#Chapter6

Claire's POV :

I unlocked my apartment with the spare key and got inside only to be welcomed with the usual smell of alcohol. I went inside and saw my mother on the floor with empty, cheap wine bottles, I wonder where she gets those. I went towards her and kneeled down at her level.

"Mom let’s take you to bed or do you want something to eat?" I asked.

"Noooo... I don't want anything to eat but I want something to drink." She said

"Okay let me get you water." I said and was about to stand up but she took hold of my hand.

"Noooo not water I want my baby. I want more alcohol , you see this bottle has no more in it and I want more so give me some money so I can get it." she said in a drunk state.

"No mom you've had enough besides I don't have any money." I said.

"You are lying whore! You earn and I both know you have money , I don't know how you earn it and I don't even care if you who're around for it just give me some damn cash" she said but I shook my head again and this time she slapped me hard on the cheek scratching a bit from her ring .

Is that what she thinks of me ? That I whore around for money ?

She then grabs my savings pouch from top of the refrigerator and took out the only twenty-dollar bill in it which I would have used for transport and went outside waving it in the air. So that's where she gets the money from .

I went upstairs all the while tears streaming down my face and not from the very stinging sensation on my cheek but the words that came out of my mother's mouth, after all these years they still have that deep effect on me . She is my mother after all.

I plopped down on the bed crying my heart out. I cursed my dad of his lack of responsibility and care towards his family and for leaving us.

Was his mistress really more important for him than his own wife and daughter, his own family? I cried thinking all those thoughts and soon started feeling drowsy, the stinging sensation was still there and I know it's gonna leave an ugly bruise but I was too tired to get up and examine it in the mirror so I went into a dream less slumber.

I woke up at the sound of my alarm and got ready , I looked myself in the mirror and saw that there was a bruise on my left cheek, when I touched it, it hurt like hell.

I decided to cover it with a concealer but it was no use the bruises were of an ugly shade of purple and blue so I just let it be.

I made my way downstairs and saw my mother plopped on the couch with an empty bottle and shook my head in disapproval.

When I reached the bus stop I realised I had no money, of course my mother took it to buy her disgusting alcohol and I am in no mood of walking because with all the crying last night my head hurts as if after a hangover. So I took out my old phone and called the only friend and person I really know , Zac .

After two rings he picked up his phone

"Hey darling." He said.

"Hey Zac." I replied.

"So what made you call me darling, missing me too much?" He said and I blushed though he couldn't see.

"Uhhh...... Zac I actually kind of needed a favour." I said

"Of course anything for you Tesoro." He said.

"Zac can you please come and pick me up from my apartment and drop me to the cafe I actually don't have the money for the bus." I said

"Of course anything darling you wait right there I am on my way will be there in five." He said.

"Okay bye." I said and hung off.

I waited for a few minutes and then saw a black sports car stop I front of me and the passenger door automatically opened and I knew it was Zac's car and I hopped in.

"Hi Zac " I said quietly.

"Hi Tesoro ......." He said and stopped mid-sentence.

He was going to say something else too but stopped when he saw my face and his jaw visibly clenched.

"Claire what happened on you left cheek?" He asked in a furious voice.

"N..n...nothing just fell off the stairs." I lied but I was never a good liar.

"Claire don't lie to me cause it certainly isn't looking like you fell off the stairs it's clear that someone hit you!" He said raising his voice and I backed away a bit because he looked scary when he is angry and seeing this he took a deep breath and calmed down a bit.

"Claire who did this?" He asked again.

"I...I...don't wanna tell." I said knowing I can't lie.

"Fuck! Claire, okay fine doesn’t tell me but this isn't going unnoticed and I already have suspicions on someone and darling this isn't going to continue any longer." He said and I was confused by his words but ignored it.

He turned on my side and faced me completely.

"Show me." He said more like demanded and I did as he told and showed him my left cheek.

He grazed his thumb on it lightly and I gasped and winced in pain and he instantly stopped.

"I am so sorry darling." He said.

"No it's okay." I said.

"We have to get this checked by a doctor, so we're going to the doctor first." He said.

I shook my head vigorously

" no Zac I have to go to work or my manager lady will stop me out " I said

" don't worry about her I will take care of her like I always do " he said

"But there is no need you've already Done so much for me Zac " I said

"Bull shits look at that bruise and it hurts like hell to you and I can't stand you in pain and I can never do enough for you darling " he said .

"But......." I was about to protest but he beat me to it .

"No buts anymore Claire , you listen and obey me okay this is for your own good " he said in a warning and authoritative voice leaving no room for argument and I just silently nodded .

We reached a clinic instead of a hospital but I didn't question and we got out of the car and Zac wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked in .

We entered a cozy room with a sterner and a study table behind which was a middle-aged man sitting doing some paperwork .

" Dr. Watson " Zac called out immediately getting the docs attention .

" oh Zachary it's you and who do we have here with you today " he said and Zac firmly pulled me forward .

"Doctor this is Claire my soon to be wi....... I mean ..... Friend " he said .

Soon to be friend? What?

" hello Claire, I am Doctor Watson , so what's the ugly bruise on your cheek ? " the doctor asked and before I could say something Zac answered for me .

" well that's the problem doctor she is not telling what happened but I would appreciate you check her " he said and the doctor nodded .

"Of course make her sit on the stretcher and I'll be right back , need to wash my hands " the doctor said and went off.

I went towards the stretcher and tried to take a seat on it but the stretcher was kind of high and me being short wasn't helping it and I couldn't sit on it and I turned towards Zac who was watching me smiling .

" here darling let me help you " he said chuckling and coming towards me .

He picked me up from my waist and arms like I weighed off a two-year-old and placed me on the stretcher and I blushed furiously , damn him being sooo tall and built .

By now I was feeling nervous and a bit scared and I think Zac noticed that .

" hey what happened , what are you thinking ? " he asked and I shook my head.

" come on darling tell me I know something's bothering you and I don't like it one bit" he asked coming a bit closer.

" promise me you won't make fun of me ?" I asked .

"Of course not I would never do that darling never " he said stroking my fine cheek with his thumb .

" it's just that I am scared of needles and what if the doctor has to inject me " I said just shuddering at the thought .

" oh no he won't have to do that I am positive he would just give you some creams and painkillers and even if he did have to inject you I would be here to hold you and you won't even feel a thing " he said and I nodded and just on instinct hugged him more like hugged his torso because of me being short and him being too tall but anyway he instantly returned the hug patting my back.

"You're the best " I muttered in his chest still hugging him and he chuckled .

"that I am” he said

We separated when the doctor came in and Zac also took a seat beside me on the stretcher holding me close as the doctor examined my cheek .

After some time he told us to come with him and Zac helped me off the stretcher and we Walked with him to his study table.

" these will be the prescription she has to have , there are two creams and a pain killer this shall be gone till four days approx. " the doctor said and handling Zac the prescription.

" thank you doc now we will take our leave " Zac said and we got up and walked towards his car.

" Zac now please take me to the cafe and talk to the manager lady " I said

" no you're not going for work today , you’re not well " he said .

"No Zac I have to go and please talk to the lady cause she actually listens to you " I said .

"But you can take a day off and I can talk to her " he said.

"Zac please " I pleaded and he sighed.

"Okay " he said

After a while we reached the cafe and we both got out and walked towards the manager office first off and as soon as she saw me she was fuming and she opened her mouth to say something to me but as she saw Zac step in she quickly shut it and gulped.

" now you won't say a thing to Claire over here and will keep your mouth shut " he said standing behind me .

He then took his wallet out and took out a five-hundred-dollar bill and I knew what he was gonna do so I quickly grabbed his hand shook my head indicating no but he said it's okay doesn't matter and gave it to the manager lady who greedily took it .

We walked out of her office and I walked him to the car

" thanks but you didn't have to do that " I said .

"Of course I had to , I know her kind of people they just understand money or else she would've eaten you alive darling " he said pecked my cheek making me smile .

"I have to go now darling I have some work but I will be picking you up" he said and I nodded ,then I remembered the prescriptions .

" umm Zac give me the prescription please "I said .

"Oh no don't worry about that I'll get them for you " he said .

"No Zac I'll get them" I said .

"Darling why do you have to always argue , let me do these things for you " he said cupping my fine cheek and I nodded .

"Okay now I'll have to go so take care " he said and kissed my forehead before going.

I am so lucky to have him in my life .