When the line blurs

Little steps to healing

"I refuse to do that." Col said stubbornly.

She wasn't making any sense, did she know what those vultures would write if they caught a glimpse of him?

"You will Mr Storm. It is clearly stated in my contract, you will comply with everything except that which is harmful to you or to other people." She replied, her tone despite being assertive still maintained it's lightness.

"Well, this is harmful to me Miss Reed, I implore you to drop the idea." He replied mimicking her formal tone.

Selena rolled her eyes at him wondering just how long he thought he was going to last by staying cooped up in the house.

"For someone who has driven countless times in that crazily compacted car, at a speed greater than 200km/h, I'd expected a little more gut."

That had landed where she had wanted it to, it didn't matter that she was puncturing his ego, she would heal it to be even better.

Col raised an eyebrow, his eyes flashing with anger and a little hurt.

Had she always been this heartless?

"That someone wasn't battered and broken.." his voice was now nothing more than a muffled swear, almost like it was painful to be loud.

Taking a step closer to him, Selena folded her hands across her chest then said to him.

"Everyone is battered and broken," she paused to look directly at him.

"The difference is some still believe in themselves while others don't." She added, her eyes still fixed on him.

Taking a sharp exhale, he turned away, her words stabbing him in places he didn't know existed.

Did he really have to go through this?

Wasn't he better off on his own, drinking himself to stupor?

"Please allow me reach the Col Storm that you really are and not what the world has made of you."

This time, her voice was less strict, infact it sounded like she was pleading, like she understood his pain and all she wanted to do was led him a hand and despite how much her earlier statements had hurt Col,he felt her plea tugging at his heart .

Turning back to her, he wasn't prepared to see her at such a distance or even catch the trace of compassion in her usually guarded eyes so he was caught off guard and he found himself whispering an agreement.

"Once it gets too much, you won't force it?"

Letting out a small smile, her face lit up making Col blink twice trying to force himself not to stare, he took a step back trying to create a little distance between them. With her at such proximity, his heart was beginning to pick up a strange rhythm and his palms were getting sweaty.

"I promise, I'll make sure you are better than I took you out."

"Now go change we should leave before the calm of the morning is disrupted."

"Okay." Was all he said before he headed to his room a part of him scared while the other anticipated the next hour.

The last thing she had told him before he left yesterday was that he would have an early start and she would advice him to retire to bed early.

He hadn't taken her advice as he had thought the early start she had mentioned was the likes of 7am so it had been a giant surprise when the incessant ringing of his doorbell had pulled him out of a rarely achieved peaceful sleep.

After a lot of effort, he had pulled himself out of if the bed, headed for downstairs and had opened the door only to find her behind it, all dressed up in her full workout attire, her hair pulled in a loose ponytail and her face bare of make-up making her look younger.

With heavy eyes and groggy voice, he asked hoping it was something she would say quickly and allow him return to bed.

"What are you doing here?"

Her eyes bright with energy she had gotten from God knows where, she replied.

"I just sent your workout schedule and your diet plan. Your psychiatrist would be here by 12pm. Today on your schedule, the first hour we'll jog round the estate."

He blinked, as if trying to distinguish between reality and dreams. She really was in front of him.

"Are you suggesting to jog by this time, outside the house?"

The last time he had gone out, paparazzi had been merciless. It had been Daniel's farewell party as he left to Africa for some humanitarian service. All he had wanted was to see his friend one last time before he left but the press had caught wind of his affairs, had taken weird pictures and written up even weirder stories.

He had been said to pick up different women every night, had become a party maniac, a drunk, had gained weight, was using drugs and all sort of distasteful things and now, she wanted him to go out again?

"Yes." She replied plainly, her voice not sounding like she as teasing him.

"I have a treadmill." He had replied matching her tone.

"The aim of this is to slowly break your protective walls, pull you out of that comfort zone that is keeping you from achieving your goal." She explained, her voice still very calm.

She had most definitely anticipated this, she looked like she was ready to argue till when he will give up but she didn't know she was gravely mistaken, he could be very stubborn too or so he had thought twenty minutes ago. Now he was selecting the joggers that fits him better and was rushing to wash his face, pull his dark long hair into a low bun and gargle water so she wouldn't smell the alcohol, his sleep long gone.

Stepping outside was a perfect mix of sweet and wrenching, Col found himself turning at every sound and every movement and with every turn, he seemed to increase his speed making Selena struggle to keep up with him.

Making one final attempt, she caught up to him and held his hand pulling him to a stop.

"You are defeating the purpose of this jog, Mr Storm."

"You are the one holding me back." He replied glancing at her hand which was still wrapped around his arm.

Slowly, she removed her hand, her eyes begging him not to run.

"I want you to look around you Mr Storm. I brought you out to appreciate the changes, to enjoy nature and experience the freedom being outside gives. Running back home defeats all of that."

"But..."

"The paparazzi are not here Mr Storm. I promise you there are thousands of unfortunate people who will give better stories than your jogging would give."

Her words made him raise an amuses brow which made her smile guiltily.

"Maybe unfortunate is a bit harsh." She replied still smiling.

He returned her smile before lowering his voice dramatically,

"Honestly, unfortunate is the perfect word."

She chuckled a bit making him smile even wider and that was when she caught the sight she had been hoping to achieve.

His eyes had lost a bit of the dullness it always held, his whole being had lit up, enhancing his already breathtaking features making Selena struggle a little not to stare.

"How does it feel?" She asked knowing fully well he would know what it meant.

Col looked around him, some of the houses has been renovated, some has grown trees, some had cut theirs. The whole place was calm and quiet, the trees dancing to the faint breeze. He could feel the tightness in his heart loosen just a little bit and his lungs which always seemed to be contracted, accommodate a little more air.

"I feel a bit better." He replied truthfully.