PUPPY

CHAPTER 34

I woke up in the same room as the morning after I found the pictures. My head is buzzing, and I can't see clearly. As I tried to roll over, I could feel the chain resting on my chest.

"You finally woke up."

My eyes lazily moved to the side of the bed, where Neil was sitting on a chair with a book in his hands.

"Why am I tied up again?"

Neil placed the book and glasses on the nightstand next to the bed. He sat next to me and cupped my cheek with his warm hand. "You passed out, and I took you back home."

He looked like he was investigating my face. His thumb pressed on the right side of my forehead. I winced.

"You hurt yourself," he said while still searching for bruises.

I looked away and asked again: "Why am I tied up like this?"

He looked directly into my eyes, and with a stern voice, he said: "I warned you. I'll do anything within my power to keep you by my side."

I put my hand on his chest and slightly pushed him away. "And this is your way to do it."

He let out a short breath of irritation. "For now, it is. Until you understand that I'm doing this for us, I'm not taking that chain off."

"I don't want us to be like this." Slowly tears started to form in my eyes. "I'm sorry ..." my voice broke. "I didn't want to run away. I just needed space and time to think."

"Why didn't you just ask for it?"

"Because you would say no."

He started shaking his head in disagreement. "Why do you need to make me the bad guy? I was nothing, but kind, understanding and forgiving toward you. Why do you need to hurt me more?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't want it to look like this! I need some time to think everything over. You took everything away from me, my home, friends and work. Please, I need a familiar face other than you. Please ..."

He let out a grieving sigh. "If I say that, I'll think about it. Will you stop trying to get away from me?"

"Yes! Yes, I will!"

He grabbed the wrist of my hand, that was on his chest. He used it to pull me closer to him. His lips found mine, and for a brief moment, we kissed.

"I'll bring you breakfast."

I nodded in approval. He left me alone in the room.

I touched my lips with my hand.

What's wrong with me? I'm playing house with a murderer.

I have to stop, but it's so hard.

The door opened, and Neil walked in with breakfast.

He placed the tray with fried eggs, two pieces of toast, cut watermelon and a glass of juice. "If you eat it all, you can call Laura," he said while swinging my phone in front of my face.

I wasn't hungry at all, but I needed that phone.

As soon as I finished everything, he handed me the phone. I quickly dialled the number.

"Hi?" Laura said.

"Hi! It's me, Laura!" I squeaked.

I heard a light laugh from her side. "Yeah, I know, girl. What's up?"

"Do you have time today?"

"Yes. Wanna meet up?"

I quickly said: "Yes! Yes!"