No Escape

Chapter 3

           

I woke up feeling heavy, I panicked a bit when I saw a large hand over me and it took me a minute to realize where I was. I looked over my shoulder and there was Mike laying with his eyes closed. I turned to face him and that's when he spoke, "I didn't think you'd wake."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You were completely knocked out after last night," he said with a big cocky smile on his face, "I had to wake a couple times to check if you were still breathing."

I laughed and pushed him off me. "Whatever. What time is it?"

"Ahh, some minutes to 11."

"Wait, what. Don't you have work?"

"I called for a day in. I didn't want to wake you."

"You didn't have to do that."

"What did I tell you before? I don't do what I don't want to. I want to do this."

I smiled and snuggled up to him. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke, "Why have you never mentioned your past? You deter from it anytime it comes up in a conversation."

My heart stopped, and my body froze. Mike adjusted his arm under me. This was bound to come up eventually. I didn't know what to say. My past was deep and dark. Some things I can and could never share, not only because I didn't want to but because whomever I shared it with may be put in danger; but what was I to say? Why was he even asking again? Did he see the scar? I couldn't just say silent. If I dismissed it, he was a powerful man, he could just hire a PI. I don't think it'd be that hard to uncover my real name and everything that follows. I had to give him something to bite on so that he didn't go digging. This is the exact thing I didn't want. Getting close to someone again and being asked to share stuff. I realized I had been quiet for too long. I sighed.

"I don't talk about my past much because I don't want to be reminded of it," I started out, "my parents died when I was 10, and I was forced to live with my aunt. She was normally busy, and didn't have much time for me, when I was old enough I moved out. Started over my life. Got a job, made some money and decided to move here." I finished. Everything I said was totally true, I just left out a lot, like Daniel...and Martel. Mikes arms tightened around me. He kissed my forehead and we just laid there in silence. I'm glad he didn't say anything. I didn't need to hear anything right now, no words of sympathy or pity or kindness. After some moments, I rolled out of bed, to use the bathroom, my thighs burnt so I paused to rub them. Mike let out a chuckle behind me. "Shut up," I teased.

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            Mike fixed us breakfast which we ate while watching The Talk. I perched up, "My interview, tomorrow! I need a suit, oh crap."

"Relax babe, I can take you to the mall, which one do you want to go?"

"Sawgrass. I can get a pretty good outfit in Burlington."

"Okay babe."

            After shopping, Mike took me home, kissed me on the cheek and told me he'd call me later and that he had business to take care of. I was curious as to what business since he took a day off, but I didn't question it. I reached my apartment, got naked, removed all my jewelry and reached for a Corona, slumped before my TV and got out my laptop. Ever since I saw that headline title I couldn't get it out of the back my head. I googled it 'Latuga's business under fire'. Various articles began to pop up, 'Latuga investigated for drug smuggling', 'Latuga's offshore account in Barbados?', 'Martel Latuga spotted with new hottie, wedding ring off?'. The last one caught my attention. I clicked on it and went on images, there was Martel, with a Caucasian blonde. I slammed the laptop shut. So many feelings overcame me, anger, hate, betrayal, then I began to feel a bit relieved. Did this mean he wouldn't be looking for me anymore? Has he finally moved past all that has happened? Was I now free? I let my hand wander to my lower abdomen and trace over the scar that was there, I could still feel the raised skin and I still knew what it spelt out, Martel.