Penitence (ON HOLD)

Chapter Six

I'm trying to make Shrimp Alfredo while updating bc this crazy girl named Bethany (love you bessy b) wanted me to update!! Sooo here it goes. *Nina's POV* 

And I accidentally typed three paragraphs in Italics... great. I did it again -_-!!! Urgh

                        

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"Hey, Im busy at the moment, but I'll call you as soon as I get your message." Anderson's voicemail says for the hundredth time.

I'm really worried about him. He didn't come home last night and he won't answer my calls. He may be abusing, but he's still my boyfriend. That counts for something...right?

I pick up the phone and dial his boss' number. Mr. Costanzo is a generous man. One time he offered to pay my father's hospital bill. I declined his offer though. That would look horrible. People would think I am being nice to Mr. Costanzo for his money, but that's not even close to the truth. I enjoy having conversations with him and he's truly the one person I can go to with my problems besides Lizzie.

"Nina, I haven't heard from you in awhile.  How have you been?" He asks answering the phone.

I also forgot to mention how selfless he is. No matter how bad his day is going,  he puts others first. Even I'm selfish at times.

"I've been okay. How have you been?" I say trying to change the subject.

"You know that I know you better than that. Meet me at the diner downtown and we'll talk about it." He says hanging up.

I sigh and put the phone down. I guess I'll just have to worry about Anderson for a few more minutes. I grab a cardigan from my closet and pair it with some jeans. There's no need for me to try to cover up more than I normally do. He already knows something is wrong and I can't lie.

Quickly, I get into my car and drive to Joe's Diner on 85th Street. The workers of Chicago are going on their lunch break and trafiic is heavy.

Instead of getting there in 20 minutes like I usually do, I get there in 35. Mr. Costanzo is sitting at our usual booth in the back.

"Hey." I greet him casually while taking the seat across from him.

"I apologize for hanging up on you earlier. My nephew needed help with something. " He says looking at the menu.

He has never talked about his family before. It's almost as if he has none.

"He's taking over my company." He states.

"You must be extremely proud." I say thinking about how much Anderson wanted that job.

Maybe that's why he didn't answer his phone.  He's probably upset. He truly has worked hard, but I knew he wasn't going to get that position. Mr. Costanzo doesn't even like Anderson that much and what I'm about to tell him probably won't help Andy at all.

"I am. Enough about my family. What is bothering you child?" He asks attentively.

"I met this man the other night. He was sweet and funny, but then Anderson showed up. He was really mad and he-." By now I am crying loudly, attracting a few gazes from nearby customers.

"Did he hurt you?" He asks wiping away a few of my tears.

"He beat me until I was unconscious.  The man kicked me and left the house afterwards. The reason I called you was to see if he came to work. He won't answer my calls or anything." I say crying silently now.

"I've known Anderson for a year now and I didn't think he could do something so atrocious." He says shaking his head.

"I know. It hurt me so bad. I thought he loved me, but please don't fire him. He needs that job. We need that job." I plead.

"You're still going to stay will that no good bastard?" He asks incredulously.

"Yes, I have no choice. I love him and I need the money. God knows he needs me." I say.

"Fine. I won't fire him, but if he sends you to the hospital I will not keep my promise." He says seriously.

We order our food and the rest of our lunch is spent with him trying to convince me to move out of Anderson's house.

After leaving the diner, I decide that I need to treat myself to an hour of shopping. I drive to a nearby mall and park my car in front of my favorite store.

Little girls and boys are holding their mother's hand while walking across the parking lot and I realize just how much I need and want a family of my own.

You don't want that. Not with an abusive boyfriend.

I will myself not to think about the abuse anymore. The moment I walk into the store, I'm greeted by the familiar scent of flowers and vanilla.

I check out the new clothes on display. Some things are just way too revealing for my taste, but I guess that's just the generation we're living in.

I find a few shirts, leggings, dresses and even a pair of shoes. I head towards the cash register and pay for my things.

Next, I go into the Aeropostale store that they have. The last time I was in here was the day after Anderson and I had our first date.

We talked about our favorite stores and Aeropostale was one of his. I drove from my mom's house to the mall (which is about a 1 and a 1/2 hour drive) just to buy something that would impress him.

Now I just want some Aero shirts. They really aren't that bad.

I check into a few more stores like Bath & Body Works, Hot Topic, and even Rue 21 before deciding to go to the Food Court.  I know I just ate, but my stomach is ready for more food and what my stomach wants my stomach gets.

Once I'm in the Food Court, the smell of Chinese food draws me in and I find myself ordering shrimp fried rice and some chicken with weird sauce on it.

I find a seat and start to devour my food while watching the people surrounding me. Teenagers, elderly, toddlers, mothers, fathers, even newborns-they all seem to belong.

They're life is meaningful even if they don't realize it. Most of them don't have to worry about being the best in the family. They don't have to live up to Vivian Holter's high expectations.

All because they have the guts to stand up for themselves. Something I'll never be able to do.

I continue people watching and eating until I decide that it's time for me to go home. Anderson probably won't be there when I get home anyway, so I don't know why I'm rushing off.

You still love him Nina. Don't act like you don't care.

I ignore the little voice in my head and ride home ready to mask any emotions I have just in case Anderson is there.

Traffic is not as heavy as it was earlier, so I get home fast. I pull up to our little house and stare at his silver toyota parked in the yard.

"Wow, he actually came home." I mutter sarcastically.

I open the front door, not bothering to ring the doorbell. I really don't want to him to know that I'm home right now. All I want to do is take a nap.

I put my bags in the living room and head down the hallway. As I approach the bedroom, I hear voices. Pressing against the wall, I listen to their conversation.

Things start to get heated and I can tell that they are kissing.

How could Anderson do this to me? How could he be cheating on me with Aria of all people?

Instead of confronting them, I quietly leave the house. I don't care if they see my bags.

Anderson Timothy McCall better watch out because I'm going to show him who's the boss in our relationship.

Anderson just pmtfo. I cried while writing this chapter. >>> Emotional People.... be like.....