“I fucking let him sleep on the bed because he couldn’t sleep on the sofa, grow the fuck up.” I spit at him.
“How did you know I was here?” I ask just as angry as him.
“Kaleb text me.” he says, “Was this a game for you two? Did you plan on me walking in on that? Is that why you text me?”
“If you had a fucking brain you would shut up.” Kaleb says to Jase.
“Kaleb, why didn’t you tell me you text Jase?” I ask him.
“I didn’t want to worry you.” he says as he walks back over to me. He sits on the bed and looks at Jase.
“You told me you were texting Liam.” I say infuriated with both males that are currently stood in my hospital room.
“At the time you asked, I was.” he informs me.
“You didn’t want me to know?” Jase looks at me.
“It’s not that I didn’t want you here, I didn’t want you knowing.” I say truthfully.
“That’s just great, so is this a set up?” he asks annoyed.
“How could we plan this you fool? I text you last night, how would I know you would not respond to a text saying your girlfriend is in hospital till the morning.” Kaleb throws at him.
“I thought you was going home, so how the fuck did you end up here?” he asks.
I have never seen an angry Jase, not this angry, and its showing me a whole new side to him.
“I didn’t go straight home. Last night when you pretended I didn’t exist I decided to leave. I went to a different bar, where I was away from you and your childish attitude.” I say truthfully. Jeez, I’m good at that today, time to watch what I say.
“I did not pretend you did not exist.” he says is defense.
“No? Let me see.... take the limo, I’ll call you tomorrow. That’s not pretending I don’t exist right?...... actually no, you did acknowledge me, you just didn’t give a fuck.” I say hurt, because I was hurt.
“I'm not doing this here.” is all he says in defense. So it’s okay for him to demand answers, but not for him to answer them himself.
“No actually I don’t want to do this here either. Kaleb can you ask when they're coming to discharge me please.” I ask him.
He looks at me a little unsure, but once I smile at him he leaves the room, but not before he gives Jase a warning look.
“Why is he here?” Jase asks as the door shuts behind Kaleb.
“I thought you wasn’t doing this here?” I respond my voice dripping in sarcasm.
“Just answer Rhiannon.”
“He found me at the bar after I passed out.” I inform him.
“You got so drunk you passed out?” he asks his voice laced with shock.
“What did Kaleb text you?” I ask him.
“Just that you were at the hospital.”
“So you jump to conclusions? Just get out Jase. I will talk to you this evening.”
I say as Kaleb walks back in.
“They are due to come in the next ten minutes.” Kaleb informs me.
“Great. Will you stay with me?” I ask him as Jase turns to leave.
“I'll stay with you. We have to go somewhere else remember.” Kaleb responds.
“So he gets to stay, but you're kicking your own boyfriend out?” Jase spits out as he spins on his heels, “And where is this other place you have to go? His bed?” he continues to snarl.
“Jase I have warned you once, I will not do it again. Shut the fuck up.” Kaleb tells him.
“So how long have you been sleeping with him?” Jase asks.
“Jase just get out now.” I shout at him. My earlier good mood vanished.
“Come on Kaleb, you can answer this too.” he turns his attention to Kaleb.
“I have not slept with Rhiannon.” he responds answering the question as he angrily pushes the hair out of his face.
“But you want to right?” Jase asks again.
“Jase, not here and not now. We have to be somewhere soon.” Kaleb tells him quietly, “And I’m warning you, do not do this here, I will make you regret it.”
“Stop talking in fucking riddles, and just tell me what the fuck is going on. Last night something upset you Rhiannon, now you end up in hospital with Kaleb by your side. Fill in the bloody blanks for me.” he says angry.
“I went fucking clubbing and almost got raped, then I passed out and had to come to the hospital. Are you fucking happy now? We have to go to the police after here. Just get out Jase. I will deal with you later.” I say as I start to cry.
“I am so sorry Rhiannon.” he says feeling guilty. He starts to walk towards me, but right now I am so angry with him, I don’t want him anywhere near me. I don’t want his pity either. He can shove that up his ass.
“Just leave.” I tell him, putting a holt to his movements.
“Please call me when you get home.” he please with me. I can’t and don’t look at him. He turns on his back and leaves.
Kaleb comes over to pull me in to a hug but I refuse it.
“Please, just leave me alone.” I tell him as my tears continue to fall.
"When did you text Jase?" I ask Kaleb. He needs to start talking now. He could of warned me Jase was informed. And after everything he said last night, he still told him. I don’t know who I’m most angry with. Kaleb because he went behind my back, even after he saw the way Jase dismissed me last night, or Jase for jumping to conclusions, and accusing me of shit while I’m sat in a fucking hospital bed.
"After your nightmare." he answers.
"Why?" I ask confused.
"He is your boyfriend Rhiannon, and I thought you would want him here." he says sadly.
"But after everything you said yesterday?" I ask confused.
"Rhiannon, I'm not a monster. You went through something horrible and I thought you would want him here. Yes I want what he has, but I had to put my feelings aside for you. It fucking pained me to do it, because I am not willing to share you, but I had to put that aside for one night." he says.
"Look how great that turned out." I mumble more to myself.
"Hey, you're upset, tired, and in need of some sleep. Let's get this over with, then talk okay." he says as the nurse walks in.
*****
After a thorough check up, I am declared well enough to go home. Kaleb wants to go straight to the police, but I would rather go home, shower, and get changed. Oh and avoid the police station at all costs, but I know I will be trying in vain. As Kaleb said, when he wants something, he gets it, and he wants me to report this.
"Kaleb, I need to change. I've had this dress on since six yesterday evening. That's seventeen hours. I need to wash all this crap away." I say pointing to all the products on my face and hair. He looks like he is having an internal struggle with himself.
"You can sit and wait for me if you must." I say, willing to try anything to shower before we go to the police.
"Fine, but I won't let you bail on me again." he says seriously.
“I want to get changed, not leave the country.” I snap back.
*****
Once I am discharged, Kaleb rings his second hand man to bring his car.
“Why do you have him?” I ask as he hangs up, “I hardly ever actually see him with you.” I say confused as to what his role actually is.
“He’s almost always with me, you just haven’t noticed him. He is always standing somewhere close.” he says putting his phone away.
“So where was he last night and now?” I ask testing him.
“Right now he was at home, I sent him home last night after you was admitted. Who do you think drove the limo here?” he asks smugly.
“Okay.” I simply respond. What else can I say. I didn’t give that a thought.
“What did you text him?” I ask.
“We will talk about that later, don’t worry. The less you know the better.” he warns me. Ha, that’s a bit like what I think. The less he knows, the better, but I will not voice that and raise his suspicions.
*****
Once we reach my apartment, I notice another note on my mat. I snatch it up, before Kaleb can see it, and walk to my room.
Sitting on my bed, I open the note, and read it.
Attempt one was a flop, next time won’t be! Mark my words, I will get you.
I throw it in my draw, as tears roll down my face. I will have to show these to the police, just not when Kaleb is with me.
With a tear stained face, I walk to the bathroom, and head straight for the shower. I know Kaleb has followed me inside, so I am careful to avoid looking in that direction as I cross the landing. I don’t want him to see me crying.
Once the water is running hot I strip off and climb under the cascade of water, letting it wash away the last twenty-four hours’ worth of crap with it. I am hoping washing the crap away, it will give me the strength I need to get through today.
*****
When I am done, and dressed in something much more comfortable, I walk in to the living room where Kaleb is sat reading a paper on the sofa.
“You ready to go?” he asks as he shoves the paper away.
“I need a coffee first. Do you want one?” I offer.
“Please,” he says as he follows me in to the kitchen. “Have you being crying?” he asks me.
Shit, I didn’t want him to know, I quickly think of an excuse.
“No, I got shampoo in my eye, and it fucking hurt. Silly thing to do, I don’t recommend doing it.” I say with a fake smile.
“Okay.” he says slowly, evidently doubting me, but I don’t give him chance to question me.
“Where is my bag?” I ask while I wait for the coffee machine.
“Did you have one with you?” he asks looking at me with a confused expression.
“Yeah it had my phone and money in it.”
“I don’t know; I will get someone to check the limo for you.” he says picking his phone from his pocket.
“Hello, Liam, its Kaleb. Can you have my limo searched for a bag please? Rhiannon has misplaced hers.” he says in to his phone. He sits and listens for a few seconds before he continues to talk.
“Okay, if it isn’t there can you go to the bar from last night and see if it’s being handed in please.”
“Great thank you.” he says before he hangs up and puts his phone away.
“They haven’t seen it but will go look.” he says as he puts his attention back to me.
“Did you want to call someone?” he asks.
“I was just going to text Grace, but I can call her from the house phone.” I say as I hand him a coffee. “I’ll just go do that now.” I say walking out the kitchen.
I reach the sideboard where the phone stands and dial Graces phone.
“Hello, why you calling me on your house phone?” she asks confused.
“You never call me on your house phone. Is everything okay?” she continues not giving me time to get a word in.
“Grace, if you let me speak.” I laugh at her.
“I've tried calling you all morning.” she says with a little curiosity.
“I'm sorry I lost my phone. I’m hoping Kaleb’s men can find it.” I amuse out loud while still on the phone.
“What has Kaleb got to do with this?” she asks.
I should tell her something to stop the questions, but what. I feel like saying the easiest thing that comes to mind, like it was his event last night so they are looking there, but I know I can’t lie to Grace. I never have been able too.
Taking a deep breath, I proceed to tell her all about last night in short.
“Well at this event with Jase, Kaleb told me he had feelings for me, and that he wanted me.” I whisper in to the phone.
“Fucking hell Rhiannon, speak up I can’t hear you. Did you say your boss wants you?” she shouts.
“Grace, fuck yes, keep your voice down.” I hiss at her as I look towards the kitchen. Kaleb is stood at the counter with his head in the paper again, so at least I know he can’t hear her big mouth from there.
“Why are you whispering?” she asks me.
“Kaleb is in the kitchen.”
“You slept with him?” she shouts.
“Bloody hell no. Grace just stop and listen to me okay.” I order her.
For once she is actually silent, I have to check she is still on the line, “You still here Grace?”
“Yeah,” she responds.
“Okay, don’t talk till I’m finished, then I will answer questions.” I say so I can just tell her everything.
“Okay,”
“Well I went to the première with Jase. While I was there Kaleb did what he did. Then Jase went in a serious mood with me and ignored me because I wouldn’t tell him what Kaleb said. Then I went to a different bar, got drunk, and ended up in hospital.” I manage to say before she interrupts me.
“I'll get back to the rest in a minute, but Rhiannon, hospital?” she asks.
“Yes Grace. I have just got home. I have to leave again in a minute but I wanted to call you.”
“Where do you have to go after you just left the hospital?”
“I have to go to the police station.” I inform her, and I hear her take a shocked gasp of air.
“What the bloody hell happened?”
“I was almost raped and I passed out and fell. I had to be checked for concussion. Now the police need me.”
“Who’s going with you?”
“Kaleb. He’s been with me all night.”
“How did Kaleb end up with you?” she asks confused.
“It’s a long story, but to cut it short, he followed me.”
“Wow, what’s he doing now?” she asks me. I look back down the corridor and see him reading the paper still.
“Sat reading the paper. I have to go now though. I will try text you later.”
“You better ring me as soon as you can. I will be round as soon as you let me know you're home.” she says making me smile.
“Thank you Grace, love you. Bye.” I say as I hang up.
I make my way to the breakfast bar, and as I reach Kaleb, he puts the paper away again.
“Anything interesting?” I ask wondering why he is so shifty with the paper.
“Nope. You ready to go?” he asks as he stands and places his coffee cup in the sink.
“Yep.” I say as I swallow the last of my coffee. I’m not ready, I will never be ready, but no one knows that. As soon as it’s over, I can forget it ever happened.
*****
Two hours later we are done at the police station. Kaleb is driving me back home again.
He is quiet as he moves around the traffic. His bright green eyes, flicking from the road to me at regular intervals. He has not said much since I said I didn’t want him in the interview room with me. He did need to be interviewed too, so I asked him to wait outside. I had to tell the police about the notes, and Len. They need me to bring the notes in when I have time, but for now they are looking for the horrible old guy.