The knight in dark armor

Aaron had been away for a week. 

I had the house to myself, and I liked it. In the past week, I hung out with Taylor and a few other friends and went shopping. It was a fun week. For a moment, I forgot my problems. Not seeing Aaron around helped me forget my situation for a moment.

Today, I invited Taylor over. A mutual friend of ours had invited us to a party, so she had came over to the house so we could prepare and leave together.

We were in the sitting room, chatting about random stuff, when Aaron walked in, hand in hand with Vivienne.

I couldn't mask my shock.

When they entered, they both focused on us as we did.

I saw the questionable look on Taylor’s face, and I felt uncomfortable.

Why did Aaron choose to return home today of all days, and why did he have to come with Vivienne?

Just how was I going to explain why my husband had brought home another girl? I hadn't told her about what had transpired between Aaron, Vivienne, and i. I had not told her anything at all.

“Babe,” Vivienne said, looking at Aaron, “is she allowed to bring visitors?”

I prayed Aaron wouldn't say something mean and demeaning, at least not in front of Taylor. I could already see her confused glance from the side of my eyes, and I was so embarrassed.

My eyes met Aaron’s briefly before he turned to Vivienne and simply said:

“Let's just go upstairs, sweetie.”

I heard Taylor let out a silent gasp. My stomach tightened.

They both left, climbing up the stairs, but not without Vivienne giving us a scornful look.

Immediately they were out of sight, Taylor turned to me.

“Beth, what the hell was that?!” She couldn't hide her disbelief, “Is he bringing women home?”

I sighed, “It's not a real marriage, Tay. He's allowed to do his stuff. It's no big deal.”

“Nonsense, Beth. He shouldn’t bring his business home, whether real marriage or not. This is not the first time it's happening, is it?” she asked.

I shook my head.

“Why didn't you tell me?” she asked, her eyes laced with concern.

“Because I don't care, Taylor. Honestly. He could do whatever shit he wants. Screw him” i huffed.

She looked at me for a while before she reached for my hand. “Promise me you're okay, Beth, also promise me that if you ever feel cornered or upset, you'll confide in me” her eyes were pleading “Just promise me”

I squeezed her hands gently “I promise,” I said with a smile.

***

We finished getting ready at exactly 10:17pm. I was dressed in a sleeveless peach body-hugging dress that hugged my curves just properly. My hair framed my face just the way I liked it.

Taylor was equally dressed in a pretty sequin dress that had a slit that looked like it was heading to Mars. I had teased her about that slit.

When we headed downstairs, Aaron was there. Standing casually by the bar, with his phone placed on his ear, he was on a call.

He almost rendered me breathless with his biceps peaking out of the grey colored armless shirt he was wearing. He had tattoos that I was just noticing for the first time. About three on his left arm.

He looked at us as we headed down. 

I tore my eyes from him and grabbed Taylor’s arm as if telling her to ignore him.

“Where are you going to?” 

His voice stopped us on our tracks. I turned to answer him. Taylor signalled to me that she would wait outside for me.

Why do you care? I asked in my head. But the words that came out of my mouth were different 

“A party,” I simply said.

He scanned me from head to toe with his eyes for a few seconds. I expected him to perhaps scold me for bringing Taylor over to “his house,” as he always liked to put it. I was already bracing up for it.

But instead he said “okay” and he turned, climbing his stairs.

I watched as he climbed. I love how his back looks, I thought before I could realize it.

I almost slapped myself on the cheeks. What was I thinking?!!!

“What did he want?” Taylor asked immediately when I stepped outside.

“Nothing,” I replied, “just told him we were going for a party and he just said okay and left.”

That man barely talks to me. And even when he did, he was either issuing a warning of just being… plain.

*****

The party was dead.

The music was too loud, the drinks too warm, and everyone was pretty self-absorbed. After an hour of forcing smiles and nodding to boring and needless conversations with people we barely knew, Taylor and I decided we couldn't bear it anymore.

I didn't want to go home. Home was boring. I wasn't exactly going home to anything.

“Let's go elsewhere,” I suggested.

“Like?”

“A club maybe. One with strong drinks and maybe a decent DJ. We look too good to retire home by midnight.”

She laughed, “You have a point.”

Fifteen minutes later, we were at a club, the bass was thumping through the door, and it had all shades of light shining across the room, not so bright but bright enough to see anyone clearly. It was packed but alive. 

Taylor and I pushed our way to the bar and ordered two shots.

Then two more.

Then an extra two.

By the time we were on the fourth round, we were already tipsy.

I felt loose and I dragged Taylor to the dance floor for a dance.

We were not on the dance floor for a complete three minutes when a strange guy walked up to me, offering to buy me a drink.

I scanned him from head to toe, not bad. 

Another guy had already pulled Taylor for a dance, so I just followed him to the bar.

“I’m Moris. You look so beautiful,” the scrawny-looking guy said.

I smiled back, “Thank you. I'm Elizabeth”

He bought me a drink and we got talking, light-hearted conversations that were not very engaging but good enough to keep me occupied since Taylor was still busy with the guy on the dance floor. I scanned through the dance floor, and I couldn't even see her anymore. Probably mixed up in the crowd.

By the time I had had three more shots, I was completely drunk. My words were slurred, and my sight was a bit blurry.

I needed to use the restroom. When I attempted to stand, I staggered a little, and Moris quickly grabbed my hand.

“Are you okay, Elizabeth?” he asked, moving closer to me.

“Yeah. I.. I'm fine. Must have had too much to drink,” I laughed.

He moved closer again, too close for comfort. “Do you need me to take you away?” 

Then he snaked his hand around my waist.

I was a bit uncomfortable with that gesture. I attempted to step back, but he held on tight.

“No, I'll just wait for my friend.” I looked around for Taylor again. I still couldn't find her.

“Your friend is not here anymore. She must have gotten busy with that guy,” he said with a smirk, “common, I can take you home, yours or mine,” he added suggestively.

I found that repulsive, “No, I want to go home. My home,” I slurred. 

“Okay, fine, let me take you home.”

I eyed him suspiciously, “I'm not going to sleep with you” I told him, prying myself off his hands.

He laughed, “Don't worry, I won’t force you to. Let me just take you home. You are drunk. It might be difficult for you to find your way home.”

I stared at him. I was tired. My feet were hurt and I was hit with dizziness.

I opened my purse, reached for my phone and dialled Taylor. She didn't pick.

I called again, but she didn't pick up.

All the while, Moris kept looking at me like I was a piece of candy.

“I told you she was busy with that guy. You could just let me take you home or keep waiting for her when you're not even sure she's going to return,” he said with a smug smile.

I did not know whether to trust him or not, but i couldn't drive my car in this situation and it would be quicker for him to drop me off than trying to get a cab because I could barely even stand properly.

So I followed him out. We headed to the car park and we found his not-so-modern Jeep.

The car park was dark and scanty.

He followed me to the passenger’s side, and I thought he was going to open the door for me, you know, as a true gentleman.

But he shocked me when he slammed against the car door not so gently and attempted a kiss.

I swerved my face to the side quickly and pushed him away roughly.

“What's wrong with you? Are you insane?” I asked, raising my voice.

“You don't need to pretend you're not interested. I saw you checking me out at the club,” he smirked and grabbed my arm again.

I struggled against him and used my free hand to land a slap on his cheeks. I was breathing heavily now.

His eyes changed quickly. To anger.

“You pretentious bi.tch!” he charged towards me and slammed me against the car door again, this time even more roughly.

He grabbed both my arms with his strong, wide palms as he tried to forcefully kiss me or strangle me. I didn’t even know what his intention was, but he looked dangerous at this point.

I regretted leaving the bar with him.

“Let me go!!!” I cried. He grabbed me even tighter.

“Get your hands off my wife right now!”

A familiar voice roared.

The stupid Moris let me go immediately.

I turned to see who it was. 

Aaron.