Beautiful Protection

Running Away

The next day was a long drive to the beach. They will stay for three days so she can stay away from Will at the same time to do some painting. It is not enough for the time Xander was asking, she will decide later where to go next after their trip to the beach.

"You can do whatever you want and I'll do my own thing." She said giving Xander his own free time.

Erin was grateful that Xander is a nice man, she was comfortable with him these past few days. The mistake she had last time was never brought up again and she was thankful for that. Xander can be a very good friend when his job is over, she did not know when, but she was sure that their setup is just temporary. She can't let him work for her forever.

Xander did not comment, his eyes were fixed on the road but one can tell that he was in deep thinking. She decided to doze off, but her phone rang waking her up from a light nap. He was glancing at her while she answered her phone.

It was from Will.

"Where are you? I'm in the villa." Xander can hear Will from the other line.

"I'm on a trip." She said while tugging her seatbelt back and forth.

"What? Did you not receive my text? You will get what you want, just give me the documents." Erin was clearly irritated. Will was only after the documents and did not even care about their marriage on the brink of divorce.

"Will just answer this one question. Did you even care for our marriage?" She asked in frustration. Will was quiet for a second.

And chose not to answer her question, "When will you be back?"

"I don't know maybe next week!" Erin was mad and huffing on her seat.

"Tell me where are you heading and I will go to you," Will said and Erin panicked. She looked at Xander who was clearly aware of their conversation.

Xander signaled her to end the call.

"No, see you when I see you. You cannot turn the villa upside down just like last time because I bring the documents with me. Bye Will." She ended the call not waiting for his response from the other line.

"Give me your phone," Xander said extending his right arm towards her.

Erin hesitantly gave her phone to him. Xander then switched it off and opened the back case.

"What are you doing?" She asked but Xander continued to manhandle her phone, he took out her SIM card and closed the back case.

"Do you have cash with you?" He asked and she shook her head at that. Who would bring cash if she can use her card?

"I have cash so use it in the meantime. You cannot use your card or else Will can track where are you at." He explained and she got it now.

"How about my father?" She asked looking at her useless phone.

"I will notify him when we will arrive. Just remember what I say or else Will will be knocking at your door in the next hour."

Erin was silent when she remembered the question she asked Will. Is she not important? What happened to their marriage? Why it can be easily ended over a piece of documents she is not even aware of?

"Are you okay?"

"No. I'm mad at Will. How did we end up this way?" She knew Xander can't answer her, but it was still nice that someone was asking her if she is okay.

"I tried to be a perfect wife an understanding one even if it doesn't make sense from the start!"

Xander stopped the car on the safe side of the road. He was facing her now all ears.

"What doesn't make sense from the start?" He asked to let her continue.

"Ugh. I don't think you would like to hear it."

"Try me." He gave her his sincerity if it means to help her ease the pain she was dealing with.

"No, it's embarrassing." Her hands were covering her face now. Xander reached for her arms and uncover her face.

He was holding her wrist and said, "I'm all ears, no judgment."

"I don't know, but Will was not treating me right even at that last call. I'm not a woman in his eyes. He did not even make love to me!" She blurted. Erin didn't expect that it would be Xander out of all people, well she has few to none by her side.

Xander was stay rooted trying to understand the last words she shared with him. It's impossible for a man to not make love with his wife, or is it because they are not legally married? Will was more than cruel, he was insulting Erin in the meanest possible way.

"Our honeymoon did not happen, then one day he was home from a business trip accusing me of cheating on him. I don't deserve all of it. I don't know what I did wrong!"

Xander did not know what to do but hold her in his arms. Erin did not cry, but she was clearly shattered.

"He will regret treating you that way." He said with a promise.

"You did nothing wrong and it's enough punishing yourself thinking that you are the problem because it's obvious that he is." He grabbed her face and looked into her eyes.

"Everything will be alright." He uttered those words again like he was planting it deep down her soul and it was effective.

Erin stared back and out of gratitude she kissed him on the cheek.

His pupils dilated of the sudden contact and there was a surge of energy he can't figure out where it was coming from. Xander immediately gave himself a safe distance from her.

"Thank you, Xander. I think I'm feeling okay now." Erin said fixing herself on her seat.

Xander can't say the same. He was certainly not okay with her invasion.