In this life

Chapter 6

Work was busy that evening. It seemed people had decided to make the most of the bank holiday and go out for something to eat. I spent the first few hours working the bar and the rest waiting the tables. My feet ached and I was tired but the shift went quite quickly as a result. At 23:15 I hung up my apron in my locker and got changed out of my uniform.
When I took my phone out of my bag to check for messages, there were two. The first was from Ronnie asking to catch up one day this week, I replied yes and to let me know when she was free.
The second was from Daniel asking me how work was going. I replied;

New message to: Daniel
Busy! I'm knackered. Just leaving now. How has your day been? x

He replied instantly

New message from: Daniel
How are you getting home?

I was putting my coat on so quickly typed that I was walking and that I'd text him when I was home.
I said goodbye to my colleagues, gave the Head Chef a wave, "See ya later darlin'!" He shouted back, then I let the manager know I was leaving.
Considering the weather had been nice that day, it sure was cold and windy that night. I pulled my coat tight to keep the chill out. I regularly walked to work and back from my parent's house, it wasn't far and I enjoyed the quiet after the hustle and bustle of the restaurant.
I put my headphones in and got my playlist up on my phone. I needed to listen to something gentle, I didn't have the energy for anything with a dance beat to it. I decided on Ed Sheeran and slipped my phone into my coat pocket as I stepped out on to the street. It was fairly quiet, with only a few people about, I watched as they went about their business. Some it seemed were making their way home and there was happy laughter in the distance.
I quietly sang along to the music as I crossed the road and turned a corner. I smiled thinking of Johnny's announcement today and wondered what sort of husband and father he would become. I was so happy for him and was excited to watch him marry the mother of his baby-to-be.
The song finished and the few seconds of silence brought me out of my daydream. I turned to look behind me but there was no one about. The street was quiet, peaceful.

The next song kicked in as I saw the feint silhouette of three men further down the road ahead of me facing each other talking. It looked as though they were exchanging things between them and It made me feel uneasy so I crossed the road to walk passed them at a safer distance.

Keeping my head down but my eyes focused on them I took one ear piece out so I could hear better. When I thought they could probably see me I looked at the ground in front of my feet so as not to draw attention to myself and held my coat tighter round my body. Once I was safely passed them I quickly checked behind me to make sure they were still where they were before. They were. I felt a bit safer and put my earpiece back in, cursing myself for being silly, I then carried on listening to the music.
Out of nowhere a movement beside me caught my eye. Looking up quickly, couldn't see anything, was it a cat? Then another movement on the other side of me made me jump. I pulled my headphones out and spun on the spot just in time for a hand to grab my face, covering my mouth and nose! Panic rushed though my veins and I tried to scream but the sound was muffled. Pushing at the man in an attempt to get him off me, a second man grabbed me from behind, stopping me from lifting my arms.
"Shhhhh" the third man was right beside my face. He grabbed a handful of my hair and violently shook my head towards him. I was terrified, tears burned my eyes and my heart was pounding in my chest.
"Be a good girl and this will all be over soon" he said as the guy behind me laughed. He pulled me into him and licked the side of my face. One of them grabbed my coat and ripped it open, I felt his hands on me, working their way round my legs and inside my thighs. I tried to kick out and shake myself free, tears streaming down my face. Please god don't let this happen! I silently begged in my head. I managed to shake the hand off my face and screamed as loud as my throat and lungs would let me. Suddenly one of the men hit me round the side of my head, hard, with the back of his hand and everything went white as I crumpled to the ground. I couldn't run away, it was impossible, so I made myself as small as I could on the floor, breathing hard, begging for them to stop, to leave me alone.
I'd never been so scared.
I could hear footsteps running fast towards us and dreaded more men joining in on their vicious attack. Whimpering, I covered my face with my hands, which were shaking uncontrollably. My ear was ringing from the blow and I could feel my throbbing cheek was warm and wet with blood. I could hear men fighting. Unsure if it was my mind playing tricks on me or just wishful thinking, I thought I'd heard Daniel's voice. I tried to open my eyes and lift my head to see if it was him but was paralyzed with fear. I then held my breath for a moment to listen better.
Seeing shadows on the floor and blurry figures moving quickly around me, one of the men was thrown savagely across to the other side of the road, his ankle snapping as he landed hard on the floor. Another of the men ran away. I managed to lift my head in time to see Daniel holding the third man up, a foot or so from the ground, by his jacket collar.
"Dan..." I tried to speak, to call his name, but my voice was trapped in my throat. His face was full of fury, rage seeping from his eyes and his mouth, snarled up like a rabid dog.
"Daniel" I managed to speak his name. He'd heard me. In one move he threw the man away like a discarded piece or rubbish. Running to me and landing on his knees beside me on the ground, he lifted me up and wrapped me in his arms. I held on to him tight.
"How did you? I, I was so scared" I sobbed on his shoulder "I can't believe you're here"
"Shh shh shh" He stroked my hair "It's okay, you're okay."
He pulled away slightly to check me over and make sure I was alright. Looking up at my face and frowning he clenched his jaw as he saw I was bleeding. Silently he closed his eyes and pulled me into his chest again.
The two of us sat there on the concrete for a moment while I caught my breath. He held me tight, stroking my hair and rocking me gently in his arms.
"Come" he said gently helping me to my feet "Let me take you home"
Holding my hand up to comfort my stinging cheek, I could hardly see, everything was still blurry, I closed my eyes.
Daniel carefully picked me up in his arms and carried me to his car parked a little further down the road. He carefully lowered me inside and strapped my seat belt round me. I rested my head on the window, exhausted, as the adrenaline subsided.
Hearing Daniel climb in the car beside me, the last thing I remember was feeling him hold my hand and brush his thumb over my knuckles as he started the engine.
When I woke up Daniel had taken me to his house. Carrying me inside, he laid me on his sofa and kissed my forehead softly.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded. Feeling safe.
"I'll be right back" he smoothed my hair and walked away.
A few minutes later he was back with a bowl of warm water and a box of tissues. Carefully yet gently he cleaned the blood off of my face as tears silently fell from my eyes. Neither of us spoke.
When he had finished he asked if I hurt anywhere else with genuine concern in his eyes. I shook my head. Satisfied, he cleared away and returned with a cup of tea for me.
"Here" he sat me up "Drink this unless you feel you need something stronger?"
I smiled, shook my head and took the tea. "Thank you so much"
"You're welcome" he sat beside me with his arm behind my shoulders gently playing with my hair.
"I like your curls" he said, tilting his head to see my face. I caught his eye and he gave me a sympathetic look.
"It looked nicer before" I managed a small smile.
"There it is," he brushed his thumb over my lips, closing my eyes I leaned into his hand savouring his touch.
"Thank you for saving me, I can't bear the thought of what might have happened if you hadn't-"
"Don't" he said with a sickened look "It didn't happen and you're safe now" he lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.
"How did you find me? How did you know where I was? How did you fight those guys off of me?" I had so many questions some of then just blurted out.
"I didn't like the idea of you walking home on your own so I jumped in my car to pick you up and give you a lift. I'm only sorry I didn't get to you sooner" he looked pained and guilt swept across his face.
"Don't be silly, this wasn't you're fault, you turned up just in time. I can't thank you enough for that" This time I lent over and kissed him. As I pulled away he reached forward and caught my lips again. His lips soft but his kiss was firm. As we pulled apart he had that look in his eyes that made me tingle.
"Do you trust me?"
His question took me by surprise.
"After tonight, yes, yes I do trust you"
"Good. Wait here"
He disappeared out of the room. I sat, drinking my tea and waiting for him to return, wondering what he was doing. After a while he came back and held his hand out for me to take. I stood up and took it. He led me upstairs.
For a moment I thought he was taking me to his bedroom. I started worrying because I didn't think I could sleep with him now, not after what had just happened. He didn't however take me to his bedroom, he lead me into the bathroom.
The bath was full and inviting, with bubbles floating in synchronisation with each other.
"I'd like to bathe you and look after you, if you're not comfortable with that then it's completely fine and I will leave you to yourself. If you don't want any of this then please tell me."
I was overwhelmed by his gesture. He had been so kind and I was glad not to be alone. I walked over to the bath and ran my fingers over the bubbles.
"Why do you have bubbles in your house?" I asked, smiling to myself.
He laughed a little and walked to my side, "That's what you're thinking about right now, is it?" He grinned.
I nodded and smiled. He scooped some bubbles onto his fingers and blew them onto my nose, laughing I wiped them off.
"Stay" I said.
He raised his eyebrows and nodded, "You sure?"
"I don't want to be alone right now."
With that he walked over and held me in his arms.
"Get undressed" his voice was quiet.
I blushed.
He playfully rolled his eyes "I'll close my eyes" He did so and turned round.
I undressed, laid my clothes in a neat pile on the floor and slipped into the tub. The warmth gave me goose bumps.
"Are you in?" He asked, still with this back to me.
"Yes" I shyly answered.
He took off his shirt and turned to face me. His body was toned to perfection, I couldn't not look.
Without a single word spoken he slowly and attentively washed my hair, my neck, my shoulders and my arms, kissing each finger tip gently.
Once he'd finished he held out a big white towel by the corners gesturing for me to come to him. As I sat up, bubbles just covering my breasts, I hesitated, remembering I was naked. He smiled and lifted the towel higher to block his view of me. I climbed out of the tub and leaned into the towel as he wrapped it round me. Then, with ease he picked me up and carried me to his bedroom.