeball you call a man is the fire-breathing dragon."

She was quieted by Khloe by placing a palm over her mouth. "Let's dig into these chocolates you brought , please"

"And who said I brought them for you?"

"Do you want to die?"

"No ma'am" Jessica laughed as she stood up and followed her to the bedroom.

Khloe sat on the dressing table, blow drying her hair while Jessica opened the box.

"My boyfriend got these for me you know,"

"Yeah of course. You can't afford something as expensive as that unless your boyfriend buys it for you" Khloe said without looking at her. Then she felt a sharp pain on her arm. It was Jessica pulling her.

"How dare you?" Jessica was giggling and it soon faded away when she heard Khloe yelp in pain.

She panicked. "What's wrong? Did I pull you too strongly?"

Worry was visible on her face as he knelt in front of her.

"No no no, it is not you. Its.... " she trailed off.

Jessica sat down on the bed again,understanding the situation.

It was then she realized, as she looked closely, that Khloe had been crying earlier.

"Dane hit you again, didn't he?"

Khloe nodded her head without answering. Jessica's face suddenly twisted into anger.

"What the hell Khloe? Why are you still with that bastard?"

"You know its not that easy,Jess. I would have, if I could."

"But you could. You just don't want to."

"Jess," she sighed."You know Dane is the reason why Mom's restaurant is standing there today. He literally helped build it from scratch and still supports it till today. I couldn't just leave even if I wanted to."

"Nonsense, Khloe. I'm pretty sure you can do just fine without him."

Khloe shook her head and continued,"I don't know if I can cope without him though"

"For someone who beats your ass at every chance he gets and then comes back with a dumb ass apology and gifts to make you feel better?"

She held her hands and went on, "Look, you were doing just fine before he walked into your life and you'd be very much okay without him present, trust me."

Just then, Khloe's phone that was on the bed beeped and Jessica took a glance before passing it over to her.

It was a text from Khloe's Mom. She hurriedly texted back saying she would call later.

"When would you tell her about the devil her daughter is dating?" Jessica was asking with a frown.

"Jess, don't go to the extreme. Dane isn't all that bad. And Mom loves him."

"She only does because she doesn't know the real person hiding behind that mask obviously."

"Dane is a good person. He just has anger issues"

"So you enjoy him beating you to a pulp? Would you tell your mother before its too late or you want your corpse doing the talking?"

"Jess!" She called in disbelief.

"What?" She snapped.

"Dane isn't that violent. Besides, he loves and he is very protective of me. I can't ruin the image Mom already has of him. She believes he is a good person."

Yes, her mother, Tara loved Dane to bits. He was always such a gentleman when he was around her. And more importantly he helped financially.

Khloe would have been able to support her Mom more because she ran a beauty blog.

But most of the money went into her aunt's treatment.

Khloe wished she had just told Jessica to spend the night over because Dane didn't return home that night. She called his number a few times but he ignored them.

TWO🍷

She was awake at seven the next morning to get ready for her early morning walk. It usually helped clear her head.

After tying her hair in a loose ponytail and slipping on a T-shirt and some yoga pants, she stepped out.

Ten minutes elapsed and she retired to the house and found it unlocked. She noticed his car was parked in the driveway. Her heart fluttered with excitement. He was back already!

She pushed the door open nervously, hoping he was not still mad about the previous day.

He was sitting on the couch, legs crossed with fruit juice in a glass cup as he stared at that morning news on television.

Turning his head slowly and seeing her, he beckoned on her silently to come sit besides him.

She swallowed hard and took a seat besides him. But very stiffly.

She didn't dare look at him. Her eyes were fixed on the television and her hands were placed on her lap like she was some sort of statue.

All of a sudden, he smiled and leaned in closer, draping an arm over her shoulder and kissing her cheek.

"Missed me hmm?" He said in a whisper.

She relaxed fully, knowing he was in a good mood and no longer mad.

She faced him and saw that his eyes were penetrating deep into hers. His silver blonde hair was pulled back and his smiles were enough to light up a whole room. Her belly did a flip.

"I did miss you," she responded quietly. His smile broadened and he removed her band, letting down her gorgeous hair.

"You look so beautiful," he said. A small pause and then, "We should make love."

No sooner had he said the words that he stood up. "But first, I have something for you"

Khloe's eyes twinkled in delight. He had his way with gifts. And she loved every single one of them. She watched him take two giant strides across the room to get something from the dining table.

He stood about 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a muscular build and broad shoulders.

He had a beige skin tone with a light brown shade that she adored and he always loved wearing dark clothes. Sometimes she wondered if that gorgeous guy was all hers.

He soon returned back to the chair with a bouquet of blue roses she loved so much. She took it delighted. There was a small box as well. He carefully opened it, revealing a shiny silver bracelet.

"Oh I love it Dane!" She exclaimed, stretching out her wrist so he could put it on her.

"I'm sorry for yesterday," he said after putting it on her. She grabbed him and hugged him tight.

"Its okay," she said.

He bit his lip seductively as they pulled apart.

"Permit me to strip you off your clothes?"

"Right now?" She asked with a small smile.

"Yes ma'am." He replied her and took her lips quickly. She had to put her flowers aside so they did not get crushed and then encircled her hands around his neck.

He was able to quickly grab the remote to change the channel and also increase the volume so they didn't end up disturbing their neighbours as it was still quite early. A slow relaxing song was playing on the background now.

And they made love right there on the couch.

That evening, they both dressed up to go to a party. The party was a bit sophisticated and Khloe felt she was going to feel out of place somehow.

She could feel a lot of eyes on her when they arrived and clung tighter to Dane who didn't let her go the whole time.

The party was in full swing when all of a sudden, Dane looked like he had seen a ghost. All the colors had drained from his face.

"Are you okay?"asked a worried Khloe.

"We need to leave," he grabbed her hand a little too fiercely. "Right now"

Khloe's eyes scanned the room to look out for whoever or whatever made him that way.

But before she could even see anything, she felt him pulling her away towards the exit. But a female voice behind them stopped him in his tracks.

"Dane, what are you doing here?" The voice said. Dane spun around quickly and Khloe's eyes landed on the woman. She had a baby bump and looked like she was about five months or six months pregnant. Her hair was delicately decorated and she was on a very pretty red dress as well.

The lady's eyes widened with surprise.

"Stay here," Dane growled and then instantly took the hand of the lady and led her out somewhere. Khloe stood trans fixed for a moment. What had just happened?

Who the hell was that lady and why did he just leave her there like that?

She was too curious to be obedient and decided on following them to find out for herself before she lost sight of them. She squeezed herself in through the crowd and tried to keep her eyes on them.

Dane marched the woman onto the terrace, finding a dark, deserted corner.

"Linda,I can explain," he started.

"Explain what? Who was that in there with you?" Her voice was angry.

"Nobody. Nobody at all,"

The words rolled out of his tongue with ease.

What the actual hell? Khloe thought as she watched. She was hiding at a corner, watching and listening keenly.

"So why are you here with her?" Linda asked further.

"How about you? Why are you here?"He dodged the question."I thought you said you were feeling a little nauseous and wouldn't be able to go with me.You also said you were going to be busy at the salon. So how come you're here right now?"

"Yes I was nauseous but that was in the freaking morning!" She raised her voice. "Also, I didn't need to go to the salon anymore. I was bored so I decided to surprise you and show up anyways. You said you were going with your guys. So why on earth were you with that lady? Who the hell is she?"

Dane fell silent for a few seconds. Linda was yelling again. "I said, who the hell is she?"

"Christ. Stop screaming. Don't forget you have a baby in there."

"To hell with all that," she replied curtly."Don't make me repeat myself. Who was she and why was she wrapping her arms around you like a snake?"

"Um.. She's just someone from work. Nobody really"

"Nobody huh?" She echoed. "I am your wife and I deserve to know who that bitch is,"

Wife? Khloe suddenly felt like she was unable to breathe. Her hands began to shake as her chest tightened.

Linda's eyes fell on Dane's fingers.

"Where's your wedding band huh?"

She pushed him.

"Stop," he said solemnly."I already told you she's just some random bitch from work. Nobody important"

Khloe couldn't take it anymore. How could Dane talk about her like that? She came out of her hiding place and screamed his name. It attracted their attention immediately.

Dane was shocked out of his mind to see Khloe standing there.

"How.. How long have you been standing here?" He asked in bewilderment.

"Long enough to know how much of a scumbag you really are."

She walked over to him and gave him a resounding slap and he held his face in awe. That would be the first time ever she raised her hand to slap him.She did not believe she could ever do that. But it was the anger and hurt coursing through veins that allowed her do so.

"How could you!" She shrieked. Her whole body was shaking with rage and the tears welling up in her eyes started making way down her cheeks.

"Look Khloe.. It's just... "

"Just shut the hell up." She interrupted curtly. "So you had a wife all these time. What? You forgot to tell me?"

Her chest heaved up and down and very darkly she said, "We're done. We are fucking done! I don't ever want to see your lying two faced bastard face ever again."

She turned to Linda who had been watching the whole show with her mouth wide open. "If I were you, I'd leave him. He's a good for nothing."

She turned on her heels and stormed off. She could hear Dane yelling,"Fuck you!" or something of that sort but his voice soon got drowned in the music by the time she re-entered the party.

She was going to cry her eyes out that night for sure.

THREE🌬

Several Months Later.....

After a rigorous session of exercise, Khloe was panting hard and dehydrated due to exertion. She was at the gym currently. She had a gym membership which cost 40 dollars per month and was completely fine with it. She

She had lost some pounds and her waist and tummy were properly trimmed and she now had the perfect hour glass curves.

Although whenever she looked in the mirror, she still managed to bring out those things she was not comfortable with.

For example, the scar she had close to her lower abdomen when she had an accident while she was a kid. Or the fact that she thought she was too short. Or the stretch marks on her thighs as well as ass.

Jessica always told her she was perfect the way she was before but she didn't believe any of it. Jessica was the complete opposite of her because she was comfortable in her own skin.

She had imperfections, yes. But wasn't everybody meant to?

"You did a great job today as always," a male voice was heard besides her. She turned to look at him. He gave a heart warming smile and stretched a bottle of cold water to her. "Here you go."

She took it and flashed a gentle smile right back at him before gulping down the bottle in a minute. It was her personal trainer, Leo. He was wearing a black singlet over joggers as well as sneakers.

His wavy black hair was concealed behind a baseball cap. He had this alluring green eyes that made him stand out and was strikingly handsome.And then,the body that was to die for.

A lot of girls there shamelessly hit on him and he was always so nice to everyone. So calm. And gentle.

How lucky was she that he was her personal trainer?

Actually she had known Leo way before he became her personal trainer. They attended the same college and even though not all that close then, they were friends.

But because of Dane's overbearing and insanely jealous attitude, he was one of those people that got pushed away.

However they got to meet again the very day Khloe stepped into the gym house. He was one of the first persons she set her eyes on the moment she walked in.

They had a long discussion after that.

He was there as her trainer and also as her friend and she was most grateful.

She adjusted her tank top while taking his hand, outstretched, so she could be on her feet. She was done for the day and decided to head home. She had some work to do at her Mom's restaurant.

Leo and her chatted away as she put on her oversized jacket and grabbed her bag.

He offered to drop her home but she politely declined, saying she was going to sprint home.

After a warm quick shower when she got dressed and began to look for an old recipe book. Just when she found it, something else caught her eye.

It was the same bracelet Dane had given her on the morning before their breakup.

She immediately took it and abandoned it in the trash.

She took a deep breath, not wanting to reminisce but she did anyway.

After she broke up with him, she hurriedly went back to the apartment and packed every of her belongings in a fury.

Knowing how hot tempered Dane was and how she had humiliated him, she didn't want him to meet her in his house for even a second.

While she sobbed, she gathered her things together as fast as she could, hailed a taxi and went straight to her mom's house.

Dane called her a hundred times but she turned off her phone.

Khloe had to sit her down to tell her everything that transpired in between tears, including the part that he used to raise his hand on her.

And when Dane showed up the next morning, Tara welcomed him with a slap that stung. He was certainly not expecting it and was thrown off balance.

She yelled at him never to come near them again after saying he wasn't the person she thought he was. Then she slammed the door in his face.

Dane didn't back down easily, he kept on blowing up her phone until she eventually blocked him.

She got to find out later that he left town.

She was really miserable though and if not for Tara and Jessica, she would have lost her mind.

Sometimes she wondered if she did the right thing.

She needed to heal. And time was responsible for that.

So for a distraction, she started the work out,more determined than ever although it had been really hard.

Also, her blog was doing really well.

She was even paid now to do makeup for local clients and it was all a work in progress.

Pretty soon, maybe she would get to start doing makeup for popular celebrities.

She had taken the firm decision as well and pronounced married guys off limits.

She had to be extra careful about the next person she got involved with. Just to be sure that he wasn't married or worse, a father to a kid or kids.

******

Khloe was at Jessica's and watched her frantically looking for what to wear to a party.

"Can you help me?"

"You know I don't have nice dresses for you to borrow," Khloe replied calmly. "How about you go to a thrift store? Or better still, stop putting up a facade and tell your boyfriend the whole truth already."

Jessica went closer to her and smacked her arm."You know I can't do that! You wanna kill me?"

Rubbing the spot Jessica just hit, Khloe continued, "Its not gonna kill you. It would save you a whole load of stress. He better finds out from you now that you're a broke ass before he finds out from someone outside"

"Hell naw," she firmly disagreed shaking her head from side to side. "Let him slip through my fingers like that? He would not have even noticed me in the first place if he did not think I was rich. I am way out of his league. No way in freaking hell dude"

"If he loves you he would not give two shits about that," Khloe replied her.

Jessica was pretending to be one of the rich and classy ladies in town but she was just a mere hotel housekeeper.

Truth was, Jessica's parents were no more. And she had no one else besides Khloe.

She just believed in doing less work and waiting for a rich business tycoon to come give her the princess lifestyle she deserved.

<<<<

Hardin was about to put on his shirt when he noticed it had not been ironed properly.

"What's this nonsense?" Hardin barked at the maid who stood, trembling.

"I'm sorry sir.. I didn't know...."

"You never do anything right," he interrupted. "Remember you're not the only maid here.The next mistake you make, you're fired. Got that?"

She nodded while looking at the floor.

"Now, you can get out of my sight." he said still irked. The maid scurried off.

A sound of a baby crying in one of the rooms was heard, but it was distant.

"Lord have mercy," Hardin groaned and put his hands on his forehead. "Rosita!" He yelled. He yelled a few more times before a chubby woman ran out with a bawling baby in her arms.

"It is your duty to do keep that baby quiet. Why can't you do just that?" He frowned at her and she stuttered, not knowing how to get her words right at first.

"What? You stammer now?" He asked almost immediately.

"No sir." She responded quietly, shaking the baby trying to pacify her. "I am so sorry. I'll keep her quiet."

Hardin shot her a look and ordered her to leave. These good for nothing maids, he thought as he put on a different shirt entirely.

He was going to meet with the director of a new movie he was supposed to star in as the main lead. Of course, he was Hardin Hall. Everyone's favorite.

>>>>>

Khloe was overwhelmed when she got off from a phone call about a job she had been offered. How thoughtful was Leo? He recommended her!

She texted him right away asking if they could meet up at the park.

He greeted her with a hug and a radiant smile and she held onto him tighter than she normally did.

"What?" He asked with a little smile as he pulled away and they sat down together.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Recommend me for a job that big!How do you even know movie stars?".

He chuckled. "I don't know movie stars, I just happened to know the costume designer, so I mentioned you when he said they were looking for a makeup artist."

She took his hands in hers."Thank you so much. I'll never forget this."

"Its nothing really. I don't only want you improving physically but career wise as well. So, go get that job girl! You can do it. "

She threw her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispered."But I really don't think I'm fit for this job."

"What's wrong with you?" A frown came to his face. "You're talented Khloe. Of course you can do this.

She was a nervous wreck the morning of the interview. She kept preparing herself for rejection but instead they were impressed with her work and she got hired immediately as the assistant make-up artist.

She had the opportunity to meet and see celebrities up close and even work on their faces!

While shooting started,she was a bit excited but more nervous hoping not to mess up anything.

As she was organizing a makeup kit as instructed by the key make-up artist, her eyes suddenly caught sight of someone. Her mouth dropped open slightly.

A big movie star and the latest Hollywood heart throb, Hardin Hall!