Something Beautiful 》ANGEL FACE

Chapter 5

DECEMBER 1996

PRESENT...

Bryan had got a night shift job working three nights a week at a factory that made carpet. He wasn't the least bit happy with it, but he said it would do for now. I kind of hated it because that would mean I wouldn't get to see him as much as I did. I would be working the days. He'd be working nights, and it just wasn't fair. This was all just temporary, though. At least I hoped it was, I couldn't go without seeing him, but I was forced too. Bryan Eisner was like a prize to me. His love is the only thing I could ever want.

I was finishing up with laundry and the last load of dishes when he came in from work. He set his keys on the counter. Avoiding me. He didn't say anything or even look at me. What had happened at work? I walked my way over to him, just as he closed the bathroom door in my face. He had saw me, chose to ignore me, and left me with no explanation on why I was being ignored. A wave of anger washed over me. Why was silent treatment or retreating always his go to towards me when he was mad about something else? I banged on the door a little too hard.

"Bryan Lee Eisner! You don't ignore me!" I banged some more, not caring at this point if I beat on the door too loud or not. He continued to ignore me, and I heard the shower turn on. More banging, still no answer. I put a small dent in the door from how hard I beat on it with two hands. Ugh, extreme measures were to be taken. I dug around in the drawer for the bathroom key. It was a key that I would have thought to only use if a child locked themselves in it or if I locked myself out. I guess Bryan was close enough to a child. He chose to act like one all of the time, may have as well been one. I dug the key into the door, opening it forcefully.

"Hello?!" I say, annoyed, "Not a hey, or how was your day, or nothing? What is your problem? Why do you insist on doing this to me anytime you have a bad day?" I yell, running out of breath, still no answer. I yanked the curtain back, and I immediately noticed what the problem was. He had a giant fist size bruise on his face and a busted, bloody lip. He had smaller bruises on his chest, and on his abs, he had bigger bruises. I examined them in horror.

"Who... Who did this..." I couldn't form a sentence.

"It's not a big deal, Y/N. Equipment malfunctioned - doesn't hurt." He yanked the curtain back, hiding his naked body.

"Oh fucking please, Bryan. Lie to me some more, would you? Who did this?" No answer, "Who did this?! Tell me now!" I yell, wanting an answer. He opened the curtain, grabbing my arm in a tight grip. He yanks me to where I'm on the edge of the tub. Shower water is getting on me a little bit. My arm hurts from his grip and I already know fingerprint shaped bruises are going to form.

"E-quip-ment mal-func-tion." He sounds it out for me as if I were in kindergarten, "Are you stupid? Do you need the definition or spelling? Because I'll be happy to give it to you!" I pull out of his grip and slap him in the face. The noise rang through the apartment, causing a red blemish to form. I had tears in my eyes and swilved around leaving the room. I regretted my actions because I noticed that only after that did I hit his bruise. I grabbed a blanket and pillow and headed to our car to spend the night out there.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked me, not yelling, but with a strict tone. He only had his boxers and shorts on. His bruise and busted lip made him look like he belonged in a prison gang or something.

"The car to sleep." I swear he teleported or something because he made it to front of the door in a blink of an eye.

"I'm sorry, you're just going to have calm down because I can't let you do that. Get to bed, rest your head. It's not a big deal. You're just going to have to trust me. I love you." He kissed my forehead. I couldn't help but do as he asked and walked over to our bed. Why was he so reluctant to avoid telling me he got in a fight? Why did he feel the need to lie to me? I felt like I couldn't trust him anymore. He laid down beside me, and instead of spooning me like he always did, he put his back to me, "I said I love you." He grumbled, sounding aggrieved.

"I love you too."