Age Of Innocence (AOI) [Sequel To IR]

Chapter 110 } Help

Part 4:
Matthew's POV

Caroline and I walked into a fancy restaurant wearing fancy clothes and trying our hardest to fit in with all of the fancy people.
"This is your table Mr. And Mrs. Espinosa." The man smiled. I smirked as I pulled the chair out for Caroline.
"I'm not your wife. Why did he say that?" She asked once he left.
"Cause the reservation is under my last name. I guess he just assumed." I smiled. She smiled with me as we explored he menus. "What are you going to get?" I asked her. Already knowing what I was getting.
"I think I'm gonna get the fettuccine Alfredo." That's exactly what I was getting. And as I thought more on the topic I realized me and Ala both shared a common interest in fettuccine Alfredo on our first date. I couldn't help but sulk in nostalgia.
"Me too." I smiled. We laughed and talked and I got to explore her brain this time, not her body. Which was new. She was actually quite nice. By the end of our date we managed to spend one-hundred dollars and laugh until we cried. But all I could do was think about Ala. All I could do was love Ala. Everyone was right, Caroline was merely a distraction. I didn't want to tell her that, because although I liked her I didn't like her in the way I've been leading on and I don't want to hurt her feelings.
As we walked along the side walk to the hotel she stopped me.
"Matthew." I turned to her looking into her bright and lively eyes.
"Yes?" I asked.
"You don't really like me do you?" I panicked not sure what to say.
"Of course I like you."
"But not in a relationship way." How did she know? "You're still in love with Ala."
"I never really stopped being in love with her." I mumbled. She sighed.
"Then why are you paying one hundred dollars for me to eat dinner instead of her."
"Because she doesn't love me." She laughed lightly. What was so funny about this?
"Are you blind?" She asked. "Of course she still loves you. Have you not noticed the way she acts around you?"
"She's just a loving person that's how she acts to all of our friends." I told her.
"You're so oblivious Matthew."
"She doesn't love me, she's told me plenty of times."
"Okay. Well you sit here soaking in all your naiveness. But I'll be heading back home because I'm only getting in the way of you and the love of your life reuniting."
"You don't know her. It's over, for good." I said sadly. She put her hands on my shoulders causing me to look up.
"Don't, give, up. You'll really loose her for good then." She gave me a quick peck on the lips confusing me then walked away.
"Wait!" I called after her. "What if you're wrong and she just breaks my heart again?"
"Then, you have my number. I'm willing to distract you a couple more times." She winked turning back around and walking away. I sighed. What just happened? I walked back to the hotel and straight to Ala's room. All I wanted was a hug. All I wanted was her comfort. I knocked on the door repetitively until she answered rubbing her eyes. She wasn't wearing any makeup, she was still perfect and the only reason I could see a difference was because of the bruises. The sight of them all on her neck and arms almost made me cry. I couldn't imagine how it felt. I pushed her in closing the door. I remembered I needed to tell her about the trial. I pulled her to the bed and sat her down. I suddenly became more curious as the bruises became more visible.
"What did he do to you?" I shook my head in disbelief that this happened. She looked down and closed her eyes. I knew it was a hard topic for her to discuss. I lifted her shirt gently. She grabbed my hand, stopping me in confusion. "I just want to see." She hesitantly let go gripping the bottom of her shirt, lifting it over her head. I covered my mouth trying not to scream. How could someone be so cruel? How could she live like that? "I should've noticed. I should've done something sooner." She squeezed her eyes shut as tears started uncontrollably exiting her beautiful drained eyes. I pulled her into me and she immediately clutched onto my shirt. She cried as she let out so many emotions I'm sure she felt. Violated. Mistreated. Tormented. Hopeless. And just utterly scared. I felt bad that all I could do was hug her. I couldn't take away the pain. "Ala. They gave Noah a trial. They want you to testify." She dug her head into me almost screaming. She looked up at me, pure helplessness written all over her face.
"They're gonna let him go?" She cried. It pained me so greatly to see her like this.
"Maybe, if the jury finds him innocent." She clenched her jaw brought her hand to her mouth crying and screaming. I pulled her back into me laying down with her into my arms as I did anything possible to try and soothe her. After maybe a good two hours of her shaking and crying she finally fell asleep from pure exhaustion. I however didn't sleep. I had to hold her. I had to let her know I would never let her go. Never.