Chapter 31: Chapter 31
Nikka felt a finger tickling her back, as she lay down on her belly. She slowly opened her eyes. She smiled as she saw Marcus smiling at her as his hand continously caressed her back.
"Hi," she mumbled, biting her lip. She could feel her senses awakening from that simple touch.
"Hello, gorgeous," he greeted. "How was your sleep?"
"Much better," and she rolled on her side to face him.
Marcus gazed at her and smiled.
"I can't stop admiring you even when you're asleep," he told her.
"Do you know that I used to daydream about you?"
His eyebrows raised, "Really? What do you daydream about?"
"Kissing you," and she moved closer to his chest, running her finger on it, "and touching you..."
He smiled and ran a finger on her cheek.
"Nikka..."
"Yeah.."
"I wanna know more about you and... Philip. Was he ever been nice to you?"
She sighed and lowered her eyes, thinking of the right words to say.
"Yes.. at first.."
He took her chin and she looked at him.
"You don't need to tell me anything if you're not comfortable about it."
"Thank you but I wanted to tell you what really happened, too. I felt like you need to know..."
"Okay... but if at some point you felt uncomfortable, you can stop, okay. I will understand."
She smiled and nodded.
She took a deep breath before telling him.... as memories of Philip came to view in her mind....
"Philip was Daniel's friend. They met through Monique, who was my brother's girlfriend that time. He was tall, handsome with deep brown eyes and tanned skin. He kind of reminds me of you. Except his eyes are a little darker and deeper. He just moved to Connecticut that time. He got a job offer as a medical assistant where Daniel works and he often comes to the apartment to hang out.
"I was so heartbroken with you that I need to go... faraway from you.. to forget.. and Philip gave me so much attention. He made me feel... special, and we became very close. Though he was a bit older, about five years older than me, we got along pretty well. Somehow, I just wanted to replace the hurt I felt and move on with him. So when he said he loved me, I gave it a try. I thought I was really in love with him. I really tried but... there is still a part of me... hoping you'll come back for me...
"I guess, Philip sensed that and he became a bit possessive of me. He changed from being sweet to being too jealous. He won't let me talk to anyone at school. If some people would try to make friends with me, he would fight with them. I don't know what happened but he was so different from the first time I met him. Daniel didn't know anything and thought our relationship was okay and I hid everything from him for almost two years. Monique was clueless as well.
"I still tried to make it work with us... So I thought, I'll surprise him at work. I went one day, expecting him to be excited to see me but instead, I was the one surprised. I saw him in the parking lot, kissing another woman. I broke up with him at that moment and left. I was very hurt that even if he tried calling, I wasn't ready to talk to him. Then that night, he came over at the apartment. He said he just wanted to talk to me. I was alone in the apartment that time. Monique just left for a night out with friends and Daniel was coming home late from work. I don't want to let him in but he pleaded. He said he was sorry and that he loved me.
"I was still mad at him and I told him that we're done because he cheated on me. I was about to close the door on him but he put a knife on me and threatened to kill me if I don't let him in. I was so scared that I froze and he locked the door behind him. His eyes were different and it scared me more. I pleaded him to stop and just put the knife down so we can talk but he wouldn't budge.
"He said I made a fool out of him, letting him think that I love him and that I just used him. I told him I did love him but he won't believe me. He said if he can't have me then nobody can. So I tried to run away from him but he grabbed me. I can't fight him off, he was too strong for me. He pushed me on the floor, and went on top of me, with the knife on my neck. I was crying and pleading for him to stop but he kept kissing me roughly and tore my dress with his knife, touching me everywhere. I knew what he wanted to do and I screamed, hoping someone can hear me.
"As he was about to put his hand in my sensitive part, I heard the door unlocked and it was Daniel. He grabbed Philip, and pulled him off me. He tried to punch him but Philip stuck the knife into his chest, and..."
She started to sob and Marcus cupped her face.
"It's okay, Nikka. You don't need to continue," and he kissed her on the forehead. He hugged her as she sobbed in his chest.
"There was so much blood, Marcus. I can't stop it! Daniel died because of me... If he didn't try to stop him... maybe..."
"It's not your fault, Nikka, and I'm sorry, you have to go through this. I shouldn't have asked you this. I'm so sorry," Marcus said and he hugged her tightly.
She lifted her face towards him and said, "I-It's okay, Marcus. I wanted to tell you because I don't want to feel afraid anymore. I wanted to feel free... so when you asked me to... take control, I felt like finally I can be free... I can no longer be hurt by him. That having you beside me... loving me had made me see what kind of a woman I am now. That I can get past this... to heal.. and maybe forgive someday."
"I love you, Nikka. I would do anything for you and I'm sorry I wasn't there when that happened. But I am here now and I would never ever leave you again. That's a promise that I will never break."
"Thank you. I love you, too."
He wiped her tears and kissed her cheeks then gently kissed her lips. She held his face and kissed him back. Slowly, they deepened their kiss and once again drown themselves in the heat of their bodies with the promise of forever love and protection.
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