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Chapter Four

Catherine POV

The footsteps got closer and I froze, hoping for it to go away. When I heard the door being opened, I knew it was Alex. As fast as I could, I threw the bag under the bed just as Alex opened the bedroom door.

“You’re back,” I let out, trying my best to hide my nervousness.

“Yes, I forgot to pick up a document. Why are you dressed? You are supposed to be resting.”

“I just needed some air,” I answered quickly, looking away from his eyes.

“Are you sure?” he narrowed his eyes, moving closer to me.

“Err… yes, I just thought the early morning air would do some good for me.” I shrugged, going to sit on the bed.

“Then what the hell is that bag doing there?” he suddenly yelled, kicking the bag from under the bed.

“Nothing Alex, I just… I was…” the words remained frozen in my mouth.

Lunging forward, he grabbed my shoulders and shook me vigorously until my eyes rolled behind me and I couldn’t stand straight.

“You’re never leaving me, Catherine, I own you! Now let me tell you something, if you try this ever again, I am going to kill you. Do you understand?” he shouted over and over again, still shaking me.

Too weak to say or do anything, I collapsed on his chest, my eyes closed.

At exactly 8 am on Wednesday, I walked into Steens Advertising Agency and headed to my office. Although I was still in a lot of pain, I tried putting on a cheerful face. I was dressed in a loose red sweater and free black pants. My hair was tied in a ponytail on top of my head. My back still hurt terribly but I couldn’t afford to stay home another day. Just a few meters from my office, my boss approached me.

“There you are,” my boss Chris walked in, his large face spreading into a smile. “How are you? Alex said you weren’t feeling well.”

I stared at his bulky frame, the buttons of his suit jacket were so tight that I wondered how long it would last before it ripped apart. Although Chris was a bit on the heavy side, he walked so fast and eluded so much energy for someone of his size. My eyes strayed to his face and I wondered how he would react if he knew how often Alex accused me of frolicking around with him. Realizing that he was still waiting for an answer, I smiled and nodded.

“I am fine Chris, I just felt a little tired that’s all.”

“Are you sure?” he came closer, a frown on his face as he stared at me. “You look pale to me. Perhaps you should go home, and take the day off, we can manage just fine.”

“Oh no, I don’t need to go home.” I shook my head, giving him a warm smile. We have to prepare an advertisement strategy for our new client and I have just the right idea for it.”

“Good, I know I can count on you Catherine,” he beamed, giving me a gentle tap on the back.

I tried not to flinch, my back still hurt, and touching it sent flashes of pain but I covered it up with a short grimace.

“You still look unwell to me, you can still go home and work on it tomorrow.” He suggested again.

“Come on Chris, I am fit as a horse. Let me get to it.”

Before he could say anything more, I walked into my office and went straight to my desk. Tara, my colleague and office mate wasn’t yet in so I had the whole place to myself in the meantime. I didn’t want to think about Alex so I got straight to work, scribbling down ideas as they popped into my head.

“Morning Catherine,” Tara breezed into the office, looking bright and cheerful as always. “Chris said you were not feeling too good.”

My eyes rested on her radiant, confident face. She was average height with long curly blonde hair that always seemed to get in her way. She was dressed in a knee-length blue dress that showed off her legs and for a split second, I imagined myself in such an outfit.

Alex always scrutinized every of my outfits and for some reason, he didn’t want me to wear dresses. He claimed it showed too much of my curves. Deliberately pushing his thoughts away, I responded to Tara.

“Morning, Tara, I am fine now.” I forced myself to appear as cheerful as she was.

“Good, “she smiled, settling into her desk.

We worked in companionable silence, the faint sound of our keypads filling the air. When it was for lunch, Tara got up to leave while I remained sitting on my chair.

“Aren’t you going for lunch?” she asked, pushing back her curly blonde hair.

“Oh no, I am not hungry.” I shook my head. “You go ahead, I will just continue with work.”

I watched her leave and sighed, feeling miserable. Picking up my phone, I dialed the one friend I still kept in contact with despite Alex’s insistence that I stay away from her. He had found a way to cut me off from everyone else but Sandra was my best friend and I still communicated with her in secret.

“Hello Catherine,” Sandra’s soft voice floated through the speakers. “How are you?”

“Sandra,” I whispered, my eyes instantly filling with tears.

“He did it again, didn’t he?” Sandra asked, I could hear the anger in her voice.

“Yes,” I sniffed.

Sandra knew Alex used to hit me so I let her assume it was just the usual hitting. I didn’t want to let her know that he used a whip on me.

“I’m so sorry, do you want me to come over?” she asked, her voice sad. “We could sit somewhere and talk.”

“No,” I shook my head. “I will close an hour early so I can come over.”

When I ended the call with Sandra, the pen I was holding fell over to the other side. Getting up from my chair, I reached for it and my sweater hiked up, exposing my back. I heard someone scream and I looked up to find Tara staring at me with eyes filled with horror.

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