Chapter 3

IRIS

I gasped as soon as these words left Asher's mouth.

"Her boyfriend."

As soon as Asher said these words, all the muscles of Tristan's body became stiff.

His breathing became uneven. As a suffocating silence wrapped the living room.

It wasn't for any good.

From the time Asher came here, Tristan was trying to control his anger.

I knew it.

From the very beginning Tristan did not invite the idea of Asher interrupting him and the moment I jumped in Asher's arm, his dislike towards Asher increased.

Tristan has always been a possessive man and got jealous easily. As soon as Asher said these words, it was like the dam broke and now Tristan was not able to control his emotion.

His eyes had flame but not of passion but of rage. He moved in a blink of eyes as he had Asher pinned to the nearby wall and then Tristan's hands reached up to Asher's throat.

"How dare you said that. She is mine and no one can take her from me. I dare you to touch her."

A chill ran down my spine when Tristan yelled while choking Asher. Asher tried to push him but Tristan easily overpowered him.

Soon Asher's face started turning a awful shade of purple. Seeing the situation unfolding in front of me, memories from my haunting past came my way.

In which I was in place of Asher and one of those monsters were choking me.

"Please leave me.", I said while I felt the pressure on my neck increasing.

"Then why were you trying to run whore.", the monster who was choking me yelled at my face.

"I am sorry.", My voice was becoming rough due to lack of oxygen in my lungs.

"Xander, leave her, she will die this way.", another monster from the back hissed.

The monster loosened his grip from my neck but never let go of me.

Soon I started sucking in the air like a hungry person who has not eaten for days.

"But she tried to run, boss.", the monster said like a kid.

"Don't worry Xander, she will be punished but in a better way.", the other monster said while licking his lips.

"Let the guests come first, then we will all have fun.", the other monster continued.

"Give her another sedative.", the other monster said handling the first one an injection.

Now the first monster let me go and I fell on the floor with a thud.

"No please, not that.", I begged as my fear of needles took over me.

"It won't hurt that much, baby.", the monster cooed evilly.

I felt a sting in my left arm and soon everything became blur as darkness invaded me.

My breathing lost it's steadiness and I was soon hyperventilating.

Those monsters, my fear and my pain again seeped in me.

I was back there. In that dark basement, trapped.

No not there.

Please...

As I looked in front of me. My imagination took it's course and without thinking anything I pushed Tristan with all my force.

Tristan stumbled one or two steps back and Asher fell on ground.

I bent down next to Asher completely ignoring the fact that hot tears were tumbling down my cheeks and my vision was blurring due to a newly started panic attack.

I guess both the boys understood my situation as Asher started calming me while trying to control his own breathing rate.

At the same moment I felt a hand on my back. I flinched as the thought of the person being one of the monsters invaded my mind.

"Leave me alone, you - you  mons - ter.", I yelled as I tried looking back.

As soon as I turned back, realisation hit me with full force.

The man I just called monster was Tristan. Hurt was evident in his eyes making guilt pool in my chest.

He is not one of those monsters. But again what he did to me was no less than what those monsters did to me.

If they broke my soul then Tristan also ripped my heart out of my chest.

I was losing my ability to think straight as the panic attack brought a fresh stock of haunting memories and photos.

"She is having a panic attack because of you. Leave now if you have any shame."

I could hear faint voices in the background like that of opening and closing of the door before everything became dark for me.

"Wakie, wakie honey.", I could feel Tristan's minty breathes near my face as he placed a kiss on my nose.

"Time to wake up Mrs. Knight.", I smiled to myself.

I loved it when he called me that.

"5 more minutes.", I said sleepily.

I could hear Tristan sighing.

"Fine, I am going down to make the breakfast.", he said after which I heard the door closing.

With a sigh I got up from our warm bed and made my way downstairs.

I found my husband in the kitchen working like a professional.

Soon I heard some screams and the breaking of glass.

I closed my eyes and as soon as I reopened my eyes, I found myself in the same basement with both the monsters surrounding me.

I looked around and relaxed when my eyes fell on my husband. He won't let anything happen to me.

"Tristan.", I looked at him for help but he didn't move a foot. No even when one of those monsters touched me.

"Tristan help.", I shouted with tears of frustration.

Tristan smirked and replied,

"I don't help a slut like you."

My eyes opened.

I was in my bed, in my house. All the memories came back.

Tristan found me.

Apologized.

Asher said he was my boyfriend.

Tristan choking him and my fainting.

I looked around to find Asher sleeping on one of the chairs with his arms crossed. He had a red bruise on his neck but other than that he looked fine.

As soon as I got out of the bed. Asher's teasing voice entered my ears.

"Get down of the bed and I will leave captain behind you."

I looked back to see him now lazily sitting on the chair with his eyes on me.

"You won't.", I stated but with lack of confidence.

He knows very well that I extremely scared of his German Shepard dog aka Captain.

Asher gave me a serious look, "Try me."

I audibly gulped.

"So how long was I out.", I asked him.

"Three hours, GF.", He replied.

As soon as he said GF, I gave him a questioning look.

"Don't forget that you are gay.", I said.

"Well my Eri, I remember that fact very well. But that ex-husband of yours doesn't know it. Also at that moment I thought that if I make him believe that you have moved on then he will leave you alone."

I nod my head in understanding.

"So now what?", I asked.

"Nothing tommorow we get engaged and day after tomorrow we get married. And yes it is up to you to decide where we go on a honeymoon.", he said casually while winking at me.

My eyes were as wide as a saucer and suddenly Asher's started laughing.

"Look at your face Eri, I was just kidding."

Okay so he was joking.

"Listen puppy, we don't do anything. Just relax your tiny mind, take your medicines and go to sleep as it is tommorow we have to go for your diagnosis. Whereas right now I go back home. Okay."

Asher said softly while I nodded my head.

Asher got up from the chair and I followed him. He opened the main door to leave.

"Listen to me Eri, you have nothing to be scared of. You are a brave girl and don't worry about your ex-husband. After your outburst I don't think he is coming back any time soon. Just relax. Also be ready by 9 a.m. I will pick you up."

He then kissed my forehead and left but not before reminding me about my medicines and bidding me good night.

I suddenly felt exhausted though I had just woken up thus I quickly took my medicines and made my way to my bed.

But before I could close my eyes, a message popped on my phone.

Unknown number

I will see you soon, mio fiore.

Sleep tight for now.

Yours only and only

Tristan

I sighed and tried closing my eyes but it felt like all the sleep and exhaustion has vanished.

Lets see now what tommorow holds.