Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER SEVEN

*Calista*

I was shocked to see Mr. Brockwell in my hospital room, led in by my best friend no less! How did he know? Why did he come to see me? There were so many questions running through my head and I didn't have an answer for a single one. All I knew was, he was there, and he wasn't going to let me return home to Ivan.

Mr. Brockwell stayed a little while on Saturday, encouraging me to confess the truth about Ivan, but I didn't. It's a secret that I'll take with me to my grave, because I can't come to terms with the harsh reality. Who wants to admit their boyfriend is abusing them? Then again, I don't want to end up in the hospital every time Ivan gets drunk and loses his temper.

It's Monday morning and the hospital is finally discharging me. I asked Quinn to pick me up and she was waiting in the lobby, while I changed back into my regular clothes. I'm still wearing the stupid neck brace, because the doctor instructed me to wear it until Friday. Which means I'll have to wear it at work and that's not the type of attention I want to receive. I know it's going to raise a lot of questions and I don't want to answer them, not even to myself.

The nurse wheeled me to the lobby in a wheelchair, where I saw Quinn waiting by the entrance. She smiles and takes the handles of my wheelchair from the nurse, wheeling me out to her car that's parked right out front. While I'm climbing inside, I see a familiar figure approach from the side. It's Mr. Brockwell!

"Hello, Miss. Bonetti. It looks like you've been discharged from the hospital. How are you feeling?" He asked with his excruciatingly handsome smirk.

"A little better," I responded and felt my own lips pull into a small smile, "What are you doing here, Mr. Brockwell? Shouldn't you be at the office?"

"I switched some things around in my schedule," he said in a light airy voice, "I wanted to check on you.."

He wanted to check on me? Why on earth would Mr. Brockwell want to check on me? I stared at him dumbfounded, unable to articulate a sentence to respond. He chuckled and pursed his lips together, turning to talk to Quinn. She smiled at him and stood next to my door that still hung open.

"Hey, Mr. B! What are you doing here?" Quinn asked, and I squinted at her with suspicion.

"Hello, Quinn. I was just telling Calista, I wanted to check to see how she was feeling.. I don't suppose you're taking her back home?" Mr. Brockwell asked with a raised brow.

"Uhh-" Quinn stuttered and looked at me for help, to which I sighed.

"Mr. Brockwell, I have to return home... it's my home.." I explained, feeling my stomach twist into knots watching Mr. Brockwells reaction.

"You can not stay with your friend?" He asked, shifting his gaze towards Quinn.

"I live in a studio apartment, Mr. B. There's not enough room for two people.." Quinn responded with a sorrowful expression and I patted her on the back. She doesn't have to be burdened with my problem.

"Mr. Brockwell," I snapped and felt myself getting angry, "I will handle this as I see fit."

"Miss. Bonetti," he mimicked my tone and stared deep into my eyes, "the last time you said that, you ended up here in the hospital. I have an obligation to see that you're safe, and I can't allow you to return home to your abuser. You do realize this could have ended differently, right? You could have been six feet under, instead of being wheeled out with a neck brace."

I stared at him, lost for words, again! I felt my eyebrows knit together and an irritated pout form across my lips, he's pissing me off! Yes, I understand the point he's trying to make, but shoving me off on my friends isn't going to solve anything. I need to handle this myself. He is my boss, that's it, so why is he acting like he has a responsibility to take care of me? He says he feels obligated, but why?

"Would you be opposed to staying with me?" Mr. Brockwell offers, both me and Quinn stare at him with our jaws hanging wide open.

"W-what?" I mindlessly stuttered, even though I heard what he said, I just can't believe it.

"I know it's a weird offer, coming from your boss, but.." He trails off and that familiar flutter in my heart returns. What is going on?

"But, what?" I wanted to hear his reasoning, because this was definitely out of the ordinary.

"I can't consciously let you walk back into the arms of an abuser, Calista... I just can't.." Mr. Brockwell's voice was gentle and touched somewhere deep in my heart, somewhere I hadn't yet discovered.

I gazed at his profound gentlemanly nature, feeling protected and secure from just his words. My head nodded lightly and I felt myself swinging my legs out of Quinn's car. Mr. Brockwell held his arm out for me to grab, while he wrapped the other arm around my shoulders. Quinn was watching with her mouth agape, as she bit her lip and winked at me. Blushing, I shook my head, nothing about this is romantic... is it?

"I'll talk to you later, honey." Quinn said, walking around to the driver's seat of her car.

"Okay," I waved at her, "Thanks again for coming."

"Sure thing." She smiled and drove away, while Mr. Brockwell helped me walk to his car.

His car wasn't far from the entrance. He opened the passenger door and helped me inside the car, shutting the door again for me once I was seated. Mr. Brockwell started the engine and we left the hospital, heading for his house, I'm guessing? The thought alone made me blush. I can't believe I'm planning on living with my gorgeous boss. This feels like a dream.

When we arrived in front of my apartment, I was confused and looked at Mr. Brockwell with uncertainty. He grinned softly and turned the car engine off, getting out of the car and walking around to my side. When he opens my door, I'm overwhelmed with trepidation and the memories of that night come flooding back into my brain. My eyes fill with tears and the second my eyes blink, they're streaming down my cheeks.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm here. I won't let anything bad happen to you, I promise." Mr. Brockwell's voice is warm and low, soothing my rattled nerves.

"I'm sorry!" My response sounded panicked, and Mr. Brockwell lightly chuckled.

"Don't apologize, Calista. I brought you here so you could grab your belongings," Mr. Brockwell sighed and shook his head, "I didn't think about the fact that it would trigger you. I should be the one apologizing. I'm so sorry, Calista."

"It's okay.." I sniffled and cleared my eyes of tears, "Let's just get this done and over with."

He helped me out of the car and into the building, taking the elevator to the third floor. Luckily, Ivan was at work and the apartment was empty. He left it the way it was when he called for an ambulance that night. It was a mess. There was still a bright red stain of blood on the floor where I hit my head. Some of the furniture was shoved to the side, still in complete disarray. Walking past the scene, I noticed Mr. Brockwell lingered and examined it a little closer.

I gathered most of my clothes, jewelry and other personal belongings. Mr. Brockwell carried my bag for me and helped me back out of the apartment, when suddenly my phone dinged inside my purse. I already knew it was going to be Ivan, and judging by the look of Mr. Brockwell's face, he thinks the same thing.

"Who is it?" Mr. Brockwell asked, peering down at me.

"I haven't checked yet," I honestly responded and bit my cheek, "I already know it's Ivan and I don't want to hear his excuses right now.."

"Can't say I blame you." He nodded and wrapped an arm around my back, helping to support me while we left the building.

Mr. Brockwell helped me back inside the car and deposited my belongings in the trunk. Driving away and leaving my apartment behind, as well as Ivan. Well, I still had to deal with him, but I was confident in the fact that we were over. I don't want to return to someone who has hurt me the way he has, he could have killed me... Mr. Brockwell is right. The only question is, how the hell am I going to break up with Ivan and escape with my life intact?