Whiskey Lullaby

Chapter 5-Izzy

Chapter 5

Izzy

I walk away from Ashton and head to my car. I can’t afford to get close to anyone. I get into my car and head home but see him in my rearview, watching me leave. I get home and make another sandwich before taking a shower and getting into bed. I lay there awake and think about Ashton. He wanted to take me to eat. Asking me what I ate today. Why does he care? He shouldn’t. I don’t even care. I lay there for over an hour before I drift off to sleep.

Getting up the next morning, I start getting ready for work and pack my lunch before heading to work. I get out of the car and head inside. It’s 6:45 and I head inside. Getting on the elevator I keep my head down and someone gets on the elevator with me. “Good morning Izzy.” I hear and sigh. “Good morning Mr. Montgomery.” I say. “So formal.” He says. “You’re my boss. Why wouldn’t I be formal?” I say softly. He hits the hold button, stopping the elevator. “Izzy, you don’t have to call me Mr. Montgomery. I’m Ashton.” He says. “I can’t. Please Mr. Montgomery, I need to get to work.” I say and I’m barely holding it together. He cups my face and says, “You can take more time if you need it.” I shake my head and say, “I want to be here sir.” Before he nods and lets me go.

When the elevator gets to my floor, I get off the elevator and he follows me off. I head to my department, and he heads to his office. I move to my desk and clock in before getting started. I decided I’m going to skip lunch today. About noon, someone comes over to my desk and puts a Styrofoam plate on my desk with a bottle of water. “I didn’t order this.” I say. “I was asked to bring it to you with this.” The receptionist says before handing me a note. She walks away and I open the note to read it.

Izzy,

I ordered you grilled chicken with veggies. Please make sure you eat it all. You need to take care of yourself. After work, I would like to take you to dinner. I just want to talk. To make sure you are eating. I will see you after work.

Ashton.

It takes everything in me to not start crying again. I open the plate and start to eat, and I eat most of it before disposing of the plate and finish off the water. I get back to work and keep my head down. I work until 7pm and then start closing down. I decide that I will take the stairs instead of the elevator to try to avoid Ashton. I get my things together and head to the stairs and start walking down. We work on the 5th floor so it’s a bit of a walk, but I need to avoid him. I walk out into the lobby and out the door before getting to my car. I pull out of the parking lot and see Ashton walking out of the front doors, and I see the second he sees me driving away.

I get home and see my ex sitting on my doorstep. I hesitate before getting out of the car before he stands up and starts walking towards my car. I get out, against my better judgement and as soon as I step out and close the car door, he has me pinned against it. “You stupid f*****g w***e. You thought you’d have me locked up? Why? Because the little bastard died? Now that I can’t be charged again, I can tell you the truth. I held him under the water. I never wanted you to have him.” He tells me. “I look at him shocked and say “You could have walked away. Signed over your rights.” I say. “You should have aborted him like I f*****g told you to.” He says before he starts chocking me until I nearly pass out. “I hear anything else from you, I’ll f*****g kill you.” He says before letting me go.

Once he’s gone, I head inside and to the shower and when I look in the mirror, I see the bruises already forming. I go to bed without eating and spend the night crying. Getting up the next morning, I get ready for work, I apply makeup to help with some of the blotches from crying. I can’t do much about my eyes, but I put on a scarf to cover the bruises to my throat. I get my coffee before heading out the door.

I head up at 6:30 instead of 6:45 to avoid Ashton. I make it to my desk and no one else is in yet. I sit at my desk and start getting my computer pulled up. “Avoiding me already?” I hear him ask. I don’t answer. I just lower my head in defeat.