GAGE

40| c a t c h m y b r e a t h

Ignoring Gage isn't easy considering I'm living with him. It's only the afternoon the next day, but still. I try to act as upset as I feel, but he's not even paying attention to me for me to do that.

After I get out of the shower I walk back to the bedroom and see a long dress laying in the bed. I lift it up in front of me and examine it. It's a crisp white sleeveless dress with cut outs on the sides and a silver embellished neck piece.

What does Gage think he's doing?

Next to it lays a pair of white open toed heels with a note attached.

I'll be back at around 8. Be ready, and it's not optional.

I don't want to risk having another fight so I just oblige and put on the dress. After my hair air dries I decide to leave it natural, along with my face because I don't feel like doing anything.

It's around 7:30 when Gage gets back. I ignore him when he passes me on the bed as he paces around the room to get ready for whatever we're going to.

By the time he's done, he wears a sleek
all black suit, contrasting with my all white dress.

"Come," he mumbles lowly. I follow him down the stairs after putting on the shoes and we go outside to his car. The ride is silent and a reasonable way away.

After parking on the side of the street Gage opens the door for me and guides me to two golden doors with his hand on my back. The inside is nothing I'm not used to seeing.

It's one of these company things again.

"Why the fuck did you bring me here? Especially after last time." I say in a low firm tone in Gage's ear.

He's had a grimace on his face all day, "Are we really doing this right now?"

"Doing what?" I spit, crossing my arms.

"I'm not about to fight with you right now." He glowers.

"I'm not trying to fight. I just don't want to go in there, I think that's pretty reasonable and I'd expect you to understand." I press my lips into a sharp line.

Gage ignores me and tries to pull me inside. "Did you not hear me?" I pull my hand back.

He rolls his eyes and emits an exasperated sigh, "Josie, where are you going to go then?" His nostrils flare and I can tell he's getting annoyed with me.

"I'll go back to the car." I shrug.

He rolls his eyes once more and places the car key in the palm of my hand, "Just go. Don't go anywhere... If I find out you w-"

"Okay!" I turn around and I shove the key into my bra. When I get to the car I turn around and see Gage still watching me to make sure I get inside I suppose.

He disappears into the doors once I am inside and I immediately get out. What am I supposed to do out here? I feel bad for being so difficult. Maybe I should go back in...

While I'm contemplating, I'm approached by a middle aged man. "Hey, gorgeous." He smiles.

I roll my eyes and look away.

"Hey, don't be shy. I don't bite." He eyes turn to slits and his tone is malicious.

"Fuck off." I spit at him. Literally.

That was a bad decision.

I don't comprehend that I've been hit until heat rushes to my cheek. My vision blurs when tension arises to my scalp as the man fists the roots of my hair harshly.

He drags me to the side of the building despite the flailing of my limbs and my shrieks.

"Shut the fuck up!" He tries to say silent and keep my quiet by holding his hand over my mouth. His palm tastes like dirt.

The man's black beard itches my mouth as he forces his onto me. His body presses me against the side of the building and I scream into his mouth. My attempts to fight him away and bite his face fails.

Dirt stains my dress in dark patches and my heels sink into the dirt. The filthy hands belonging to the even filthier man grope my thighs and lift my dress and rip my underwear.

"Ugh- stop. Please!" I cry into the air. All I can hear is the rustling grass and the blood rushing through my ears. My body shakes in sobs when the man forcefully thrusts himself inside of me.

My arms are pinned behind me and my legs are crushed under the stranger's weight. "Shut. Up!" He raises his fist and I squeeze my eyes closed before it makes contact with my eye.

A grunt mixes with my sobs and it feels like forever until the pressure is raised from my entire body. I'm glad I'm not actually on my period yet, otherwise my tampon would have to be surgically removed.

I can't move. I can barely breathe. I can't see. All I can do is lay here and wish none of this would've eve happened. If I had never met this asshole that calls me his girl my life would be normal. I'd be happy.

Involuntary tears stroll down my cheeks as I lay motionless. I eventually grab my phone from my bra, glad the man left it on, and scroll through my contacts before clicking on Gage's name. He doesn't answer which causes me to tug at my hair in frustration.

After the call ends, he calls me back immediately. "Gage..." I sniffle wearily.

"Josie, what's wrong? Are you- are you crying?" Concern and confusion lace through his tone.

"I- I'm on the left wing of the building outside and-"

"I fucking told you-" he begins to growl.

"Just come... Please," my body shakes as I struggle to catch my breath.