Snake

RECOVER

I laid in the hospital bed, rethinking all the choices I've made up to this moment. What could I have done in my past life for this to be happening to me.

It's been a week since things went down with Antonio's wife. I had no clue of her existence, and I hated myself for being so blinded by love.

They had been married for ten years with a daughter and baby on the way. His wife's anger made her risk her own pregnancy just to try and kill me.

I replayed every interaction Antonio and I had... from dates, phone conversations, text messages, and sexual encounters. There was nothing that showed me that he was married, or maybe I was too caught up to see the signs.

I have bandages wrapped around my body and arms. My face has big band aids covering it.

My parents came to see me and a few of my friends. Once I was out of the hospital, it took two months for me to recover physically, three mentally.

Unfortunately, my job let me go and I collected unemployment. My job's reason for their decision was budget cuts and low profits. I was back to square one.

Thankfully, I received my 401K and was able to cash out my leftover vacation PTO. This gave me a nice cushion to continue to recover, then find another job.

I heard nothing from Antonio. No sorry, no concern if I'm okay...nothing.

Gradually, the pain went away, and the wounds healed, but I still had a few scars. Every time I looked in the mirror, it was a reminder of how lucky I am to still be here and that I am a fighter.

I still believed in love and romance, but it was too risky to pursue again.

No one is genuine anymore and always straying from someone else they promised to love. I'm still trying to get over my feelings for Antonio, and honestly....I'm still pissed.

After six months of getting back to myself, it was time to job hunt. I still had a nice savings cushion, but I was ready to make some money.

I applied at a few corporate places but wasn't getting the pay I needed to pay my rent.

Then, I saw a job opening online for a data entry position at a pharmaceutical company. The salary looked decent, so I clicked on the link, then submitted my resume and application.

After running some errands and talking to the District Attorney about my attack, I was ready to relax with a glass of wine. There was a knock on my door and I instantly grabbed my bat from the side.

I looked through the peephole. "Antonio?"

My heart was racing. I thought about just ignoring him and not answering. Seeing his face triggered me, and I held back my tears.

He knocked again, and I decided not to answer. What could he possibly want from me?

After a few days, I went out with a few friends, and I really enjoyed myself. It felt nice to get out of the house to dance the night away.

I was on the dancefloor the majority of the time dancing by myself.

Soon, I felt someone push up behind me. I slowly moved away and turned to see what the person looked like.

"Antonio!"

My eyes widened.

"Hi, Violet. I've been trying to contact you."

I shook my head in disbelief and immediately walked away. It was time for me to leave, so I hurried out of the nightclub. Antonio was the last person I wanted to see, and I ran to my car to get away.

"Violet, wait! Can I please talk to you?!"

I looked back. He was running towards me.

Where is my car?!

Trying not to panic, I took a few deep breaths and kept walking. I felt my arm being pulled, and I screamed.

"Violet, relax! I'm not going to hurt you!"

"Get off of me!"

"No! Not until you talk to me!"

I stopped fighting and took a good look at him. He looked stressed out with bags under his eyes and a scruffy beard.

"I never meant to hurt you, Violet, and I still love you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my wife...I fucked up and I'm so sorry."

His words didn't bring me comfort.

"I know you probably hate me but I need your help. My daughter is traumatized by the whole situation. We're going to therapy and trying to do better."

I stood in silence while he continued to speak.

"Her mother is due any day now and I know what she did to you was wrong, Violet. But my kids need their mother, if she goes to prison it would devastate my daughter."

My words were clenched. "The state pressed charges, Antonio...whether I drop the charges or not, the District Attorney will not drop state charges."

"But if you don't testify...then maybe her sentence will be less time."

"Are you fucking kidding me? I could've died...."

"I know...I'm so sorry, Violet. It's all my fault."

The more he apologized the more it hurt and I regretted the day I ever met him. I walked away from him and he grabbed my arm.

My fist swung, connecting with his jaw and he staggered backwards. My hand stung and my knuckles hurt like hell.

"Fuck you and if you come near me again...your daughter is going to lose another parent."

He stood there in shock as I walked away.

The next morning, I slept in. I was in no mood to go anywhere or see anybody. My encounter with Antonio made me want to stay inside for another six months.

I opened my laptop and checked my emails. My eyes widened when I saw a reply to one of my job inquiries.

"Wait...I'm hired?"

I couldn't believe what I was reading. I read over the response again and excitement instantly hit me.

"Yes! I'm hired."

But then it dawned on me, this was the company I didn't have an interview with yet. I began to get suspicious as I read over the job posting, the company website and hired email.

Everything looked legit but I was leary. Another email came through from the same company and I quickly opened it.

Good Morning, Ms. Edwards.

Welcome to Zen Pharma. Attached is your training information, schedule and location of our office. HR will discuss further important information and answer your questions when you arrive.

We look forward to meeting you and having you a part of our team!

Best regards,

President, Kenji J. Zen

My first day of training was next Monday so I had enough time to rest before the big day and I was excited.