You and Me

Chapter 34

Charlotte's POV

"He doesn't know does he?" Ale says catching my attention now that we are downstairs in the backyard. Even though it's starting to get dark I needed some air. I sighed and closed my eyes trying to stop the tears that were forming in my eyes.

"He knows about Jackson...But he doesn't know how bad I was" I told them, opening my eyes back up. Waverly leaned forward and placed her hand in mine and placed small circles on the top of my hand with her thumb. "We're with you Char" she said. I love these two girls to death. They are always there for me when I need them, they have gotten me through the darkest parts in my life. Ale was there with me every night that I woke up covered in sweat crying and Wave was always there to make sure I ate and went to therapy, they were with me for 4 months making sure I was getting through. That's a debt I will never be able to repay.

"I know... and I love you guys so much" I say to them as a tear slipped from my eyes. Waverly wiped my tears from my cheek and sent me a smile. "Ivan told us what happened at the Company" Ale said while Waverly sat on her chair again. I sighed and nodded, and I switched my gaze to my hands. "It's okay to stand up for yourself Charlotte, but we think it is better for you not to go tomorrow." Ale said and Waverly agreed. "I need to, I will go tomorrow and finish what I started and neither of you will change my mind" I said to them. I know they're just worried about me but I need to do this for Ivan, for me, for us. "Just promise us you'll leave immediately if you don't feel good," they said and I smiled and nodded.

I looked toward the house and saw that Ivan was about to come out. I looked at the girls and told them to wait there. I started to walk towards the door to meet Ivan half way. I know he's upset and worried about me. Shit I don't even think he knows what's going on. But I need to tell him, he has the right to now.

"I'm sorry" I said when I reached him. He pulled me into a hug and placed his hand on my head. "I know love, I know" he placed a kiss on my head and leaned away to meet my eyes. "I need to tell you something... can we sit on the bench over there?" I say pointing at a bench away from the girls, he nodded and we started to walk. "The pills... I was put on them before" I said as we sat down. I took a big breathe and started to explain "The day I left Jackson he had come to my apartment an he was drunk he had been tryin to have sex with me and I refused... that night he tried to...to take it by force,  I tried fight him off and he pushed me into a wall..." I tried to keep going but tears started to leave my eyes "... when he pushed me into a wall he had hit my chest, I couldn't breathe, he panicked he thought I was having a heart attack so he left thinking I would die, I crawled my way to the phone and called 911, anyway... I was put on those pill, not only do they make me really sleepy but depression is also a side effect, when I was taking them I was living with my parents from fear of going back to my apartment and finding Jackson there, I was very depressed and started to..." I started to sob and Ivan hugged me and whispered in my ear. "It's ok, I'm here". I pulled away to keep going.

"I started to inflict pain on myself, I just wanted to feel a different type of pain, I was hurting myself behind everyone's back. One day I received a call and I answered, it was Jackson. He said some awful things, and that same night I..." I said while looking into Ivans eyes, he looked at me with fear and compassion in his eyes. "That same night I tried to overdose" I said as a tear slipped down my cheek. "Oh my god" was all Ivan said to me his eyes where wide in shock and he pulled me into a hug. "I understand if you don't want-" I said before he interrupted me, "hey, hey look at me... I love you and I am 100 percent in with you if you're trying to scare me away your going to have to try harder love" he said chuckling, "Ivan, I'm damaged, and you shouldn't have to put up with me" I said looking down at my hand that was intertwined with his. "This is the woman I fell in love with, damaged or not. I love you because it's what makes you who you are. I love you" he said and placed a kiss on my lips and I returned it. The kiss was slow but filled with love and passion. He is my prince charming. We pulled away from the kiss and let our foreheads rest on each other.

"What did Jackson say to you that day?" he asked and I looked into his eyes. "It's something I will never repeat, nobody knows, not even the girls, I'm sorry" I said, closing my eyes and sighing. "It's okay I don't want to push you...C'mon" he said and placed a kiss on my lips and we started to walk to where the girls were.

After a while of being outside we decided to head inside to make some food because I'm starving. Ivan is cooking. I keep asking him to let me help but he doesn't let me. We are all talking while he cooks. "So you guys are moving in together already?" Ale said, "yeah we know it's a little fast but... I love him" I said looking up at Ivan who was standing behind me "and I love you" he said and kissed me, I smiled against his lips. "You guys are adorable!" Wave said and we all laughed. "As long as you're happy we are," Ale said and I smiled at her. I looked at the time and it was 7 pm. "Are you guys working tomorrow?" I asked the girls. "No, I had to quit my job," Ale said and I looked at her wide eyed. "What! Why? Why am I finding out just now!" I shouted at Ale who just chuckled. "Well one when I quit you were dying on an operation table and two I kinda forgot" she said and I just laughed at her humor. "What do you do?" Ivan said while he finished putting the chicken in the oven. "I'm a Civil Engineer. Yes me and Charlotte are that much alike" she said laughing causing me to laugh with her. "I'm guessing you do something in construction as well?" Ivan said looking at Waverly who just scoffs. "Nope I don't do well with drawing lines and coloring and using those shape ruler things nope I'm a Realtor" she says emphasizing the I'm, catching Ivan off guard. He looks at me and I know exactly why. "She can help us look for a house," he said and I smiled at him. "That I can do" she says and we all laugh. "Well Alexandra would you be willing to work at the company?" Ivan suggested and I looked at him wide eyed and smiled looking at Ale. Bitch you better say yes!! "Um yes!" she said looking at him with pure shock and excitement. "Well I'm a Civil Engineer, and I think I can try to fit you in somewhere. Just let me see some designs and I'll let you know." Ivan says and Ale pulls out her phone to show him some design and he tells her the job is hers and she can start by working on the project with me.

I love this man, he is handsome, sexy, thoughtful, generous, compassionate, loving, amazingly good in bed, and the love of my life.

Published 06/06/2022