Abused Love

Chapter 2

"Charlie stop!!"
"I thought I told you I wanted you here by 7:00! I wanted dinner on the table before I got home from work, you stupid bitch!".
He punched me in the stomach and slapped me across the face making me fall down on the ground".
"Where the fuck is your phone?!"
"I left it upstairs because I was trying to make dinner", I choked out
"You're making me upset. If you would just do what I told you, I wouldn't get mad".
I nodded at him and got up hurrying into the kitchen.
     I fixed dinner and put it in the table for him. He came in the kitchen and sat down at the table and started to eat. I sat and ate with him in silence.
     He chewed the last of his food and wiped his mouth. He got up and came to stand behind me with his hands on my shoulders.
     I got scared thinking that the dinner was bad and I was gonna get another beating. But he leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
      "That was good. Next time, be on time, ok?"
He turned my head to him and leaned down, kissing my lips softly. I felt tears come to my eyes and nodded.
      I got up and washed the dishes and made my way upstairs and headed to bed, randomly thinking of Eric.

The Next Day
I was in the shop working when I looked up and saw Eric walking towards me. I immediately started smiling.
"Hey, beautiful"
I blushed and went up to him and gave him a hug. "Hey, I'm glad you came to see me"
"Of course I would. I couldn't wait to see you".
"You ready for lunch? We can go eat at that Chinese place in the mall around the corner?"
     "Yeah, that'll be perfect", I said
I went and told Sydney, one of the workers, that I was going to lunch and she said she would hold it down for me.
     I went back to Eric and he smiled, putting his arm around me, and we walked out of the store.
      We got to the Chinese place and placed our orders.
      We got them and went to go sit at one of the tables.
      I dug into my General Tso's  chicken and rice and was in heaven, closing my eyes.
     I opened them and saw Eric staring at me, smirking.
      "What?", I said
He shook his head. "Nothing, I'm just glad you're enjoying yourself".
     "I am. Thanking you for this, really you didn't have to".
      "I wanted too. You deserve it. I know you work hard and I just wanted you to have a little break".
     This man has to be some angel or something. Charles never treats me this good. Well, when he wants too he does, but he'll eventually go back to being abusive sooner or later.
       "Thank you, it means a lot"
He nodded. "So, tell me about yourself".
     "Well, I've worked here for about a year now. I like it cause it gives me time away from home life and I've been married to my husband Charles for about five years now".
He smiled. "He's a lucky guy"
I looked down at my food. "Yeah, real lucky", I said half heartedly. "So tell me about you"
"Well, I'm a doctor at the hospital. I'm fresh out of med school and have been doing my residence so far and I love it".
     I raised my eyebrows. "A doctor? Wow that's so cool. I would have never thought you were one with the way you dress".
    I then realized what I said and went to apologize. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I meant-"
     "Naw baby, it's cool. I understand what you meant. When I tell people I'm a doctor, no one really believes it, until either I show them my license or they run into me at the hospital".
      I let out a breath. "Thank you for understanding. I really wasn't trying to insult you".
     He shook his head. "You didn't insult me, baby, it's ok. Don't worry, I couldn't believe Dre became a lawyer. When he told me he passed the bar exam, I laughed at first".
    We chuckled and I agreed with him. I couldn't believe Dre passed either. Not that he wasn't smart, but like I said, if you meet him or Eric, you wouldn't believe that they held the professions that they do.
       Even Cube, whose a business owner, owning clubs all around LA, Compton, Long Beach, Oakland, and other cities around California, when you first meet Cube, you wouldn't think he was into owning a business at all. But like they say never judge a book by its cover.
       All of them are very successful in their own right and I applaud them.
       "I know our appearance may throw some people off but hey, it is what it is. I don't have to dress all rich all the time even though I am wealthy. I'm very humble even though, yes I do have a million dollar home and drive nice cars and can take you anywhere in the world you wanna go. I never brag about it and I always remember where I come from, all of us".
     I was in awe of him. I love the fact that he wasn't stuck up about his profession and thought he was better than everybody else because he has a better paying job than most.
      "I love the way you dress, by the way. It seems you. Not that you wouldn't look good in a designer suit and shoes".
      "Thank you, baby", he said
   I blushed when he called me that. This man is too good for words. If only I wasn't married.
    "Your welcome", I said back to him
    "So what does Charles do?"
I looked down. "Oh, he does business stuff, you know". That's all I really know, he doesn't tell me much about his job and when I ask, he just tells me to shut up and mind my business.
     He nods. "That's cool"
     "Yeah"
It was quiet for a minute as we ate but then he spoke up. "You don't like talking about your husband do you?"
     I looked up quickly. "No- I mean yes, it's just that, no one asks me about him a lot".
      "You sure? Cause it's like when ever I ask about him, your whole mood changes. I'm sorry for asking if it bothers you, I won't ask again".
     I shook my head. "It's not you, it's just-", I sighed. "Charles and I, our relationship is complicated".
     "Complicated?"
     "Yeah"
     "Are you happy with him?"
No, I thought. "Yes, very happy"
     He looked at me for a minute before nodding his head. "Ok, if you say so".
     He went back to eating his food and I knew he knew I was lying. Of course I'm not happy. This man beats the shit outta me all the time. Who would be happy about that?
     We finished up eating because I had to go back to work.
     We walked back to the store and we stopped in front of it.
     "Can I come by and see you tomorrow?"
I hesitated. "I don't know, Eric. Maybe that's not a good idea".
     He nodded and smile lightly. "Ok, I understand".
     I could see the hurt in his eyes when I said that. Who am I kidding, of course I wanted to see him tomorrow and the next day after that.
     I took his hand and held it. "I want you to come by, Eric, really I do, it's just that-", I took a breath. "I'm starting to like you more than a friend kind of thing".
     He looked down at our hands before he looked up at me in my eyes. "I like you more than a friend too"
     "That's why we can't do this. Eric, I'm married"
     "I understand that. But you don't look to happy about him whenever I bring him up. He doesn't treat you right does he?"
     "He treats me great, thank you", I lied
     "Really?"
     "Yes, really"
He looked at me and said, "Stephanie, what happen to your eye?"

Thanks for reading this chapter to all that does. Do you think she's gonna tell him the truth? He's really liking her and she likes him too. Do you think she should pursue a relationship with him even though she's married. Granted, to a terrible husband that doesn't treat her the way she's suppose to be treated, but she's got one. 🤔 And again, I do not condone adultery but a man like Charles doesn't deserve faithfulness