New story 'Aaron' out now! Please go and check it out :). (#3 of the Dark Series)

22.

I was on cloud nine the next morning, even though my body was stiff as I woke up on the floor of Nick's studio.

Nick was snoring gently beside me as he slept in peace and serenity. He looked like a young boy as he slept and he looked trouble free. I loved sleepy Nick, he was always so adorable.

The things Nick said to me last night gave me every bit of hope that Nick felt the same way about me as I did him. We spent the night in the studio together, the lowly dimmed lights adding to the romance of the whole scene before us.

I woke up the happiest I had felt in a long time.

It was petrifying just how easily and how quickly I had fallen for Nick Abel, the play boy and the police officer from this small old village. It was maddening how much he had supposedly changed from before I came back until now. Even my father had noticed the change in him, even though he was still a little wary.

My father only wanted what was best for me.

I laid on the dark wooden oak, taking in the pictures around me. Even though most of them were so dark and depressing, I still felt at peace around them. It could have been because of the fact I knew Nick had drew them. Whatever it was, I liked it.

It was clear to see my man had a talent. I was so excited for his future, whatever he had, he was going to use it to make him the man he always wanted to be. I was proud of him regardless. The last five months I've known him, I just couldn't seem to not be.

Five months didn't even seem that long with Nick. And it was clear to see I had fallen very quickly for him. I wasn't going to put a time on anything though. I had fallen for him and it was as simple as that. I just hope he felt the same because he had every power to break my heart in two.

A loud knock on the door resonated around the studio room. Nick stirred beside me and grabbed me tighter in his arms.

I got out of his hold and heard him moan and groan as I did so. Without wanting to wake him properly, I went to the door and opened it, knowing it was only going to be Nick's mother.

Once I opened the door, Nick's mother was pacing the hall way. As soon as she heard me approaching, she turned to face me.

"Where is he?" She questioned. Her face was one of panic and worry.

"He's in his studio, he's fine." I soothed. I took her frail hand and she let me enclasp it with my own. Her eyes were red with unleashed tears and right now, I was able to feel for her. Empathy came over me like a wave.

This woman had to look after her broken hearted boy after her husbands death. It was clear to see she loved him and she loved her son too. It must have been hard for the both of them when she was admitted to the physiatrics unit.

"Oh." She looked to the floor as if she was now embarrassed by her outburst. I knew she was only a little better but she had further to go. I understood that.

"It's okay." I said. I gave her an encouraging smile. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable around me. I wanted us to get on, I wanted her to feel okay around me, not scared and uncomfortable.

I knew it was hard for her though. I was a new face and the girlfriend of her son. I doubt she had ever seen Nick with another woman before.

"Do you want to go and see him?" I asked. She looked up to me and her grateful smile was enough to melt my heart. Just the way Nick always did.

As soon as I turned around, I jumped at the sight of Nick. He was leaning against the door way of the studio, his eyes trained on me. His lips curved up in to a smile as my eyes flickered to his.

"No need, I'm here." He walked over, his chest bare and his shorts riding low on his hips. Shit, he was breathtaking.

I was never going to get used to his body. He was muscly, his body stocky but lean too. He was gorgeous and I was a lucky woman.

Before Nick got to his mother, he gave me a kiss on the cheek and leaned in my ear.

"Keep checking me out, baby." He whispered. "See where it takes you."

"Hopefully to your bed." I whispered back, my mood mischievous and playful as my happiness over took me.

Nick's eyes darkened as he looked to me, his eyes searching mine.

"Behave." He quietly growled. He stood up straight and moved to his mother. He took her in to his arms and pulled her to the kitchen of his apartment, laughing with her and improving her mood.

Nick was so good with his mother. He didn't treat her differently, he didn't bow down to her illness and treat it as anything but what it was. He didn't ignore it but he didn't pay attention to it in a way that would embarrass his mother. He just aimed to improve her mood and to make her forget all about the outbursts and actions she takes.

I could watch him all day.

As Nick took his mother to the kitchen, I heard my phone ring in my bag on the sofa. I picked it up and fished out my phone quickly, wondering who was ringing me.

"Hello?" I questioned, not bothering to look at the caller ID.

"Birdie." Glenn greeted me. "Do you want lunch?" He asked. Nick looked to me and I smiled his way, showing him that everything was okay.

"Sure, what time?"

"One should do." He said. "Bring Nick."

"Of course I will." I laughed a little. Glenn let out a small chuckle.

"I don't even know why I said that." He chuckled some more. "I used to think Nick and I were joint to the hip. Now, he's replaced me."

"Are you jealous?" I asked playfully.

"No." He let out. "I'm glad you've taken the fucker off me. He can pester you now."

"You love him really." I said, Nick looked to me just as if he knew we were talking about him. His brow arched as he made coffee for the three of us, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I do." He sighed. "Sadly."

"You're so mean." I giggled. Nick's smile grew.

"So is he. Ask him if he loves me." I laughed. "Go on." He encouraged.

"Nick, do you love Glenn?" I shouted to him.

"No." He said back. "He's a twat."

"Did you head that?" I asked, moving to sit down on the sofa.

"Loud and clear, love." He chuckled again. "So I'll see you at one?"

"Yeah." I said just as I remembered my mother and my demon was also here to stay. "Uh, is it just us three?"

"Sadly not." His voice lowered as if he didn't want to be heard. "But your mother wanted us all to be together and who am I to tell her no?" He sighed.

In that moment, I wondered if my father still loved my mother. He never spoke about it and he never said he did, but by the way he spoke about her husband, it wasn't because of anything but the fact he knew she could have done better. My father was good at judging people and I had no doubts that he knew he was a bad man.

He was the worst man.

My heart wrenched anyway. I would have done anything to see my father happy with my mother. My mother and I had stopped being so close once she remarried and I wished everything was different between the three of us and all I wanted was for the two to be happy.

My mother loved her husband and was incredibly happy. It was a shame I hated him with everything I had.

"Great." I tried to plaster on a fake smile which would hopefully aid me in the fake happiness of him being there.

Glenn didn't question me, he knew I didn't like him either. If only he knew half of it. I shuddered at the thought of him knowing what happened back in Australia. He couldn't know, ever. And neither could my mother.

Once my father and I had hung up the phone, I placed it back in to my bag and sighed as I leaned further in to the sofa.

My heart kept in fright at the thought of sitting around the table with my childhood demon. However, this time I wasn't on the verge of a breakdown. Nick was going to be there and I knew he would do anything to protect me.

I knew I was going to be safe.

Nick sauntered his way over to me and placed a cup of coffee infront of me. I took it and looked to him, my now bad mood evident.

Nick caught on to my mood straight away, his face dropping as he took me in.

"What's the matter?" He questioned.

"We're going to lunch." I stated. Nick looked to me in confusion.

"Cathy, forgive me if I'm wrong but since when have you been in a bad mood because you're having food? You love food."

Nick sat beside me and placed a gentle arm over my shoulders. I already felt better under his arm, his warmth seeping in to my skin.

"My mother's going." I stated. I watched as his face dropped even further. His eyes filled up with irritation.

"Why?"

"Dad said mom wanted us all to be together." I shrugged.

"Well, why didn't you say no?" He snapped. I knew the mention of him was enough to get Nick angry and irritated. He hated him almost as much as me.

"Because I couldn't. I want my mother to be happy, Nick." I said. Nick's face softened up as I said so. He understood that, I know he did. He looked to his own mother before looking back to me.

"Okay but I don't want you leaving my side."

"Nick-"

"I mean it." He clipped. "You're not leaving my side." His face said don't push me but his eyes pleaded in the lost vulnerable of ways.

I sighed.

"Fine." I finalised. "I won't."

Nick kissed my forehead before getting up, gulping down his coffee and walking over to his bedroom door.

I got up and followed after him, wanting to get ready. I had to shower and change as it was already eleven. We had two hours to spare.

This was going to be fun.

-----

Nick and I got to the small cafe with ten minutes still left to spare. Nick was quiet on the way to lunch and didn't speak a word.

I understood his nerves and the anger that coursed through his veins. It wasn't nice to be around somebody who would do such a thing to me. For me, it wasn't nice to see my nightmare and to look him in the eyes.

I was petrified.

We picked a table for five and sat down before the others came. Nick made sure I was in the corner so he could keep an eye on me there. I felt a little safer knowing he was beside me and was there watching over me.

I was so grateful for him.

My father was the first to walk in to the cafe, his face one of joy to see me but annoyance at the man behind him.

He was definitely jealous of his ex wife and her newest husband. I could tell.

"Cathy." He kissed my cheek over the table and slapped Nick's cheek lightly as he started to talk about the football scores. As he was doing so, my mother's husband quickly rounded the table until he was sitting opposite me.

As Glenn spoke, Nick's eyes flickered his way and his hands bunched up in to fists and his body became stiff. He was ready to explode.

My mother's husband looked to me and kept his eyes trained on mine. My heart started beating loudly in my chest as he continued to look at me. I leaned in closer to Nick, his eyes following my movements.

As soon as my mother's hand touched his shoulder, his eyes left mine and I was finally able to breath. Still, Nick seemed ready to kill him as he physically shook beside me.

I stood up from the table as my skin felt slick and sweaty with panic. My heart kept beating and my head went light.

I couldn't do this.

Nick stood up abruptly from the table as soon as he saw me moving to the toilets. He didn't bother apologising and neither did I, even though we could both hear my father's voice calling for the both of us.

I opened the bathroom door for the women's toilets and Nick entered with me.

"I just need some time, Nick." I stated, my voice cracking as I did so. Nick watched me intensely, his chest heaving up and down.

"Cathy-"

"I just need some time!" I snapped loudly. I knew I was taking my fear and anger out on Nick but I just couldn't help myself. I just needed some time and some time alone to gather and collect my thoughts.

Nick didn't bother answering back as he opened the door with force and slammed it shut. I knew he was going to stand out there watching over me. I knew him too well but I was grateful.

I splashed some cold water over my face and took in a few deep breaths. I tried to calm my beating heart before it got worse. It would only be a matter of seconds, I knew.

Just as my heart was calming, another door opened in the toilet. I didn't even know the door was there until it moved. My heart lurched again but it went in to full throttle as soon as I saw his body sauntering in to the toilets.

He clocked me before I could move.

Just as I was about to scream, he held a hand over my mouth after running towards my shaking and trembling body.

I tried to scream but he clamped my mouth shut.

"Shut up you bitch." He spat. "You think you can get away with leaving me?" He laughed so evilly the panic came back to hit me.

I couldn't breath.

No. No. Please. Nick.

Help me.

"And now you've got a new man too?" His face came closer until his breath hit my face with force. His chest heaved as he breathed heavily. Those eyes of my nightmares were exactly what haunted me.

They were dark, promising, determined. I knew what they meant and I wished I didn't.

Nick. I need you.

"You know don't you." His eyes glinted. "You know you need to be punished for this, Catherine."

I tried to struggle free as soon as he said the words but as I did so, he grabbed me harder. His nails dug in to my skin, probably drawing blood in its path.

I tried to bite down on his hand, the adrenaline speeding through my veins.

He leaned back and looked to me with a new wave of anger. In a quick flash, I was on the floor as he hit me. I was too scared to make a noise, the adrenaline pushing every thought of pain away from me.

I needed to run. I needed Nick to help me.

I tried to crawl away but he came over and picked me up. I tried to scream again but his hand came to my neck.

I struggled to breath.

"You've missed this haven't you, petal?" He asked, his eyes a light with something I had never seen before. He wanted to hurt me, badly. He got a kick out of it. "Don't worry, you'll have me soon. Right now actually."

No. No. Not again.

"I can't wait any longer." With his hand still on my neck, he undid his jeans with his other hand, the sound of his zipper making a tear fall down my cheek.

I couldn't breath and I was slowly moving in to darkness. It wouldn't be long before I passed out, I knew.

Just as he was about to move forward, the door burst open. As I started to black out, my eyes moved over to the door.

Please, Nick, help me.

However, Nick wasn't there.

In front of the door was a man who was shaking in anger. His eyes were full of shock, his face crumbling in my view.

And behind him was a murdering looking Nick. He ran forward with a shout and as soon as I was let go, I collapsed forward. Someone grabbed a hold of me, sobbing was heard but I couldn't move.

I couldn't breath.

"Fuck!" I heard the scream before I blackened out and I knew the voice before me.

Dad.

---------

Hi guys, who's here from Xavier??

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. There's a lot to come. :) x