Her Innocence

Chap # 7 “You are beautiful.”

Janet Rivera's POV

Will he like it? Or not? I don't know why am I nervous. I wanted to impress Nathan with the new dress he bought me. And I was freaking out because I never knew how to impress someone. I always wore those rags that didn't even cover my body until that women bought me some decent clothes when I was about to get married.

I once again looked in the mirror and smiled as I remembered him being extra sweet with me. I went to the kitchen and saw Lydia making some cupcakes. I ate the delicious cupcakes and send Lydia home since it was afternoon and there was no work.

I waited and he came home, finally. He unlocked the front door and came in. I felt my heart beating twice just by looking at him. I watched him walking as he looked tired today with his hair ruffled and his arms dangling lazily on his sides.

"Hey Janet, can you make some green tea. I am having a headache." He said those words and walked right beside me. I frowned as I watched him walk away. Sadly, I went to the kitchen and prepared a tea for him. When I entered the bedroom, he was already asleep, with his formals on. I was upset that I dressed up for him and he didn't even look up at me. But maybe, he must be really tired. I kept the tea on the side table and stood right beside him.

My eyes went to his shoes that were still on his feet. I kneeled down and took his shoes out gently and slowly, trying not to wake him up. Then his socks came second. I was about to pull on the duvet over him when I noticed his white coat on.

Should I take it out?

I leaned closer to me as I unclipped two of his shirts’ buttons while I felt goosebumps all over my body. His body was strong and perfectly shaped as his shirt fitted his muscles. Then I rolled his sleeves, making him feel comfortable as I felt myself heating up. I, lastly pulled the duvet on top of him and laid beside him, staring at him. He was so in deep sleep that he didn't even flinch while I changed him. I felt sad knowing that he didn't notice me and what if he only thinks me as a maid.

No, he can never! My mind was swirling with thoughts and soon sleep consumed me.

********

"Janet?" I hummed and I felt a hand on my shoulder gently shaking me.

"Dear, wake up. It's 8 in the evening." His voice soft as he whispered in my ear. I opened my eyes as I watched him giving me a small smile. I sat up as his hand slipped away from my shoulder giving me goosebumps.

"I'm hungry, I didn't even eat lunch." He said patting his stomach as he chuckled. I turned away and faced the other side as I frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"All you care about is food. I am not a thing that you keep in your house, I'm not a maid that I cook for you, I'm a human being and I have feeling, you can't just every time come home late. This is-" I said everything that was on my mind in a mere voice but got interrupted by him.

"You look beautiful." He said as I faced him with shock. He gave me a smirk as he took my small hands in his.

"You are right that I didn't notice you when I got home but when I woke up, I thought an angel was sleeping beside me." I blushed at his comment as he scooted closer to me. Our intertwined hands now resting on his lap as his shoulder touched mine.

"The reason I was not in the mood when I got home was- I- I lost a patient's life." His voice came out weak as his head hanged low. "I was angry and sad that I couldn't save him." His voice was filled with grief as my eyes started to water.

"I'm sorry." His head turned to me in confusion.

"For what?"

"I should have not said those things, I should have listened your side of the story before saying anything." I cried as his hands cupped my cheeks and made me face him.

"Oh, my dear! It is not your fault." I cried silently as the tears started to flow one by one. "And don't cry, smile for me." He said as a smile formed on his lips while wiping the tears from my face. He grinned wider as my lips started to curve itself.

"Now that's better." He chuckled as a small laugh escaped from my mouth.

"Now dinner please." He pleased as he pouted his lips and I laughed, heartily.

"Of course." He stood up with me as I went to the kitchen as started to heat up the food that was made by Lydia and me. His stood near the door and kept watching me as I placed the food on the stove and turned on the heat. It was done in 15 mins as Nathan helped me with placing the dishes. He sat on his chair and scooted my chair closer to him and then I sat with him, blushing stupidly.

He once again started to teach me as I was getting better than before. I could read the words, the easy ones but not that quick. In the middle of my studying, we were done with food so I kept all the dishes on the sink and washed them as Nathan insisted on helping when I only let him to dry the dishes. We were back on the dining room as I kept reading.

"Nathan, what is this word? F-r-e-q-u-e-n-t." I asked as I tried to pronounce it but couldn't. "Nathan?" I called him but he didn’t answer me. I got confused as I turned to look up at him to find him already looking at me.

"Nathan?" I called him again, in a low whisper.

"You are so beautiful." He said staring right at me with his eyes sparkling as his voice sincere. I couldn't help but blush and lower my head. I felt his hands on my cheek as he bought my face to his level.

"Never hide your face from me." He leaned so closer that I could feel his breath. My heart was thumping and I was afraid that even he could hear it. I, in a sudden, closed my eyes as I thought that he would kiss me.

Will he?

I don't know if I am ready. I felt his thumb moving slowly making me tickle as his other hand moved towards my waist making my breath hitch. I never dared to open my eyes as we stayed like that for minutes with his forehead resting on top of mine.

I waited for him to make the move and waited but he never did and finally he spoke.

"Frequent. It means something that’s regular." He answered my question as he pulled back and my eyes opened staring at him as I must have turned into a beetroot by now. He sat straight in his chair as I was still affected by our closeness. I could still feel his fingers on me, his breath that tickles me and deep down I feel like he is not pushing himself, he wants to take all of this slow. Oh god! All of this was so new to me and it all felt good. None of this felt wrong. But I don't feel ready. I don't feel like I can kiss him right now.

"O-okay. I have to make the bed." I stuttered and quickly stood up from my seat and walked faster like my life depends on it. I wanted some time alone, I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. I made the bed and went to the washroom to change into my pajamas, which Nathan bought. I freshened up and when I came, he wasn't there. I laid on my side as I turned my face towards the wall. I remember his words that felt so sincere that I was afraid that it would be false.

You are so beautiful.

His words made me feel safe and being loved.

"You are a worthless piece of trash!" She yelled as she almost tripped on her feet.

"Your father loved a crazy bat witch! That crazy woman has so much trust in me that she just left you with me." She laughed, maniacally as her steps kept increasing towards me. My body was curled up against the wall as she held the knife tight in her hand.

"Your father called me a worthless sister. He never trusted me! H-he always picked his wife over ME!" Her voice kept getting louder and I flinched as she stood right Infront of me. Whenever she was drunk, she said things about my mother and father that I never understood.

"But now I have everything in control. He doesn't know anything. The plan I have made is working properly." She gave me that evil smile as she spoke. "You look just like your mother!" She spat as she leaned down and leveled her face towards me.

"He calls you and his wife beautiful!" She said with disgust as I held back a sob when she yanked my hair and started to examine my face with a knife.

"You are so ugly! Remember that!" She hissed and pulled my hair tighter in her hold as I yelped in pain.

"Say you are ugly!" She commanded.

"I-I am u-ugly." I whispered as she cut my wrist with the knife and I screamed in pain. The blood dripping down from my wrist onto my hand and then fingers.

"SAY IT LOUDER!" She screamed.

"I am ugly!" I said louder this time but to my disappointment she drew a line on my wrist again, I helplessly cried and screamed for help but no one ever heard. I was alone in my mess and no one could ever help me, not my mother and not my father. I never said bad things about them but always in my mind, I thought that they left me because I was a worthless and that upset me in so many ways but on the other hand, I felt that maybe there was a reason, I only want answers.

Why did my father leave me when I was only six?

Why did my mother leave me with a monster when everything in our life was perfect?

Who is this woman? Is she my aunt then why is she causing me pain?

Are my parents even alive?

If they are, are they finding me?

So many questions, unanswered.

"KEEP REPEATING!"

"I'M UGLY! I'M UGLY! I'M UGLY!"

"Dear?" I quickly wiped my tears as I heard his voice. I closed my eyes and pretended to be sleeping as I heard his footsteps getting closer. I felt my eyes getting heavy as I felt exhausted even though I slept in the afternoon. It was now almost midnight as I felt sleep overcome. I didn't hear what he said or did. He was silent or not I didn't know.

Nathan Rivera's POV

Shit! I shouldn't have done that. I didn't know what came over me as I was about to kiss her. I wanted all of this slow not to push this. She needs time to recover, and me doing this won't help her. I didn't even know what to do.

What if she wanted me to kiss her?

Oh damn! I hope she is fine. I went back into the room after half an hour, thinking to myself as I found her already sleeping.

"Dear?" I called for her but she didn't answer as I made my way towards her, steadily. Her face looked like she held a lot of troubles, I want to help her and I would do anything even if I have to give myself away. I would do that, because she means the world to me. I kneeled beside her and slowly leaned in and laid my lips on top of her forehead. I kissed her and kept my lips for a few moments as I whispered.

"I promise, I will protect you from everything." I pulled back as I saw a lone tear slipped from her eye and onto her nose.

Was she crying because of me?

Oh no! I felt furious at myself when I saw that tear. That tear would only come out when she is happy and crying from joy.

Then I noticed something, she was wearing the pajamas I bought her and her arms were bare but what caught my eyes were her wrist. They were filled with blue and black bruises. Please tell me she didn't went through a***e. I felt like crying as I rubbed my fingers over cuts that were near her pulse.

Did she do that? She cannot, right?

"I want the best for you Janet. And today I will make a promise. I promise to always help you in need, I promise to never show you sorrow, I promise that I will never let anyone touch a strand of your hair, I promise that no one will ever hurt you ever again." I whispered as a tear escaped my eyes.

I promise.

********