Fated Mate

Lee’s new sleeping habit had disrupted her whole day’s schedule, and to make things worse, she still spent her mornings with her head over the toilet. For some reason, she still slept half the day away, and with only a week left, she had to spend every waking minute studying, leaving no time for a social life or work. Ann thought the meds were still in her system; Maria however wanted her to go to the hospital for a checkup, which she took every opportunity to avoid. Ash tried to make her go but she always stopped him with questions about the diner.

“Lee, please go to the hospital and get checked out.”

“I’ll go if you tell me about the diner.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Then I won’t go.”

That always made him guilty, he felt responsible for Lee’s stubbornness and therefore her sickness. As much as she hated hurting him she was determined on riding his guilty conscious until he told her the truth. That however only made him move in. He spent the nights and mornings with her always ready to whisk her to the bathroom when she got sick. She was getting irate and self-conscious, she didn’t want him to see her looking so pathetic and for him not to want to talk to her only meant that he didn’t trust her. Without trust there was no love. That at least explained why he never said those three words to her.

After all the shit life had thrown at her, she felt silly thinking maybe this time she’d caught a break. She had suffered the worst kind of loss known to mankind, somehow ended up with a blood sucking leech, and now she has a guy she’s head over heels in love with who doesn’t trust her enough to let her in. Of course, what delusion was she suffering from to think that this time the universe was on her side?

So, that morning, she decided it was either the truth or the high road. She watched him as he made breakfast. He looked so handsome standing over the stove. She hadn’t realized how wide his back was. He kept pushing his hair back with his sausage fingers-even his fingers were muscled. He turned around and looked at her.

“Hi there, how you feeling today?” He had her smile on again. My smile…well, not for long. She could feel the despair rise inside her.

“Well, my hair doesn’t smell like air freshener this morning, so yeah, we’re good.”

A lock of hair got lose and fell over his eye. He raised his hand and pushed it back in place. Even the simplest movements he made were breathtaking.

“That’s great.” He set the bacon and toast on a plate and placed it on the table next to the glass of orange juice. He walked up to her, took her hand and walked her to the table. “How’s your shoulder?” He pulled the chair out for her. “Do you want me to get your sling?”

“No. It doesn’t hurt that much anymore.” It came out thickly, but she raised her hand to demonstrate. “See, I can use it again.” She turned and faced her plate. He took a seat next to her; he placed his wide hand on her back and rubbed slowly. She caught her breath, but never looked up. His touch always made it difficult to breathe.

“I’m happy your shoulder is healing, and pretty fast too.” His face creased up in thought. “How long has it been?”

Lee bit down on the bacon before she answered, “Close to three weeks, why?” She turned and looked at him.

He moved his hand to her injured shoulder, lightly feeling it with his fingers. “The swelling is gone, and you’re not screaming in pain, which is good.” He was quiet again, deep in thought. “That is pretty fast for…”

He stopped and looked at her, and then he cleared his throat and dropped his hand. “How’s your breakfast?”

He opened the door. It was now or never. “Pretty fast for what, Ash?”

His face clouded, just like it usually did when she asked him a personal question or about the diner.

“I’ll just clean up the dishes.” He stood up and went to the sink. Lee was getting tired of this.

“Normal for you, but too fast for me, is that what you meant?” He stayed quiet, busying himself with the dishes. “Too fast for a human, but normal for…whatever unique qualities you have. Am I right?”

He froze, she’d hit home. She waited expecting he would spill since he didn’t have much of a choice. He stayed quiet; he didn’t refute or confirm her accusation.

“Ash, please tell me the truth. I’ve been patient long enough. If we are going to be together we need to start being honest with each other.” She wanted to take the soft approach, not push too hard to make him bolt the doors.

Ash’s silence was starting to get to Lee. “Why don’t you trust me? In fact, why do you spend every sleeping and waking hour with me if you can’t trust me?” She was fuming, she couldn’t remember the last time she was this angry, but this time it would be unforgettable.

Ash just stood there leaning over the sink, his back to her. She could feel the temper inside her rise. “Why don’t you say something? Are you too much of a coward to admit it! Aren’t you afraid I might stab you in your sleep?” She waited. He didn’t even flinch. “Do you even sleep? Of course not! How could you! I bet you don’t trust me enough to even keep one eye closed!” She was ranting and she didn’t care.

“Why are you even here? If you’re being forced to babysit, I’m relieving you from your duties, right now!”

“I’m here because I love you, and I do trust you,” it came out as a whisperer but it was firm. The first time he says it and it was out of anger not out of the love he claims.

Lee knew he meant it, but the fact that he didn’t even look at her when he said it, added fuel to the already burning fire inside her.

“I’ve heard those words before, Steve always said them before he milked me of every penny I had in my wallet. So tell me, what’s your motivation, it can’t be sex because you haven’t touched me since you moved in!” She could tell he was trying to control himself, but he didn’t move, not even an inch.

“Lee, you need to stop pushing me, I’m very close to the edge.” His voice was low, dangerous. It sounded out the warning more than the words did.

“You are close to the edge? I already fell off the cliff! I’m sick and tired of you closing me out. You already know everything about me, but I know nothing about you! What are you keeping from me! Damn it, turn around and look at me!”

Without thinking, she tossed the chair in front of her using her injured arm. Blinding pain ran through her shoulder and down to her fingertips. She grabbed at her shoulder and went down on her knees.

“Arrgh, oh shit! Bloody hell!” She could feel the tears burn her eyes. Ash was beside her in an instant. He looked worried, he reached his arms for her but she moved back. “Don’t touch me! I don’t need your pity or your help!”

“Lee, please, let me help you.” The anger had faded out of his voice and was replaced by anguish. Her pain seemed to hurt him more than it did her. She was glad but that didn’t minimize the pain in her shoulder.

“I said no!”

“Lee…” he said sounding more desperate.

“You want to help me, walk out that door and never come back. When you decide I’m trustworthy, you know where to find me.”

The door opened and Maria’s chirpy voice came in. “We’re home…Lee!” She rushed to Lee, bumping her as she came to a stop, making the pain even worse.

“Oww! Maria!”

“I’m sorry!”

“What’s going on?” Lee didn’t look up. Ann was standing behind her.

Ash spoke, his voice desperate. “I think she pulled her shoulder again, but she won’t let me help.”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Ann, please make him leave.” Lee’s voice was cool and shaky; tears were flowing down her cheeks and onto the kitchen floor.

She didn’t ask Lee any questions; her voice was direct but concerned. “Ash, please leave, I’ll call you when she cools off.”

“If you do, I’ll choke you with the phone code. He knows what he has to do!”

Ash stood up and disappeared from Lee’s line of sight. When she heard the door close she knew he had left, and may not come back. She sobbed; she’d lost someone else. The pain in her chest felt far worse than that in her shoulder.

“Lee, do you want to tell us what happened?”