Chapter 32- Anger Issues

Zoe’s POV

My dreams revolve around the confession of that girl. Playing her confession again and again, even in dreams.

Yeah dreams, I constantly was woken up due to dreams of her.

At last, I decided to get up, it was still dark outside, I looked for clock on nightstand, but it was not there, so I got up from the bed. Jack was facing the other side, sleeping soundly.

The clock hanging above the couches reads, 03:21 am. I sigh and sat on the couch. My mind again wanders to the girl, the cell, the rape, the fear, the pain, loneliness, starvation, dirt and what not.

I am lucky. I have got so many protective males. Papa, he would do anything to protect me, I remember him beating the shit out of my bully when I was in primary school.

Aarav, he has always protected me. From my smallest insecurities to my phobia, he was always there. Convincing papa for school and college trips to helping me sneak out of the house, he was there.

And now Jack. Jack gives me the sense of safety, just like dad and Aarav. I feel protected whenever I am with him.

The men in my life are not like the demons wandering out, raping, selling and hurting girls.

And now I understand why they are so strict and pain in ass. This is the reason they are protective. Because they know what’s going on outside our little home.

I don’t know what I did to deserve these men. And I feel blessed.

I reached forward to grab the glass of water when my eyes land on laptop. I quietly got up and checked if Jack was still sleeping. Once I was sure, I quickly grabbed the laptop and settled on the chair in the balcony.

I turned on the laptop, battery was low but enough for me to check my messages. I logged in to my email, no mail from Emily. So, I decide to reply.

Dear Emily,

I am so sorry to bail on you like that, but I have my reasons. So, don’t be cranky old woman if you still want me there. I don’t have my phone or laptop with me, hence late replay.

I am glad the girls are missing me. I miss them too. Tell them that I will be there as soon as possible. I am with Jack right now; he wants to spend some time with me. I know what you are thinking now, ‘we are struggling here and she is enjoying with her fiancé so let me clear something for— I will tell you in person.

I watched the confession. I am shocked. I knew something dark has happened but not this. Her words keep playing in my mind non-stop, even in my sleep. Believe me I want to be there; I want to hold her and tell her that now she is out of that hellhole.

I am so sorry for her. Tell her I will be there.

Miss me,

Zoe.

I re-read the mail before pressing the send button. As soon as I press the send button the laptop turned off.

Fuckkkkkk!!!!!!!

I want that mail to be delivered. Shit.

And I haven’t logged out yet!!!!!

And this is not my laptop.

I still haven’t deleted that confession video!!!!!!!

I start to panic.

“Zoe?“ Jack’s voice boomed.

I stilled.

“Zoe?“ Again.

I immediately placed the laptop on the chair and sat on it.

“There you are” Jack said happily as he made his way to the balcony

“You are up” I said more in questioning tone.

“Yes” He said and bend down to place the kiss on my cheek.

“Why?“ I ask.

“The main question is why are you up?“ He asked eying me.

“I told you, we need to leave” I said.

“And I said at dinner” His face turns hard.

I caress his arm, “please?“ I ask.

“What were you doing out here? And don’t dare you lie to me” He spoke.

I just look at him.

“I couldn’t sleep” I said breaking the eye contact.

He kneels in front of me. “Was I snoring again?“ He ask

This made a smile crack on my lips.

“No. I mean yes, a little” I said.

“I need to work on them” He mumble.

“Then again, what were you doing?“ Jack ask

I tried to retreat my hands back from his but he holds them tightly, “I didn’t knew you were fan of sitting on laptops”

My cheeks turned red in embracement.

“Do you have its charger?“ I ask.

“Yes”

I nod.

“Snooping in my laptop is not good Zoe.” He spoke getting up.

“I wasn’t snooping, I just open my mail” I confess in disbelief.

“You don’t have to lie” He spoke pulling me up and grabbing the laptop.

“No, I am not lying I promise” I said while he led me in.

“Why did you feel the need to check your mail?” He ask.

“It was urgent”

“Just like yesterday?” He ask.

I froze on my tract and look at his back. He slowly let go of my hand, and put the laptop on charge

“How do you know?” I ask.

He stood in front of me, so I strain my neck to look at his face.

“I know everything” He bent down and whisper in my ear.

“Jack” I warn.

“It’s battery was low when I checked last night.” He said “and it’s not mine. I kept it there just for you to use.”

“You were using it yesterday, so I thought It was yours” I said.

He smirks, “you won’t be able to even touch mine” He said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask narrowing my eyes

“I know your snoopy little ass” He said tapping my butt.

I huff.

“Unless you marry me”

“What? “

“You can use all of my stuff when you marry me”

“Please don’t” I said rolling my eyes.

“Don’t do that again”

“Do what? “

“Don’t roll your eyes again. It’s disrespectful”

“Stop acting like my dad”

“If I continue will you call me daddy? “

“I don’t like the word ‘daddy’ so please” I said again rolling my eyes.

“What was so urgent that you need to sacrifice your precious sleep?” He ask.

“How did you wake up? Isn’t it too early?” I ask instead.

“It’s normal for me to wake up at 4am. I just like lying with you on bed. Again, what was so urgent?”

“Don’t push it” I said walking to the laptop.

I turn it on but hid the screen from jack.

Jack pushed the chair towards me, I sat, and he lean in to have good view.

“Isn’t it your normal time to hit the gym?” I ask

“Or hit the bed?”

“I want privacy”

He leans in to adjust the screen, my mail was open. Laptop died before I could send it.

“Emily” He whisper as he read my mail.

He immediately grabbed the laptop, but I saw it coming. I elbowed him on his side and snatch away the laptop.

“Zoe” He warn.

“You asshole, what about my privacy huh?” I yell as I ran towards the room.

I enter the room and shut the door, but.

Yes BUT, door didn’t close, he enters with deadly glare.

Taking a step back, “Why do you want to read? “

“Give me that” He order pointing to the laptop that I held behind myself.

“No. She is my friend, why would I share my personal chat with you?” I shout.

He took a step forward, “Don’t come near me, or I will throw it out”

“What are you hiding Zoe?” He asked calmly.

“I assure you it’s nothing concerning you or us” I said.

“What did you do when I was out yesterday? “

“Jack, let me send this mail. Then we can talk maturely”

He backs off and placed his hands in his pockets.

“Ok” He simply said, his eyes burning hole in me.

I slowly brought the laptop in front, all while eyeing him. I press the send.

He casually stood there leaning on wall.

I log out of the mail, clear browsing history and cache. And hand him the laptop.

Taking my seat on the bed I motion my hand for him to join me.

He didn’t budge. Just kept staring at me.

“Jack come on. Let’s talk” I said softly.

“Spill”

“There is nothing to spill. It was just a girl thing. I am sure you won’t be interested in it”

“I hate liars” He spoke calmly.

Sighing I got out of the bed, towards him. Placing my hand on his chest I caress him slowly, “Don’t be angry”

The calm face now disappeared, replaced with cold hard face.

He eyed my hand on his chest which caused me to remove it. The air around us turn thick and cold. He is pissed.

“Now. I am going to ask you again. What was that about?” He asked.

This is the behavior I hate. I can’t control myself. Papa too turn cold like this and then the consequences are worst.

I am afraid of this.

Continuing my brave behavior, I spoke, “Don’t interrogate me Jack. You know I don’t hide things, you do,” I spoke

He roughly grabs my jaw, bringing me close to him. The mask of bravery that I wore melt away like candle.

“I... It was related to girls. Th- they confessed. Emily sends me video. I wanted to tell her that…. That I saw the video”

His grip on my jaw tightens causing me to wince in pain. “What confession?” He ask.

I close my eyes. I can’t take violence. I can’t handle such behavior.

He let go of my jaw, making me stumble. He left the room, shutting the door harshly.

This is red flag.

This is red flag. I can’t handle this. Jack has anger issues just like dad. I never saw him hit anyone; I highly doubt that he will hit anyone but yes, he has anger issues.

I immediately grabbed the laptop and skype Emily. She didn’t pick up.

I tried calling Aarav but no luck.

The battery was low, so I decided to save it for later use.

I heard the slight mumbling voice from outside, so I made my way to the door.

Jack was speaking, it was mostly vague sound, I tried hard to listen but no luck.

But then I heard him.

“I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, I WILL MARRY HER TODAY”