Chapter 63
1327words
My stomach churns as I stare out the van window. The buildings buzz by in a blur, while the cars on either side of us stay right beside us. The noise from the busy world outside doesn’t register with me and sounds only like a slight buzz in the back of my head.
All my thoughts are still stuck on the event and what will happen now.
I don’t want to see the crazy witch ever again. There is no way I could be in the same room as her. A cold shiver runs down my back as I remember her wild look in her eyes.
This morning, I had tried to tell Jane I can’t do this, but she keeps saying she has had it all work out and it will be fine.
My foot bounces as a thin layer of sweat coats my palms and my body. No matter what I do, I feel like I’m dangling from a high bridge by a rope and, any minute, someone will come along and cut it. It isn’t a question of if they will do it, but when.
Why won’t anyone listen to me?
Tiffany cups my hand and intertwines our fingers. “Honey, it will be alright. I don’t know what Jane has planned, but she seems confident you will be safe and secure. Plus, I’ll be right there and make sure you are, too.”
She leans against me and gives me a light peck on my cheek.
I savor her warmth, but it does little to tame my frazzled nerves.
I just want to go home and hide under the covers.
With her other hand, she gently rubs my arm. “We need to have faith in her. She knows what she is doing.”
I don’t miss the slight hesitation in her voice. She isn’t 100% sure either.
The van slows down and my gaze shifts to the other side of the vehicle and the dreaded shopping mall.
The shrill voice that haunts me all day echoes in my head.
My heartbeat quickens and my breathing shallows out, almost turning into short pants.
Tiffany caresses my arm. “Hey, I’m right here, honey. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Okay.”
I nod, but I can’t tear my eyes away from the stupid shopping mall.
She pecks my cheek again. “We will get through this together. If you need me, what is your safe word? Do you remember it?”
I open my mouth, but my words stick in my throat.
She rubs my chest. “Shhh… Inhale…. Exhale…. You can do it.”
My body follows her command, while my mind latches onto her soothing touch and comforting warmth. Slowly, the tension eases a bit.
What would I do without her?
***
Tiffany POV
I want to make this entire nightmare end and go away. My handsome boyfriend is a shell of the man I love. The conniving witch and this stupid event have reduced him down to a trembling, scared man, who can’t hardly talk.
I hope this event flops, and the agency gets heat from the event organizer and sponsor for the terrible outcome. It would teach them a lesson about what they are doing to my boyfriend.
As the van pulls up to the side of the building, I gently rub Trevor’s muscular arm while I tighten my grip around his hand. “Honey, think of it like any other part in a drama. Step into your character and put on your mask. Go out there and give them a show, but only do what you are comfortable with. Don’t push yourself too much. If it gets to be too hard for you, all you have to do is say the safe word. You still haven’t told me what it is. Do you remember it?”
I want to take his pain away. The fear in his eyes slice right through me.
When this is all done, I’ll make sure the agency understands what they’ve done to him.
Trevor’s brown frightened eyes pull away from the building and look at me. He softly mumbles, “Yes. Proposal.” A faint light shimmers in his eyes while a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
I flash him a bright smile and nod. “Correct. Oh, we are here. Are you ready?”
He swallows while he keeps staring at me, and then after a few moments, he nods. “I think so.”
It isn’t the most confident reply, but, at this point, I’ll take it.
I’ll make sure the host doesn’t get off track and stays on schedule. I don’t care what Jane has said or what the agency has told us. He isn’t going to the stupid changing room afterward.
I’ll take him and leave right after we get off the stage. No one is going to stop me.
I kiss his plump lips and lean my forehead against his. “We do this together, and we leave together.”
His voice cracks. “Together.”
The driver clears his throat. “It is time. You need to get in there.”
My stomach sinks, but there is no turning back now. I give Trevor another bright smile before I nod, signaling it is time for us to go.
He hesitates for a second and then takes a deep breath.
The van door slides open.
Like flipping a switch, he pulls on a mask and climbs out of the vehicle. I quickly follow and together we rush into the building.
Security guards are scattered everywhere both inside and outside. It eases my nerves slightly, but it doesn’t stop them.
The crazy witch is smart and has plenty of money. She can get things done when others can’t.
As soon as the fans catch a glimpse of us approaching from behind the stage, the area fills with screams. Trevor instantly tenses beside me, but he keeps going.
A woman calls out through the speakers. “Oh, the couple for the event must be coming. Do some of you see them?”
The area erupts with another round of thundering screams, louder than before.
How many people are here?
The woman giggles. “I guess I don’t need to introduce them then, but I will. Everyone, please welcome Trevor and Tiffany.”
The two of us rush onto the stage and wave at the fans, while flashing them our signature smiles as if nothing is wrong.
More screams soon fill the area, which are the loudest yet.
My ears ring, but I ignore it.
We turn and greet the middle-aged host. She motions to the two chairs beside her. “Come, have a seat and we will begin.”
The event goes on, and I keep close to Trevor, anxiously watching him and listening for the safe word. But he doesn’t use it. We end the event like we always do by taking some pictures with us on stage in front of the crowd.
I glance at my watch and announce, “Sorry everyone, but we have to cut the rest of this short. We have another place to go to and we must rush to get there on time. Next time, we promise to stay longer and provide more time with us. Thank you for understanding.”
I don’t wait for their response before I grab Trevor’s wrist and drag him off the stage. Screams erupt behind us. Trevor tenses, but I’m not going to stop for anything. I don’t know where Jane and her staff are, but I’m not waiting. I need to get Trevor out of here, before something horrible happens to him.
As soon as we step behind the stage, several bodyguards swarm around us and stay with us as our shield while we dart towards the exit.
Jane suddenly calls out. “Trevor. Tiffany. Stop for a moment.”
I shake my head and wave my hand in the air, but I don’t slow down or stop.
A voice that sounds similar to Trevor’s answers back. “Don’t worry. I’m coming.”
