Let go of the illusion
that it could have been
any different.
- e.h

•••

"Get up and get out." I yelped startled by his voice and blinked looking around only to realize that I was in the car. I turned my head to see Asher looking at me with an expressionless face. I rubbed my eyes and nodded at him. I didn't wanted to be with him for even a second more.

As soon as I got out of the car cold air nibbed on my skin, goosebumps rose on my skin and I shivered.

Cold cold cold !!

I started moving towards the house so quickly. Not to forget that I was wearing heels, I winced and groaned in pain. I knew my feet would be having some blisters by the next morning.

I did not even glance at him again, he was still in the car, I did not hear his door open, I made it to my room and quickly pulled the dress over my head. I'm not so lady like sometimes. I kicked off my heels and pulled on a white T-shirt which had , "A SLICE OF PIE WITHOUT CHEESE IS LIKE A KISS WITHOUT A SQUEEZE" printed on it in black.

It was 3:30pm I could make it to work. My body needed rest. I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep but I didn't have time, I would have had some time if that Asher didn't take me to the hospital. Shaking my head, I cursed my bad luck and pulled on a pair of slim fit black jeans and boots.

I moved down the stairs and found him on the couch, as always. I immediately rolled my eyes. How the hell is he so rich when he doesn't even move a muscle? I glared at him, I was frustrated. Why did I have to work while this ungrateful bastard just relaxed and stared at the ceiling?

I didn't realise I was staring at him until I saw his body move as he reclined back on the couch, my vision cleared and all I saw was amusement dancing in his eyes, I could tell he wanted to smile, his eyes were a little wide. Another thing that I noticed, he had muscles, Asher has a nice built but again, this jerk didn't move a muscle, then how?

"Take a picture, Callister."

My face turned red at his comment. I cleared my throat feeling uncomfortable.

"You make my eyes sore." I coughed loudly.

"Sure I do." He nodded once. "Is that why you're staring at me with so much longing?"

"Longing?" I let out a laugh "keep dreaming." I rolled my eyes at him. Was I staring at him like that though ?

No !

"Nice shirt."

I inhaled feeling myself turn warm with embarrassment. 

Dammit!

I ignored his comment and made my way out of the house. I could tell what he was thinking. It has been just 15 minutes and I was going out again.

I walked out of the house acting as if I was completely fine. As if I wasn't scared of what he would ask me.

I sighed in relief as my feet hit the footpath.

20 minutes later I was finally where I wanted to be. I pushed open the door of Bits and Bites and smiled at Alina.

"Hey Sophie, how are you?"

"Just great." I was over exaggerating. Nevermind.

After putting on my apron I started noting down orders. The place, as usual, was completely packed. This place really gave me life, living alone with a man who just made me curious about every other thing, including his strange silence was sickening.

The tip jar had a good amount of money. That was a good thing, I was in no mood for walking back home, it has been a long day, and I was tired. My hand was almost fine. Almost. It was frustrating when it ached while I wrote down the orders.

"A slice of pie without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze."

My head snapped up as soon as I heard the voice, I looked up and my eyes landed on Thomas, he was the last person I wanted to see.

"Thomas..." I smiled

"Hi Sophie." I frowned at him. His eyes weren't looking at my face, they were trained on my shirt. I cleared my throat suddenly feeling uncomfortable. I moved from one leg to another. His eyes never left my T-shirt. It looked like he was staring at my almost flat chest. The way he was looking at me wasn't right at all.

"Uh.. Thomas." He finally looked up and I sighed.

"Hi Sophie." He repeated and smiled at me again. That heart melting smile that I once adored was now nothing but malicious to me. Thomas didn't have any right intentions, or I was just over thinking?

I blinked at him. Get rid of him! My mind screamed. I nodded to myself like a dumbhead.

"I hope you have a nice day." I smiled at him tightly. I looked down at the screen while Thomas stood where he was.

Don't look up. Don't. Look. Up.

I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed. I didn't know for how long I have to stand with my head down.

Why the hell wasn't he getting any clue?

"I'll see you later then." I heard him before I left him leave.

I smiled looking up... Thank goodness.

.

.

.

.

Three hours later. I was done. My head was hurting and my eyes were so heavy with sleep.
I emptied the jar in my sling bag and put on a full sleeves shirt over my t-shirt after tying my scarf around my neck loosely.

It was 7:15 pm and I was in no mood to walk back home. I had enough money to get a cab.

"Hey Alina! " I said ASI walked towards her. Her eyes moved up and down and she smiled.

"Oh, you're leaving."

"Yes, it's time. Just wanted to let you know. Goodnight. I smiled at Alina."

"I wa-"

"Sophie in my office."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise as I stared at Thomas who was standing across the room, his hands in his pockets, his eyes calculative as they ran all over me.

I gulped and looked down at the floor. "I have to go. It's late. "

"I have something important to discuss." He narrowed his eyes at me and then raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm thinking about replacing some of the employs." My eyes widen as he smiled at me. I knew exactly what he was doing.

Listen to him if you don't want to lose your job!

My mind was battling. I didn't know what to do.

"Okay. "

"Okay then come along. "

"I'll see you later Alina." I smiled at Alina as I followed Thomas to his cabin. I remained silent all the while. My heart hammered so hard against my chest as Thomas opened the door to his cabin.

"Calm down, Sophie." I heard him. I nodded looking at everything but at him.

"What do you want me to do?"

"A lot of things but for now just simple calculation."

I cleared my throat feeling extremely uncomfortable . "Okay. "

"You just need to fill in the data for the stalk we purchased this month and make notes." He pushed a few files towards the end of the table. "Have a seat I will be around at corner.

I mentally face palmed looking at the pile of files on the desk.

Oh fuck.

.

.

.

.

It was 9:30 pm when I finally pushed myself up from the seat. My back was aching. The chair I was alloted wasn't comfortable at all.

After making sure everything was done right. I placed the files and the papers on the desk neatly and made my way out of the cabin.

Thomas left already. He didn't come back in the cabin. To be honest, I was so relieved when I realized that he left and I would be by myself.

I hummed softly, my voice echoing in the empty cafe as I made my way towards the exit. I stopped by the counter and switched off all the lights.

I pulled the door handle and frowned.

It's locked?

I pulled at it again. The door didn't budge. The fuck.

Who locked it ?

Chills ran down my spine and I stood rooted on my spot as I suddenly sensed someone's presence behind me.

"Sophie..."

My breath hitched. God no...

I wanted to break the door. I wanted to run.

I shook my head. I didn't dare to look back as Thomas's fingers played with the end of my hair. My heart was beating so loud.

"You have a lovely voice. "

"Please open the door, Thomas."

He chuckled. "Not yet." I squeezed my eyes shut and inhaled deeply.

"Please... I have to be somew--" before I could even finish his hands gripped my forearm and swiftly turned me around to face him. I yepled and tried to push him back. He pulled me to him and I squeaked as his hands rested on my butt .

His face glistened by the light from outside the cafe. My eyes roamed over trying to find a clue. My breathing was uneven. I was scared. Scared to death.

"And we're alone again. Wonderful, isn't it?"

I shook my head. "What do you want? "

"I think I gave a little about what I want the night in the club. "

I stared at him with fear creeping inside my chest. He stared at me with a bone chilling look.

He took a step forward as I stood still. His hands now on my hips and his eyes on mine. I felt numb. Why wasn't I fighting. Before I knew it his fingers were working on the buttons of my shirt with ease. I gulped.

Do something!

I took a deep breath before I raised my hands wrapped them around his neck. I smiled. You have to do this . There's no way out Sophie. I told myself.

Thomas was completely taken aback. He looked at me with wide eyes before he grinned, "I knew you always wanted this."

I didn't say a word. My face was expressionless as my soul shivered.

"Keep going..." I whispered. Thomas immediately nodded.

The first button popped open and I gripped his hair tightly.

Then second.

Third.

Snap.

Before he could stop me. I quickly took a step back and raised my knee, I brought his face down and my knee hit his nose. I was shivering. The adrenaline rush was too strong to handle.

Thomas screamed in pain and curled onto the floor cupping his nose. I immediately broke into a run and rushed towards the kitchen.

"Bitch!" I heard him hiss as his footsteps neared me.

I dashed into the kitchen and towards the other exit.
I knew another exit. It was generally used by the employees who worked in the late hours sometimes.

I huffed and my legs moved even faster but then suddenly they weren't. They were kicking in the air. I screamed and squirmed as Thomas's grip tighten on me . His arms curled around my waist so tightly that I couldn't breathe.

"Fuck. God. You're strong." He hissed in my ear. He grabbed my hips and pushed me against the counter. My back was pressed to his front. "You know my plans for you have changed now. I thought I would just have some fun then let you go. Ha, not anymore."
He groaned in pain and chuckled bitterly.

"You feel so good." He sighed in my ears and chills ran down my spin.

Don't cry Sophie. Don't cry.

"Please..."I whispered. "Let me go. Please don't do this to me Thomas. "

"Why not? You're a lovely thing."

"For old days sake. Please leave me Thomas."

His hands rested on my shoulders and he pulled my hair back. "You smell so nice Sophie." He sniffed and I scrunched my face in disgust. Dog.

"It would have been better if you were wearing a skirt instead of those jeans. Now I have so much work to do with them." He hooked his fingers in the belt loops of the jeans. I gasped and tears spilled out of my eyes.

"No..."

His hands reached forward, encircling my waist he unbuttoned my jeans and pulled down the zipper.

I sobbed and squirmed which made him push himself on me even more. My stomach formed knots and I was crumbling. My heart was breaking. I felt so dirty. Why did he have to do that? What happened to the Thomas I knew.

"Why did you turn out to be like any other men, Thomas?" I cried as he started pulling up my top.

To my surprise, he froze. His body so rigid against me and then he took a step back.

I immediately turned around and buttoned my jeans.

I looked up at him. The fear never left my chest. The heaviness increased. Out of nowhere he popped in my head. Yes, Asher. But why ? I shook my head. He would never save me.

I heard someone inhaling.

Thomas was crying. For a second, my heart twisted painfully for him. But then reality hit me again. He was a monster. I was confused. I was frustrated. And then we were crying together his hands were shaking I pulled them away from me and held them together. I was crying because I had no one to help me. I felt alone. His tears were the cause of guilt. It was like realisation hit him straight in the gut. Thomas reached forward for me and I ducked away.

He reached forward again and this time I cried even harder when his hand landed on my face.

He slapped me.

"Bitch. You thought you could emotionally blackmail me?"

What just happened?

In the blink of an eyes I was running for my life. My hand cupped my jaw. I knew if I would stop I would have to face the worse. I didn't look back. I couldn't hear anything. I didn't know if he was chasing me or not. I didn't know if I would see another morning light or if I would be able to save my dignity.

I crashed straight into a parked car and tumbled on the floor. The dressing on my hand was unrolling. Fuck it! I got up immediately and started running again.

Out of breath, tired and afraid. But I didn't stop. I ran, the cold wind nibbed on my wet face. I cried harder. My nose was numb, my face flushed.

I finally stopped near a traffic light two blocks away from the café.

Was I safe now? No.

I luciky saw a few cabs parked in the corner.
Without wasting anytime. I got into one and gave him the direction back to home.

As the cab started moving I realised my body was shaking. I was a mess. "Ma'am, are you okay?" The driver looked at me through the rear view mirror. I nodded and looked away.

My face was blotchy and my hair a mess. Even my shirt wasn't buttoned up properly.

I quickly wiped my face with a handkerchief and applied some cream on my face. I put on some chapstick and cleaned up my eyes make up. I wrapped the dressing properly on my hand and let out a breathy sob.

Calm down Sophie. You're safe.

I don't want Asher to find out anything. I thought as I paid the driver and got out of the cab.

I inhaled deeply and straightened up.

I started walking towards the door.

Don't look left or right just go straight up to bed. I kept chanting in my mind as I walked with my head hung low.

Straight up to bed.

Straight up to bed.

Straight up -

I gasped and stepped back as my head banged against something hard. I knew it wasn't a wall. It was Asher and the musky smell of sandalwood and cigarettes.

I blinked and looked up.

"You smell of sweat and men cologne. Who did you fuck? "

Hey lovelies!

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