Chapter Fourteen: Don’t Come Closer, I Warn You
1223 Words
Tara Blakewood
I reached the back of the house and finally saw that enchanting lake. Kaiden was standing there on the long wooden path stretching over the water.
He stood, staring at the calm water ahead, his back to me. And beside him, a dog.
The dog was black, just like Kaiden’s hair, and its eyes were exactly like his. If he were my boyfriend, fiancé, or husband, I would have surprised him with a hug from behind.
Why do I imagine things with him like this… really, there’s something about him.
The moment I stepped onto the wooden path, his dog turned toward me. And it looked terrifying.
“Nooo… Kaiden, please stop it!”
I stepped back in panic.
The dog turned quickly as it heard my scream, shattering the quiet of the place.
“Jock… Jock, stop!”
The dog halted just two or three steps away from me. I collapsed to the ground, my legs trembling from fear.
Kaiden rushed toward me, crouched beside me, and held my hand tightly in his.
“Don’t be afraid.”
His calm voice and the way he rubbed my hand made me forget my fear of his dog that could have torn me apart.
“I just… I was…”
I said after catching my breath, staring into his eyes.
He helped me up, still holding my left hand, and we walked along the wooden path, a few meters long, until we reached its end.
“That dog isn’t bad. He just doesn’t know you, and he’s gentle.”
He looked at me, and I smiled nervously. How can something like that be “gentle”?
“Come on, Tara.”
He said, pulling me along. I followed, staring at his back.
---
Two Weeks Later
I entered, my heels clicking on the floor. I hadn’t told Ethan I was coming; I wanted to surprise him.
The hospital was massive, filled with psychiatric patients everywhere. I was genuinely scared.
Something hit the floor in one of the rooms as I passed. The patient inside must be sadistic or have extreme anger issues. I didn’t know.
I hurried toward the elevator, hoping no one would get in with me. But just as the doors were about to close, a man entered. He clearly didn’t work here.
Had the elevator been delayed, or was I imagining things?
I glanced at the man staring at my body, at my bare thighs. His eyes shone with lust.
Damn it! I hoped I wasn’t about to live out a scene from a horror movie.
He stepped closer. My heart raced. Especially since he wore a black surgical mask.
“Don’t come closer, I warn you.”
I said it bravely, trying to gather courage.
“What can a sweet little thing like you do?”
I felt trapped. It’s hard not to feel panic, thinking of what I barely survived before.
I looked at the elevator numbers, thanking God. I was almost at my floor.
He was about to step closer, but I kicked him squarely. He fell instead.
Finally, the elevator opened. I rushed out.
I glanced back. The doors closed.
I continued to my destination: Ethan’s office. I stopped in front of the door, and before I could knock, a woman stepped out.
Ethan’s office wasn’t for therapy, as far as I knew. More surprising, the girl was perfectly made up. Her face seemed familiar. She looked at me, then walked away quickly, looking nothing like a patient.
Suddenly, it hit me. She was Kaiden’s wife… Lara!
But what was she doing here? Did she work here, or was she applying? I knew nothing about her, so I’d ask later.
I entered after shoving all those thoughts aside and closed the door behind me.
It was my first time here. The office was beautiful, organized, suitable for a doctor in his thirties.
I waited for him to come out of the bathroom, buttoning his shirt. Something strange was happening, but I wasn’t bothered by the woman leaving his office. My curiosity made the noise in my mind louder than any annoyance.
I think he noticed me standing in the middle of the room.
In an instant, his tired expression changed. He gave me that square smile I found incredibly charming.
“Tara, my love, you didn’t tell me you were coming.”
Was I imagining it, or was he speaking with less enthusiasm than usual?
“I just wanted to surprise you.”
I said with a bright smile. He stepped closer, standing directly in front of me, and held my jaw in his fingers.
“I’ve been impatient for you.”
He said, pressing a long kiss to my lips. I tried not to show any reaction, no sign of discomfort or rejection.
“I see some progress.”
I understood what he meant. He said that whenever he noticed an improvement in my therapy. I was convinced I wasn’t sick anymore.
“Come, sit.”
He moved toward his desk chair. I sat. Why didn’t he pull the chair like Kaiden would at least? I sat and watched him.
“Go on, speak. Tell me what you feel, everything as usual.”
“Everything! A man tried to harass me in the elevator. I hit his… and he swore he’d get me.”
I blurted it out. His face showed shock at first, then it relaxed as I continued.
“Do you remember his face?”
“A little annoyed, he said: ‘No, he wore a mask.’”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle him.”
I smiled at him.
“Ethan, what was Kaiden’s wife doing here?”
I asked, curiosity gnawing at me.
“Did you see her… I mean, do you know her?”
He was strangely flustered, stammering for the first time.
“I know her. Yes, I know her. Big time. I only saw her once when I went to Kaiden’s house that day. I saw her leave here, and…”
---
Gym Scene
I entered the gym. It looked the same as yesterday. All the equipment was new.
I ran on the treadmill for ten minutes, then moved to one of the lower body resistance machines. I knew how to use it; I just hadn’t exercised in a while.
I chose a weight I could lift with my legs from behind. My goal was muscle growth.
I sat down, regretting wearing tight pants. I tied my jacket around my waist to block the eyes of anyone coming just to ogle women.
I resumed the exercise. It was tough at first, but I got the hang of it after a few minutes.
Minutes later, fatigue hit me, especially after switching legs. Sweat poured from my neck to my chest, soaking my shirt. I tried not to make a sound that could draw attention.
“Seven minutes of s*x equals an hour of workout. You can ask for help, I won’t hold back.”
I raised my head at the familiar voice. I knew it well; it had become a pleasant melody to my ears.
Kaiden looked at me with a side smile, glancing between my wet strands of hair and my sweaty neck. His workout clothes made him look young, almost like he was in his twenties.
- Writer
