CHAPTER 3.

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David Castro as Joey Pereira

-

I got off work at a quarter past 2 after I convinced Mr Pereira that Joey was going to help me move. Joey and I were finished packing by 4 and he was gone by 4:15–leaving me in this God-forsaken place. When he left I realised how much I hated being alone—especially here...where I'm most vulnerable. My mind was buzzing with thoughts of Brandon coming home and realising my things are gone...and—and....fuck—I need to stop thinking negatively.

Ok, I should start dinner, I thought after checking my watch. I decided on making Shepherd's pie, Brandon's favourite. I zoned out through most of the preparation and then snapped out of it upon opening the oven door. I'm surprised I didn't cut or burn myself, I thought after checking myself. I closed the door then washed my hands and set the timer. I lost myself again this time I didn't snap out of it until I heard a door being slammed shut. I looked at the timer and was shocked to see the 30 minutes had dropped to 5.

"Aubrey...I'm home!" Brandon announced.

My chest grew tight and my heart was beating with the rhythm of his loud footsteps. Calm down, Bre, just breathe. Just breathe, I chanted. I took a deep breath and let it out shakily. I looked down at my trembling hands then balled them into fists at my side. You can do this Aubrey—just a couple more hours and you'll be free. Act normal and don't do or say anything to upset him. When Brandon wrapped his arms around me I lost my nerve and I stood there frozen. I can't do this. I can't, I can't! My body began trembling uncontrollably. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed to be put out of my misery.

My head was beginning to spin and my chest was on fire. It was then I realized I had been holding my breath. I opened my eyes and began to take slow breaths after my brain bought up memories of my father in a desperate attempt to make me breathe. My dad would be devastated, his wife left him and for him to lose his only child....it'll kill him. I took a deep breath and smiled over my shoulder at Brandon. "Hey baby." I forced out, softly.

"Miss me?" He whispered into my ear. I got chills down my spine but I tried my best not to show the disgust on my face. His face fell. "You miss me, right?" He asked and tightened his grip on me. I whimpered. I gave him a small nod. Yes, I don't miss you. "Say it."

"Yes," I croaked. Yes, I don't miss you. I loathe you. His smile returned and he slapped my ass. I tried my best to keep my face pleasant as bile burned my throat. He looked at the oven just as my facade began to crumble.

"Mm, that smells good. Is that what I think it is?"

"Yup and just the way you like it," I replied, he spun me around to face him as soon as I said it.

I hesitated to look into his pale green eyes and when I did, he smiled at me. That smile had made me fall into his trap more times than I cared to admit. I hated that it still makes my heart melt—I can't help it—there's a small part of me that still loves him and wishes he'll change. I shifted my gaze beyond him and his spell broke instantly. As I stared off into space my brain reminded me exactly why I needed to leave. I grinned and bared his abusive behaviour for 4 out of the 5 years of our relationship and I'd be damned if I let myself suffer through another year with him. The first 6 months of our relationship were great until he began demanding sex. He filmed it when I finally caved after months of threatening to leave me if I didn't. The abuse started when we bumped into my old high school boyfriend while Brandon and I were on a movie date, back then all Brandon did was squeeze my hand a little too tightly. He got more possessive after he caught Joey and me in the pool. Brandon snapped. That night he hit me in front of everyone and called me a whore. Things got worst after that. Sometimes, he'd come home hammered and would force himself on me if I refused he'd hit me and accuse me of cheating.

"I'm going to take a shower." He said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I smiled at him until he turned his back. I watched him walk out of the kitchen, his dark skin glistening under the lights. I sighed and turned off the oven.

I looked around the rustic kitchen with a sigh, ahead of me is a very pretty, rectangular, maple dining set (Brandon's mother bought us when we first moved in) in the middle of the kitchen. I walked towards the table, sadly. I ran my fingers along the table's smooth surface. You should be mine. I turned my back to the table to check my phone. No new messages and it was 6:35. I chewed on my lip. I shoved my phone back into the back pocket of my shorts.

"Babe?" He called. I jumped and turned to look at him. He stood at the table across from me, frowning. He was wearing nothing but black sweatpants. My eyes fell to his muscular arms and his fists. I swallowed a lump and trembled.

"Yes?" I answered softly.

"Who are you talking to?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No one...I was checking the time." I replied. He pointed to the clock across the room, angrily. My heart hammered in my chest as he walked towards me with a hand outstretched.

"Give it to me." He ordered through his clenched teeth. Shaking, I obeyed. He yanked it out of my hand and he sat down at the head of the table, looking through it.
By the time I had dinner on the table, he was done looking through my phone and sat it down beside his plate. That's not good. I poured some wine into his glass, praying to God that Joey doesn't text while we're eating. I sat on his right, nervously. He began to eat as soon as I sat down. I sat there, watching my food. My appetite was virtually nonexistent. "Not hungry?" He asked.

I shook my head. "Not really," I answered. I flinched when he dropped his fork.

"You need to eat, Bre. You're getting skinny...people will think I'm not feeding you." He said, raising his voice. I kept my gaze on my plate. "Aubrey eat. Now." He ordered. I picked up my fork. My hand trembled under his gaze. I took not even a forkful and put it into my mouth. "Good girl." He said. "Open your mouth."

I swallowed before opening my mouth. He examined my mouth, hovering over me. "Finish your food." He ordered, sitting back down. I did as I was told.

I managed to force down half of my plate before I stopped eating. I sat there gazing into space until he moved at the corner of my eye. He got up, took my plate and his to the sink, and began cleaning up. I glanced behind me before I snatched my phone and rushed into the living room. I put my phone on vibrate and let out a sigh of relief. Thank God. I turned on the tv and laid on the sofa closest to the window and covered myself with the red blanket I kept on its arm. I laid my phone between my thighs and tried to sleep away the remainder of my time here.

-

My vibrating phone woke me from my nightmare. I glanced at Brandon, who was passed out on the couch across from me, before checking my phone and my heart fluttered. He's outside. I sprung to my feet and almost ran to the bedroom but I forced myself to fight the urge to run. I quickly wrote a letter for Brandon and left it on the bed. When I turned to the window my heart began hammering in my chest. My body began to tremble and I became light headed.

I held onto the windowsill for balance and when I finally got the courage to open the window it felt like I had ran across an entire state. The wind swept my hair from my face and began drying the tears I didn't know had fallen. I glanced over my shoulder and began climbing out the window. When I turned to close it I had expected to see Brandon to be standing there—menacingly—but he wasn't. As I closed the window I began to sob. I'm free. I'm free. It feels like a dream. I climbed down the fire escape and when my feet touched the ground my legs almost gave out but Joey caught me. He turned me to face him and cupped my cheeks.

"Are you ok?" He asked, his eyes roaming my face. I could barely make out his features in the dim light of the alleyway. I nodded.

"Yeah, the quicker we get out of here the better I'll feel." I replied hoarsely. He took my hand and we ran to his red Porsche parked five blocks down. I pulled him into a hug and sobbed into his coat when he tried to open the door for me. I can't thank you enough, Joey. He hugged me back, cradling my head.

"It's ok...your safe now." He said, pulling away to wipe away my tears. "We'll get you a restraining order in the morning and you can stay with me for as long as you need to."

I shook my head. "No, no restraining order—"

"Aubrey....you need—"

"No, I don't...things won't escalate that far—I don't need one," I assured him. He frowned.

"Aubrey, listen to yourself for a second—that man is dangerous—and I don't want to know what else he's capable of. You're getting one." He said, firmly.

"No," I said. I took my phone out of my pocket and searched for Brandon's number. I made Joey watch as I blocked and deleted it. "Now, he wouldn't be able to contact me." The look Joey gave me was filled with melancholy and anger.

"You know damn well that's not enough—stop giving him the benefit of the doubt," Joey said. I looked away.

"Can we get out of here, please?" I said, changing the subject.

"Aubrey—"

"Joey, drop this—I promise if things get bad...I'll get one, ok?" I said, looking at him with pleading eyes.

"You better." He said and opened the door for me. I climbed in and watched him jog to his side . I could see the anger in his features.

"Like I was saying—you can stay at my place for as long as you need to." He said when he pulled off the curb.

"Thank you but I plan to stay only one night—I want a place of my own. It would be great if you help me find one in Queens"

He stared at me, studying me. "I will help you find a place as long as it's in Manhattan," he paused, "close to me." I looked at him then nodded. "I'll get one of my older brothers to set up a place for you in the Upper East Side at the Anarch Plaza." He said. I frowned.

"You mean that place that cost an arm, a leg, and all ten fingers? Hell no." I told him. I just want something simple like a studio or something.

"Why not?" He questioned. "They have great security....no one can get past the lobby without a pass, and it's not that far from Spectrum—"

"I don't care—it's not somewhere I'd want to live," I stated.

He sighed. "I don't know why I keep forgetting you hate making my life easy." He grumbled.

"I do not!" I

"I bought you those blue heels for your birthday last year and I didn't hear the end of it until January 1." He pointed out. Oh damn, I forgot about that.

"That was one time!"

"The year before a bag—"

"Lies all lies." I cut him off. He chuckled.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night." He said. "Did you eat?"

"Barely," I replied. Joey sighed. "What?"

"I'm afraid to ask what you want to eat."

I looked at him. "Why?" I questioned.

"You never know what you want until you see me eating then you'll want the whole damn thing." He said, glancing at me. I opened my mouth to argue. "Don't even try to deny it, you do it every time I visit you at work."

"I don't do that," I mumbled under my breath. I folded my arms and looked out the window. Joey flicked my nose as soon as we got to a stoplight. "Stop." I protested. He did it again with a smile. I shot daggers at him.

"Bestie." He said, rocking me back and forth. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the window. Through the corner of my eye, I saw him about to do it again. I grabbed his wrist and bit down on his index finger. He hissed in pain. "Ok! I'll stop—" I let his finger go, "—after one more." He flicked my nose. I was about to punch him but the light turned green.

"You got lucky this time," I told him, narrowing my eyes at him. He grinned.

"Muah."

-

We picked up some Chinese food on the way to his place. Joey lives in Aston Apts. an apartment complex his brothers are thinking of buying if they haven't already. It's a nice building. We got out of the elevator and walked down the corridor to C27. Joey opened the door and let me go a head of him. I was surprised to see boxes and they were not all mine. "You're moving?" I asked as I walked further inside.

"Yeah....my brother, Jules, brought the place and wants to start remodelling soon." He replied.

I frowned. "What about the other tenants?" I questioned.

"He gave them the option of staying at the plaza or the more affordable option; J&J Apts. I think you might like it there." He replied, closing the door.

"Oh...so where are you moving to?"

"I was going to move to the plaza but the bossy one told me to keep off his turf or he'll kick my ass." He replied and nodded towards the kitchen.

"Why doesn't he want you there?"

"He thinks I'm going to provoke and tease him about his past, current, and future mistakes." He said, scoffing. "I have no clue why he'd think that." I rolled my eyes. The same reason why Mr Pereira hates having you around. You're too much of a blunt and provoking person. You feed off your family's pain from what I can tell. Once Mr Pereira chased him out of the building for openly mocking him in front of me.

"When you admit you're a menace to your family's sanity...I'll admit I have a problem with people buying me things," I suggested when we got to the kitchen. He looked at me as if I was crazy.

"That will never happen." He said, placing our food on the island. I smiled, shaking my head. The tortilla-coloured kitchen has grey granite flooring, an island, and countertops. The kitchen cabinets were tan and so was the bottom of the island. Stainless steel appliances and a double fridge. The stools were tan with long steel legs. I walked towards the cabinets and jumped to sit on the counter and took out two plates. Joey took them from me and then placed them on the island before lifting me off the counter. "Do you want water or water?" He asked, walking to the fridge.

I chuckled. Wow, so many options. I took two glasses from the dishwasher and then placed them on the island. "Water is fine—" I trailed off when he placed two cans of Coke on the island, smirking. "I hate you sometimes," I said laughing.

Joey chuckled. "Don't be like that, Bre." He said. He held onto my waist, pulling me to a stool. I sat down and he sat beside me. He slid my Lo Mein with sweet and sour chicken and chopsticks to me. "You want spring rolls?" He asked. I nodded, my mouth was too full to answer. He placed two on my plate and handed me some chilli sauce.

"Thank you," I told him.

"You're welcome." He said as he poured some coke into my glass. He chuckled.

"What?"

"It's been years since we've done this—" he started, looking at me "—without you looking over your shoulder and you having mini panic attacks. I missed this." I stared at him, sadly. I missed this too. I can finally relax and enjoy your company without worrying about Brandon.

"Me too, Joey." I stared. "I'm sorry things got so fucked up because of me—"

He frowned. "None of this is your fault—"

"Yes, it is. I was the one that forced you to come to that party....and I drank all that tequila—knowing damn well I'm a lightweight and I forced you to drink with me." I mumbled, tears already falling. I rubbed my eyes until they burned.

Joey took my hands as I sobbed. He cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. "It's not your fault—I should have been more responsible that night." He said, sadly. "I failed you and I don't plan on doing that again but he had no fucking right to hit you. I should have kicked his ass when I had the chance." He got off his stool and stood in front of me to hug me. We stayed there for a while. We laughed when Joey's stomach roared. "Sorry." He said, laughing. "I haven't eaten since lunch." I smiled up at him.

"It's ok." I assured him. He kissed my forehead before sitting back down.

-

After dinner, we cleaned up and I got my clothes ready for work tomorrow. Afterwards, I said goodnight to joey and went to bed....

I jumped out of my sleep and sat up, drenched in sweat. A breath got caught in my throat when I saw a figure standing by the window. Brandon. My heart began hammering in my chest. "W-what h-how did you get here?" I asked.

He took a step closer. "Did you think you could get away that easy, Aubrey?" He said. Wake up, I chanted.

"Brandon please—"

"Shh." He hushed me. "I didn't say you could speak...I thought I told you to stay away from him."

"I'm sorry." I wailed. "I'm sorry—ah!" He jumped on top of me, strangling me. I yanked and scratched at his hands for dear life. I tried to kick him but he knelt on my legs. I whined as his weight crushed them.

"Bra—don....pl-ease!" I choked out. It was becoming difficult to take a breath. I scratched his arms, face, and anything I could to make him stop. I was getting light-headed. Black spots began flooding my vision...

"Aubrey, wake up!" Joey yelled, shaking me. I stared up at him. I looked around the dimly lit room, trembling. I squeezed my eyes shut. I'll never truly get rid of him, will I? I sat up and looked at Joey. "I've never heard you scream like that before...it scared me." He said, sadly when he pulled me into his arms. I hugged him, trying my best not to cry.

"I'm sorry, Joey," I whispered.

"It's not your fault...Bre." He said, sighing as he stroked my hair. "Do you want me to stay with you?" I nodded.

"Yes please," I answered.

He kissed my forehead. "Ok."


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