C7 KARIE’S DILEMMA

Annie heard the handcuff fell to the floor and her hands felt free, she glared at the handcuff and then at Thomas. Thomas could read her mind, but instead shuddered, “your lucky day, married woman.” He hissed and walked away.

Annie ignored him and forced herself up.

A few seconds later they both watched Annie dress up in tears. Most parts of her clothes were torn already and Ben knew Thomas was just the idiot he had always been.

**********

She glanced at her wristwatch stained in her blood. It was 8:24 pm already!

Donald and Karie would have been scared of her sudden disappearance.

She knew Donald would still hold the party for Karie no matter what, but will Karie ever forgive her?

Will she ever believe her sudden disappearance before the party and her appearance after the party?

Annie pondered as she drove back home. Tears never stopped running down her cheek and the moment she drove into the garage, she noticed the bedroom light was on. A sign Donald was not asleep. She stops the engine and came out of the Jeep fill with the smell of what she bought from the mall hours ago. As she stared at everything scattered on the floor, she felt a fresh flow of tears from her eyes. Shutting the door of the Jeep, she knew she had to stop the tears or get Donald curious.

Stepping into the bedroom, she ran into his arms.

“What happened? What kept you so long? We have been looking for you everywhere! Kelly Bale has been—” he was shocked to be interrupted by Annie.

“You hired Kelly Bale, the private detective?” Annie’s low voice intruded.

“Yes, darling—” Donald looked into her eyes to see her fears if possible.

Was Ben not linked to Kelly Bale?

Why was he at Thomas's house?

What was he doing there?

Are they working together?

She allowed her thoughts to sink, the moment she felt Donald could read her thoughts and see what she was thinking and then ask questions that may lead to everything she wants to keep out of his reach.

She knew she was tired already all her limbs are aching her and her wrists are swollen but then he was determined to keep everything that happened in Thomas's stinking apartment from Donald. She knew this wasn’t intentional, but to save her marriage and her family which she considers more important than revealing to Donald what happened a few hours ago that led to her missing Karie’s birthday.

Narrowing her eyes to her thoughts, she figured out the lines can’t match.

Ben?

Who cares now, for he saved my life!

“Where is Karie? Was the party held?” Annie muttered.

Donald's eyes were all over Annie and finally, he nodded, “Karie is asleep now. She felt bad you weren’t around at her party. Her friends kept her company, I mean in a good mood, especially John—it was great, I wish you were there, Annie—what happened to you?” He kept his eyes on her and struggled to read her thoughts and check also if she was alright. Annie pretends to be alright even when she still felt terrible pains in his arms, legs, and wrist.

Annie could feel his eyes all over her now.

“Got a car breakdown?” Donald tries to question further to know why she came late.

Annie nodded mutely and pulled out of Donald’s arm and then back out slowly, “I want a warm bath Donald, can’t talk now.” she started walking away to take a warm bath.

Donald's eyes were still fixed on her as she walked away but he stopped her with his word, “you look beautiful in that dress but that wasn’t what you wore when you left home for the shopping mall this morning.” He knew that was not what she has worn for shopping this morning.

Annie turned and smiled but kept on walking until she was out of his sight. “I need some water on my body now” Donald heard her whisper.

She knew Donald was too smart to be a fool, but what is she going to tell him?

That she was almost raped?

She knew that will just be one of the collections of her new secrets to allow for peace at home but then, the trauma was burning underneath her skin and wondered how long she can survive the thought of almost being raped.

They have been married now for close to ten years and Donald had kept his marriage vow faithfully. And now with the coming of Thomas, who had been Annie’s long-time admirer, what will become of her and her marriage?

She knew she has to be faithful too or else Karie will feel the pain of separation.

She sighs as thoughts rolled in and out of her. She could see a lot coming for her as the first drop of water from the shower above her fell on her body.

She knew rape was so close.

And maybe not luckier next time!

Now, she knew she had no idea what plan Thomas would be stewing next.

As her eyes narrowed into the future, she refuses what she was thinking to release its venom into her bloodstream, at least not yet.

**********

“Why did you stop me from digging that whore—?” Thomas began as he looked at Ben angrily.

“She is not a whore; you are the fool, Thomas.” Ben shot back at him. “You kidnapped a married woman from a shopping mall, brought her here and you wanted to do what?” Ben flared. “It only fools that do that, and I am not surprised you are one.” He flared and pointed his right hand angrily at Thomas, who was jittering now.

Thomas rubbed his dirty fingers through his curled hair. His hair smells too and looked curled because he hadn’t combed it for days now. He doesn’t seem to care about himself and most times, Ben kept wondering if he will ever stay away from trouble. He loves three things that had never helped any serious man in life. He loves hard drugs; he loves alcohol and lastly, he loves women of any color type whether married or single.