The Mating Rights

Chapter 20

Taya's POV

   It's been four days since I broke up with Jesse. He keeps trying to communicate with me and my mind keeps flashing to the first conversation we had after he kidnapped me. I remember him telling me that we couldn't live without each other but I was damn sure going to try. 

  I wondered if that was a lie as well, something to try to manipulate and control me. I went back to work because I couldn't stay in the house and think about that situation any longer. Jessica was nice to me and agreed that she wouldn't ask or talk about Jesse. He has tried showing up there a few times. 

   Yesterday was a bad one. He walked into the bookstore and I could feel him the second he opened the door. I ran into the bathroom and locked the door. He followed me and pounded on the door. 

   "Taya, babe. Please. Please just come with me and let me explain to you. I need to tell you the whole story. We can go wherever you want or even stay here. Please just talk to me", he pleaded with me through the door of the bathroom. 

   I didn't reply because I knew my voice would betray my portrayal of strength. I stayed there and listened to Jessica try to reason with him. When she finally got him to leave she came and knocked on the door and told me I could come out. 

   It's been hard without him. I couldn't eat and all I wanted to do was sleep but every night it would evade me. In it's place thoughts of him and Jasmine filled my mind until I cried so hard that I puked. This morning though, I woke up feeling numb and it feels good. I actually think I could deal with this heartbreak. I mean my momma didn't raise a bitch and I can't be crying over a boy who didn't even have the decency to tell me the truth. 

   I laugh at my own thoughts. Momma didn't raise a bitch? Really Taya? I've finished organizing the books in their sections alphabetically. I still need to return his car although I tried giving the keys to Jessica and she came back the next day telling me that he told her that I'm not getting anything back and he's not taking anything from me until I talk to him. 

   That's fine cause I wanted a new car anyways. I left my phone at his place so that sucks a little but I can buy a new phone after this week of working. I told her to tell him that I'm not talking to him and that we were done and she said she did tell him although, I think that she changed the wording a little to save his feelings. 

   It was time for me to clock out and I go to the store to get some more ice packs. My body was still sore and bruised from that fight with Jasmine but I was definitely feeling better. I grabbed the ice packs and drove home. I sat in the garage for a little bit. I wanted to make sure Richard and Sidney weren't going to see me go up to my room. I still didn't really feel like talking about the situation. When I was sure no one was in the living room I walked up the stairs and to my room. 

   I started undressing and looked at my stomach in the mirror. It was definitely much smaller. You could see my ribs a little bit when I raised my arms. While I'm looking in the mirror I see the marks of flames that match Jesse's. My steely wall of numbness starts to crumble and my eyes start to water. I stare at those marks running my fingers across them. They were really beautiful but they were dimmer. The red not as vibrant as it once used to be. 

   I wipe the tears from my eyes then finish undressing and make my way to the shower. I turn the water on and wait for it to warm while I put my robe on the back of the door. It is so nice having a bathroom that connects to your room. I play some music then walk to the bathroom once more. I get in the shower and close the curtain. I sit down and let the water pour down me. My curly hair has loosened into waves and its being stretched downwards reaching my lower back. I pull my knees up to my chest and lean my head against the back wall. I hardly have the energy to stand. 

   I feel my body warming. I hear a noise in my room but the music is making it hard to hear so I assume that it's my aunt. Suddenly I feel tingles in my body and I know that it's Jess. He opens the door to the bathroom and opens the shower curtain. 

  I gasp even though I knew he was there it still came as a bit of a shock. I cover my body and he turns off the water. 

   "What are you doing here Jesse, I told you it's over", I say in a monotone voice. 

   I can feel him looking at me and it's making me shake like a leaf in the wind. I feel him start patting me dry with a towel. He grabs me underneath my arms and stands me up to finish drying off my body. 

   "Oh baby, what are you doing to yourself?", he asks while he pats slowly over my noticeable ribs and bruises. 

  I decline answering and opt for silence instead. There is no one to save me now and I know he is not leaving until we talk so I ready myself. He finishes drying off my legs and puts my robe on for me, tying the front closed. 

   "We need to talk", Jesse says looking me in the eye.