Stop || A Domestic Violence Story

Chapter Nine: Bulls In A China Shop

Over half of female and male victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner experienced some form of intimate partner violence for the first time before 25 years of age
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Keith scanned the room quickly, noticing we were staring at him in complete awe. His eyebrows rose in shock as he caught glance of me but he quickly relaxed once Jacob grabbed hold of my hand.

Keith stuffed his hands in his pockets as he apologized, "Sorry I'm late.". Angel rested her hand on his chest and he immediately tensed up as she said, "Like I said before, this is my fiancé, Keith Powers.". Upon her saying this, the glare from her ring caught my eye.

I looked at my ring then back at hers and realized just how similar her ring was to mine. Actually, It was an exact replica of my ring.

I looked at Jacob to see him and Quincy throwing glances at each other. Jacob eyes was filled with anger while his leg was bouncing like crazy. Quincy had a look of worry yet remained straight faced.

Pastor Lewis turned to Keith with his hand out towards the empty chair in front of me and said with a set smile on his face, "We saved you a seat. I'm sure you wouldn't mind sitting across from Miss Jasmine.".

Keith looked at me, smiled and replied happily, "I wouldn't mind at all." Then sat down.

I smiled kindly then continued eating. Jacob on the other hand was pissed. He was clinching his fork so hard I could see the veins in his wrist throb, yet he chuckled along with Pastor Lewis as if he found amusement in his comment.

We all continued eating

Mr. Wright kept to himself as he ate, Pastor Lewis was talking in aggressive whispers to Quincy but his smile was frozen in place as if they were having a light hearted conversation. Mrs. Chanel was talking to Angel about wedding dresses while Angel easily spun the ring around her finger.

Why wouldn't her ring fit?

I know for sure she didn't have that ring on earlier. Did Keith give it to her as he walked in or has she been hiding it until Keith arrived? Something feels fishy about their relationship.

Keith kept to himself and his plate, looking completely content with not talking to anyone. Jacob on the other hand was using his fork to play with his food. He had his head resting on his hand and his teeth clinched.

I sat up in my chair and Keith and I caught glance of each other before quickly looking away.

I didn't know if I should talk to him or act as if I never knew him. Either way it didn't matter, because Jacob interjected before I could decide.

Jacob violently stabbed his fork into his food as he asked Keith with a plastered smile, "Where did you say you worked?".

All side conversations slowly came to a stop as Jacob and Keith's conversation immediately intensified.

Keith's eyebrows raised, "I never said, but I'm an editor's assistant for The Post.".

Jacob thought to himself for a second before adding, "Angel said you were late because the office 'can't run without you'." Jacob started laughing, "What happened? The boss needed a new coffee?".

Keith remained straight-faced, "No. I was in a meeting about a new article I'm working on.".

Jacob sighed in relief, "Well that's good. It's about time the company changed its focus.".