Chapter 7

Warning: This chapter may contain strong themes and sensitive topics that might be upsetting to some readers. You can skip the chapter if you want.

You have been WARNED

Ava

"There is something you should know about my past, David." Tears already forming in my eyes as I pulled back from him

"I know everything Ava, You told me everything."I had to turn away from him because the tears automatically ran down my cheeks. I didn't want him to see that. My chest felt heavy and my vision was blurred due to tears as my heartbeat paced. I hate being so vulnerable. I hate being weak and break down every time I thought about my past. I swallow the lump formed in my throat as I spoke to David with my back facing him.

"Well, not everything. It is a bitter part of my past and it still haunts me every day. I think I can finally tell someone and you should know about it."

I kept biting my lip to stop myself from crying. He holds my hand and made me sit on the couch. He held my hand and didn't say anything and then he said, "Ava, Whatever it is that you want to tell me. It will not change my feelings for you. You don't have to say if you don't want to. I will wait whenever you are ready. I will be here always."

"You remember when I told you when my foster parents adopted me."

"Yes, I do." He says nodding his head. I took a deep breath as I started telling him everything. If what I told earlier sounded worse, it was just the beginning.

"I was in high school when I met Harry. I was practically unnoticed in school because I was an introvert and people tend to stay away from me. Harry on the other hand was one of the famous boys, the captain of the football team. Every girl wanted him and liked him and stupid me liked him too but I thought there is no chance for me as he probably didn't even know my name." David listened to me and I could see the concern for me. A lump formed at the back of my throat trying to break down my voice and I couldn't talk. Still, I continued.

"One day, he asked me on a date. I was stunned and said yes. We were pretty close and he was there when I needed someone. He was one of the popular boys in school and he was dating an introvert like me. The rumor spread around like wildfire. We were the most popular couple in school but he wasn't the one for me. He had a deal with his friends. He was dating me because of a stupid bet. He didn't have feelings for me. He was just toying around playing with my feelings. I didn't know of this and I was still with him unaware of this bet of his.

"We were 18 and it had been one year since we were together. All of a sudden, he used to touch me and force me. I felt uncomfortable and spoke up when he slapped me. Then he started coming home and force himself on me. When I refused he would hit me. I have many bruises on my waist and arms. Some of the scars are still on my body. I had no one to talk to. No friends, nor my father were in a stable condition to talk and share what I was going through. He made me do things I would never do. I wasn't a person with a lot of friends but I wasn't any trouble to anyone. From being the most favorite student. I became the mean child and truly I wasn't. I resisted him for two years. I wanted to break up with him but he threatened me. It was time for prom night. He...." I stopped. He takes me in his arms because he was afraid he knew what I was going to say next. Here it is. The entire truth of my past. I am sharing it with David. Something I never did before.

"He...H-e..He.. wanted to sleep with me and I didn't want to. I was tired of everything." He held my hand and gave me a faint smile to let me know that he is there but I wanted to let him know everything.

"It's fine, Ava. You don't have to say anymore."

"No. I will complete saying it. I was so alone and scared. I was shattered. I knew what he would do if I refused? So I took a drastic step. It was enough for me to handle so I took a knife and cut my wrist. I was lying on my bedroom floor for hours. All the time I was awake, I was thinking about what wrong I did. My parents left me, they took away my mother and sister and this. My maid found me on time and took me to the hospital. She filed a report against Harry and he was arrested." Tears slid down my cheeks as I let all of it. I let my guard down and I broke down completely. I spread the broken pieces of my heart in front of him. I had never shared this with anyone but with him. I felt safe. With him, my heart screamed one more time even though I was scared to love again.

I saw his fists clenched till his knuckles were white. I saw the tears formed in his eyes but he doesn't shed a tear to stay strong for me. I could see he was angry about what Harry did but with that, he also had worry and care in his eyes.

I had controlled my tears in. Trying to not break down but when he wraps his arms around me. I couldn't hold in anymore.

My chest felt heavy and my eyes started to water. I covered my face wiping away my tears. I cried my heart out as he held me silently. I cried till I felt I didn't have any more tears to shed. I didn't realize David was crying until I felt the dampness on my head. His shirt was wet with my tears. I felt a weight lifted down my chest now that I talked about the past to him.

I held him even tight taking a whiff of his smell as he rubs my back to calm down. Somehow in his arms, I forget everything. He always knew how to calm me down. His smile, his smell, and the warmth of his body. It was like his arms were my home now. It was like their purpose to make me feel safe and loved like I never felt.

"I never shared this with anyone. I am scared that one day he will come after me for putting him in jail. He made me lose faith in love. I am scared to love again but...I still remember the last words he said to me. I will come back and make you pay for all of this."

"You are safe with me Ava. As I said earlier nothing can change my feelings for you. You are the strongest woman I ever met. If possible it only makes me fall in love more than I do. I WILL NOT LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU EVER AGAIN. ANYONE HAS TO GET THROUGH ME TO GET YOU. I know it's too soon but I LOVE YOU, AVA. They say when you know, you know and I know this is something."

David pulled back and wiped the tears off my cheeks. He holds my hands in between his and I say.

"I was scared to love again but when I met you. You made me feel myself again. You make me happy. You didn't know anything about me yet you let me live at your house, hired me, and did all those things which made me happy. Never had I imagined myself walking down a ramp but I did because of you. The more I tried to go away, the more I was attracted to you. I was scared that what if you don't feel the same. Now that you have confessed your feelings. I can't deny it anymore. I love you, David."

He had the biggest smile curled upon his lips and he hugs me tight.

"I can't believe my ears. Can you say it again? I don't want to open my eyes. If this is a dream, let this beautiful dream delude me."

"I love you, David," I repeat smiling. He didn't leave me in my arms and I felt light. To get it off my chest and knowing someone loves me. I felt all happy that my heart fluttered and I felt like dancing. It all felt like a dream. A beautiful dream I didn't want to wake up from. I snuggle closer feeling his heartbeat on my chest and couldn't help but smile.

"You made my day. I still can't believe it. This is the best day of my life. I knew that you loved me too but it feels so good to hear it, Ava...Ava..." I was asleep but I felt him pick me up and take me to my room. He carefully lays me down and when he was about to leave I catch hold of his hand. "Please stay."

"I can sleep on the couch if you want." His eyes lit up but he didn't want to make me comfortable but I was sure about what I was saying.

"No, I want you to sleep here with me."

He jumps on the bed getting in the blanket. He wraps his arms around me as I buried my head into his chest. I get a smell of natural scent and my body was at ease. The warmth of his body against mine made me feel safe.

Strange, how a person you met a few weeks ago makes you feel things, a person you have known for years couldn't. David was that person for me. Things fell into place with him. I had never felt something like this and when I thought it was. It was fake and I was a little insecure. I trusted David a lot but it was all because of my past and now my doubts were cleared. I look up to him as I expressed my doubts to him.

"David, this feels too good to be true. I have this feeling that something will go wrong. Things are so perfect."

"Shhh! EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE. Tomorrow will be a new beginning for us."

Somehow I knew he will stand true to his words. I am the one who is messed up. I am broken. When he looked at me with those brown eyes which sparkled bright full of hope. My heart melted and I was sure he is the one who will mend the broken pieces of my heart. He is the light who will pull me out of the darkness I always resided in. The darkness I fear.

"I have been hurt a lot. Never hurt me, David."

"Never. Let me take you on a date tomorrow."

"I would be glad but how will you manage everything in a day."

"I already planned it. I kind of knew you loved me so I already planned everything." I laugh at that and he smiles.

"What have you planned Mr. David Smith?"

"It's a surprise."

I can't wait for it.

(Both have admitted their feelings for each other. What has David planned for the date? How will the date go? See you next.)

...Thank you for reading...