Chapter Two

I tossed my phone onto the nightstand and flopped onto my bed. My chest was pounding, my hands still trembling from the call with Dad. Laying down, I decided to get some sleep, but my mind wouldn’t stop replaying his voice, his threats and the cold edge in his every word. I shut my eyes and tried to breathe, but the anger and exhaustion only made the tension worse.

Just as I was finally drifting off, I heard the soft familiar steps of my mum in the hallway making me bolt upright. Grabbing my robe, I rushed out to meet her.

“Mom, you’re home!” I said, forcing a smile.

She looked up from her bag, her eyes tired but warm. “Viv, are you okay? You seem… tense.”

“Tense? Mom, I’m beyond tense. You have to talk to Dad. He is driving me insane. He can’t keep controlling me. He’s furious because I broke up with Derek and…” 

“You broke up with Derik?” 

“Yes, I did. But I can explain. That man is a serial cheat and I am not even in his house yet. What do you think will happen when he finally marries me. We both know he doesn't love me, he's just obsessed with the idea of being with me so why marry him?” I stopped, gesturing vaguely. “And now, your husband is going to explode about the guy I locked up when the guy was clearly in the wrong. How much more control do you think I can handle?”

“Look dear, you know your dad just wants what's best for…”

“No, no, no. Don't play that card. If he wants what is best for me, he won't be shoving me into the hands of a cheat with the “men are naturally cheats" notion. Can you handle cheating mum? Has he ever cheated on you? You're a woman, I expect you to understand me.” 

She rubbed her temples and sighed. “Look, Viv. I understand you. And I will talk to him, I promise. But you need to slow down a little. You can’t just…”

“Don’t lecture me, Mom!” I cut her off sharply. “I don’t need advice, I have had enough of that already. Just talk to your man to stop controlling my life for once.”

She hesitated, biting her lip. “Okay, I will. But Viv, you have to promise me you’ll be careful. I know you’re angry, but…”

“I know, Mom,” I said quickly. “Just go, deal with him. I need… space. Jezz!”

I turned back toward my room, my hands shaking from frustration. Pulling on a dress, I picked up my purse from the table. I needed to get out, anywhere that wasn’t home. Somewhere I could drink, forget, even just for a few hours.

The idea of a drink lightened my mood but immediately I stepped into the hall, my excitement went back to the pit of my belly. They were on the dinning, talking about me like I was some curse they had to deal with for life. 

“She has to apologize to that man for putting him through that amount of humiliation.” I heard my dad say. 

“But Love, she said she wasn't wrong.”

“She wasn't? She ran into the man and still had to tongue lash him and lock him up when he protested? She needs to learn that power shouldn't be used for the wrong reasons, I have to teach her a lesson.”

“Please, Love. Give her this one last chance.”

I had heard enough. I came out of the shadows heading straight to the door in the fastest way I could hut he was faster. 

“Vivienne.” He called, causing me to stop dead in my tracks. “Now what?” I screamed in my head but turned to face him.

“I need you to call the young man and apologise appropriately. I have paid for the damages on his bike but that will be taken from you monthly allowance.”

“Wait, what? You can't do that dad. Making me apologise is already an insult to me. You can't take my money.”

“Well, girl. Watch me.”

“And if I don't apologise?” I asked defiantly .  

“Then say goodbye to 50% of your allowance and that beautiful sleek baby sitting in the garage.”

I laughed in disbelief.“ You're joking right? Dad! Are you messing with me?” 

“I am in no mood for jokes, girl. It's either you do just as I have told you or face the consequences.”

“Mum!” I turned towards her for her support but she simply lifted her hand in surrender indicating there was nothing she could do. 

I had had it up to my neck. Turning swiftly, I headed out the door and into the cool evening with tears stinging my eyes. 

The streets were alive at night. Cars honked, and the city buzzed around me but my attention was on getting to the bar. I parked outside, finding a place that could easily allow me to drive out when I was ready. Pushing the door open, I was instantly swallowed by the music and chatter.

I walked to the bar, ignoring curious glances, and ordered a glass of red wine. The liquid slid down my throat, warming me, and I let my shoulders slump. For the first time tonight, I felt a flicker of relief. I moved toward the center of the room where the music was loudest, letting my body sway. For a few minutes, I was just another person in the crowd, lost in rhythm.

But then I felt a hand brushing against my back, pressing too close and my body stiffened. 

“I have had a lot from men. Lord, help me!” I muttered as I spinned around. . 

“Excuse me,” 

My stomach dropped. Derek? 

“We need to talk,” he said, his voice low and insistent.

“I do not want to talk boy,” I said, trying to step past him.

“No, we are talking. You think you can just get away?” His grip tightened on my arm.

“I already did,” I snapped, pulling my arm free. “Leave me alone.”

He stepped closer, his smirk irritating every nerve in me. “Not until we settle this.”

I pushed against him, trying to move through the crowd. “I said no or did I stutter? What part of I am done with you did you not understand?”

“I heard you,” he said, shoving me toward a shadowed corner causing my heart to slam in my chest. “But I am not done talking and you have to listen.”

“Stop!” I yelled, panic growing in my chest. “I don’t want to talk, I want to go home!”

He laughed, dark and sharp. “Home? Are you sure your dad wants to see your face?” His hand closed over my wrist, dragging me further into the corner. My mind raced and tears stung my eyes. I felt trapped.

“Help!” I tried to scream, adrenaline rushing through my body but the music swallowed my voice. “Somebody help me!”

Derek leaned in closer, and I could smell the expensive cologne mixed with alcohol. His hand moved in a way that made my stomach twist, and suddenly, the helplessness I felt turned to sharp terror.

But suddenly out of nowhere, a fist hit him in his chin sending him to the ground. He grunted as he fell sideways. 

I froze and my body stiffened in shock and gratitude and I slowly turned to see who had intervened.

Standing like a shadow in the dim light, right in front of me was the same man I had run into by the traffic light. 

“Get away from her,” he said quietly. There was no threat in his words, yet the energy around him told me that repeating it was very unnecessary.

I felt my knees weaken. “It’s… it’s you,” I whispered.