“Jeni? Jeni?” Brielle touches my shoulder, and I flinch away. She puts her hands up in a surrendering motion while creasing her brows, causing me to quickly snap out of it.
“I’m fine,” I lie, trying to show her that her concern isn’t necessary.
“No, you’re not. What’s going on? You’re so pale. You’re barely holding it together. Jeni, talk to me, please?”
I try to swallow a lump that’s firmly lodged in my throat and decide I should probably tell someone what’s going on. Bree is, after all, like a sister to me. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I hesitate for a second, but she nods her head, and so I exhale. “When your father yelled at me, for some reason I relived it… the assault, I mean. He’s so loud and so obnoxious. His sharp movements and anger frighten me. He frightens me.”
Bree’s face shows understanding, so she talks in a gentle tone. “Does Aiden know?”
“No. And Brielle, I don’t want him to either. His relationship with his father is precarious at the best of times. It’s fragile, and in some ways, it’s already broken. I don’t want to damage his relationship with him any more than it already is…” I look around. “Aiden told me this morning he wants to leave, and I know it’s because of me. I don’t want to be responsible for a father and son parting ways, or for Aiden to leave the family business. Please don’t say anything. Promise me, you won’t?” I beg.
She hesitates before she responds, “I promise. But I have a condition.” I raise my eyebrow in response. “Jeni, you can’t be afraid of every man who might make sudden movements or who are loud and obnoxious around you. Believe me, I know Father is all of those things. Have you considered talking to someone about what happened?”
“Not really. But maybe I should. It was discussed back when it happened, but I never went. D-Do you think you could come with me if I can find someone who deals with post-traumatic stress?”
“Of course, I’ll come with you. I will go one better and find someone and make an appointment. We’ll go during one of our lunch breaks. Sound good?”
I nod in agreement, and she pats me on the arm in a gentle and caring way and then heads back to her desk. A sense of relief washes over me as I realize that maybe I do need some help.
Taking in a deep breath, I contain my breathing, and my heart rate steadies. The last thing I want is for Aiden to see me like this or for Niall to see a weakness he can exploit any further.
The day continues without incident, and at around five o’clock, Niall and Aiden come out of their respective offices. Aiden’s putting on his suit jacket as he exits his door and strides toward me. I pick up my bag and walk to meet him.
Niall steps over to the elevator, trying to put on his suit jacket but struggles with his arm still in the cast. He huffs and ends up holding onto it while he stomps inside.
The doors close, and Bree starts laughing, really laughing. “Did you see how much he was struggling with that jacket? It was hilarious. He’s so stubborn, he won’t ask for help.”
Aiden takes my hand, and the three of us head to the elevator. Bree pushes the button, and we all step in. “So, when are you guys getting married?”
“September fourteenth,” Aiden answers, his twinkling eyes shine as much as his big grin.
“Oh my God, there’s an actual date? That’s so cool. Is it next year or the year after?”
Aiden shakes his head. “No, this September.”
Brielle’s eyes widen, she gasps, and places her hand over her mouth. “You’re planning a wedding in five months? Are you crazy?”
The elevator doors open. Bree really has no idea how true those words are. My emotions are all over the place. Being with Aiden is the only way I know how to function, but being around his father stirs feelings and memories I’d rather not have. The memory of ‘He Who Shall definitely Not Be Named’ and how he attacked me still haunts my dreams.
I keep all this to myself. Aiden is the last person I want to confide in, which feels wrong because he is the first person I should run to. I know he already feels guilty enough. Guilt that was probably all brought on by me and my stupid brain deciding it was his fault.
Now, I realize just how wrong I was. There was nothing he could have done to stop what Jason did to me that horrific day. Even with this realization, it’s not enough to let go of the fear that has me trapped in my head. And now, I have my own guilt knowing I was the reason for his stress, leaving him to the care of his father.
Sarah is standing in front of the fridge staring aimlessly into it. Aiden raises his brow as the vision of a perturbed Sarah is a sight not often seen. We walk past her and into the dining area.
“Hey, Sez.”
She exhales. “Yeah, I’m fine, just fine,” she replies, obviously not listening to what I said while she continues to stare.
“Find anything you like?” I ask.
“No. And I’m starving. I’ve been studying all day and didn’t eat lunch,” she grumbles with some annoyance in her tone.
Aiden walks over to the fridge, closes it while Sarah looks at him with her eyebrows raised and a frown forming on her face.
“It’s my turn to cook tonight. So sit, have some wine, and I’ll whip up something,” Aiden tells us.
It makes my heart flutter while Sarah nods, walks over, and slumps on the seat crossing her arms.