Lethal Obsession

Aftershock

**Sunday**

I flip down the blinds and start to pace back and forth behind my door. I place my palm on the handle and hesitate on turning it. Nate's face looked absolutely terrifying through the window, but I know if I don't open my door right now to find out what's wrong, he will persist. I twist the knob and Nate immediately barges through and enters the threshold...

He passes by me and leans against my counter looking at me with absolute disgrace. "What the fuck, Halston?! We had something good going but now you want to hang out with that piece of shit?! Did you think I wouldn't find out?  I saw him drop you off!" 

The storm has come. I am taken back by how enraged he is. I start trying to justify Nate's means in my head. Maybe I am wrong in hanging out with Kale because it is impartial to Nate. We have only went on a couple of dates so he shouldn't be tripping but we did sleep together. My first priority right now needs to be trying to calm him down especially considering we work together. 

I walk toward him until we are face to face. "Nate, I am so sorry. I didn't think it would bother you. Kale is my ex but he is my friend as well and I have known him for so long. I understand that you are hurt and I don't know what I can say to make this better.."

Nate slams his fist against the counter. "You didn't think it would bother me? The fuck, Halston!!"

He is pissed! I must be trying to handle this situation in the wrong way. "I was trying to have a relaxing and fun day with my friends! Chill out!"

Nate forcefully comes at me, grabs my arms, thrusts his whole body against mine and throws me into the wall. His lips touch mine so intensely that I can't catch my breath. His tongue makes its way in, caressing every inch of my mouth greedily. He sadistically grabs me by the throat and pulls away from our kiss. Something in him has snapped. "Chill out? You want me to fucking chill out?! Then tell me you love me and I will forget this whole thing happened! Say it!" 

His grasp on my throat is so firm that I start to choke and can feel the life being sucked right out of me. Tears start falling from my eyes because I am so fearful of him and what he is going to do. I know I can't fight him off and even if I did, it would probably escalate the situation. No one would even hear my barely audible screams right now since it is only he and I in this upheaval. I realize the only thing I can do to get him away is to give him what he wants. I try to breathe and I stutter, "I...I...I...love...you..."

He releases his grasp from my neck and I immediately drop to the floor coughing and gasping for air. Nate pulls me up and wraps his arms around my waist while holding me up. "Wasn't that easy?" 

I wipe away my tears and nod. I still have a lingering fear inside of me due to the aftershock. Am I this weak to not be able to fight back or tell him to go? I don't know if I enjoy the idea of being with someone so much that I can't walk away from this. Someone that wants me and is physically here with me. I missed that feeling so much it is hard to let it go of now. I feel stuck, conflicted and smothered like I can't breathe anymore. Is it my fear that keeps me here? It has to be because I don't love him. Maybe he moves fast? Maybe he thought us sleeping together was validation that we are together or love one another? Fuck! I don't know.

Nate grabs my chin and places a tiny peck on my trembling lips. "Get read babe. I cut my training short today for you and because of this bullshit. We are going to Rage tonight since I have to do a promotion there for my fight next Friday."

I nod again and go back to my bedroom to get ready. Nate follows me in and sits on my bed watching my every move. I want to grab my phone and call Kale to come protect me and make my worries reside. He was always my salvation. I can't do that though because of the problems it would cause for Kale. I really wish my parents were still here to give me advice on what to do.