POV Keith
"Keith?" A soft voice calls from the entryway.
I look up to see her walking in, looking like she was dragged through hell and back, twice over. Half her face is purple and swollen, her eyes are barely visible, she is soaked to the bone and she is crusted in what looks like sand and salt?
Did she drown?
Fear ripples through me at the thought of her getting even more hurt.
I should've followed her sooner. I followed my grandfather into the house, but I couldn't make myself eat with them. Just as I was leaving, Kenneth waylaid me, shocked at hearing something had happened. I left after I spoke with him and headed straight home.
I had a whole speech planned, but when I got home, Ella wasn't there. I checked with the security and found that she never came home. I've been trying to find her ever since.
It didn't help that I know next to nothing about her. It's something I should remedy soon.
I take her in, her hesitation and fear palpable.
I feel shame course through me again, at my part in Ella's ordeal. She looks so fragile — and her eyes hold none of the trust they once did. I did that. I broke something I had no right to touch.
My mind goes back to the joyous smile that lit up her face this morning. The openness and honesty, the delight at my enjoyment.It feels so long ago now.
I feel deeply responsible for the loss. Almost like I personally beat it out of her, inch by painful inch.
My heart aches at the realisation of how far I've fallen.
I don't know how, but I find myself in front of her, pulling her close to me.
She smells like sea water and leather, and she is still damp, but I don't care.
She is still cold. I bury my face in her hair. Relief floods through me that she is here. Alive.
"I'm so sorry." I whisper to her. And I am. I have been a complete ass to her since the day we met. I have blamed her and resented her, and this invited others to bully her as well.
I feel her close her arms around me. I sigh in relief. Then my heart starts picking up pace. I feel her form pressed against me and I —
She pushes away from me, cheeks a little pink. I want to hold her closer, but she takes another step away.
"I'll go take a shower." She walks away before I can respond. I watch after her, then look at myself. I'm covered in sand too.
I guess I should take a shower too. Preferably a cold one.
—----------------
POV Ella
I walk away from Keith as fast as I can without causing offense. My whole body tingles where we touched, and my cheeks are flushed.
Just being in his arms made half my woes melt away. Even a few seconds more and I'm sure I would've been a puddle at his feet.
I couldn't help it. I hugged him back.
I was so exhausted, cold and wrung out, that this unexpected warmth from him nearly broke me.
His apology echoes in my ears even as I scrub myself clean.
What exactly are you sorry for?
For rejecting me? Or resenting me? For judging me? For abandoning me?
I'm not sure what it was that prompted his apology and without knowing his motivations I don't know if I want to forgive him. I'm not sure if I can.
He has borne a grudge towards me from day one — and for things that are entirely out of my control.
I'm not sure I can continue on like this, and yet… Do I have a choice?
The hot water falls on my head in soothing waves, washing away some of the tension from my shoulders.
I had hoped and prayed that Keith might at least be inclined towards friendship and cordial interactions. I recall how he threw the allowance card at me.
Don't call me even if you are dying.
I'm not that lucky.
I think he truly doesn't care.
Maybe his apology is a trick to get me to lower my guard and batter me again in heart and body. Maybe it's a revenge his aunt couldn't wait to begin.
My chest tightens at the thought and tears prick my eyes.
My father has done that enough times that I know it's a source of entertainment and control for many people.
Enough. It doesn't matter right now.
I take my coconut - flavoured shampoo and massage my hair again. I gingerly massage my hairline, my tender and swollen face hurting with even the smallest of touches.
I still haven't had the courage to look at myself in the mirror.
I finish showering, finally feeling clean again.
I lean against the tile wall, bracing myself for the damage reveal.
I walk towards the vanity mirrors but they are fogged.
I take a deep breath and swipe my hand across the mirror, expecting a split lip and some swelling.
I wince in shock and a gasp escapes my mouth.
It's terrible. A split lip is the least of my injuries. I have a black-eye and half my face is blue-black.
Oh God. How hard did she hit me?
I sigh and decide to at least ice it. Hopefully that will help with the swelling and pain.
With slumped shoulders I step out of the room
"There's a pain killer and an ice-pack on the table. A glass of water is right by it. Dinner is nearly ready. Come eat."
I stare at Keith, waiting for the catch.
"What? I cook too."
I gape at him before taking the medicine and the ice-pack.
I eye the dinner he's finishing, and feel deeply sceptical. With the kind of day I'm having, I half expect my food to bite back.
"I'm not really hungry." I say.
Suddenly a growl rings through the room.
It's my stomach. Betrayed by my own self.
His face falls, and I feel my chest pinch a little.
"I promise it's safe to eat." He says in a quiet voice, and proceeds to spoon a bit of everything he has cooked into his mouth.
I blink. I was not expecting that.
He gestures for me to sit and proceeds to plate pasta and a bowl of soup.
He plates the same for himself and joins me. Voluntarily.
My chest hurts at his presence. This morning, I would have happily sold my soul for this chance.
Now it hurts just to be close to him.
I quietly start eating. The food is amazing. I look up at him startled.
He gives me a sad smile. "I started cooking when I realised my friends only hung out with me to make me pay their bills."
I feel my heart ache for him. To be used like that…
"Weren't you lonely?"
I would have gladly paid for others' meals if I could just eat with someone instead of alone in my room.
"It was lonelier to be their bank. I hated it. I hated being used."
I nod. It made sense.
We finish our meal in silence. I start to get up, when he places a gentle hand on mine.
I freeze. He pulls me back to my seat. We sit in silence, the air heavy between us. He suddenly reaches across me for the ice pack and gently presses it across my cheek.
He is so close I can count his beautiful long lashes. I feel his breath feather my face and my pulse skyrockets.
I jerk back. He gently caresses the good side of my face.
I forget to breathe.
"I am so sorry for what happened to you today. I am so sorry for my part in it. I'm so sorry for being mean to you all these days. I'm sorry for everything."
I'm stunned. I don't know what to say. I don't know how to respond.
"I'd like to make it up to you, if you allow it."
I stare at him, trying to understand what he's trying to say.
He wants to make it up to me?
I stare at his handsome face, his beautiful eyes shining so earnestly.
I remember then these same eyes widening for Kat, and softening for Eliana, and I know what I want.
I want to be treated with dignity by my husband.
"Are you sure?"
He nods warily. His eyes dim a little, as if he didn't expect such a swift response.
I feel bitterness well in my heart. Of course, it was only lip service.
Regardless, I soldier on.
"Will you give me fidelity?"
He blinks at me, nonplussed and bemused. So I ask again.
"Will you be faithful to me as long as we remain married?"