Destined hearts

Chapter XXV

Aisha

The days that followed were horrendous. I could hardly sleep next to him without wondering what he might do next. And his once warm embrace I relished now felt like I was wrapped by the cold slithering skin of a snake. So close but yet it felt like we were miles apart. And yes I still love him but that constant foreboding feeling of whether he would hurt me still remain a lingering thought everytime we kissed or he said loving words to me.  Was this what our relationship had been reduced to? Fear and doubts? I mean we're to be getting married in less than a year and we're already at an ugly impasse. Was this the down side of marriage? I was so confused.

I mean, he didn't exactly hit me per say. But he was a little violent and did resort to emotional and verbal abuse but he loved me right? I know I was wrong about hiding the truth from him and that's what provoked his outburst and paranoia. Any man who truly loves you would go ballistic knowing your ex was persistently on your case. I should have told him sooner so we work past this...

I wasn't one to accept resorting to violence in resolving problems but I felt conflicted on this because I felt horribly guilty more than anything. I didn't actively participate in making Michael chase me but maybe I didn't draw the line clear enough when each time he kissed me and I would kiss him back right before stopping him. I did indulge in it. I was just as guilty. Though I think the message got through him last time. Just thinking of it made me remember the red head bombshell he had been so enamoured with that night.

No Aisha. You have bigger fish to fry. Like your shaky relationship...

Right. I didn't have time for that. And I had no allowance for extra worries with how Christian now has me on a tight leash. He still treats me well and acts all loving till anyone cozies up to me or look at me for longer than he would consider appropriate to him. It didn't matter the gender men and women alike.

He may act cool and collected when in public, but once we are behind closed doors, he would blow a fuse. I get that he's jealous and possessive but isn't there a limit where it becomes plain smudering and suffocating. I could hardly meet people without him breathing down my neck. I had to constantly walk on egg shell around him because I didn't know when he might snap. He didn't give me physical blows but I wouldn't want the situation to escalate to that level. Right now I believe I'm handling the situation rather fine. It's just a bump on the road to our future. I can't back down at the smallest obstacle thrown our way because it seems difficult.

He's still very loving but it just feels odd at times. Especially his slightly neurotic behavior. I even found out he had installed a spy camera in my car. Just this made my skin crawl. How far was he ready to go with this? This was close to scary obsession and not in a good way. This made me really paranoid and scared for the most part.

I walked  into Javier office to drop a couple of documents he had requested  for.

"Here's what you asked for." I said dropping the stack of files I carried.

"Thanks." He said not looking up from the document before him.

"Anything else?" I enquired waiting infront of his desk.

"Oh right. Hope you called to ensure they got all the materials ready for shipment."

"Yes. All verified." I replied taking a seat in one of the chairs opposite his desk.  "Mr. Tarun is taking care of the rest as you asked. " I added picking up a file and placed it in a tray. His desk was completely disorganized with files and papers everywhere, pens and highlighters out of their case. I tried arranging everything as he talked.

He hummed in approval.  "Great. Since we're practically rounding upon the deal, care to have dinner tonight?" He asked still focused on the pappers

"I can't sorry." I replied. And he looked up at me.

"Hubby still picking you up again?" He asked referring to Christian.

"Yeah." I replied.

"He's been around a lot lately, huh? Is he trying to be an employee or what?" He joked but I gave a weak smile in return. He paused when he noticed I wasn't that amused. "Everything ok between you two? You seem on edge these days. " He asked furtively.

"Yeah, all good." I replied, not looking at him.

"Care to look at me when answering? Less I got something on my face." He said, his tone serious.

I sighed tiredly looking at him. "We're cool. Satisfied." I said sarcastically dropping the file I had in hand. "Now if you would excuse me I need to get back to work." I stood up but he grabbed my wrist stopping me.

"Wait." He said pulling my hand closer to inspect it but I immediately pulled away.

"That's inappropriate Javier. " I stated and made a beeline for his door. I didn't even notice when he had left his desk till he stood a couple of steps before me. And I stepped back.

"Javier could you please move away from the door. I need to get back to my office. " I said looking anywhere but at him.

He walked so fast I could hardly register his movements till he was all up in my personal space. He pulled my wrist, holding my hand up and pushed down my sleeves.

"What is this? " he asked, his voice taut.

"Can you let go please. " I pleaded.

"What the hell is this? Did he do this to you?" His voice thundered, causing me to recoil in fear.

"Javier please. " I begged. Tears threatening to spill out of my eyes.

"Is he abusing you? Why do you have bruises? " he demanded.

"No, he's not. now let me go." I said pulling my arm away and rolling down my sleeve.

"Aisha, this is absolute garbage. It's obvious he's up to something. Those bruises on your arm didn't just magically appear from falling or bumping into something."

"It was just a misunderstanding. " I explained weakly.

"A misunderstanding that got you bruised up like that? Really?" He asked in disbelief.

"He's not hitting me I promise." I added.

"But he's manhandling you." He stated angrily.

"Javy please. " I pleaded. He looked at me with a frown and sighed disapprovingly.

"Why aren't you saying anything or doing anything? " He asked still annoyed.

"He... he's good to me. He just got upset about me not telling him about Michael." I explained.

"Yes but you don't roughen your partner up because they omitted a few details about your ex. What exactly is this about? I know there's more to it than what meets the eye. And above all, I know you. You wouldn't allow this less he has something over you. So tell me." He insisted.

I looked down at my hands nervously, trying to hold back the tears. "I ..." I stuttered swallowing the lump in my throat. "It's nothing you need to worry about. I'm good. "

"Oh yeah?" he asked leaning against his desk. "... Then why are you trembling?" My body went rigid at his question. He let out a frustrated sigh. "Aisha I'm only trying to help you here, you need to let me know in case of anything. He may not take action now but the consequences of constantly enabling an abusive partner is detrimental. So I need to know. Even if it is an inkling of..." I shook my head now refusing to say anything. I didn't want Javier to overreact because I know how overprotective he gets and I really didn't want conflict between them.
"I know you love him but, if he's got to keep you on a leash putting it under the falsehood of love... I'm sorry sweetheart, that's not love. Not truly." He said sadly.

A desperate part of me kept making me hold back, defend him, but another part kept nagging me about denouncing him and Javier's words were really tipping the scales, weakening my resolve. I broke into tears and buried my face in my hands.