CAVING IN TO HIS SEDUCTION

Chapter Ten

AARON

Still nursing the sting of Susan’s words, I decided to confront her at her office..I wanted to clear the air, to understand why she had been so harsh. As I approached her cubicle, I overheard her conversation on the phone.

“Yeah, tonight sounds great. Can't wait to celebrate with you,” I heard her say.

“Great, I'll be there at 7,” an unknown voice said.

My heart sank. It was a dinner date and it was clearly with a man. Her boyfriend, no doubt. Disappointment washed over me. I turned away, my initial purpose forgotten.

That night I became restless, unable to shake the image of Susan's hurt expression from my mind. I found myself drawn to the restaurant where she had planned to meet with her boyfriend. As I approached, I saw her sitting alone, a bottle of wine half empty before her.

“He stood her up again,” I muttered. I felt sorry for her. “She deserves someone better than that douchebag she calls a boyfriend.”

How long was she going to allow herself to be deceived by that nitwit? She was too pure at heart to be treated so cruelly. A pang of hurt shot through me. I had been so consumed by my own hurt that I never consideservesvesred how she might be feeling. But as I watched her from a distance, a part of me hesitated. I didn't want to intrude, to become a tool she could yell at , a reminder of her pain.

Yet, I couldn't leave her like this. As she stood up to leave, I followed, my heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, a strange man approached herz his hand lingering too long on her arm.

“ Not on my watch,” I said to myself. Immediately, I stepped forward, my voice firm. “Hey, back off!!”

The man turned, his face a mask of annoyance. “Mind your damn business,” he growled.

“Let go of me,” Susan screamed louder.

“You heard the lady, now leave!!” I yelled, pulling her away from the assaulter's grip.

The assaulter took to his heels and immediately I caught Susan before she fell, my arms wrapping around her.

“Let go of me,” Susan said, struggling to be free from my grip.

Her words were slurred, her anger fueled by alcohol. I held her tight, ignoring her protest.

“It's okay, Susan. You're safe with me.”

She thrashed in my arms, her eyes muffled by my shirt. Finally, exhausted and overcome by a wave of nausea, she passed out.

I couldn't leave her all by herself nor did I know where she lived. After much deliberation, I carried her to my apartment, the weight of her unconscious body heavy in my arms. I laid her gently on the couch, her sobs echoing through the quiet space.

As she slept, her words were a haunting chorus of anger and despair. “Henry, you bastard. You always ditch me! I hate you!” she muttered in her sleep.

“Why can't you be there for me? Just once?”

I listened, my heart aching. I had always cared for her but my own obsession had blinded me of her pain. As the night wore on, I sat beside her, my hand gently resting on her shoulder. I watched her, my eyes filled with pity and regret.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window casting a warm glow on Susan's face. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

“Where am I?” she asked. A wave of confusion washed over her as she stared at her environment trying to recall where she was.

“My place,” I said. She flinched at the sound of my voice. “You passed out, and I didn't know where else to take you.”

Susan's eyes widened. “What? Did……did anything happen?”

I scoffed. “Nothing happened I promise. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”

Relief washed over her. “I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible. “I don't know what came over me.”

I reached out, my hand resting gently on hers. “It's alright, Susan. You were pretty upset and it's understandable.”

“I should leave now,” she said, pulling her hand away from mine.

“Stay, I don't mind,” I said. I handed her a glass of water and a tablet for her headache. “Here, these will help. I'll prepare breakfast.”

As she drank the water, I began to prepare breakfast. The aroma of sizzling bacon filled the air, a comforting scent that helped to ease my tension.

I watched her eat the breakfast I had prepared, a sense of peace enveloped me. It was a simple act, providing for someone in need, but it felt deeply satisfying. Her gratitude, her small smile, it was all I needed to see.

I knew I had made the right decision in bringing her here. In those moments of vulnerability, when she was at her lowest, I had seen a side of her that few others never witnessed. The Susan I had first met had always been vulnerable but was so skilled at hiding her emotions. To the outside world, she was an independent, strong woman. I admire her strength, her resilience but it was her vulnerability that drew me to her. It ignited a spark within me, a desire to protect her, to be her safe harbor.

As she finished eating, I cleared the table. “I'm going to male some coffee,” I said. “Do you want some?”

She nodded, her eyes filled with a grateful smile. As I brewed the coffee, I couldn't help but think about the path that had led to this moment. As I watched her, I knew that my feelings for her were more than than what I thought it used to be.

I had always been drawn to her strength, her intelligence, her unwavering spirit. But it was her kindness, her empathy that had truly captured my heart. She was a good woman who saw the goodnin others even when they didn't see it in themselves.

As I handed her the coffee, I took a deep breath. “Susan,” I began, my voice barely a whisper. “I…I need to ask you a few questions.”

Her eyes met mine, a question mark hanging in the air. “What do you think of me? I want you to be honest with me, please.”

“Uhmm…. You're… you,” she said. “You act like you don't care but you do. I know that behind those tough attributes you portray, you have a wonderful soul and I want you to show that part of you to the world.”

“I…I care about you, Susan,” I said, my voice trembling. “More than I ever thought I could.”

Susan turned to me, her eyes wide in surprise.

“Aaron…”