บท 102: Chapter 102 - Help Me

I felt like I was being held down by a thick and heavy blanket. I was shrouded in darkness and it was uncomfortable. It got the the point where it surpassed comfort and felt smothering. I struggled to move and before I knew it, like being pulled suddenly from underwater I got up gasping for air.

I flailed around trying to orient myself when I felt hands grab me to calm me down. The all too familiar feeling of pressure on my face told me that my eyes were swollen shut. I could barely see and it was painful to even open my eyes. "Honey calm down its mom!" I tried to talk but my throat felt like it was on fire. No sound came out and even opening my jaw to attempt to make noise was as if I was moving rusty metal parts. It creaked and ached. Slowly my hands made their way to my neck and I did not feel skin but bandages.

Though I could not see very well based on the smell and the noises I could assume I was in a hospital. The slight tug on my arm must have meant an IV was attached so I forced myself to just settle back and not move. My mother left to call in the doctors and from those few minutes of silence, everything from earlier rushed back and I oriented myself on what landed me here. And it was not good.

After my dad confirmed the details with me about our meeting we set aside some time to figure out how I wanted him to be there. While I was fine with him sitting at the table he did not want to make it awkward so we planned for him to sit at a nearby table so he could keep watch.

We arrived earlier than what I quoted to Dante so my Dad could get situated in a private room. The restaurant was a nice place near downtown. I figured it was public enough that he would have to mind his manners but also private enough for us to have a conversation. This particular restaurant had rooms which could be reserved so I opted to have my Dad right next door. The rooms were separated by sliding screen doors, which meant he could easily hear if I needed help but also not be seen.

I texted Dante that I arrived and soon enough so did he. He looked more tired than our last encounter. 'Maybe the move is more exhausting than he thought.' Surprisingly he also looked less attractive. I wondered if being in a relationship made other men less so. I was already seated but stood up to greet him.

"It is nice to see you Celeste. Thank you for taking time out of your day to meet me." He spoke low as though he was shy. "Of course it was only fair I met you to formally go over what happened."

Before we could continue our waiter came by to get our drink orders. He was a young man who seemed like he was still in college. "I will have a whiskey neat." Dante spoke up first before gesturing to me. "I will have your strawberry lemonade." Though the teas interested me I figured I would play a safe choice in consideration for my allergies.

Once he left we continued where we left off. "I want to firstly apologize for how my parents acted when you dropped by. I should have stopped them and stood up for you. For that I truly am sorry." It was not exactly the part I wanted an apology for but baby steps.

"I see I appreciate the sentiment." Before I could speak further, he continued. "I hope that what happened does not change what started between us. I still want to marry you." The audacity. I felt my jaw click as I struggled to maintain the unbothered face I normally wore. 'Was he serious? The one part I was willing to hear an apology for he won't even bring it up? And to make it worse he still thinks we have a chance?'

Like a saint I took a deep breath to properly get my words out.

"Dante, I will be very honest with you. If maybe I had less self respect we could continue but that is not the case. What you said and did is forever engrained in my mind and heart. You insulted me, belittled me, and treat me only as a doll. Something to collect and display in your house among your crowd." I tucked my hair behind my ears. As if I was in a meeting with my investors and board members I folded my hands under my chin and straightened my back.

I hoped the aura in the room was cool and icy. That he knew I was serious.

"Let me level with you Dante. You don't like me. You like the idea of me. The things that can be written down on paper is what you like. Unlike yourself, I actually liked you. Not the idea of you but you. The you that tried to meet me in the middle. The you that was kind and considerate of me. The you that you presented to me. But that you died the day you hurt me. I am no child who gets hurt by what people say, I can handle myself as an adult. However, what you did was personal. Assume I wanted to try to forgive you. I physically can't. Every time I look at you the words you said are dug up again. Our marriage would never last if you can't respect me as a human being."

Before he could refute, at that moment the doors slid open and a female waiter slipped in to drop off our drinks. I looked away to avoid letting my anger show at the waiters who were just doing their job. I heard the clink of my drink hit the table so I thanked the waitress and took a big sip. The room felt hot after getting all that off my chest.

It tasted funny. "Ugh what is this?" I held up the glass to examine it when I saw the shaky hands of the waiter set down Dantes drink. Like slow motion everything came crashing down. I saw Dantes face twist in fury as the hand of the waitress got close to his face. I barely glanced up to see what was wrong when I caught a good look at her. It was the barista girl. Before I could voice my recognition I felt my throat close up instantly. I clawed at my throat and fell out of my seat desperate for air.

The table cloth twisted and fell with me. All the items on it such as the silverware and drinks and the bread basket fell on top of me. I rolled on the floor as I tried to crawl to the door. I heard as he roared out in anger. "YOU!" My eyes began to shut and my heart was racing a million miles the hour. A shadowy figure ran out the door and another larger figure chased after it. I was alone in the room.

"Please..." Whatever air I managed to breathe in I prayed was enough to be heard. "Help... me."