Chapter 86

"Hey!!" The cute guy smiled at her. "Please get in!"

The door opened and Elodre couldn't help but gaze at the stranger.

"Please the child, ma'am," He said. "Get outta the rain. Get in." He raised both hands. "Trust me, ma'am, I ain't a kidnapper or whatever. Just wanna help." He shrugged.

"B…but I'm drenched already…"

"Oh, comm'n get into the car, please," He said. "Please…"

Elodre wiped her face and got in the car. The cold effect of the car's air conditioner was surely gonna freeze her and the kid to death. She was shivering along with her son in her numb arms.

The guy observed her for a while and his lips parted to speak but no words aired out. Damn! "Oops! I'm gonna turn off the AC. I'm so sorry."

"Th…thank y…you…" She trembled. Her whole body was twitching from the cold.

He quickly turned to the back seat, picked up his other shirt, and gave it to her. "This should help, I guess."

"Oh, thanks," She held the shirt. "B…but it's pressed already."

"I know," He was gazing down at her. "Just use it."

She wiped her face with it and then took off Raiden's pajamas. Dropping the damp clothes by her feet, she put the shirt on the child and wrapped him with it.

"Oops! He's asleep already," The guy said. "He should lay in the back seat so you don't get him wet again."

And Elodre gazed up at him.

"Comm'n trust me," He said and gently took Raiden from her. From his seat, he laid the child to sleep in the back seat, then sighed. "Comfy now!"

Gazing back at her son, she said, "Thank you." Her voice was faint.

"Now it's just you," He said.

"Oh, yeah, b…but I'm fine," She forced a nervous smile. "It's just my son. I'm glad he's warm at least."

He bobbed slightly. "You're a precious mom."

"Th…thank you…" But tears betrayed her. They were rolling down her cheeks.

"But," The guy said. "Why were you out here alone by this time with a child in such a terrible storm? And you're just in a nightgown…damn! What's wrong? Were you waiting for someone?"

That question threw her off the rail and inflicted more tears from her eyes. What can she say now? She wasn't waiting for anyone. She thought, fumbling with her numb fingers.

The guy saw a wedding ring glittering on her fingers and he gazed at her. You're married…"

Stretching her fingers to look at the ring, she said, "Y…yes…"

He sighed. There is nothing to argue about here. She's surely stranded cause why would she be out here? She was just wandering on the road. It didn't even look like she was waiting for someone. From her black puffy eyes, he suspected she was beaten. He could see some bruises on her body and marks on her cheeks. He sighed again. "Stranded, I guess."

She lifted her watery gaze upon him.

"I'm sorry," He placed his big hand on her trembling hands. "I'm so sorry."

This made her burst into tears. She wept bitterly.

"Hey…hey," The guy said, patting her shoulder. "It's okay… it's okay…please."

She coughed violently and sniffled.

"Please…" He was rubbing her back. "Whatever it is at the moment, everything will be fine, okay? Everything's gonna be alright, okay? Just take it easy. It's alright."

Bobbing slightly, she sniffled and wiped the tears with her shaky hands but the tears wouldn't stop flowing.

"I better take you over to my place in the meantime," He said. "

********

It was a mansion as well. Instead of driving to the garage, he drove to the huge entrance door of the mansion. It was still raining. Turning to the back, he carried Raiden in his arms. "We can't wait for the storm to lessen cause I'm sure it won't."

Thunder rumbling, lightning striped in the sky.

"Comm'n let's go!" He said. "I'll bring the kid."

Elodre hopped out of the car and ran to the huge door. She stood, shivering as cold was striking her. Soon, he ran over and opened the door.

***

They entered the elegant living room. "Go freshen up while I brew some tea to warm you up."

**********

He'd given her a neat white towel to use. Elodre winced as the warm water showered on her bruises and she let out a soft cry. Her puffy eye was hurting excruciatingly and as she gently rubbed it with her fingers, it bled. It felt like she was rather bathing with her tears instead of water.

For a long while she wept, all broken and frail. She needed no one else but Cayden. She needed his comfort. She wants to be wrapped in his powerful arms. She can't survive like this…she can't live alone with this guilt piled up in her heart. She wants to pour her grief into him. She wants to tell him about the fear and panic attacks she's been living in for years now.

She wants to tell him she didn't do anything…wrong. She wants to cry in his arms. She wants him to know how she feels…how insecure she's been. This is something she's never mentioned to him…even though she's tried.

*****"*""

Still in his well-tailored suit, the guy was done brewing some tea and had brought it into the room. Hmm? She isn't here? Is she still bathing? He wondered, raising a brow. Damn! How long does she take in the bathroom? Hmm, women!

He placed the saucer on which a mug of hot tea was on a small glistening glass stool by the bed. He'd lay little Raiden on the bed. He took off his suit and shirt. He was in his pants and T-shirt.

In a couple of minutes, she got outta the bathroom in his polo that was like a short gown for her, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. She is a true epitome of beauty. She's exceptionally stunning and tender regardless of the bruises and puffiness of one of her eyes.

"I've brewed some tea for you," He said. "Please, feel comfortable around me. I don't bite." He smiled and sipped his tea.

She sat on the soft bed and gazed up at the brown-haired guy. He was another cute guy. A slim charming guy. He has short brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. "Thank you." But she wasn't any better.

*******

In a couple of minutes, he emerged from the bathroom in his pajamas and found her weeping. Gasping, he ran to her and sat by her side. She'd not touch the tea. "Oh, no, it's getting cold. You need the tea to keep you warm."

She shook her head. "I only want my husband." She quivered. "I would rather freeze to death than live without him…"

"And leave your son?" He said.

She lifted her watery gaze upon him. "You won't understand. You dunno what I …I've been through. You have no clue what's going on in my life."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. But what's going on?"

After a long silence, she gazed at him and said, "I…I don't think I c…can talk about it right n…now."

Bobbing, he shrugged. "It's fine. I get it." He studied her briefly and said, " What's your name?"

"I'm Elodre," She said faintly.

"Your husband's name," He said.

"I don't wanna talk about him, please," Since he seemed to not know her, she was sure he'd know her husband once she mentioned his name. "Who're you?"

He smiled. "I'm Frederick."

"Oh, thank you, Federick," She said.

"For what?" He raised a brow.

"I…I never thought I'd have a place for my little boy to sleep," she said.

"My pleasure, Elodre," He said. "So, you're leaving tomorrow morning?"

"I can't go back to my husband, Federick," She wept. "I c…can't…"

"Why?" Curiosity was gleaming in his eyes.

"He'd kill me," She cried.

"Kill you?!" He exclaimed. "But why?"

In terror, she recollected all Cayden did to her and shock flashed on her pale face.

"Did your hubby put all these bruises and marks on you?" Frederick asked.

"My husband is a good man, Federick," She sobbed. "It…it's just me…it's my fault…"

Watching her cry, Frederick couldn't stop wondering what she did. "So, what are you gonna do now?"

"I…I dunno," She whimpered "I…I can't just stand him. I c…can't."

He sighed. He can't believe a woman can be so scared of her husband.

"My husband doesn't wanna see me even for two seconds straight." She said,

Okay fine, he grabs! "I get it," He said softly. "Perhaps I wanna talk to him on your behalf…."

Eyes wide, she gasped and shot a gaze at him. "What?! Do you wanna die?! Please do not say that again!" She gulped hard and said shakily, "Only a man who's tired of living would attempt to talk to my husband." Damn!

"Please, ma'am," He said. "Who's your husband?"

She sighed and said, "C…Cayden Brooks."

His eyes widened. "C…Cayden B…Brooks??!!" My God!!!

"Yeah," She bobbed. "Do you by chance know him?"

"Yes!" He said breathlessly. The Brooks?!! They're the wrongest people to ever fuck around with!! Hell!!! Cayden?!

"Why are you so scared?" She asked.

"If you know your husband like I do you won't be asking me this," He said. Damn!!!

His boss and colleagues dread this man so fuckin much!! And here he is with Mr. Brook's wife?!! Hell no!! He can't do this!! He must tell his boss about this!