Chapter 41 MARKS OF THE PAST
I sighed, running my hands over my temples, and stopped behind the closed bathroom door, giving two soft knocks.
“Miss Elisabeth, I don't intend to hurt you...Why don't you tell me what they did to you?” I murmured against the door. “And I'm naked in your room. Are you going to leave me here alone?” I joked, hearing a low laugh. Lis opened the door to face me.
“Have you always been like this? I've known you for five years, and you don't seem like the same man I work with,” she said, wrapped in a towel and clutching the fabric. “I still don't trust you,” she confessed, and I nodded, caressing her face.
“We'll work on that then.” I smiled, pulling her away. “We start with our agreements: no firings, no running away, and no other people in our lives!”
“Mr. Morgan, I've already said... We're nothing, not even friends or boyfriends, just bosses and employees,” Lis shrugged, stepping away.
“Let's be lovers; I like how that sounds.” I pulled her back, pressing her against the wall. “On the condition that we are something.”
“Why me? Why do you suddenly want me like this?” Nervously biting her lips, Lis stared at me with bright eyes, seeking answers.
“Who said it's sudden?” I frowned before kissing her. “I know what I want, Miss.Figure out what you desire, and we'll go from there.”
I stepped back, leaving her confused, and dressed to leave.
“We won't be lovers.” Lis asked, her voice faltering. “That's what you said.”
“Yes, but a woman like you wouldn't settle for little from a man like me,” I smiled provocatively. “Both of us want more, Miss Elisabeth. Think about it!”
I winked at her, leaving her apartment.
POV: ELISABETH
I ran to the living room and locked the front door before sitting on the couch, mentally going over everything that had happened.
“Patrick Morgan wants something more with me?” I threw my head back, smiling as I remembered how I had stimulated myself in front of him—his intense looks that burned my skin from a distance, the crooked smile, the moans, the goosebumps. “Damn it, I want more too!”
I grabbed a bottle of wine, ready to relax, when Lara started sending me furious messages about my “disappearance.” I was impatient with my friend, who had been acting strange since my trips. What had changed? Was it her new, clueless boyfriend?
It was late, so I went to bed, as I would spend the next day with my grandmother before the next trip to Cuba. I shivered at the thought of dealing with Patrick's advances. He pushed me to the limit with his games, and I was being too foolish to refuse.
“He's going to end up hurting me...” I said to myself, locking the door to my room as I lay down.
The screen of my phone lit up with a new message, and I narrowed my eyes when I saw the name.
“You're even more beautiful when you let desire flow. Thank you for the night. Don't worry, you're safe. Greg will watch over your apartment. Rest! P.S.: We'll sleep together soon, my lover.”
I sighed as I read Patrick's message. The title “lover” didn't sound appealing, but coming from him, it was seductive. I smiled, aware that I was deeply involved and needed to be cautious to avoid anyone finding out. I didn't want my image to be tarnished. Getting involved with someone like this was dangerous, especially if that monster ever found me. I trembled as I hugged my knees. He couldn't find me; he could hurt Patrick.
“I can't continue with this...” Tears rolled down my face, and I cried until sleep overtook me.
I had restless dreams and tossed and turned all night, clutching the pillow in search of comfort and protection I didn't have. I felt hands squeezing my neck tightly, suffocating me. Furthermore, I tried to hit the attacker, but I couldn't see him in the dark. Suffocating, his eyes were diabolical, as was the smile—just a glimpse of his face illuminated by the moonlight.
“I'm back, my light!”
“No!” I screamed, jumping out of bed and trembling. I turned on the light, but there was no one there.
Shaking, I heard knocks on the door. I grabbed a bat from under the bed and stealthily went to the front door.
“Who... who is it?” I asked, almost in a trembling whisper.
“Mrs. Elisabeth, it's Greg. Are you okay? I heard a scream.”
I looked through the peephole, opening the door slightly.
“It's... Hi, Greg, I'm sorry, it was just a bad dream...” I lowered my eyes, trying to hide the tears that welled up in the corners of my eyes.
“It's okay; I'm here to ensure your safety.” He smiled, conveying calmness.
“This is going to sound strange; would you mind staying in my living room while I rest? I know it's asking a lot, but...”
“Of course!” Greg replied immediately, entering and looking around the entire apartment before sitting on the couch. “Now rest; I won't leave until Mr. Morgan returns.”
“Will he come back here today?” I widened my eyes, closing the door and locking it again, lowering the bat.
Greg shook his head.
“Miss, I'm in charge of your security until his return. Rest; I know you'll spend the day with your grandmother, and she needs her granddaughter to be well!” He smiled, something rare for a man who usually had a stern expression.
“Thank you,” I smiled back, taking the bat with me to the bedroom.
Dawn soon arrived. I got ready and went out to prepare breakfast, but Greg had already done it and was waiting outside the apartment. I had breakfast, thanked him for his watch, and we went to the nursing home. The day went by peacefully; sometimes my grandmother remembered me, and other times she thought I was still a child.
“Dear, you can't marry that man... I don't trust his aura!” She said as we had tea, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Who, grandma?” I wiped the corner of her wet lips.
“Your fiancé is a very bad man. He visited me these days and was more devilish than ever.” I dropped the cup to the floor, drawing Greg's and the nurses' attention. My grandmother grabbed my hands, holding them between hers. “He's back, my girl. You need to run away...I'll be fine!”
A nurse approached me, looking from my grandmother to me.
“Are you okay, miss? You look pale... Did something happen?” The nurse asked.
“Someone...” I whispered, making her come closer. I composed myself, smiling at my grandmother and looking at the nurse. “Did anyone else come to visit my grandmother?”
“Not that I know of, Mrs. Elisabeth. We strictly follow your orders not to allow visitors without your consent.” She looked back at my grandmother. “Why?”
“My grandmother said a man visited her. I want to know who it was!” I spoke louder. Greg approached, assessing the situation closely.
“Please, Mrs. Elisabeth, there's no need for this... There were no visitors other than you and Mr. Morgan on the day he was here. Your grandmother is a sick woman; you know her condition can create confusing memories.”