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Self defense

I begged Beth to come with me upstairs to the penthouse. She promptly rejected and went back to sleep. I am already half an hour late. He asked me to come at 7 am sharp, it's now 7.30. I still couldn't muster the strength to go upstairs.

I sit outside my apartment internally giving myself a pep talk.

I know he won't harm me. My heart knows it. But my mind refuses to listen to reason. The more I try to muster the courage to go there, the more my mind panics with the thought of being alone with a male.

When I am busy abusing my nails, 1 pair of feet, clad in sport's shoes appears in my field of vision. Slowly I raise my head, praying that it's not who I think it is. But it is the man whom I was supposed to meet 1 hour ago.

"How long do you plan on sitting there. Have you spared any fingernail? Or you ate them all" he teases me.

I promptly look down again.

"I am sorry" I whisper ashamed.

"You don't have to feel bad Chloe, like I said, baby steps. Let's go" he orders and turns towards the elevator.

I still don't move from my spot. I worry my lower lip as my palms begin to sweat.

"I will keep the door open for you. I will tie a cloth around my eyes. So that I won't be able to see a thing, least of all you. Here take this kerchief, you can tie it securely around my eyes, and lead the way. How is it" he bargains with me.

If I know one thing about Jace Black is that he will never give up and he will never bargain with anyone. It's always his way or no way. The thing that he is willing to do that for me is showing how much he is concerned about me.

If he is willing to step down a few steps, then I should give it my best.

"Ok" I agreed to his deal.

He extends the kerchief he was carrying towards me. I take it hesitantly and tie it around his eyes. I make sure it is securely tied around his eyes before I turn towards him.

He extends his hand for me to take so that I can lead him. I try and muster the courage to hold his hand myself. He waits patiently all the while standing in front of me in a vulnerable position.

The Jace who refused anyone's help when he fell and broke his left leg, Is standing in front of me with his eyes tied shut.

I remember how he walked using a cane and did all his works by himself. Today the same man is asking me to guide him.

I gather strength from him and I take his palm in mine. I lead him towards his penthouse. The layout is similar to my apartment. But the bedrooms are converted into a study and gym each.

It is a duplex, his bedroom must be on the first floor.

"Guide me towards the punching bag in the center of the room" Jace instructs me.

I follow his instructions and take him there. Once he reaches near the bag, he let go of my hand and holds the bag.

"Now punch this bag with all your strength. It will enhance your core body stability, upper body strength, self-defense abilities, and endurance. It will also reduces anxiety and stress. Now give it your best short" he encourages me.

I punch it with all my might, but he gives me a disapproving look. I don't like it, so I try and try until I no longer could.

He removes the kerchief from around his eyes and looks at me. I am sitting on the floor, sweaty and breathing heavily. I don't have the strength to lift my arms anymore.

"Well done Chloe" his appreciation gives me butterfly's in my belly.

"Come," he says and leads me towards the bathroom in the master bedroom which is on the first floor.

"You freshen up and come down. You can close the bedroom door if you want" he instructs and leaves me there.

Even though I know I don't have to be scared of Jace, I close the bedroom door anyway.

I quickly wash my face and retie my ponytail. I closely look at the girl in the mirror. Reddish-brown hair, tan skin, blue eyes, thick eyelashes, pouty lips, and an hourglass slim figure.

Beth always says that girls would kill to have a figure like mine. But sadly I will always wear loose or ill-fitting clothes, which aunt Joey dislikes.

I don't want anyone's attention on me, much less a male's attention.

I close my eyes briefly and go downstairs. I find Jace in the kitchen cooking something. He must have heard my footsteps, he turns towards me and indicates the bar stool.

"Sit," he says softly.

I go and sit on the stool thinking about reasons to go away from here.

Jace places a plate full of chocolate waffles with whipped cream in front of me and gives me a gentle smile.

This is my favorite breakfast combination. How did he know?

He always does things that break my defenses little by little without even me noticing it.

He fixes himself a plate and sits beside me. I look at him from the corner of my eyes and forget to eat.

"You don't like it," Jace asks suddenly.

"No, it's not like that. I am sorry" I apologize embarrassed.

"No problem" he smiles a little and goes back to eating.

"We will continue your self-defense classes twice a week, mostly on weekends. I will send your textbooks and other stuff you might need today. You tell me if you need anything else. Ok," he says gently not to startle me.

I nod my head to say yes.

"Do you have the card I gave you?" he asks.

I nod again.

"Ok .. you can go to your apartment after your breakfast" he permits me to leave.

Again I nod my head.

This is how most of our conversations go. He says something and i nod my head. I am too terrified to do anything else.

I feel bad about this but couldn't seem to do anything about it.

I always feel like agreeing to everything they say will limit the time of our interaction.

It's the easiest way to escape faster.

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