TIA
I didn't want to talk or think about it anymore, and no one forced me. He hasn't said anything about the miscarriage or me being raped. I just wanted to forget, but I couldn't; it was always on my mind. The slightest sound takes me back to that place, and in my head, I'm still there, reliving that nightmare over and over again. If someone touched me unannounced, it made me jump and scared me. I didn't notice him when he walked in.
“We're leaving later today; we'll be taking a doctor with us and your mom."
"OOkay”. I haven't really spoken much since I've been here. I can't sleep in the dark, but I could still hear the footsteps. Dominic wanted me to see a therapist. I agreed because I knew my mother was worried, and they all were.
He didn't say where we were going; I didn't want to know. I let him believe that I was going to go with him, but in reality, I was about to leave myself. He sat next to me, looking at me. Since the night I had a nightmare, he has never touched me without telling me. I knew they were worried, and I didn't want them to be. I thought about it every single night. Those were the were the words he said to me, and I knew without a doubt that Alyssa was involved in this. I wasn't that stupid. So I made the decision, and it was the best for everyone.
I took Dominic away from her, and this will never stop unless I leave him.
“I can't be with you anymore, Dominic.”. I didn't look at him,
"No, you're not leaving me, Tia."
"Can you be with me? You can't touch me because I'm scared. Every single sudden noise scares me. I was raped, and people will talk. I won't tarnish yours or your family's reputation. I'll resign and move back to Florida with my mom. I need to do this alone. I can't complicate other people's lives anymore. I'm no longer pregnant, so you don't need to feel obligated towards me.”.
It was breaking my heart to say it. It hurt me to hurt him, but I had to do it.
“I'll leave the hospital and leave with my mother. Please don't stop me or try to find me." I knew this would hurt him, but I'm scared. I believe that was the reason this happened to me, because I was with him.
Dominic
“What did you just say?”. I stood up a bit too suddenly, and she flinched.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”. I know that she knows I wouldn't hurt her, but this has traumatized her to the point of not wanting to be with me, and any sudden movements scare her. I sat back down next to her.
“I'm going to touch you, okay?”. She nodded. I pushed her hair away from her face.
"That night in the club,I walked towards you without even knowing I was doing it. I felt you, and I felt that pull towards you, and when you turned around and I saw you, the feeling I had was one I had never felt before.”.
“When I saw you at the office,I was so happy. Then I had you, and you turned my entire world upside down. We were going to have a child,but that's okay as long as you're here. If you want some time away from me, that's okay too. But don't say you can't be with me, please. I really do love you, Tia. When you disappeared, I felt like I was going crazy.” She started crying, and I was still caressing her face.
"Don't cry, love. I'll let you go with your mom, but I'll make sure that you'll be safe. I'll have people watching you. You'll go see a therapist because you need it. Your job will be there for you when you're ready to come back. I'll be here waiting for you.”.
I looked at her.
"I'll wait for you to come back to me when you're ready, okay, and if you ever need me, I'll always be there for you.”. She nodded.
"I'll be back; okay, no one's going to come in.”.
I left her there and went out. My heart felt like it was being ripped in two. I walked over to the corner, stood there, and cried. She didn't want to be around me. I ran into Bennett and my mom.
“Dominican, what's wrong?".
“Make sure she is okay. Just let her go. And make sure someone's watching her always.”. I left them and headed towards the elevator.
“Dominican, what's going on? Where is she going?”. I saw Bennett walking towards me, but I just shook my head. I went back to my apartment, sat there alone, and started drinking. I felt so lost. I texted Bennett to let him know what she wanted and to set everything up. He texted back, saying, "Okay." I made sure to let him know that she shouldn't be seen when leaving.
TIA
I knew he was hurt, and I was too, but this was the right thing for now. I guess he told his parents because early that morning, around three thirty,I was saying goodbye to Mel and Tatiana. And his family. I was going back home, where I guess I belonged. Elizabeth made sure to let me know if I needed help or anything to call her, as did Allie and Bennett. He didn't come, and I didn't want him to. I explained to Mel and Tatiana exactly why I was leaving.
The entire flight over, my mother kept looking at me. I knew she wanted to say something, but she didn't. It was sunrise when we got to Florida. There was a car waiting for us. I figured it was Dominic's doing, but I didn't want this anymore. I had no intention of ever going back, and I needed to start distancing myself from them.
When we got home,the minute I saw our house,I started crying. My mom just held me.
“It'll be okay, sweetheart.”. I nodded because I couldn't say anything. We went in, and I went to my old room. I was back to square one all over again.
FOUR MONTHS LATER
TIA
In the months that followed, I spent my days at home. I went to physical therapy and to a therapist. That was all I did. Mel called every single day; Tatiana texted too, but she never mentioned him, and I didn't ask. My mom stopped mentioning all of them. I blocked his numbers. I cared about him, but we weren't meant to be together. Some nights I cried myself to sleep because I missed him, but this was the best.
My bruises were healing and fading away, but I still have a hard time walking, especially long distances. My mental health was getting better; I wasn't so scared anymore,but it will take some time.
DOMINIC
I watched her leave that night; she didn't call or text to say goodbye. That was months ago. Anyone looking would think I went back to my normal life, but the reality is that my life has been completely shattered. I went to work every day at the same time. I worked, then went home and stayed there alone. I didn't go out or talk to anyone.
I was going into the elevator when I saw Alyssa. How the fuck did she get in here again? I didn't care; it was better; I'd be able to keep an eye on her. I just ignored her. Tatiana was there.
“Morning Tatiana, how are you?”
“Good morning. I'm so sorry. I just miss my boss.”. I could see her looking at us.
“Oh Tatiana, what happened? Did the new girl quit?”.
“Miss Jacques, I'm a very dedicated worker; I've been there for over five years. I would never insult my coworkers or my boss, but you can drop Fucking Dead. You're a wicked, conniving, and evil bitch. Now don't ever speak to me again.”.
Well, that was interesting; I didn't know Tatiana hated her either.
"Dominican, how can you let her speak to me like that? I'm about to become your boss, Tatiana.”.
"Who the fuck do you think you are to call me by my name? It's Mr. Chase, you got it.”.
No one is supposed to fill Tia's post. On second thought, she wanted the job, okay?
"Tatiana, can you please follow me to my office?"
"Yes, Mr. Chase!”.
When we got out on the fifteenth floor, Alyssa kept looking at us. I walked into my office and locked the door.
“Did you know Alyssa was trying to get that position?".
"No, Mr. Chase,I didn't; I didn't even realize she was still working here. If she does, I'll be handing in my resignation.”.
"Don't; I want you and every single employee in that department to give her hell. Pile the work on and give her contracts that basically make no sense. As the head she'll have to stay late and complete it and also keep a close eye on her, her calls everything”.
She just looked at me and smiled.
"Yes, sir. I'll let the others know, too. You're not going to ask, are you?”. I looked at her.
“Ask about what?"
“She's walking again,but not long distances. She doesn't go out alone; she's still seeing her therapist. She doesn't ask, and sometimes it seems like she's lonely. But she's getting back to life.”.
She pulled her phone out and handed it to me.
"I'll send it to you. I know she deleted all of her social media accounts’.