Out In The Cold

014

The only sound inside the car was the soft hum of the engine and the faint brushing sound of the tyres against the road. Streetlights passed by, flashing shadows across Andrea’s face. He sat stiffly in the back seat, his eyes were fixed straight ahead.

The driver kept stealing glances at him through the rear-view mirror.

Each time, he hesitated, his lips parting slightly like he wants to say something, then closing again. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. Sweat dotted his forehead, not from heat but as a result of worry.

Finally, he cleared his throat.

“Sir…”

Andrea didn’t respond at firsy, the driver swallowed and tried again.

“Sir,” he called, his voice was careful enough not not to upset his boss.

Andrea frowned slightly, but he still didn’t turn.

“Don’t you think,” the driver continued slowly, “we should go back and pick ma’am up?”

Andrea’s head snapped toward the mirror, staring at the driver, his eyes were sharp and cold.

“Who are you, to tell me what to do?” he asked slowly.

“I’m sorry, sir,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean any disrespect.” The driver’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Andrea leaned back, folding his arms across his chest.

“Then mind your business,” he snapped.

The driver nodded, but his worry didn’t leave his face.

“She’s pregnant, sir,” he said quietly, choosing his words carefully.

 “Leaving her stranded like that could hurt the baby. And who knows… she could be in danger.”

Andrea squeezed his eyes shut for a second.

What have I done?

He had been so angry. So blinded by pride and hurt. So focused on punishing her that he didn’t stop to think, he didn’t stop to think about her condition,or the baby.

The driver glanced at the mirror again and saw the change on Andrea's face. His lips were pressed tightly together. 

He stayed silent for a long moment, letting the driver’s words sink deep into his head, then, suddenly…

“Turn around.” he ordered, the driver blinked in confusion.

“Sir?”

“Turn around,” Andrea repeated sharply. “let’s go get her.”

Relief flashed across the driver’s face. “Yes, sir,” he said quickly.

He turned the steering wheel and made a sharp turn, the car sped back the way they came.

Andrea leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees now. His hands were clasped tightly together. His heart thumped loudly in his chest, each beat heavier than the last.

Please be okay, he thought, without realizing it, as the car got closer, something caught his attention.

 Up ahead, under a broken streetlight, were figures, six men, they stood in a loose circle, and Isabella was in the middle.

“Stop the car!” he barked.

The driver slammed on the brakes, before the car even fully stopped, Andrea shoved the door open and stepped out.

***

“Let me go!” Isabella screamed.

Her voice cracked as she struggled, one of the men had a tight grip on her wrist, laughing hysterically 

“Let you go?” the man laughed. “No way.” He said, his eyes crawled over her body slowly.

“You look so pretty,” he continued, grinning.

 “Yet you don’t have money.” he pulled her closer to himself.

“So we’ll have to make do with you instead.”

The other men burst into laughter, Isabella got scared and angry, she shoved him hard, her hand flew up, and she slapped him.

The man stumbled back slightly, shock written all over his face, as his hand flew to his cheek.

“You!” he growled. “How dare you?”

Isabella didn’t wait, she turned to run, but she didn’t get far.

“Get her!” the man shouted.

The other men chased after her and in no time, they caught up with her,grabbing her arms, and yanking her back, she screamed as two of them held her, each gripping one arm, pulling them apart, Isabellas heart pounded wildly.

“You think you’re smart?” the man sneered as he walked toward her. “Now I’ll teach you a lesson.”

He raised his hand, Isabella squeezed her eyes shut, expecting a slap, but the slap never came, instead, a hand caught his wrist mid-air.

The man froze,he turned slowly, and saw Andrea, standing face him with eyes burning with rage.

Before the man could speak, Andrea slapped him hard across the face, the force from the slap spun him sideways.

Andrea twisted his arm sharply, making him cry out in pain, then drove a punch straight into his stomach, the man collapsed to the ground with a groan.

The others froze, Andrea didn’t stop, he turned to the two men holding Isabella.

“Get your hands off her,” he growled.

One of them laughed nervously.

“And who are you?”

Andrea answered with his fist, he punched one man square in the jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. He kicked the other hard in the ribs, forcing him to release Isabella.

Isabella stumbled back, clutching her stomach with one hand, her other hand trembling.

Andrea moved like a storm, he punched, kicked, grabbed and threw. One man charged at him, Andrea ducked and slammed his elbow into the man’s chest.

Another swung, Andrea caught his arm, twisted it painfully, and shoved him down.

Groans filled the air, and dust rose from the ground.

Isabella stood frozen, her hand were pressed protectively over her belly, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes, she knew Andrea was dangerous, but she had never seen him fight like that before.

At the end, the men scrambled up one by one, and ran away.

Andrea turned to Isabella immediately. “Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for her.

Isabella yanked her arm away sharply, it was understable, she was hurt and angry at the same time. 

“Don’t come near me,” she snapped.

Andrea sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair, he knew he'd made a mistake but he didn't know how to rewrite his wrong.

Just then, Isabella’s head spun, and her knees buckled, but Andrea caught her just in time, her body went limp against his chest.

The car pulled up quickly, the driver jumped out and opened the back door, Andrea lifted Isabella carefully and placed her inside,the car sped off.

***

“I made you coffee.” Andrea said walking into Isabella’s room holding a cup containing coffee.

Isabella lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, her face looked tired and pale. Andrea placed the cup on the bedside table and sat beside her.

“Drink up,” he said softly. “It’ll get cold.”

“I don’t drink coffee,” Isabella replied flatly.

Shame flashed across his face for a brief second. Three years of marriage and he didn’t even know this, he didn't know what she likes and dislike.

“I’ll make you tea then,” he said quickly, standing up.

Isabella grabbed his wrist.

“Forget it,” she said. “I’ll have the maid make it.”

Andrea stared at her.

“You’d rather have the maids make it than me, your husband?” he asked.

“Ex-husband,” Isabella corrected with a scoff.

She paused for a brief second, then continue.

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

Andrea went quiet for a second, and when he finally spoke, he said.

“I’m only being nice because of my baby.” He said and walked away.

Why does the mention of divorce hurt my heart in ways I don’t understand? Andrea reasoned as he paced in his room, his phone rang, and he picked it up.

“Hey baby,” Vanessa’s excited voice came through. “Are you back? I missed you so much already. Can I come over tonight?”