Marriage By Contract

Chapter 18: Derek Who?

Susan told me there was a garden somewhere in this house. She came across it while trying to find the pool so she can clean it. Turns out she got lost and found the garden instead. I flipped through another channel on the TV screen. I was currently sat on a comfy couch, watching television in one of the living rooms. It was such a perfect Saturday, but I felt like doing nothing more than watching some good ole TV.

 I surfed through another channel, not satisfied with what I was seeing. Eventually, SpongeBob made his way onto the screen. I chuckled. So many memories of me watching this show as a little kid. But that was a long time ago. My eyes stayed trained on the TV screen, forgetting the horrible life I was currently living. Jason walked into the room and stared at me. I didn't dare look at him. It took everything in me not to ask him to leave. I didn't want to be rude, so instead, I held my tongue, knowing if I didn't I will start chaos. He walked over to a couch adjacent from me and sat down. He stared at the show before looking at me again. "Stop staring, it's creepy." I mumbled. My eyes were still glued to Patrick on the screen. "Sorry." Jason whispered. I pretended not to hear. He has a lot of things to be sorry for. I could make a whole list. My phone buzzed taking my attention away from the show I was watching.

Derek: Hey cutie, are you free today?

I blushed and reread the text. 

Me: Yeah, why?

Almost immediately, he texted back.

Derek: Want to take you out. Do you like the movies?

I thought about this for a moment.

Me: What is this, a date?

Derek: I was hoping it could be, but that's if it's fine with you.

I sighed. Derek is a nice guy, he truly is. It's just that I don't see us as something more than friends. I felt guilty but that was the truth. Why date someone I have no feelings for? I scoffed and remembered who I'm married to. 

Me: I don't know. Can we just hang out? Nothing more, at least for now. I don't think I'm ready to date.

The truth is I don't like Derek in that sort of way.

Derek: That's fine and I completely understand. Pick you up at six?

Me: Sure.

I checked the time: 5:37 pm. I decided it would be best to start to get ready. Lord knows I take forever just to even get dressed for school. Spongebob continued to play on the screen but I'm not sure if this is what Jason wanted to watch. "Here." I tossed him the remote and stood from the couch. He caught it with ease but gave me a quizzical look. "Watch what you want, I have somewhere to be." I don't know what happened, but his whole expression changed. It was as if he was hurt, but that's not possible. Jason didn't feel. Or so I believed. It was kind of awkward, so I tried to soothe the tension. "You can watch whatever you'd like." I said, gesturing to the huge TV. My little statement didn't seem to ease anything. Instead, Jason just stared at the wall in front of him. I sighed and left the room. I ran into Susan on the way upstairs. "My, what's got you in a hurry?" she asked while smoothing her silk dress. I stepped back grinning. 

"I'm going out!" I exclaimed with pride. Susan smiled and set down Cocoa. 

"I see you've got yourself a date, yes?"

I blushed and looked down, not wanting her to see my reddened cheeks. 

"Well no, he wanted it to be a date but I told him no. So now we're just hanging out." 

I couldn't stop bouncing up and down. Susan smiled at me. "I'm happy for you, dear. Would you like me to help you get dressed?" she asked.

"Yes!" I responded without thought. Maybe it won't take as long to get dressed with Susan there. Her smile widened as she looked me over.

"Don't want to be nosy and all, but what's this boy's name?" 

I felt as if I was exposing secrets. "Derek." I gushed.

Susan's smile lowered to a smirk. "Derek huh?"

I nodded approvingly. I've only known the guy for less than 2 days, yet he makes me so happy. 

"Derek?" someone questioned from behind. I knew that voice. It was Jason's.

I noticed that Susan and I were still on the stairs. How foolish to have this conversation in earshot of someone. And I mean that someone to be Jason. I turned around slowly. Susan stood quiet, not knowing how to handle the situation. She's already confused as to why Jason and I aren't together. "Yes." I whispered, not finding his eyes.

I heard an angry huff as his footsteps approach me quickly. Jason stood so close, our noses almost touched. 

"Susan, can Lola and I talk in private?" he asked politely. Susan gave a swift nod before picking up the puppy and scurrying the rest of the steps upstairs. We watched silently as her small figure rounded the corner. Once she was out of sight, Jason whispered.

"Derek who?"

I shook my head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You said you're going out with Derek. Derek who? What's his last name?"

I stepped back pissed and not wanting to answer his question. "I never questioned you when you brought Jessica home or even when you did God knows what with her upstairs. Now I can't hang out with a guy without you asking questions!"

I was beyond infuriated. He isn't fair. Matter-of-factly, he was never fair. I turned to leave when he grabbed my arm and pulled me close.

"What's his name, Lola?"

I tried to snatch my arm away, but Jason was stronger. Too strong for me to move. His grip was tight on me, but not painful. All I wanted to do was leave, be away from his hold.

"Let me go, Jason!" I screeched. He didn't budge though. Instead, he dragged me over to a corner on the stairs, shielding us from view. I contemplated screaming. Suddenly, the memory of almost being raped flooded my head. No, it can't happen again. I won't let it!

"Jason stop!" I screamed. That didn't seem to faze him. "Let me go!" 

"No." he said bluntly. "Tell me his last name, Lola."

Using my other free hand, I stuck up the middle finger. "Fuck off Jason."

He grabbed my other arm and pinned them above my head. My back was to the wall, rendering my ability to move. "Tell me Lola." he pushed.

"No!"

He shook his head disapprovingly. You've always have been a stubborn one."

What did that mean? I contemplated kicking him in the groin. Maybe that'll set him straight. 

"Lola, you have to tell me his last name!" Jason barked, obviously he's gotten irritated.

"Why?" I asked. "Why do you care so much. Did we not both agree that there's nothing between us. Besides this stupid contract?"

He looked taken aback and hurt, yet his grip on me never loosened. "I know that, but I also need to know his last name."

"Why?" I'm so confused and tired of fighting Jason. But it's the only thing I know how to do.

"I can't tell you that."

I let out a frustrated scream. Why me? It fell silent among us both. He didn't say a word, and neither did I. All I wanted at this point was peace.

"Harrison," I whispered. "His name is Derek Harrison."