Chapter 3
Saffrons P.O.V
Hey... Saffron!." I flinch back, the loud voice of my boss snapping me out of my daze.
"Oh uh... S-sorry Levi." I apologize quickly. "It's fine Saff, just was asking if you were ok." he sighs, concern thick in his tone. "Oh! Yeah, I'm good, thanks, Levi." I reassure him with a smile, but it doesn't seem to quite convince him. "Levi, you're like my best friend, not to mention my boss so I promise I wouldn't lie to you." I smile at him, masking any trace of the emotions that laid barricade inside. He offers a small smile back, his hand patting my back firmly. "Ok, if you're sure." I resist the urge to wince, due to the tenderness of that spot, instead, I offer him another smile. "Ok, well you can go ahead home, I'll clean today." he offers in an act of kindness. "No!... I mean..uh no...I can clean, go home to your family…... And tell Rose hi for me." A warm smile lights up his features at the mention of his wife. They truly do love each other, don't they? A quick wave of sorrow flashes through my heart at the thought.. "Are you sure? I mean you stayed so long last night, I can do it, are you sure you're good, Saff?" he questions, eyebrows furrowing. "Yes I'm fine, go home. Have a nice night Levi," I assure while pushing him out the door. "Ok ok, I get it." he chuckles. "Well, you know the rules. Be safe, lock the door, tell me when you leave and get home, call me if you need me or if something goes wrong. Oh and don't forget to take out the trash and kee-." I cut him off before he takes an hour to finish his list. "Trust me, Levi, I know the rules. I think it's impossible to forget at this point."
"Ok.... but seriously call me if you need me," he says sternly. "I will. I love you, Levi, tell your beautiful wife hi." I reach up and kiss his cheek. "Will do! Love you to Ron." I throw him a playful glare, he knows full well I hate it when he calls me that. He laughs at my reaction and heads out the door with a goodbye.
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I wince at the hot sensation cutting through my thigh, quickly I brush it off, and get back to work.
When I lift my foot to step forward though, a deep sting rips through my thigh. Gently lowering myself to the floor, I pull my pant leg up till it rests on my upper thigh. I gasp at the sight, tears gather in my eyes as I gently run my fingertips over the numbers freshly cut into my leg. Tears fall as an ember of hope lights in my heart. As I get up, I grab the towel hanging on the counter and quickly wrap it around my leg, sprinting for the locker room. Sliding to a stop in front of my locker, I throw the door open and grab my phone, everything in the locker scattering on the floor in the process.
Sinking to the floor, I unlock my phone and open my calling app. I unwrap my leg checking the number once more and quickly type it in. My thumb hovers over the call button..."Should I?. What if he doesn't like me and I'm not what he wants. Or what if he wants to take me.... That would be great but... what about dad, he needs me." I push my thoughts away knowing I have to at least hear him out. My chest constricts with anxiety as I put it up to my ear, my heart pounding faster with every ring. "Hello." my chest feels hot and tight as soon as his deep voice rumble through the other line, ringing through my ears, making butterflies flutter in my stomach... "H-hi," I reply weakly. "OH MY GOD! Is it you?... Please tell me it's you!." he says, his voice thick with hope. Tears stream down my face, my body relaxing slightly at the warmness that his voice brings. "Hello?." he asks to my silence. "I-i think i-you're my truemate." I stutter out. I hear him release a deep breath. "Oh my... I can't believe it's you." his voice cracks halfway through. "It's me," I say softly. "Are you ok!? Where are you? Where do you live!?." he excitedly questions, Giggling lightly, most of my fear melting away. "Yeah, I'm ok... I'm in a little town in Arkansas." I answer back. I hear him chuckle. "I probably should have asked your name first huh?." "Oh uh... My name is Saffron... What about you." I tilt my head back, my eyes making their way up the wall till they meet with the clock. I gasp in horror at the time. "Are you ok," he asks, his voice dripping concern. "I- I -." I try to reply but the words get stuck in my throat making me gasp for breath "Hey, hey it's ok. I'm gonna save you, but first, you need to tell me what's wrong love," he says soothingly. "H-he's gonna-be mad, I s-stayed at w-work too long. i-im late!."
my breaths come out in short panicked puffs, my vision blurs with tears.
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Ezra's p.o.v
My chest constricts at the sound of my soulmate's cries, my mind a whirl of emotions.
“Hun, you have to calm down, ok? Just breathe,” I soothe.
I listen closely as her breathing calms moderately, her cries dying down slightly. “There ya go, you're doing great baby. Now I need you to listen to me, ok?,” I hear her let out a shaky breath before replying. “o-ok.”
“Saffron, I need you to stay at your job if you can. Stay there till I can get you. It only should only take me a few hours to get to you. Ok?” Silence fills the line, the only sounds are my steady breaths followed by her shallow ones. “Saffron?” I ask. “i- I'm just- I don't know. i- I can't leave my father alone… he needs me,” she stutters out. My mind goes blank, the only thing filling me is anger, but not at her, at that bastard she calls a father. “Saffron,” I say slowly.
“I need you to understand.. that man is a criminal. He's an abuser. You can't stay there, you don't deserve to stay there. Please come with me, I can't stand another day of this, knowing you're in pain and not being able to do anything about it!” I say, the pain so evident in my tone.
My heart breaks at the sound of a sob from the other line.
“Baby girl, please don't cry. I want you safe that's all… I.. I love you too much to have you go through this one minute longer.” I breathe out.
“h-how can you love me? You don't even know me," my heart constricts at that. “because, Saffron… because I do. I can't explain it I just- love you so much, the second I heard your voice it's like I was whole.” I confess.
“i- I don't know what to say. I've never had someone care about me so much. I'm just so scared,” she trails. “It's ok, it's ok to be scared. If I'm being honest I'm terrified, but ya know what, it's gonna be ok, cause I'm gonna come get you, then we'll come back to our home, and do whatever you want to do.“ I soothe.
“ok..” she finally agrees. My heart leaps for joy at that. I let out a breath, collecting my thoughts to form a sentence. “Ok, so I'm gonna need you to send me the address when we hang up and do not under any circumstances leave the building unless it's me, ok?,” I explain. I hear her hum in agreement. “Ok love, I'm gonna get off here. I promise I'll be there soon.”
“P-p-lease please just get here quickly,” she says weakly, A small smile forms on my face.
“I will, promise.” I stand from my place speed walking to my room. “Baby, I have to go now, ok?”
“ok.” she answers, “I'll be there soon I promise,” I say, as the line goes dead. I run towards the door like a mad man, slamming to a stop when I realize I almost forgot my keys. The engine roars to life as I turn the key in the ignition.
I pop the car in reverse, peeling out of my driveway quickly. “It's gonna be a long night.”