Married To A Stranger (Wattys2021 Eligibility Award) (AMAZON PUBLISHED)

Chapter 5

Following morning......

I woke up out of my sleep due to the pain between my legs and around my throat. I opened my eyes and the first thing I realized was that I was still curled up in a ball on the floor from when I fell asleep last night. I slowly sat up holding my cheek from where Mark had slapped me and I could tell it was swollen. Looking around the room I noticed that the bed was still a mess with the bloodstain from last night's ordeal, my towel was halfway across the room and the clock on the wall said 12 pm. This means, I'm not just late but pretty much absent from work and it's a good thing I slept so late, I doubt I would have wanted to go in today, not that I can right now. I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, burying my face in my legs. I started crying, crying because of what happened last night, crying because if I did not go and had lunch with Matthew none of this would have happened. I don't even know how Mark knew and I don't think I want to find out. After a few minutes of crying, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and towards the room. The door opened and the steps drew closer to me, I didn't even look up to see who it was but I knew it was Mark.

"So, you're finally awake," he said standing over me. I could feel his eyes piercing my head. But I just sank a little deeper into the floor.

"I thought I'd have to stay home and babysit you for the entire day," he continued.

I could tell he is now crouching in front of me; his cologne is pretty much invading my every sense. He grabbed my head from my legs and forced me to look up at him and I swore I saw a smirk on his face with a little bit of regret.

"You need to clean yourself up and also give Kelly a call," "She has been calling all morning and I told her you caught the flu," Mark said while handing me my phone.

I hesitated a bit before I reached for it. He withdrew his hands and grabbed my wrist, squeezing it. I screamed out because of the pain and tried pulling my hands from his, but I barely budged.

"Shut the fuck up and look me in the eyes Karla," Mark practically barked at me.

I looked up at him, still whimpering and at this point, I was practically on my knees.

"I'll suggest you keep your mouth shut about what happens in this house," "Or you wouldn't like to find out what I am capable of," and with that, he pushed me back down on the floor and walked out of the room.

All I did was cry when he left, I kept thinking back to last night and to a couple of hours ago with his erratic behavior. I laid down back on the floor and curled up in a ball, crying and wondering if this is really my marriage. A few minutes later my phone buzzed and it was a text message from Kelly saying that I should either text her back or give her a call. But noticing the time of the message it was 2 hours ago, which means she would be worried sick. I took up my phone and called her.

"Jesus, fucking, Christ Kay!" Kelly shouted when she picked up.

"Well good morning to you too Kellz," I said trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

"I've been calling and messaging all morning and your dick of a husband gave a fucked-up excuse about you being sick," she blurted out. Knowing Kelly, I am pretty sure she didn't believe that lie.

"I am feeling under the weather Kelly," I replied and coughed a little, trying to play the part.

"Bullshit, I'm coming over," Kelly replied kissing her teeth.

"NO!" I shouted. Shit. Now I sound like something is really off.

"Too late, I already left work and I'm about 15 minutes out," Kelly said.

"I'll see you in a few," and with that, the call disconnected. Fuck!

I forced myself off the floor, through all the pain I'm feeling. I strip the bedsheets, dumped them in the laundry basket, hurried and dry wash the mattress where the bloodstain is. I jumped in the shower and washed as quickly as I could. Throw on sweatpants, a spaghetti strap top, and a jacket. I went back into the room and tried to spread the bed as quickly as I could until I heard the doorbell. I ran over to the window and realized that Kelly's car was parked in the driveway. I saw my reflection in the window and noticed that in order to hide the bruises I'll have to zip the jacket all the way up to my throat and I did just that. I rushed into the bathroom and apply some foundation on my face and neck to hide the bruises as best as possible. The doorbell continued to ring mercilessly, I ran down the stairs as fast as I could and almost trip over my own two feet. I was breathless by the time I got to the bottom of the staircase; I mentally slapped myself with how I almost killed myself. But wouldn't that be an escape, a voice at the back of my head said. I shook off the thought and tried to control my breathing as best as I could. At this time Kelly started banging on the door like a madwoman.

"Fucks sake Kay, if you don't open this door, I'm calling the police," she screamed at the door.

I ran over to the door and opened it, she burst right in looking as if she was about to throw punches. While I've never seen Kelly fight before, I had no doubt in my mind that she is able to protect herself. I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't even realize I was still standing at the door with it wide open.

"Karla!" I heard Kelly screaming at me.

I closed the door and turned around facing her. I saw it all over her face, the worry, the questions, the concern, and her furry. And right now, I am unable to deal with her drama, I just wanted to find a dark hole, curl up and die.

"The shouting isn't necessary Kelly," "Remember I'm not feeling well," I said to her while forcing a little cough. I walked into the kitchen with Kelly hot on heels.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Kelly said to me.

"I'm talking to you Kay," "What the hell is going on?" and with that, the tears fell. I could tell she was behind me because a few seconds later she spun me around.

"Karla, what happened to your face," Kelly touched my cheek. And with that, I melted to the ground. 

I know, don't kill me. It took forever to drop chapter 5 but I was so caught up with a lot of stuff, I wasn't able to sit and get this down. But nevertheless, I produced.
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Xoxo~ Rae Ven