Love unfolding

Permission

1999

Monday February 1st

My boss approached me today while I was putting some books back on the shelf. "Harlow." he said. I turned around and saw a very downsized face, normally he was always super happy and energetic, but today something felt off about him. "What's up Tristan?"

"It's just, both you and Valerie have asked about vacation next week, and as it seems you asked the latest, so I need you to cancel your vacation and work that week." Tristan sighed and scratched his head.

"I can't do that Tristan." I said.

"And why not?" He asked, scratching his head some more. 

"I am going to a wedding." I said.

"Oh your sisters getting married?" His face lit up.

"No, it's Abigail Murphy's daughters wedding."

"Then why are you attending?" He asked: "It's not like you know them is it? And if you do can you  introduce me?"

"Tristan." I said and his smile faded a bit. "I'm going to the wedding because I'm the wedding painter." I explained.

"Oh" Tristan said:" I didn't know you could paint."

"I did literally ask you at the interview if I could draw when business is slow." I was getting a bit annoyed at this point, as I cover all of Valerie's shifts, but of course Tristan doesn't know this, because he's never around. 

"I thought you were joking about that." Tristan said: "But uhm, sure you can go, if you can get your hot sister to cover for you."

"Dude, no. She is technically married. Besides getting someone to cover my shifts is not my responsibility it's yours." My voice got angrier than I had thought it would, but raising my voice at Tristan felt good. 

"Uhm sorry." Tristan said confused: "I'll get my cousin to cover for you, she's been covering for Valerie before."

"Great, so I can attend the wedding?" I asked lastly.

"Yes. Yes. You. Can." Tristan said slowly. 

He stepped closer forcing me to step backwards hitting the bookcase behind me, a couple books fell down, and as I reached down to grab them Tristan lifted me back up slamming my back against the bookcase, even harder this time, he grabbed my hands with one of his ginormous hands, the other he placed on my neck almost choking me. I couldn't move and I couldn't speak, Tristan pulled himself closer to me, leaned down and his lips met mine, I tried turning my head, but Tristan tightened his grip on both my hands and my neck. His lips met mine again, this time he forced his tongue in my mouth, I started squirming, and he just kept kissing me and his grip just tightened and tightened. 

I sealed my lips shut as hard as I could, but the force of his tongue forced my mouth to open again, but at least with difficulty, it shouldn't be easy for Tristan.

Suddenly his hand who had caught mine loosened for a second and I saw my chance to escape, I ripped my hands to myself, but I had forgotten all about the hand around my neck, he tightened his grip, but I kicked him in his crotch, forcing him to let go of me and place both hands on where I had hit him, he fell to the floor in pain. My voice felt sore but I managed to yell: "You pervert." And then I left, the door slamming behind me, I got to my car that I had parked a few blocks away from the bookstore. 

I looked in the mirror and saw my neck was all red and sore, I found some make-up Hermione or Amanda had left in my car some time ago, and it worked miracles covering up my bruises. 

Then I saw Tristan coming running towards my car, I started the car and drove away before he could catch me.

On the way home I took a lot of turns, making sure he wasn't following me. When I finally got home to my apartment, Ginny looked worriedly at me and asked: "What's wrong?" 

"Nothing wrong, just tired." Is said, my voice aching.

"Are you getting sick? Your voice sounds more raspy than normal." Ginny asked. She got up from the couch and pulled me in for a hug, I hugged her back, kneeling down on the floor, Ginny followed.

We had been sitting on the floor hugging for maybe an hour, when I let go of Ginny, got up and went to the bedroom, I carefully took off my t-shirt, Ginny came behind me, hugged me tightly, and squeezed my breasts gently, I turned to her and said: "Not today." 

Ginny nodded, and left the room. I crawled into bed pulling the duvet over my head. 

I stuck my head out from the duvet when I smelled popcorn in the room. 

Ginny placed a bowl of hot buttered popcorn on the bed, she put on a movie that we had watched a million times, but with her I can watch anything. I lifted up the duvet allowing Ginny to cuddle up to me, we watched the movie together and Ginny ended up falling asleep in my arms. During the movie not one of us had said a word to the other. I'm not even sure I could, I'm so thankful for Ginny, she's always taking care of me, even if I don't tell her what's wrong.