Escape To Him

Secrets

A/N: Just wanted to let everyone know, that I have edited the last chapters so that they are now in third person, but none of the content has changed. I also just wanted to say thanks to the three people who have read up until this point, and to the person who voted for it. It's lovely that three total strangers have taken the time out of their day to spend 30mins reading my work, I am very grateful, I hope you have enjoyed it so far, and will keep uploading. Thanks again, enjoy part 6.

They reached their street corner just as the darkness was closing in on the day. Charlotte noticed her home had come into view. She saw Michael's car parked in the driveway and was suddenly worried that he might see her and Ryan together. She turned to Ryan quickly "It was nice spending time with you today but Michael can't know we've spent this time together, I think he'd misunderstand, so I'm just going to say goodbye to you here so he doesn't sees us."
"Well it's your call, you know him best, especially if it means I can see you again sometime" he said with a lopsided grin.
She smiled back at him "Bye." Just as she was turning to cross the street she felt a hand reach for her wrist, gently spinning her around to face Ryan.
"Wait" he said looking down at the ground between them, he took a deep breath.
"What is it?" she said her forehead creasing in concern.
He looked back up at her "I have to admit something, I didn't just ask to join you today to get away from the house, although I did," Charlotte pulled her eyebrows together, Ryan sighed, "I was worried about you, I really don't want to step over a boundary here 'cause I feel like we've got a good bond, like we could really be friends, but I would hate not to mention this and then for something to happen, it would feel like my fault" Ryan softened his voice, "is everything ok between you and Michael, because when we first meet you had that cut on your lip and seemed very skittish-"
"Everything is fine with me and Michael" Charlotte butted in.
"Well that may be true at the moment, look I know these situations can be delicate and I don't want to barge in to your private matters, I may be completely wrong about this but I've seen the warning signs before, if he has ever hurt you or threatened you, it will happen again-"
"He never has, never will" Charlotte said defensively raising her voice.
"Ok well if he ever does-"
"Just stop, this is so inappropriate, you hardly know me, you don't know Michael, you should not be assuming anything about our relationship, now goodnight" interrupted Charlotte, surprised by her own anger, she turned to leave.
"You know where to find me Charlotte" Ryan called after her. Ryan ran his hand through his hair and pushed the air out of his lungs. That could have gone better, he thought to himself as he watched Charlotte cross the street.

As she closed in on her house Charlotte took one last glance back to see Ryan still standing on the same spot watching her, she hated to end a beautiful day like that but there was no way she could let him think they was anything wrong between her and Michael, that would tear her life right open.

She opened the front door feeling guilty, she was about to call out a greeting to Michael when she heard multiple voices coming from the living room. She walked cautiously over to the doorway to see Michael entertaining two men seated on the couch facing away from her. Michael looked up to see her, Charlotte thought she saw a flash of anger seemed to cross his face before it settled into a smile, maybe it was just her imagination things had been good between them lately.

"Charlotte" he exclaimed, "gentlemen this is my partner I've told you so much about.
Charlotte took a step into the living room smiling at the men on the couch who muttered their greetings before noticing Michael had raised a hand to halt her entry.
"You are quite late home, why don't you go upstairs and get changed first, then come and join us" Ryan said with a sickly smile.
"Of course, I do need a freshen up" she smiled "excuse me" she said before exiting back into the hallway and making her way up the stairs.

Once she reached the bedroom Charlotte inspected herself in the mirror, it was no surprise Michael had steered her to the bedroom, she was a complete mess, her white top and jeans had grass stains on them, and she seemed to have twigs sticking out of her messy bun. Michael liked everything to be neat and perfect and she looked about the opposite right now. She decided to address the clothes first, she picked out a knee length black dress with capped sleeves. She usually kept it for interviews but it was the smartest outfit she had and didn't want to embarrass Michael anymore than she already had. She quickly stripped down to her underwear, throwing her top and jeans over the chair. She picked up the dress off the bed, when someone bolted in through the door, she jumped, instinctively holding the dress up in front of her to cover her body, until she realised it was Michael.

She let out a laugh "oh thank goodness, I didn't realise it was you" she said, returning her attention to her dress, when suddenly it was yanked from her hands. Charlotte took a step back in shock.
"Where the fuck have you been" Michael said in a hushed angry voice as he threw the dress aside.
"I'm sorry Michael, I went out for a walk and lost track of time" Charlotte said backing away slowly.
Michael came towards her and slammed her against the wall by her neck.
"Do you think I'm stupid" he spat in her face, he pulled a twig from her hair and held it front of her face "you expect me to believe you've just been on a walk for six hours, and you come back looking like this!" his breathing was fast and heavy. Charlotte could not respond, his grip on her throat was too tight, has face was turning pink and she started feeling a little faint. Michael leaned in to Charlotte's ear "you are a fucking worthless slut" he pulled back to look at in disgust her for a moment before letting her collapse to the floor. Charlotte desperately dragged air back into her lungs. "We will continue this later, now make you self look presentable and get down stairs, understand?" he looked down at her on the ground holding her throat, she nodded. "Good" he said and took himself out of the room closing the door behind him.