Ever growing 2

Chapter 47

Everything is pitch black around me except for a gleam of light coming from under the door. I've been in a state of panic ever since I got here. He took my phone away before he threatened to go after Ryan if I didn't stay quiet. What followed his instructions was horrific. Fear now has me sitting here so I don't make noise instead of scanning the room to find something to defend myself with. Ryan's face is haunting my mind, I know he must be worried sick about me. I can't risk him getting hurt. I have to protect him.

The doorknob rattles making my heart race and my breathing come in short spurts anxious for what's coming.

"Good morning sunshine!" he says.

"I AM NOT YOUR SUNSHINE!" I bark feeling on edge.

"You will be mine as soon as we get rid of him," he presses his hand to my cheek and I instinctively push him away. The adrenaline is pumping through my veins, I won't let him see how frightened I am.

"What's your plan?" I shout.

"Well, first we will get him to tell you his secret. You'll soon realize a future with him, children with him would be a mistake. Then you'll give me a chance, I'm good for you, you'll see."

"You're fucking insane! Nothing could change my feelings for Ryan. I love him and only him."

Jake then pulls a phone out of his pocket and dials a number. He tells the person on the phone that they have to come clean. I realize he's calling Ryan but before I can make a sound, he pulls a gun out of his back pocket pointing it at me. I swallow back the bile that's rising in my throat. I know my husband is furious, he throws insults after insults into the phone begging to have me back. Jake laughs telling him that he has to spill about his secret or he'll never see me again before bringing me closer to the phone, he puts it on speaker. "Ella is listening, tell her what happened, what kind of father you would be!" He laughs. "Ella? Babe, are you okay?" Ryan's voice is soft laced with anxiety but before I can try to reply Jake reminds him of what he's supposed to tell me.

Ryan takes a deep breath, I can tell he's nervous he told me he couldn't get it out even in treatment. "Baby, you don't have to," I whisper before Jake tells me to shut up. I stare at him mouthing fuck you. Ryan starts talking again.

His sister was sick, I already knew. His dad was feeling guilty again, forcing Ryan to get in the car leaving Mindy alone at home even though she was only 6 years old. They drove to the store where his dad had planned on getting vodka but he was broke so he decided to stab the cashier and ran out with the bottle. Ryan got scared seeing his father covered in blood which resulted in his father hitting him to shut him up. Ryan's voice cracks when he talks about the beating and my heart breaks wishing I could hold him right now. "You don't have to keep going," I whisper. "Oh yes, he does! He has to tell you the whole story," Jake barks and if I wasn't scared of him repeating his actions from yesterday, I would try to hit him. After taking a few ragged breaths Ryan continues. They drove around for a long time, his dad drinking while driving. The cops finally arrested his father after someone who witnessed the attack reported it and described the car. Ryan goes silent but I can read his mind from here, I know he feels guilty. I understand where his guilt is coming from and why his instincts got him to drink so much after my miscarriage. But Ryan isn't his father, he's a kind loving man who worked on himself, and my love for him is indestructible. I want to tell him I love him, I won't ever change my mind but I'm afraid because of the gun. I'm praying he can read my mind through the phone somehow.

"Tell her about Mindy, how she died," Jake snickers. "Stroke, she... no one... was home so she..." Ryan's voice is shaky. I know he's trying to hold it together but he's hurt. "That's right, his dad caused his daughter's death and killed someone because he was a drunk just like Ryan is a drunk! I am better for you!" Jake laughs before putting the gun on a table then puts his hand on my cheek going down my neck. "Don't touch me!" I try to move away but he grabs my hair holding me close. "Stop!" I scream but he tightens his hold. "Don't fucking touch her! Ella, where are you?" Ryan screams. "I'll send a location, be there, no bodyguards or cops," Jake hangs up on Ryan, who's still screaming at him not to touch me. He puts the phone right by the gun.

Jake then brings me even closer to him and asks me why I love Ryan. He goes on a rant saying that his family is toxic, Ryan is a drunk and I deserve better. How Jake got all this information is still a mystery but my brain is working hard trying to figure out a way to escape. Ryan is so infuriated I'm afraid of what will happen once he gets here. Jake has a gun and I'm sure he's crazy enough to use it. I thought he was obsessed with me before he got fired but now I see he's mentally unstable. "Think Ella! Find a way to protect Ryan," Jake is still asking me why I'm in love with such a failure getting angrier. I decided to try something.

"Baby... " I start, he looks at me, surprised by my choice of word but then he smiles. "I'm sorry I didn't see how much you cared at first." My voice is shaking, I have to do better.

"YES! Ella, I love you! I've been in love with you since you hired me," He tries to kiss me. "Fuck!" Feeling trapped, I let him kiss me trying to shut my brain off but my body pulls away. His eyes turn black looking at me, I've seen the same look last night when things went really bad.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm trying to process all the horrible things Ryan said. Give me time okay? Please?" I try to calm him down. He smiles. "Can I use... the bathroom?"

"Sure, beautiful!"

I surprise him by hugging him, his arms wrap around me making me feel sick again but I have a goal in mind. I hold onto him for a minute longer trying to gain his trust. His hands rub on my back all the way down my ass, I hold my breath focusing on what I want to accomplish here. I quickly reach for the phone hiding it in the sleeve of the hoodie that Ryan let me wear on the ride to the villa. Then I enter the bathroom that's shown to me and lock the door before turning on the faucet. Quickly, I send a text to Ryan letting him know Jake has a gun telling him I love him before begging him not to reply. I then delete the message and wash my hands. I take a minute to look at myself in the mirror counting to ten trying to find the courage to go back to Jake. I hide the phone in the sleeve and open the door. Jake says he's in the kitchen, I put the phone where I got it from before walking to him. It seems like my performance was good enough for him to think I'm open to maybe leave Ryan for him.

I have to find it within me to keep on acting as if I'm giving Jake a chance to save Ryan. I suddenly feel myself crumbling thinking of Ryan being hurt but I somehow manage to smile at Jake when I get close to the kitchen table. "Has he been living here? How did he know where to find us?" So many questions I can't ask in fear of triggering him. I shiver thinking about him spying on us for months, probably even before he got fired. I'm grateful he hasn't leaked the information on Ryan before even the fact that he went to rehab. What he did to me was horrible but him attacking Ryan is making me hate him even more. "Are you hungry, beautiful?" He startles me wrapping his arms around my shoulders from behind. "Sure, thank you," I play along.

My throat feels tight when I try to swallow my food but I keep pretending I'm fine to keep his suspicions at bay. I want to know when he plans on sending the address to Ryan and what he plans on doing now that I know the secret. What else does he want from my husband? Again, I feel myself shaking thinking of what could happen once they'll come face to face. "Don't go there, Ella, be strong," I tell myself. Jake finally goes to get the phone and sends the text to Ryan but I don't know the details. He then tells me I need to tell Ryan I'm leaving him so Jake and I can be happy together. "He's a psycho!!" He walks to my chair and asks if I'm ready to please him now. "Can we wait until I tell Ryan? I'll be official yours then right?" I hold my breath hoping he won't argue. "I love the idea," He still pushes his tongue down my throat but lets go after a minute. I feel sick but I still smile at him. He seems to be satisfied with my actions so far.