The Abusive Man(EDITING AT THE MOMENT)

CHAPTER 4: STAY.

I was standing in the living room and watching Michelle's boss pace the floor in front of me. He was listening to the ringing on the other end of the phone and there was no sign of Michelle picking up.

He was totally pissed!

"Michelle,I need you to explain to me why I've come home to find a strange woman in my house.Call me back!"He snapped,and hung up the phone after leaving a voicemail.

I was looking at him,bitting my bottom lip in uncomfortableness."Strange Woman?"

"Don't take it personally,but to me you are a strange woman. I didn't expect to come home to a stranger living in my house."He walked towards the couch and sat down with a sigh.

I folded my arms across my chest,not really knowing what to say to make things right. I've been living in this man's home and he didn't even know about it. This is beyond awkward."I thought Michelle talked to you about me staying here. I wouldn't have agreed otherwise."

"I'm guessing you're here to take care of Max?"He asked,and I nodded my head in reply."I should have known that she wasn't a dog person. She didn't pick you up off the street did she-I mean you two actually know each other?"

"I know her through a friend. I'm new in town and Michelle was just trying to help me out."Max walked towards me and stood by my legs so I crouched down on rubbed him.

"That woman is unbelievable!! She should have just told me."His phone rang in the pocket of his tightly fitted navy trousers and he pulled it out and looked at the screen."Speak of the Devil!"

He stood from the couch and walked towards the double back doors to take his call. I watched him as he stood in the garden,chatting with a pissed off expression on his face. I couldn't hear what he was saying, frankly I didn't want to.

I found myself admiring how good looking he was,Handsome with incredible ocean blue eyes. His body in a towel was one that I will never forget, although he looked just as good in the white fitted shirt he was wearing right now.

I know I shouldn't be admiring the man after everything that I've been through with Liam,but admiring was all I was doing. I won't make the mistake of trusting another man-I can't put myself through that.

I sat on the armchair,still uncomfortable in my little black dress. I should have never taken Michelle up on the offer to stay here, look at what it's caused.

After a few minutes of chatting,Zachary walked back into the living area."I've um-chatted to Michelle and she apologized. Obviously she shouldn't have invited you to stay here."

"I'm so sorry,I didn't mean to cause any trouble."I looked away in embarrassment,but mostly because I found my eyes tearing up a little. It feels like I always make things worse, even though not intentionally.

"Well to be fair,you thought that I knew that you were staying here."He sighed."I asked too much of Michelle, it isn't her job to take care of my dog."

"It was no trouble for me,Max is great company."I looked down at Max, snuggled up by my feet. I know what comes next,Now that Zachary is back I have to leave.

I thought I would have more time.

"He looks quite peaceful,I haven't seen him like that since..."He paused mid sentence and rubbed his forehead instead of continuing."Anyway,I'll pay you for taking car of him of course, it wasn't planned but I appreciate it."

I wonder what he was going to say there before he stopped himself. I haven't seen him like that since...Since who?

Zachary walked around the leather couch and towards me. He held his hand out to shake mine."I'm Zach."