Chapter 13 Chapter 13
Tessa
I slammed into something hard. When I turned around, Zaiel was standing there. “What happened to you? “You’re bleeding,” he said, pulling out a kerchief and putting it to my head. I was shaking so badly I couldn't stay still. He grabbed me by my shoulder and forced me to look at him.
“Tessa, relax. You’re safe. Tanner. Check outside,” he said to one of the guys beside him. I hurriedly pulled my phone out and dialed the number. He answered immediately.
“I’m hurt. He was on the train with a knife. He followed me all the way to work. Yes, for tonight. Okay.”
The elevator doors opened, and he took my hand and led me in. I was too shaken up to even notice we were on the top floor or that he took me into his apartment. It wasn't until he made me sit down and was kneeling in front of me with a first aid kit that I realized where I was.
“Shit. “Christine,” I said, standing up. He grabbed me by my shoulder and made me sit down.
“You have five minutes. If you go in looking the way you do, they’ll probably be worried.” He said there wasn't any curiosity, anger, or anything. His voice was flat.
“Your clothes are dirty, there’s blood on your shirt, and your knees are scraped. I have new shirts and sweatpants you can borrow. “The shower is over there,” he said, standing up.
“Why are you being kind?” I asked.
“You’re a woman. You look shaken up. We can go back to hating each other tomorrow,” he said with the same tone of contempt.
“Thank you.”
He showed me to the bathroom; it looked like a guest room. I walked into the bathroom and locked the door. I stood looking at myself in the mirror. I had a few scrapes on my face; I noticed the bandage that Zaiel put on my forehead. My arms were scratched up from my fall. I took my clothes off and walked into the shower. After the shower. I found a large towel, and I hurriedly dried my skin off and wore my underwear and bra. I heard a knock on the door.
I wrapped the towel around me and opened the door a crack; he was standing there. “The clothes are on the bed,” he said. His eyes were on mine; he didn't make any attempt to look down or anything. He walked away and heard the door. I walked out and found a shirt that looked exactly like my size. There was still the tag on it, and the sweatpants also. Maybe he had extra clothes for his companions. I wore it and stepped out. As soon as I did, I was face-to-face with Clarissa. Not again.
“Really, Zaiel?” she said.
I walked past her and grabbed my bag. “Thanks for helping me. I’ll get these back to you.”
“Sure, have you called the police?” he asked.
“Yes. “I should get going; Christine is waiting,” I said, and he nodded.
“Really, Zaiel, you’re fucking the caretaker?” Clarissa said,
“Apologize to her,” he said in a tone that made me freeze.
“Excuse me?” She said.
“Apologize to her NOW,” he said, and I jumped. I didn’t stay after that; I hurried to the door and bolted out. I composed myself before opening the door. Christine was watching the door.
“I’m here, babe. Sorry it was hectic outside.” I said, smiling and dropping my bag, and she smiled.
Our night was as normal as could be, but I couldn't sleep. Around two, my phone began ringing. It was a private number. I didn't want to answer, but I did.
“Hello?”
“If you had taken the car, he wouldn't have gotten to you. Punishment one. You allowed another man to touch you, punishment two. You went into another man’s apartment punishment three. You won’t be able to walk when I’m finished with you.” He said, I knew exactly who it was.
“I am not in the mood to fucking deal with you.”
“I already told you, darling, this isn't about what you want. I already have someone on the fucker that decided to hurt you.” he said
“What do you want from me? Why me? "Just let me be, please," I said with desperation.
“Because you’re mine,” he said with a growl before ending the call.
Zaiel
Clarissa was standing in my living room, looking pissed, but there was nothing she could do. I stood up and looked at her. “Our arrangement is over. Get out.”
“Zaiel, you can’t be serious. This is the second time I found her in your place,” he said, sounding desperate now.
"I don't need to explain myself to you. She was here, and that is it. Now get out; we’re done.”
“I’ll apologize to her,” she said quickly.
“Don’t make me have you dragged out. Leave now and don't ever return. Our arrangement is over; have I made myself clear?” She didn't try to change my mind, but I knew she wouldn't give up. After she left, I poured myself a drink.
Who was he, and why was she running? She looked terrified when she slammed into me, and at that moment I didn't see the snarky woman; I saw a terrified woman, and I let my guard down for a few minutes. She was bleeding and scared. I didn't expect Clarissa to walk in and see her again, and it pissed me off when she called her a caretaker. Yes, that was her job, but I was the only one that could annoy her.
I picked up the phone and called Joe; he answered immediately.
“Mr. Rhyland?”
“Something happened today. Tessa Jansen—she is running from someone; she was attacked. She has something going on; dig deeper and find me the info.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied, ending the call. My phone began ringing. I looked at the name, and it put me on alert.
“Yes, Mother?” I answered in that cold, uninterested tone.
“Zaiel Rhyland. Who was that woman you have been having over?” She asked, and I could feel my hackles rising. Clarissa was a piece of work.
“Mother, she is no one.” I said, if she knew I was even remotely interested in anyone not just Snarky Pants they would lose their damn life.
“Zaiel Rhyland.” She said, in that tone.
“Mother, she is no one. Now I have a call to take; it is work-related. I am not sure what Clarissa has told you, but I can assure you there is nothing of the sort.”
“I hope so,” she said, ending the call. I groaned out loud; it would be in my best interest to keep away from Tessa Jansen m and her best intrest also.