His Queen (18+)

Chapter XLI

THE HOPELESS

I've been feeling pain,
I've been feeling pain just to hold on,
And I don't feel the same,
I'm so numb.

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CHAPTER XLI

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I HAD WOKEN up the next day to a raging headache, making me groan and squint my eyes to try and filter out the bright lights streaming in through my window. Guessing from how disoriented and groggy I was, I knew I had one of the deepest sleeps in the world, so I was unsure why my head hurt so much until all of the past events came rushing into my head.

The assault, the cutting, the crying. Everything came back to me like a sledge hammer swinging on a rope tied to the ceiling, making me jump up in my bed only to see that I was now back home. No longer in New York but this time in San Francisco, in my bedroom with Teo fast asleep beside me.

I couldn't help but feel a little relieved to have him with me as I gently stroked his back and kissed his cheek as he slept on his stomach.

Looking around, I took notice of two pain pills left on my desk along with some water poured into a clear, plastic cup. It was only after I had downed both pills and laid back to relax did I finally notice Pablo who was fast asleep in an armchair positioned directly opposite my bed. Had he been watching us as we slept?

I could act oblivious, but I knew the answer. Of course he had after what I had done last night. For the next few weeks, I'd be lucky if I was let out of his sight to pee not to speak of going off on my own to do my own thing.

Heaving out a sigh, I pulled off my duvet and made my way into the bathroom to freshen up. As soon as I had stepped in, I immediately took notice of the vast differences that had been made seemingly over night.

First and foremost, my entire mirror was gone. I could see the hole in the wall where it had been unscrewed and carried out. On top of that, everything from my cabinet had been cleared out except for a few small towels, a soap bar, my toothbrush and toothpaste. All my perfume, hair tools, hell even my waxing kit had been cleared out. The tub was still left open to use, but I didn't believe that Pablo would actually let me to use it.

Deciding not to complain just yet, I settled on brushing my teeth first before marching out of the bathroom with a firm glare pinned to Pablo's head. As if feeling my stare, he slowly peeled his eyes open, waking up from his sleep before jumping at the sight of me standing next to him as angrily as one could make standing look.

“Goodmorning?”

“Can I wash my face please?” I demanded, not bothering to dignify his greeting with the appropriate response. Instead, I went straight to the point.

“The sink is right there,” he pointed back into the bathroom further annoying me. “I left that in for you.”

“I need my cleanser, I need my toner, I need my serums, I need my eye cream, I need my moisturiser and I need my SPF, Pablo,” I listed off, more concerned about my inability to do my skincare routine than I was concerned about my missing mirror. I knew I needed to pick my battles and right now, skincare seemed to be my priority.

Pablo stared at me as if he was still trying to process half of the things I had just mentioned before giving up. “Can't you just use soap and water?”

“Look at my face and tell me if soap and water can give anyone skin this good?” I asked, making him stare at my face intently before smiling.

He took my hand and slowly rubbed it up and down his face, making me feel just how smooth his face was. “Sometimes, I don't even use soap,” he declared as if that was a good thing, making me roll my eyes at him but not give up until he had finally relented. “Fine, but I have to watch you.”