Chapter 9
Hayley
I stayed in hospital. The company paid for a private room, and I was waited on hand and foot until I was released.
For the first time in years, I wanted to go to my apartment.
I was safe, reluctantly, I admitted, due to the offices of Dean.
I'd begun to trust him and even like him until he grabbed my arm and yelled at me.
At that moment, he resembled Jake, wanting to dominate me and tell me how to live my life.
I want none of that. Love is not a prison. No man will control me again.
I thought of the future. Dean wanted me out of his hair as soon as possible.
Now that I was free of Jake, I considered the possibilities.
After another two years of practical work, I could study for a postgraduate qualification in forensic accounting.
Or I could train for a new career. Even travel the world.
A small amount was left from my parents' trust fund, but I had not been able to touch it, as Jake would have found out.
By Monday, I'd recovered my strength, and after sleeping well, I started work early. Dean was surprised. Sleepless nights and worries had caused me to be late sometimes.
'How are you, Ms. Rantur?'
'I'm good, ready to complete my project. How about you? .'
'I've endured worse in the military. When you've finished your project, shall we make an appointment to assess your work?'
'That will be good,' I said and turned to my computer.
The other women in my office had heard about the mountain incident, and they asked if I was ok and brought me a coffee.
I'd feared my past with Jake would be public knowledge.
They invited me to lunch and I accepted.
Instead of interrogating me and spreading gossip, they were friendly.
My reserve and secretiveness may have made me appear standoffish in the past.
My contact with Dean involved exchanging pleasantries the rest of the week. We didn't mention our ordeal. We worked together amicably and made a good team.
I began to enjoy my newfound freedom. I attended a gym and socialized with the members, no longer fearing contact with men. I decided I liked my job, now I could concentrate on the work, and the finance director said he would give me a larger project, subject to a satisfactory appraisal.
I started exploring this town. It was a wonderful place to live, being near the mountains and the seaside. The nightlife was exciting as well. I contacted my trustees, and they released my funds. I bought a new convertible for trips to the seaside and looked around for an apartment to buy.
Two months passed. Life was enjoyable, and a few guys asked me out.
I must be fickle. None of them excited me or kept my interest for more than a few hours, so I didn't agree to second dates.
They seemed like immature boys talking about cars, IT, and sports all the time, jocks, or nerds.
I want a mature man who has experienced life and shares similar interests with me.
I went to a bar with a friend I met at the gym. We were listening to a band and drinking cocktails. Two guys standing near the bar were watching us. One held up his drink as if to ask if we wanted another. I was good, but my friend's glass was empty.
'They look good fun,' she said and smiled at him and beckoned him over. His mate came with him. Both were well-groomed and wore expensive clothes and trainers. Handsome and muscled, if their personalities matched their appearance, they could be fun.
Paul chatted to me and asked me to dance.
He's an engineer, intelligent, and likes the same groups and artists as I do.
After some fast dances, the mood of the music changed to a slow melody.
It was a bit cozy for me, but Claire, my friend, was already in his friend's arms. I didn't want to drink alone, so I agreed to one more dance.
He held me a bit tight, and I gently pushed him back a little.
'What's up, Hayley? Don't you like slow dances?' His voice slurred a little, and he tightened his grip.
'It's just very hot in here to dance this close,' I said, making a weak excuse.
'Hey, Babe, you're a brilliant dancer,' he replied, ignoring my protests and crushing me against his chest. Now I was truly hot, suffocating, and felt sick. Jake used to hold me like this, and then the beating started. With all my strength, I pushed him away.
'Aw, Babe,' Paul moaned. 'Don't you like dancing?' He was tight, having been drinking in the club most of the evening.
'I do, but I want to sit down and cool off,' I said, pulling myself away from him. He followed me to my table and grabbed my arm.
'Let's go outside and cool off together.'
'Your friend looks happy with my mate. You don't want to be on your own.'
He was right. She was dancing as close as possible with his friend. No guesses where the night would end up. I would be going home alone. I'd picked the wrong girl to go with to the club this evening.
'I'm fine here. The door attendant will call a taxi for me. I'm almost ready to leave. I had an early morning meeting today.'
'I'll take you home. Let's go.' He grabbed my arm and pulled me up.
'No thanks. I'm going to the restroom first.'
'You giving me the brush off?' Reality entered his befuddled brain. He scowled at me, tightening his hold.
I tried to remain cool. 'I'm tired and need to go. I'm staying with my cousin, and she won't want to be disturbed this late.'
'You can come back to my place. We won't be disturbed.'
'Thanks for the offer, but no. Please let me go.' I stared at the door attendant, and he nodded, ready to come over, but before he had a chance, a deep voice said calmly, 'You heard what the lady said, let her go.'
'Who are you to but in?' blustered Paul, but he was uneasy when faced with the tall, muscled guy confronting him.
'I can tell the lady wants you to leave her alone.'
Drunken bravado overcame common sense. 'What can you do about it?'
'Do you a lot of damage.'
Paul exploded and hit out at Dean who sidestepped him and twisted his arm behind his back until Paul begged for mercy.
'Are you going to leave like a sensible man?' His robotically calm voice held a menace I'd never heard before.
Paul nodded, and Brand guided him to the door, where the attendant took over his ejection.
'Are you ok?' asked Dean, giving me a steely glance as if I were a nuisance he wanted rid of.
'Yes, but I think you should call a taxi for my friend. His mate may be as untrustworthy as him.'
'I'll ask the door attendant to keep an eye on her, but she looks capable of taking care of herself,' he said, giving her a cursory glance.
'Let's go. I'll drive you home.' He clutched my arm and led me out. I hated his domineering manner, but I wanted to arrive home safely. This bar was supposed to be safe for single women, and my new friend had seemed sensible when I met her at the gym.
Dean opened his car door, an old vintage convertible this time, and helped me in.
He said nothing until we arrived at my apartment.
'Keys please.'
He let me in and checked the rooms. Then his calmness turned to anger. His stone-like face turned into a scowl, his contained anger unleashed.
'What the heck were you thinking of? I thought after your experience with Jake, you would have had more sense and avoided men like him.'
'He was harmless until the slow music came on, and then he changed.'
'You shouldn't have danced so long with him. He thought you were keen on him.'
'I didn't know how much he’d drunk. And I refused to go out of the bar with him.'
'You were still stupid to stay so long with him. You can't take care of yourself. You’re attracted to the wrong men.'
'Who are you to tell me who to dance with? You have no rights over me. You're just like Jake, ordering me about. I don't want a man controlling me again. Get out.'
He looked shocked. 'No, I'm not. I protected you because I care for you, but I can't talk to you when you are in this mood. You won't believe me, whatever I say.' He moved to the door. 'I'll explain when we can discuss this more rationally.'
Bye.'
After he left, I was hurt. He’d almost accused me of encouraging Paul's behavior and made me feel as if I were a slut. Just as Jake had accused me when other men watched me in bars. No other man will judge me; I’ll behave as I wish.
I need no man's approbation. I went to bed but couldn't sleep, my mind repeating his words.