Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Author’s POV

Chase moved in his sleep when he felt a warm breath over his lips and his heartbeat quickened.

He opened his eyes and came face to face with the most angelic face he has ever seen in his entire life.

She was sleeping sideways beside him. Her brown hairs covering half of her face but still she looked so peaceful at this moment.

She was looking so beautiful that it was hard for his cold heart to take in that amount of innocence and purity.

He noticed he was still holding her hand in his firmly just like yesterday night but only difference was that now he was holding their locked hands to his heart.

His other hand was wrapped around her waist keeping her close whereas her other hand was resting on his bicep, fisting his shirt in her tiny fist like a new born baby.

Their faces were only few inches away and he didn’t want anything else than to close the distance between their lips. But he stopped himself.

He is already in trouble by being so forward with her. First he came to her room in the middle of night after drinking. Then he slept in her bed and if it wasn’t enough, he made her sleep beside him.

Because he is sure she wouldn’t have slept beside him on her own will. He might have done something.

No, he hasn’t forgotten anything that happened last night. He was not drunk. One can of beer is not sufficient for him to lose his mind.

He still remembers each and every word he said to her which is still a big shocker to him as well. He never thought he is going to share something like that with her.

He didn’t tell her anything about what was bothering him but he did share how he was feeling. And that is the most he has ever shared about himself was someone.

Leaving all that aside, he knows one thing for sure that he didn’t cross his line until he was awake.

But while sleeping he might have done something or else why would she sleep beside him voluntarily. This is what he is thinking about right now.

About sleep, he can’t remember when was the last time that he slept so peacefully and for whole night at that.

His insomnia was getting worse. Medicines, alcohol, nothing was working. But last night he fell asleep. Yes he did get the nightmare which usually never lets him drift off to sleep but they were not as severe.

And her being wrapped in his arms helped, he thinks. Never for once he woke up through out the night until now. He lifted his head up to check the time and it was around seven in the morning.

It’s Sunday so she doesn’t have the class and she slept late yesterday night so he should let her sleep some more and shouldn’t disturb her, right?

But if he was being honest, he just wanted to be in this position with her for as long as he can. He loves this feeling of having her in his arms.

He rested his head back on the bed and caressed her face softly after removing her soft brown locks from her face, with the hand which was wrapped around her waist earlier.

He was staring at her beautiful face when he whispered, “What are you doing to me Cara? Why are you making me feel this way?”

His thumb lightly stroked her jaw line lightly as he whispered, “You are still same as you were in the past that is why it was easier to recognize you, but…”

He gulped the lump in his throat as he whispered almost inaudibly, “But I am all changed. I thought I would have loved if you also recognized me but now I think it’s good this way”.

“I don’t want you to be disappointed in me” he whispered still staring at her face.

He pulled his hand away from her face and slid it under his head, resting his temple on the back of his palm.

He doesn’t know for how long he was staring at her face when she squirmed in her sleep a little and opened her eyes.

As soon as she opened her eyes they met with his intense gray ones which never for once averted from her face.

Her eyes widened slightly as her breath hitched. Her heartbeat increased upon seeing the look in his eyes.

“You…” she started but a surprised gasp left her mouth when his hand got wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer, letting both of their bodies touch.

Her wide eyes grew even more bigger as her hand landed on his shoulder.

“What…are you doing?” she asked through her uneven breaths.

His eyes fell on her lips for a moment before meeting with hers again as he whispered, “Do you know what I am regretting the most right now? I have never regretted anything more than that in my life”

She looked at him in confusion not being able to understand his words. “What?” she asked.

“Drinking that can of beer last night. Because of that I can’t even kiss you” he whispered softly and her face turned red.

A small smile appeared on his lips upon seeing her flushed face. He leaned forward and pressed his lips over her forehead, letting them linger on her skin for a little longer as he whispered, “Good morning”.

Her eyes were shut close taking in the moment. She slowly opened them when he pulled away and whispered back, “Good morning”.

He kept staring at her face for few more minutes silently which was by the way making her heart race in her chest at unbelievable speed. Then he let her body go and pulled himself up in a sitting position.

Cara released a breath which even she didn’t know she was holding. She also sat down on the bed beside him.

“I should get going now” he said while raking his hand through his messy hairs. He wanted to apologize to her, for disturbing her last night but he didn’t know how.

He didn’t want to leave but he has to, so he got up from the bed and started walking in the direction of the door when her sweet voice fell on his ears.

“Chase…” and he felt warmth spreading through out his body upon hearing his own name from her mouth. He turned around to look at her but not before taking a deep breath in to calm his burning desires.

“Hmm?”

“Would you… would you like to have a breakfast with me?” She asked and he can’t express how happy he is right now.

“But I need to freshen up first. I will drive back to my apartment and will return in an hour, would that be okay with you?” he asked trying to contain his excitement.

She nodded her head and he walked out of her room and made his way to his car. He sat on the driver’s seat and his hand instantly went to touch his chest where his heart was pounding.

A very charming smile, and not some small one but a full blown smile appeared on his lips as her words repeated in his mind.

He quickly drove back to his apartment. Within forty five minutes, he was parking his car in front of her dorm building, all ready to have breakfast with her.

Imagine how fast he must have gotten ready to be back here, earlier than the decided time. That’s how excited he was.

Because this time she was the one who invited him to spend time with her. It cleared his doubt of ‘if she is just dating him because he scares her or because she feels something for him'.

He called her and she came out of her room but not before looking at herself in the mirror.

She is wearing a simple off shoulder pink top with a black denim jeans. She has left her wet hairs open to let them dry on their own.

She came out of the main gate of her dorm to find him standing near his car.

As soon as his eyes fell on her, he didn’t even wait for her to reach him and strode towards her. He pulled her body to his as his one hand snaked around her waist and other one slid to the back of her head.

Without waiting even for a second he captured her lips in his in a much needed passionate kiss. Her hands were rested over his shoulder, as she was standing on her tiptoes.

After few minutes he pulled away and rested his forehead over hers. Both of them were breathing hard, their breaths intermingling.

Cara opened her eyes to find his eyes still closed and a small smile dancing on his lips.

“Are you okay?” she asked him.

He opened his eyes as he whispered, “I felt like I would lose my mind but now…” his eyes fell on her lips as he said, “But now I am perfectly okay”.

With this he pecked her lips once again and pulled away to take her on their breakfast date.

***

One month later

Cara is making her way to attend the last class of the day. She is with Sapphire and both of them are busy in discussing about Sapphire’s birthday party which is after one month.

Sapphire has decided to throw a big party in one of her family farmhouse. And everyone from the college are going to be present there.

Cara was planning on denying to attend that party as she is not much of a party person but Sapphire said that she is her best friend. And which best friend doesn’t attend their best friend’s party?

That is why Cara has agreed to go there and even help her organize a super cool party.

She will have to go shopping to purchase at least a presentable dress which she can wear for that party.

They were about to reach their classroom when Cara saw, Law coming in her direction. Her heartbeat quickened a little wishing that he would just ignore her and pass by.

And that’s what he did. He just glanced in her direction and just walked past by her as if he doesn’t even know her. Cara is really grateful for that.

Law has been acting this way since the moment Chase has announced himself to be her boyfriend. He hasn’t bothered her since.

He just looks at her and passes by. Few times Cara has found him staring at her from distance but still it is better than him constantly trying to cling on to her.

Not only Law but other guys in whole University as well has been just minding their business whenever Cara is around them.

Unlike how previously they used to just keep ogling her from far as if they just want to eat her. Though they never approached her because of Law, they used to stare at her and pass some comments about her perfect body or great looks.

But because of Chase they don’t even spare a single glance in her direction. And Cara is really happy about this change.

Of course Mr. Bully’s fear is something completely else.

About Chase, It’s been one month since they have started dating and it is going pretty well.

To be honest Cara really enjoys spending her time with Chase. Although Chase is not that big of a talker, he talks around her. She found out that the guy has a great sense of humour.

Which she doesn’t know is actually comes out in her presence, apart from his friends. But overall she enjoys his company.

Like he said, he everyday picks her up from her dorm to drop her off to college. He takes her to her work place and then again drops her back to her dorm, like a good boyfriend that he is trying to be.

He even spends his time with her during lunch time in the college cafeteria. Which actually shocked every one in the college. Chase never comes to cafeteria and eating the food there, it was first time for everyone to see.

They never saw the side of him which they could witness when he was around Cara.

They have went on few more dates after their first date. Most of the time they talk with each other which is really helping them in getting to know one another.

They haven’t touched upon the sensitive parts of their lives yet and most of the time try to keep the communication natural and about their basic, likes, dislikes, hobbies and other simple stuff.

Cara has found out that Chase can really be a charmer and sweet gentleman sometimes, which she had never expected from him when she was agreeing to get involved with him and date him.

He likes to take care of her, pays attention to small details and small things which most of the times really gets ignored in relationships but are really important for a relationship to last longer.

After that night Chase has never came back to her dorm room. And reason is, first he doesn’t want to disturb her by barging into her room all the time.

Second, being close to her in confined room, pushes him to his edges and being in control around her gets much more difficult for him. It makes him go crazy to keep his desires in control.

He has already kissed her without her permission. He doesn’t want to suddenly latch on to her and make her hate him.

Just like that the class ended and Cara came out of her classroom to find Chase standing there, leaning against the wall beside the classroom’s door. It doesn’t even surprise her even more.

He lifted his eyes from his phone and a small smile appeared on his lips as he asked, “Done?” and she nodded with her own smile.

He took her hand in his and walked her out to the parking lot. He opened the door for her and she settled down inside.

He also got into the car. She did her seat belt and turned around to look at him but he was already sliding his hand around her neck as he gently pulled her face closer to his and took her lips in a slow and passionate kiss.

She kissed him back with same passion. He pulled away after few minutes and stared into her eyes. He caressed her lower lip gently as he whispered, “You are getting good at it. You are a quick learner I have to admit”.

And there it was, the colour which he has started liking a lot these days. The shade of pink was already tainting her cheeks and small nose.

She tried looking away in attempt to hide her flushed face but before she could do it, Chase buried his face in the crook of her neck and broke into laughter.

His body started vibrating against hers. She scowled at him but he couldn’t see her face.

“You look very cute while blushing you know” he muttered against her flesh and goosebumps appeared on her whole body when his lips touched her skin.

He noticed the goosebumps and whispered huskily this time intentionally brushing his lips against her neck, “I love how your body reacts to my touch”.

He placed a long lingering kiss at her throat bone and she had to bite her lips to suppress the moan that was threatening to leave her mouth.

He pulled away to find her face was resembling the deep shade of beetroot red.

He smiled at her and whispered into her ears, “Don’t need to be embarrassed. You have got a nice teacher, of course you will be an expert in kissing within few weeks”.

She pushed him away and turned her face away from him. “Stop it or else my heart is going to burst out of my chest” she mumbled under her breath but he heard her.

She heard him chuckling at her words and closed her eyes in embarrassment.

One more thing that has been becoming regular between them is, him teasing her all the time. But he can’t help it. He just loves that red colour on her face a lot and she blushes every time he teases her.

He started driving the car but she would hear him chuckle every now and then and she knew he was laughing at her.

She decided to start a conversation to distract him, “Sapphire is organising a party for her birthday. Would you be coming?”

He nodded his head, “I know about the party she does it every year and invites everyone. I never went there in the past as I was not interested in it”.

“But this time I will be going because I know you will have to be there as her best friend, I guess” he said while keeping his eyes straight on road.

She smiled and nodded, “Yes she wants me to be there”.

He frowned at her words and looked towards her as he asked, “But?”

“Huh?” her eyes widened.

“You said it as if you want to add but at the end of your sentence so I did it for you. So now tell what is that ‘But?’”

“Actually I am not a party person. I don’t know how everything works there. I have never been to one before. So I am just a little nervous” she shared her concern with him.

“Don’t worry, I will be there with you all the time. And you don’t have to focus on anything else, just focus on your friend and… me” he said the last part while staring into her eyes and winked playfully making her laugh.

“Okay, I will do just that” she said.

“Let’s go shopping on Sunday if you want” he said.

Her eyes widened again as she asked him in shock, “You will take me shopping?”

“Yes but why do you look so shocked?” he asked in confusion.

“I heard that boys don’t like taking their girlfriends for shopping. And I never thought you would…” she trailed off.

“I know right. Even I hate shopping but I just wanted to ask you out. Maybe this is an excuse to take you out for a date” he said with a smile.

She was just staring at his face still amazed by the fact that the most vicious bully of this town is her boyfriend who really knows how to be sweet and caring boyfriend.

He is saying that he is trying to find an excuse to take her out on a date when he can just force her to do anything.

But he never forces her to do anything. He asks her consent in every matter. Asking her first if she is free before making any plans for their dates, instead of just telling her to be ready to go out.

He takes her choices in consideration before deciding to which restaurant they want to go or what food she would like to order. Those small things, makes Cara’s heart flutter.

He sometimes even takes her out on surprise dates where he prepares everything himself but makes sure everything is of her liking.

The ‘getting to know each other' is working fine for both of them, she thinks.

***

The day went by in blur and currently she is preparing to go to bed. She is just waiting for Chase’s call.

He calls her every night before she goes to sleep, simply to say good night. But she doesn’t know that simple good night wish from her matters to him a lot.

It puts his mind at ease and it actually helps him in getting, not much but few hours of sleep before his nightmares come haunting him.

Suddenly she heard a little sounds outside her room. She pulled herself in a sitting position and asked, “Is anyone out there?”

But she heard nothing. “Chase is that you?” She asked. But no response.

‘I must be imagining things' she told herself.

She was about to lie back down when her phone started ringing and she instantly answered the call, “I was waiting…” she started but instead of hearing Chase’s voice from other end, she heard some weird sounds.

She pulled her phone away from her ear to check the caller ID but it was an unknown number.

She again put the phone over her ear as she asked, “Who… who is it?”

But no one said anything. The weird noises started becoming more loud and clear and she threw her phone away from her when she realized what those noises were.

A man was moaning and groaning on the other side just like guys do while having…

She shook her head to remove those sounds out of her mind. Her phone again started ringing and it was again an unknown number but this time the number was different.

Cara threw the phone on the floor and scooted away from it.

Right then she heard someone knocking at her room’s door. She gulped in fear and asked, “Who is it?” her voice cracked.

“It’s delivery” she heard someone saying from outside. She lifted her eyes to check the time and it was around eleven at night.

‘delivery at this time?’

She again heard the knock. She didn’t want to get out of her bed. But she gathered all of her courage and walked towards the door.

She was holding the pepper spray in her hand, for precaution. Sapphire had purchased it for Cara after Law kissed her in the college. So that Cara can use it to protect herself in front of bastards like him.

Cara opened the door and her eyes narrowed when she saw no one out there. She looked around but no one was present.

She was just about to close the door when her eyes fell on the box which was laying in front of her room.

She once again looked around. She contemplated whether or not to pick it up. But in the end she picked it up and found her name written on it.

The name of the orphanage where she used to live before coming here was also written on it.

Thinking that someone from orphanage has sent this to her, she brought the box in her room. After sitting on the bed she opened the box and her heart stopped beating for a moment.

She took the photo out as she gazed at it with her teary eyes. It was a photo of a nu*e model but someone had photo shopped her face to the picture.

There was one more photo in which a guy was buried deep inside a girl, both of them naked.

Cara quickly threw the photos away. She tried swallowing the lump which has formed in her throat but couldn’t.

She was sobbing badly. She didn’t know what all of this means and who is doing this to her.

She saw there was something else in the box. It looked like a tape recorder. She reached her trembling hands to take it out of it and pressed the play button.

Again same kind of moans and groans were heard. The tape fell from her hand.

The sound was much more clear and louder than the phone call. In the recording she could hear the skin slapping against one another.

She was about to crouch down and turn the recording off when she heard the man saying something and upon hearing his words her heart thumped against her chest.

Her tear filled eyes widened and a cold shiver of disgust and fear ran down to her spine. Her hands moved up to her mouth as a loud cracked sob left her mouth and her knees gave out causing her to fall on the floor.

“F**k Cara”.

Whoever the guy in this audio recording was, moaning her name while having s*x.

She scooted away from that tape and kept crying, even she doesn’t know for how long. She was so scared at the moment.

She didn’t know what to do. Her brain has stopped working and she is feeling numb. She is just so shocked and traumatized to take any decision.

Her breath got stuck in the back of her throat and her heart sank in the pit of her stomach when she again heard someone knocking on the door.

‘Who can it be?’