Six.

Kai's attitude towards Xara came back to normal after a couple of days. Even though he didn't hit her, the verbal abuse was so much that she wished she could run away and seek shelter in another city. But she didn't have the guts to do so. She was worried about her mom and what her dad would say or do to her if he found out that she had run away.

Mabel, wherever you are, please come and get your man. I can't stand this torture anymore. She cried to herself.

She was tired of having hands pointed at her all the time. She was tired of being blamed for no fault of hers. She was tired of being treated like a piece of trash.

“Why do you hate me so so much?!" She burst out to her husband.

“What did I ever do to deserve this cruel treatment?" She further added.

“I never begged to marry you, so why all this?" She sobbed harder until she was out of breathing while kneeling down.

Kai noticed she was having a hard time breathing. He pulled her up and hugged her rubbing her back to calm her down so that she wouldn't pass out.

After a while, her breathing had steadied and she broke off the hug. Though it was soothing, and her husband smelled nice but she pulled away before he had the chance to push her off as if she was a worthless piece of trash.

She walked out on him not wanting to hear what he had to say. Alianna had travelled out with her parents for a two-day trip and Penny had also gone to see her father so she was left all alone. Amanda checked on here occasionally but, that wasn't enough.

She looked through the window and discovered an old abandoned tree house not far away from her room. She instantly had an idea. She climbed down her window as she noticed a ladder attached to the wall. She felt giddy as she walked towards the treehouse. 

I could renovate this place to become my safe haven.

A place where I could have peace from the outside world.

She smiled climbing up into the treehouse. The inside looked beautiful although it was dusty and had some cobwebs around it. She fell in love with the place instantly.

“This is lovely." She smiled to herself. She spotted a broom, mop, mop bucket and a trash can at the far corner of the room. She picked up the mop bucket and headed to the bathroom to get some water for the cleanup exercise. She was going to make this her getaway place. She carefully placed the bucket down and then picked the broom and started to sweep off the dust. She put on Megan Trainor's “All about that bass" and began bobbing her head to the beat and singing along to the song.

“Yeah it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two

But I can shake it, shake it like I'm supposed to do

'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase

All the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazines working that Photoshop

We know that shit ain't real

Come on now, make it stop!

If you got beauty beauty just raise 'em up

'Cause every inch of you is perfect

From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my momma, she told me don't worry about your size

She says, boys, they like a little more booty to hold at night

You know I won't be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll,

So, if that's what's you're into

Then go ahead and move along

Because you know I'm all about that bass,

About that bass, about that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, about that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, about that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, about that bass, hey!

I'm bringing booty back

Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches, hey!

No, I'm just playing I know you think you're fat,

But I'm here to tell you that,

Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top..." She sang along.

A few hours later, she was proud of the work she had done. The place was clean and looking more beautiful. All that was left to do was to wash the sheets and paint the outside and it was good to go. Her stomach rumbled as she picked up her phone and got down from the treehouse heading home.

“Kai, I can't do this anymore, I can't bring myself to juggle two men at the same time. I chose my husband Mike. I agreed to marry him over you. Perhaps we are just meant to be soulmates, not lovers or a married couple. I have decided to work on the marriage. Mike is a good man and I can't bear to see him suffer. It was fun while it lasted but it's time for us to face reality. Xara is hurting, she didn't deserve any of this. She never asked for any of this. She put her happiness aside for family and day in day out she cries herself to sleep because we don't appreciate her sacrifice. I wish I could turn back the hands of time so she wouldn't go through this but, it's too late. Treat her nicely, learn to love her." Mabel said through the phone.

“How do you expect me to do so, it's you I love and would forever love. We could pay off Mike and elope as well." He reasoned.

“No, Kai. Lose my number and forget about me. I am starting a new chapter with Mike. Don't bother blackmailing me because he already knew about us. I already hate myself for breaking his trust. I am working on building it and things are going much better. Xara is full of love. Try loving her and you won't regret it. Until then goodbye." Mabel dropped the call and instantly blocked his number. Kai slammed his hand on the desk. He was furious and sad at the same time. He walked to his fridge and then took out a bottle of whisky downing half of the bottle in a go.

Three bottles later, he was tipsy. He walked out of his room to Xara's room. She heard a loud knock on her door as she opened it to reveal her husband. She was dressed in short shorts and a tank top since she had nowhere to go and nothing to do.

“Are you okay?" She asked concerned as he raked her sexy body with his eyes. He slammed the door and locked it as he walked towards his wife.

“Kai, what are you up to?" She panicked as he pushed her on her bed taking off his shirt and trousers leaving him in only boxers. He had a toned and sexy body and was huge down there.

“Kai please!" She begged but to no avail. He ripped her clothes off her body and forced himself on her. She didn't want to scream for help because no one would hear her anyway. She silently sobbed as he roughly had his way with her. 

Kai slept off immediately he was done. She lay on her bed sobbing silently. 

Why would he do that to her?

He could have just asked politely and then she would have agreed to do so.

She was hoping her first time would be filled with pleasure just as her friends used to tell her. This would be her little secret. No one would know about it and thank goodness she was on the pill. She was glad she followed her conscience and started taking the pill a few months ago. She knew he wasn't ready for a child and she was anticipating that one of these days he would make passionate love to her and not him forcing himself on her.

Kai held his head as he opened his eyes. He was hangover and looked at his surroundings. This wasn't his room. He turned to see his wife stare up the ceiling with tears rolling down her eyes. He checked under the sheets to see he was naked and so was his wife.

Did we make love or did I? He stopped that thought when he remembered walking to her room drunk.

“No it can't be, Xara please tell me I didn't do what I was thinking." He turned to her holding her arm.

She remained silent as more tears fell. He got up and wore his boxer shorts and that's where he saw her torn clothes. He further lifted the sheets to see blood on them and that's when he realised that he forced himself on her.

He hurried to her side and sat on the bed holding her in his arms.

“I am so sorry, please forgive me for this. Gosh, I'm sorry." He apologized to her. She saw the sincerity and regret in his eyes. He helped her lie down well and then left her room to his feeling utterly disgusted with himself.

What have I done! He cried out as he got to his room.