Chapter 7 Part 2

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...

David

"There is something you should know about my past, David."

She said pulling back from me. Her gaze lowered down. Tears welled up in her eyes and I could see the pain lingering up in her eyes. There was something more to this. Somehow I felt worthless, that I couldn't take the pain away from her. "I know everything Ava, You told me everything."

She turned away from me to hide her tears but I could hear her cries. She didn't want me to see her crying. Her back still facing me she said as her voice broke.

"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."

What can it be? What's more to it? How bad it is? I took her hand and we sat on the couch. Her facial expressions changed. The smile on her face had vanished and her eyes were a bit swollen and red because of crying. Her cheeks were wet due to the tears. She tried hard to control her tears biting her lip.

I held her hand and looked at her. I hold it for a few moments not saying anything as she shed a few tears with her face hung down.

"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." I said while holding her hand and then she spoke, Her voice cracked as she spoke. I didn't say anything else. I wanted her to know I will be there for her.

"You remember when I told you when my foster parents adopted me."  She said while wiping her tears with her sleeve.

"Yes, I do."

I held her hand while she said. All I wanted to do was take her in my arms and hug her. Comforting her and letting her know that I am here for her whenever she needs me but then I want to hear what is it that she is holding back. What more can it be that hurts her so much.

"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. 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...."

Ava stopped and I held her in my arms and she cried a bit. I was afraid I knew what she was going to say. She pulled back from me and I squeezed her hand as she continued.

"He...H-e..He.. wanted to sleep with me and I didn't want to. I was tired of everything." She stops talking because she couldn't talk. She lets down all the tears she was holding up and breaks down. Her voice was tearing down. I couldn't see her like this. It was breaking me seeing her like this. I felt the tears forming in my eyes. "It's fine, Ava. You don't have to say anymore."

"No. I want to say. 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."

Just when I thought this couldn't get worse it did. My fists clenched at the thought of it. How can someone take advantage of that? She had been through so much that she was forced to take her life.

I was speechless at how strong she was after all she went through. She broke down in front of me and I had never seen her this broken. Before she could say anything else I wrap my arms around her. She buried her head holding me tight while sobbing. I rubbed her back trying to calm her.

I had never felt so helpless. I didn't know what to say. She was crying aloud and I held her tight. She cried and cried her heart out. It was Ava letting her guard down and letting me in. Tears streamed down my eyes seeing her cry. I couldn't see her like this. Tears welled up in my eyes looking at her. Apart from me felt good that she felt comfortable sharing this with me.

"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." She said and I held her tight.

"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."

I wipe the tears from her eyes and held her hand. I take her hands in between mine and she said.

"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."

She closes the distance between us and hugged me. Did she say I love you? I am hearing this right.

"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." She said chuckling. So this isn't a dream.

I was still holding her in my arms. I still couldn't believe it. It felt like a dream and if I left her she would disappear. I held her till what felt like an eternity. We both didn't say anything but our silence spoke a thousand words. "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 called her twice and she didn't respond. When I take a glance at her. She slept in my arms. She was exhausted after all of this. I didn't wake her up so I slowly lifted her in my arms and placed her on her bed. I take my hand off and tried to leave slowly so I don't wake her up when she clutched my hand by my wrist and looked at me with pleading eyes. "Please stay."

"I can sleep on the couch if you want."

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

She looked at me with those gleaming blue eyes and I knew I would do anything if it were for those beautiful blue eyes. I didn't need to be told twice. I jumped on the bed and slept beside her. She surrounded my arms me and I held her. She buries her head on my chest. I feel her body calm down when I held her.

"David, this feels too good to be true. I have this feeling that something will go wrong. Things are so perfect." She says and silenced her down. I will do anything that takes to not be hurt.

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

"I have been hurt a lot. Never hurt me, David." She says. I will never hurt her and I will not let anyone hurt her either.

"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." She giggles and I felt a bit relieved seeing her smile.

"What have you planned Mr. David Smith?"

"It's a surprise."

(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...