One

Chapter Eighteen

-gets a little deeper than originally planned over the next two chapters. I wanted to try and write something a little more dramatic and serious. If you don't want to read about any domestic/sexual abuse, feel free to skip the end of this chapter and the majority of the next one. Thank you for reading xx

Dianne's phone lit up as it vibrated against the coffee table, the noise waking them both up from their afternoon nap. Sleepily, Dianne grumbled and sat up to reach across, stopping when she saw his name.
"Joe," she said slowly, "Joe, it's Ethan. What do I do?"
"I'd say ignore it, but I get the feeling he'd keep ringing until you picked up." Joe shrugged his shoulders as he sat up.
"I'll answer it then." Dianne answered the call and put it on speaker as soon as it had connected.
"Dianne." His low voice seemed to echo around the room; he was angry. Very angry.
"What do you want Ethan?" Dianne asked calmly.
He laughed a cold and menacing laugh. "Not you, that's for sure. You ruined my relationship."
"W-what do you mean?" Instinctively, Joe reached for Dianne's hand and held it tightly.
"You know what I mean, Dianne. You're not completely stupid."
Joe's eyes narrowed as he watched Dianne physically recoil at Ethan's words. His mouth opened and he was about to speak but found Dianne's hand covering his lips. "No," she mouthed, "it'll make him worse." Joe nodded his head and vowed to remain silent.
"Jasmine dumped me this morning. For the exact same reason as you. Coincidence?"
Dianne scowled at his tone of voice. "I had nothing to do with it."
Ethan laughed again. "Yeh, yeh. Don't deny it, she said the exact same things as you. You obviously planted your little lies into her head, didn't you?"
"What?! N-no..." Dianne faltered, panicking slightly. She took a deep breath and started again. "I've never even spoken to her Ethan."
"You're lying," he said loudly. Dianne couldn't see his face but she knew he was fuming; she was just glad he was on the phone, not in the same apartment as her. "She wouldn't have said the same thing if you hadn't told her to! She's just as stupid as you, she'd believe anything you tell her!"
This time Joe couldn't help himself. "Ethan," he said quietly, his voice protective and threatening. "Don't you dare."
"Who's that Dianne? Your new spark?"
"It.. it doesn't matter Ethan. What do you want?" Dianne said forcefully, secretly dreading what he was about to say.
"I've changed my mind. I want you."
Dianne swallowed thickly and looked to Joe, her eyes popping out of her head with fear. "Joe," she mouthed, "what do I say?"
He shook his head and held a finger to his lips, telling her to stay quiet. "Wait," he whispered. Dianne nodded and sat back in silence.
"I want to show you what you've done to me, how much you've ruined my life," he said, his voice emotionless.
"What-" Dianne began before Ethan quickly cut her off.
"You'll see." The call disconnected.
Dianne slid her phone back onto the coffee table and turned to Joe, tears already in her eyes. "What? What.. the hell do I do now?"
Joe shook his head, unable to offer any advice. He had nothing to say, except one thing. "I won't let him hurt you."
"B.. but he-" Dianne stammered as the panic hit her. As he felt her body begin to shake, Joe wrapped Dianne in his arms tightly and held her close, her head resting against his chest whilst he rocked from side to side gently, whispering calming things to her the whole time. The panic attack never fully hit and so Dianne completely relaxed into Joe's grip.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Joe asked, cuddling Dianne close to him.
"Uh, good question." Dianne giggled as Joe rolled his eyes. "I think we've got a Here Come the Girls meeting with everyone early tomorrow morning, my side of London."
"How early's early?" Joe sighed slightly, playing with the rings on Dianne's hand.
"Like nine? I think. Don't take my word for that, I'll message Ames and find out." Shifting in Joe's grip, Dianne settled her head against his neck, pressing gentle kisses onto his skin. "That means," she pulled back, "We're going to have to sleep in separate beds, well, our own apartments."
Pouting, Joe let his eyes drift from her eyes to her nose to her lips. "Aw," he cooed, "Can't you just stay here?"
"You're so soft. I love it." Pressing her lips against his forehead, she ran her fingers through his long and messy hair, pushing it away from his face. "You know, you need a haircut. I could do it for you, I'm quite cheap."
"Oh yeah?" Joe smirked. "How cheap?"
"Well," Dianne shrugged, "it all depends on the customer. I'd say around a grand-"
Joe gasped comically. "Oh my!" He exclaimed, "what a deal!" Dianne's face drooped slightly, making him giggle. "What's wrong?"
"You just ruined my joke," she whined, "it wasn't really a joke but- Anyways, let me do it?"
"Hmm." Joe tapped his chin. "I'd have to think about it, wouldn't want to cheat on Kieran." Dianne looked slightly alarmed, making Joe laugh gently. "Kieran, my hairdresser."
Realisation dawned on her face as she shook her head, smiling to herself. "Ohh, oops."
"You're an idiot," Joe laughed. "Besides, I'm not sure I trust you."
"Well, that's just rude." Dianne pushed herself away from Joe's body and sat up on the sofa, arms crossed. "I'm a professional hairdresser, thank you very much." 
"I'll think about it." Joe grinned and leaned forward towards Dianne. His arm wrapped around her back supporting her as he gently pushed her down, lowering her until she was flat on her back. Dianne's hand reached up to hold Joe's jawline as he moved on top of her, their noses level. Eyes roaming her face, Joe pressed his lips against Dianne's gently, smiling as he felt the smile grow on her face. His tongue brushed against her bottom lip, forcing her mouth to open slightly as he kissed her deeply.
They pulled apart and Dianne wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "I love you."
Joe smiled. "I love you too. So much."

Dianne pulled the blanket tighter around her body and shrank further into the sofa cushions, a sudden chill over taking her; Joe had left her on the sofa to answer a couple of emails and the lack of his body against hers was making Dianne shiver.
"You okay?" Joe asked as he came back in. "You look.. I don't really know what you look like to be honest."
"I'm cold," Dianne said from the sofa. "You left and now I'm cold."
Joe pouted and walked over to her. "I'm sorry, just needed to answer some urgent emails."
"I know." Dianne reached up and pecked Joe's lips. "Don't worry."
Joe dropped onto the sofa and cuddled his girl close. "Do you want me to run you a bath? To warm you up?"
"Aw, please," Dianne said softly. "But.. only if you come with me," she whispered, nervous of how he'd react.
"Okay," Joe answered quickly, feeling his heart skip a beat. "If you're okay with that?"
Dianne stood up and extended her hand to Joe. "Of course I am." She pulled him off the sofa and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you."
"You're being so cute today," Joe smiled as he pulled away from her. "I love it."
"I'm always cute. Come on," she said, tugging on his hand, "I'm cold."
Joe laughed. "Okay, lets go."

Joe switched the bath tap off and turned around to face Dianne. "Just check the water, I don't want it to burn you."
"Trust me," Dianne grinned as she walked forwards, rolling up her jumper sleeve, "I like it hot." Dipping her hand in, Dianne sighed happily as the water seemingly wrapped around her skin. "Perfect."
Joe nodded. "Okay, do you want me to go out while you get in?"
"Joseph." Dianne rolled her eyes but couldn't help and smile at him. "You're such a gentlemen." She began to pull her jumper off.
"Is that a no then?" he asked. He had been surprised she had even suggested it, and now he was nervous about overstepping any boundaries.
"That would be a no," Dianne laughed as she pulled her top off, balled it up and threw it to Joe. "I trust you, I love you, I don't care."
"I don't care either." Joe stepped forwards and kissed her forehead.
"Good, because now," Dianne slipped her hands under his jumper and helped him to take it off. "I'm even colder than I was before." They both undressed quickly and slid into the soapy water, bubbles rising to their necks as they sank deep. Head leaned back, Dianne closed her eyes as heat rushed through her body ridding her of the cold feeling she couldn't seem to shake.
"You're so far away."
Dianne opened her eyes to see Joe pouting, his hand extending towards her as he sat up more. With a smile, she leant forwards and turned over so her back rested against Joe's chest.
"Better?"
Joe kissed her hairline. "Much."

"I'll see you tomorrow?"
Dianne leaned against her door and pouted her lips for Joe to kiss. "Yep." They shared a lingering embrace before Dianne turned around and opened her door. She stepped into the darkened apartment and left her shoes at the door, walking into the main room. Flicking the light on, she felt her heart stop beating. From out of the corridor that led to her bedroom, Ethan appeared with a smug grin on his face as he stepped slowly towards her. Dianne was frozen in fear. It was like her feet were stuck to the ground and no matter how hard she was willing herself to say something, she just couldn't.
Ethan stopped when he was an arms length away from her. "Hi Dianne. Long time no see." Quickly, he reached out and grabbed her arm, holding it tightly. He pushed her towards her bedroom before he went over to the door and locked it with both the lock and chain. Joe, who was on the other side, completely immersed in his phone, looked up and frowned slightly at the noise- Dianne never locked it and used the chain- but he thought nothing of it and walked away. Back inside, Ethan marched over to where Dianne was stood breathing through an impending panic attack and walked her through to her bedroom. As he pushed her onto her bed, Dianne managed to summon enough something and screamed. A loud and fearful scream. Ethan's hand flew to her mouth as she kicked and squirmed. "Don't you dare ruin this for me."