MARRY ME NOW

It was getting uncomfortable in this situation, you know, hand in hand with Cedric while Austin was staring at us like it was a normal thing to do.

What if he wanted to start another fight? I know he really hates Cedric. It’s so obvious. It’s like he wants to pick a fight with Cedric every time they cross paths.

And now they were having a staring contest. We have to leave to avoid any fight. Ugh, I wish Austin would just disappear and I would never have to see him again.

I would definitely consider that a miracle.

I grabbed Cedric by the arm and practically dragged him past Austin to the elevator. I sighed in relief when the elevator moved. After 4 minutes, we were out of the building.

We got back into Cedric’s car. He doesn’t look happy anymore, like earlier when we had arrived, he was angry. At me?

Oh no, that’s not good. We literally just started our relationship. Or he could be angry at Austin.

Why would he be? It’s not like they fought up there… But they fought the last time they met at my house, well not fought but Austin did give him a blow, I guess he hates him after that.

No doubt.

“Cedric, are you okay?”

“What do you think?” He asked, and it came out rude. I bit my lower lip. He must have realised what he did as he tried to amend it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude.” He apologised.

“Oh, it’s okay,” I replied. And thankfully, he got back to his happy mood before we reached his place.

~

TWO WEEKS LATER:

~

I squealed at the sight of what I saw on my computer. Oh my God, it actually did sell out. With lots of good reviews.

I had used the little money I gathered to make shoes. With the help of a friend, of course. I wouldn’t say the shoes were really bad for me to expect people not to buy them.

They were fairly decent. I had drawn the decorations myself and wasn’t expecting them to sell out so quickly.

Oh my God, they must have really liked it so much. My phone rang, and I jumped a little. I looked at the caller’s id. Celina.

“Hey, Tessa! Did you see it?! Your goods are sold out and the customers are asking for more! I told you, doing business with me is plain and simple but-” I took the phone away from my ears.

She was screaming. When I was sure she was done screaming, I placed it back on my ear. “Oh my, I saw it. It’s so hard to believe!” I said.

“Yup. So.. What are you planning on doing now? You know… I was thinking you should make more with the money you made from this. You could blow up to a very huge businesswoman!” She exclaimed.

That was surprisingly exactly what I was thinking. By doing this, I could change my and my daughter’s life for good without leaning on anyone.

Also, I could pay off all my debts. The one I owe Austin right now is my biggest debt.

“Yes, definitely,” I replied. We talked for a few more minutes about what to do next.

I was about to fulfil my dreams. When I was a young girl, I had always wanted to be a businesswoman. I wanted a wide range of business.

If I had enough money, I would definitely have added a clothing line to what I’m doing now, but I only have enough for shoes right now.

When I was married to Carson, I didn’t tell him about any of this, simply because I thought it was too much to ask from him.

And when I had a job, I also feared I would lose a lot if I turned it into a business. Every time I thought of it, that would when an article suddenly pops up about how someone loses so much money from something I was thinking I should do.

I felt so discouraged so I decided to stick to a job instead. Cedric doesn’t know anything about what I was doing, I wanted it to be a surprise.

I bet he would be so happy to know about this. I’d be very independent. I really want to know how it feels… But patience is the key.

I looked at the time, 4:56 pm. Cedric normally comes back from work at 6 pm. I have to prepare something! He really loves it whenever I cook. It would all glide well with what I’m about to tell him.

“Anne?” I called. She was playing with the toy I bought for her 3 weeks ago. Only God knows how much she loves it.

“Yes?”

“Wanna join mommy cook?” I asked.

“Yes!” She jumped up and came over to me, we walked to the kitchen.

1 hour Later.

I looked proudly at the work I just did. It looked so good… And also tasted so good. Cedric is definitely going to like this.

“Good job, Anne.”

“Hmm.” She replied licking her fingers. I shook my head. I served the food. Anne wasn’t tall enough to eat at a large table so I served her food at her table. I took her to the room, bathed her quickly and did everything that was supposed to be done.

I heard the doorbell ding. He’s here. I strolled over to the front door and opened it. I gave a friendly smile to him. “Hey, babe.” He said giving me a hug.

I hugged him back.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

We walked into the house. “Someone looks excited.” He teased.

“Yes!” I replied. “So.. Do you want to go straight to the food or..”

“I’m hungry.” He said. I giggled. We sat down at the dining table and I watched him take a bite of his food. He moaned.

“This is so good.” He said.

“Thanks, babe,” I replied. I took a bite from my plate and we ate.

“So.. There’s something I want to talk to you about.” I started.

He chuckled. “I knew there was something in between that sudden hyper spirit. Go ahead.”

I smiled and told him everything. By the end of it, I was expecting him to be all smiley and telling me congratulations and all those stuff, but he didn’t. Instead, he frowned.

“Since when has this been going on?” He asked. Ah jeez. He didn’t sound happy about it.

He was supposed to be happy for me.

“Uh, A month now,” I replied. He gave me a scowl.

“And you didn’t think of telling me about it earlier?”

“I-i wanted it to be a surprise..” I stuttered. He scoffed.

“I told you, you aren’t supposed to keep secrets from me!” He snapped, suddenly. Why was he like this? I know he said that, but not all secrets, right?

So stupid of me, once again, I have managed to make him this angry. “I’m sorry.”

“You have to drop it.” He said. My eyes widened. He wanted me to drop it? How was I supposed to do that? I can’t on this one.

“What are you talking about… You know, you should be happ-” He cuts me off.

“What the fuck are you trying to get on?” He snapped. I froze.

“Ced-”

“Don’t even say my name,” He said getting up. He got closer to me. “I wouldn’t say it twice, Baby, Just do as I said.” And with that, he walked away leaving me shaking.

What just happened? He abused you.

No, I’m sure he didn’t mean to do that…

I have a feeling that Cedric has anger issues. I mean, that would explain his outbursts.

Ah, thank goodness I had already put Anne to sleep.

~

I lay on my bed, thinking about earlier. Why would he ask me to drop it? I love Cedric, but I couldn’t on this one. This was a huge chance for me.

If he loves me, he would want me to do what would make me happy.

This wasn’t the first time Cedric made such an outburst. It felt like he has done this a thousand times since I had started living with him.

He sure does have anger issues. I needed to help him with that.

My eyes were betraying me and before I knew it, I was asleep. I think it was going to rain.

It felt like someone’s hand was up on my thigh… I wasn’t supposed to be dreaming wet dreams.

But it felt so real… I tried to open my eyes but I was just so tired. After much effort, I opened it. My eyes widened and sleep was immediately off me.

“Cedric?” I said. What was he doing here? We might be together but we didn’t share a bed. I find it weird because we weren’t married or engaged.

He had asked several times but I always came up with an excuse.

He was the one touching me? Like that?

“I came to apologise for earlier… I didn’t know what got into me… I’m sorry.” He apologised. I just stared at him for seconds.

What I was thinking was why wasn’t he happy about what I told him earlier? He was supposed to be. That’s what partners are supposed to be like. Be happy for each other’s progress.

“It’s okay, Cedric… I just want to know-” He cut me off when he suddenly placed his lips on mine.

It went on for about a minute before I pulled away. “You don’t have to do any of those, Tess.”

“Bu-”

“Tessa, I told you. Just leave it.” He sounded so mean, angry. This wasn’t right at all. He shouldn’t be telling me what or not to do in that aspect.

What’s wrong with him? I frowned. This is wrong in all aspects. I tried to stand up but his hand tightened on my thigh keeping me in place.

“Let me go, Cedric.”

“Where are you going?”

I scoffed. Now he was going to act innocent? Soft? He literally just shouted at me not even up to 3 minutes ago. He has been doing this so much lately and I have had enough.

He has no right to decide what I’m going to do or not…

“Anywhere from you. You’re acting strange, you’re supposed to be happy for me and here you are asking me to drop it.” I hissed. That didn’t phase him, obviously. He shook his head and tsk.

“I wasn’t asking you, baby. I was telling you.”

“What has gotten into you?!” I hissed. I used the strength I had to push him away and thankfully, it made a little impact. I used the opportunity and quickly got away from the bed.

And before I knew it, I was backed up on the wall. “Tessa, just listen to me.”

“Listen to you? You’ve gone crazy, out of your mind. You should listen to me, we might be together but that doesn’t mean you can control me. I’m a grown woman, not a child you tell me what to do, if you’re not okay with what I’m about to do, then let’s break up. I have enough money to find myself and my daughter a place to stay!” I snapped. I haven’t been this angry in months.

He looked taken aback by my sudden outburst but recovered from it a few seconds later. I felt a sharp pain in my face, and only then I realised he had slapped me.

How had it escalated this far?

He just hit me. Something I never thought he would ever do.

You’re going to stay with him after this? My subconsciousness asked. Hell no, there wasn’t any way I was going to stay here after all that has happened.

I’m done with him. He’s a monster, an abuser. Only God knows how much I wanted to hit him so badly, but it would be useless, I doubt I could bring any other harm to him. I’d just end up hurting myself more.

Who knows? He might even hit me again. “I’m leaving.”

“You’re not.”

“Yes, I am. There’s no way I would spend another minute here!” I screamed.

“I said you’re fucking not, I swear to God, Tessa, I will fucking kill you before you do.”

“Let go of me, you son of a bitch!” I screamed, cussing at him. Was this the first time I cussed like that?

I managed to squirm away from him, I was going to run towards the door but he managed to get hold of me. A cloth was placed over my nose.

I blacked out.

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…..