Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWELVE

*Calista*

It was finally Friday and the doctor Adrian knew was coming over to examine me, before removing this stupid brace. I woke up to Ida serving me some coffee in bed, as I yawned and stretched, sitting up to drink the hot coffee. I hummed a sound of bliss to myself, allowing the rich flavor to settle in my stomach. Ida smiled and left the room without a word, shutting the door behind her.

Just a few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, gentle yet firm, and I already knew who was on the other side. My heart leaped out of place and I felt forced to take a deep breath, trying to control my excitement.

"Come in." I responded and the door opened, Adrian standing with a crooked grin.

"Good morning, Calista. How are you feeling?" Adrain asked, walking into the room and next to my bed.

"Better, ready to take the neck brace off!" I grinned wide and he chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed by my feet.

"Dr. Calloway will be here in an hour, actually, that's what I came here to tell you." Adrian smiled softly and studied my reaction, which was none other than relief.

"I'll start getting ready." I replied with a genuine grin of pure unobliviated joy.

"Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes, I'll come back to help you downstairs." He said and gave me one last sexy grin, before leaving the room.

Releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding, I climbed out of bed and began getting ready for the day. Starting with a shower and washing my hair. I took the brace off every time I showered, being careful with my movements, especially when washing my hair. I stepped out of the shower and dried off with a plush white towel, drying my hair too. I didn't worry about makeup today, or styling my hair, instead I went all natural. My hair was naturally wavy, a little frizzy, but not terrible.

I changed into a cute jogging outfit, white with black stripes down the side. Another soft knock at the door and I holler for him to come in, as Adrian walks through the door. I watch as his eyes scan me from head to toe, his left eyebrow arches and he briefly bites his lower plump lip. When our eyes meet, my heart explodes with a sensation I don't even have a word for. He clears his throat and holds out his arm, which I link my arm through immediately.

He guides me down the staircase and into the dining room, where breakfast is already served. Strawberry crepes, sausages, and hash browns. My eyes lit up when I saw the crepes. I'm sure Adrian didn't know it's my favorite breakfast dish. We sat down and began eating the delicious breakfast. I was so excited to get the neck brace off, that I practically inhaled my food. I heard Adrian lightly chuckle, and felt my cheeks blush with embarrassment.

My phone dinged and I glanced down to find Ivan's name, again. He'd been pestering me to meet with him, but I haven't replied yet. I know Adrian doesn't approve of me going alone, but him being there will only start a fight. Ivan had already accused me of cheating on him while I was away, and though I hadn't physically cheated on him, I had cheated in my mind. Living with Adrian for a week has shown me that Ivan isn't who I want, I want to be cared for, not abused.

"Who is that?" Adrian casually asks, pushing his empty plate to the side.

"It's Ivan," I sheepishly admitted, "He wants to talk."

"Of course he does," Adrian nodded and clenched his jaw, "He wants to talk you into returning home, convince you that he'll never lay a hand on you again. He'll say he's a changed man and he realized it in some bullshit way. Calista, you have to know that Ivan will never change, not for any woman. It's who he is..."

"I know, that's why I plan on breaking up with him." I firmly responded, sipping my orange juice.

"When?" Adrian gruffly asked.

"Today, if I can get my neck brace off." I shrugged, feeling the heat of his gaze weighing down on me.

"I'll come with you-" Adrian started to respond and I interrupted.

"No, you can't, it'll start a fight. Ivan accused me of cheating on him while I was here, with you... he'll assume it's you." I groaned, rubbing my creased forehead.

"I'd rather he started a fight with me than you, at least me and him are in the same weight class." Adrian grumbled under his breath.

"We've already had this conversation, Adrian." I grumbled, dropping my gaze.

"Tell me when and where, I'll have someone take you." Adrian firmly noted, standing from his chair and walked over to help me from my seat.

I rolled my eyes as Adrian guided me out to the living room, helping me sit on the couch. A knock on the door catches our attention and Walter opens the door to an older man with salt and pepper hair. A small piece of his bangs hangs in front of his gold eyes, while the rest is shoved back behind his ears. He shuffled in with several bags, which Walter assisted him with, and they carried everything into the living room. Adrian stood and shook the man's hand, both of them with bright smiles.

"Dr. Calloway," Adrian smiled and shook his hand gruffly, "It's nice to see you again."

"Indeed, but in unfortunate circumstances, hmm?" Dr. Calloway murmurs, a slight British accent coats his voice.

"Yes," Adrian briefly glanced my way and so did Dr. Calloway, "Hopefully you'll have good news. This is Calista Bonetti, she's... my assistant.."

"Hello love," Dr. Calloway smiled at me with a charming smirk, "I hope I'll have good news as well!"

"Hello Dr. Calloway." I sheepishly smiled.

Dr. Calloway began organizing his things, before getting started. He removed my neck brace and examined me, gently turning my head in different directions. He used his fingers to feel all around my neck and up the base of my skull, the whole time I was hoping for the words 'you're healed'! He pushed the hair around the back of my head, exposing the gash from hitting my head. Though it's still tender, it doesn't ache constantly anymore.

"Everything looks good," Dr. Calloway smiled and stowed away the neck brace, "You are free from the neck brace, but you'll still need to take it easy. Try not to overuse it right off the bat. Meaning, pretend you're still in the neck brace for a while and use your body to turn, rather than your neck. Alright?"

"Yes, sir." I said and refrained from nodding my head.

"Good girl," He grinned broadly and looked back at Adrian, "A couple words, before I leave?"

"Follow me." Adrian nodded and led Dr. Calloway in his nearby office, sparing one last glance at me before shutting the door.

I was so thrilled to have that neck brace removed, all I could think about was getting back to work and getting on with my life. I knew how I wanted to handle Ivan, the only way I knew how. Adrian's afraid Ivan will try to hurt me again, but not if we meet up in a public place. I've done some thinking and I have a plan of my own, I just need to determine a way to execute it without Adrian ruining it.

Adrian and Dr. Calloway exited the office and they shook hands once again. With a curt nod, Dr. Calloway packs up his things and offers me a genuine smile, before leaving the house. When my eyes find Adrian's again, he's already staring at me with a look I've never seen before. His eyes are soft and reveal vulnerability beneath, his forehead free of creases and wrinkles. His mouth was slightly ajar, the edges of his lips tugging upwards.

"Don't you have to go to work?" I asked, looking at the time to find it was already ten in the morning.

"I took the day off." Adrian responded like a robot, his eyes still locked on mine.

"You- what?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"I wanted to make sure you did okay on your first day without the neck brace.." He shrugged.

"You think I'm going to go talk to Ivan today, huh?" I asked, squinting my eyes suspiciously.

"Think of me as your personal chaufer today," Adrian winked and chuckled, "I'll take you anywhere and everywhere, just so long as I can make sure you're safe."

"Why are you doing this?" I blurted out, without thinking, and catching him off guard.

"I... don't know. I don't want to see you get hurt again, Calista." Adrian softly remarked, his voice soothing.

"I don't think that will happen-" I started to respond, until he interrupted me.

"Did you think he would slap you? Or push you into a coffee table so hard that your head splits open and you end up in a neck brace with a concussion?" Adrain snapped, a fierce rage consuming his eyes.

"No.." I muttered, feeling the familiar feeling of self-hatred.

"I'm only saying that to prove to you how dangerous the situation is, Calista. I'm not trying to make you feel bad." Adrian grunts, shoving his palm through his thick dark hair.

I sighed loudly and stood up from the couch. Adrian stands too, but soon realizes I no longer require his help. Without another word, I disappeared from the living room and retreated back to my bedroom. I know Adrian is only trying to protect me and I understand that Ivan is dangerous, but I feel like I can handle this on my own.

I pull out my phone and read the dozens of text messages, all of which are from Ivan. I scrolled to the bottom of the messages and started from the beginning. At first he was sweet in his messages, but soon that changed.

Calista... I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.

Calista, please answer me... I need you.

Babe, where are you? I'm worried..

Calista, it's been two days and I still haven't heard from you. Quinn won't talk to me either. What's going on?

Okay, I've had enough of your cold shoulder bullshit. Answer me, Calista!

Calista! Stupid f*****g b***h, where the f**k are you?! Answer your damn phone!

Sorry babe... I was pissed about losing you and drank last night... I love you..

Are you cheating on me?! If you are, I swear Calista, you'll f*****g pay.

You are! You're f*****g cheating on me! Call me back, Calista. NOW!

I sighed loudly and tossed my phone on the bed, Adrian's right.. Ivan's beyond pissed at me and he will want to hurt me if I try to break up with him. Although, we're meeting in public and surely he won't try it. There's a pang of doubt that resonates inside my heart and I know it'd be tempting the beast, but do I really want my boss involved with my domestic abuse? I'm thankful for Adrian's help, but it's almost too embarrassing to ask him for help with my personal life.

No, I've handled Ivan for a year already, I can handle this one last act. I'll bring something to protect myself with, just in case things go arry. Now, since Adrian has the day off, I clearly can't do it today. So I'll wait until tomorrow.

There's a knock at the door and Adrian walks in with a charming smirk, one that had me heedlessly walking towards him. I stopped just a couple feet away, feeling the current of electricity surge through the empty space between us. I felt a longing for him, one that I've been denying ever since we met, and it's stronger than ever. I released a heavy sigh and forced a smile, though I know it wasn't much.

"Are you up for leaving the house?" Adrian asked in a soothing voice.

"Where are we going?" I asked with an eager grin and he chuckled, grabbing my hand.

"It's a surprise." He winked and led me out of my bedroom, all the while my heart was pounding.