The Hunter and The Prey

The Call

Chapter 42

The call

Natalie thread carefully beside Chasen who acted different from the person she had known. The guy was treating her in a delicate fashion that left her disoriented. She kept on anticipating any knuckles flying in a ferocious manner in her direction but so far nothing harmful came colliding -except that event when he force himself on her. That was one time. However, Natalie leave herself guarded whenever he comes home and approached her. The flinch of fright was always in display whenever he is beside her. Although he granted her request of calling her friends albeit the wiretapping he arranges to eavesdrop on her every conversation making sure she wasn't sharing anything about her current situation.

"Where are you going?" Chasen asked when she attempted to leave his side. They are at the moment sitting on the sofa watching some game show.

"Babathroom," she stuttered.

Chasen frowned at her nervous gesture, "you know it isn't necessary to fear me right? Have I not shown you enough that I am not that person you remembered me of, sweetheart?"

Natalie schooled her expression to stop cringing at his endearment. She couldn't believe what he had been saying, even all the people around her. Marrying the person that brought hell on her was unimaginable. 

"I...I know..." she mumbled.

"Alright then, please come back fast," he smiled in contentment.

Natalie almost run away from his sight. Her heartbeat keep climbing from its normal beat. The sight of the hunter gave her uneasy feeling. If given a chance, she would rather be alone in a room than be at his side. All those he had done to her kept playing in her minds like a music stuck in replay. It frightened her to death every time she wake up face to face with Chasen. His forceful agenda to kiss her on the lips push her to scream in protest. That kind of objection kept him away from her. It's already tough to take she sleep on the same bed with him with his hands pulling her flush against his chest.

She visited the lavatory to wash her face. The cold water wetting her skin relax her somehow. This living arrangement should stop now before she past out in nervous breakdown. A way out is all she wish and  she will be free again.

"Natalie," he called out behind the door.

Immediately her breath came out gasping, "I..I'm nearly done," she squeak.

"I'll wait here for you," he replied.

Natalie took a deep breath befor she opened the door to see Chasen standing there with his hands crossed across his chest . He grabbed her waist and drag her to the place they had vacated earlier.

The ringing of her own phone made Chasen snatch it on the coffee table. "It's Nate," he spat.

Natalie's mind was running millions of thoughts on how she will tell Nate about her situation. This would be so technical since Chasen had ways on finding out the content of their conversation. 

"Natalie remember the rules we had talked about regarding phone calls," Chasen turned her to face him.

"Yes," she breathed.

"Don't make me hurt him Natalie because I will if ever I find out he is inserting himself  into our lives," he threatened.

"Okay," Natalie swallowed but took the phone he was offering. She walk toward the kitchen before answering the phone.

"Natalie! How are you? It's been a month you hadn't keeping in touch," Nate greeted.

"Yeah... I.... I am," she mumbled.

"Is he hurting you?" Nate supplied, not knowing anything that had been happening to her.

"Nno...no...just um," she threw Chasen a gaze. He have his eyes observing every move she makes.

"Should I come there and rescue you?" he asked in earnest.

"You still remember about what we discuss when...when we watch the fireworks?" she chirped, her hand shook in fear at the message she just delivered, and hope Nate is smart enough to be careful on his reply.

"Yes," he mumbled. 

Natalie breathed in relief when she felt like Nate got her message, "I like to...to...see it again," she can see Chasen crossing his arms looking deep in thoughts at her cryptic words. "I hadn't had any souvenirs from it like...like pictures." She just hope Nate understand this because she had given the guy a clue before when she wouldn't let him snatch a photo of her due to her always escaping away. Right now she wanted to tell him she wanted to escape.

It took Nate a minute to answer her.

"Alright I will see if I can give you that snapshot," he emphasized the last word.

And Natalie knew that Nate will try to get her away from Chasen's grip no matter what. The only question is how. How when the security around her is so tight she couldn't even visit the kitchen without five men shadowing her steps whenever Chasen is at work.