“Please, you’re hurting her. She’s only 8 years old.” my mother pleaded for her drunken boyfriend to stop hitting me, just because I didn’t wash the dishes properly.
“Joe, she can’t survive another hit, please stop!” she yells again, but he kept hitting me, telling me how useless I am. “You will never be able to stand up for yourself. Just like your father, you are useless. You will never find a man that will love you, only abuse you,” he shouts. I can’t even lift my head with blood surging out of my mouth. My ribs were full of bruises and my mother was crying for her useless abusive boyfriend to stop hurting me. “You want more? I can go all-new night, little girl,” he yells while he gulps a bottle of whiskey. My mother is sitting at the table, crying, but she’s not stopping him. I guess she’s just as weak as me. I can’t open my eyes, my jaws feel like it’s broken and my small tiny body is curled up on the floor in the small kitchen. My mother works as a server and earns little to nothing, and her jackass of a boyfriend spends most of the little money she earns on booze and drugs. “What women? What? Do you want to lie next to your daughter? You’re both useless.” he yells at my mother, who is crying no stops. I’m 8 years old and can’t defend myself, but my mother can defend me, but she’s choosing to stay with this abusive man. For what reason, I will never know. My father loved her. Why she turned to a man like this, I will never understand. “Get up you little brat, clean this kitchen, and you stop crying.” he shows his finger towards my mother who is still sitting on the broken chair in the small kitchen. “One day, when you're old enough, you will find out that no one will ever love you. Stand up!” he yells so hard that my ears are buzzing with pain. I struggle to stand up, my ribs are bruised and my legs can barely hold me with the pain and trembling I’m feeling. I could actually finally stand tall till he whacked me onto the floor again. Mother is still just sitting there, crying, not saying anything to him anymore, probably too scared she will get beaten as well. I glared at him and decided that one day I will come back for you and you will pay for what you did to me. ............ That was 12 years ago. My name is Emily Dawson and I still don’t know how to defend myself. I went to medical school and learn how to help helpless people. That’s the only place I feel I can defend people who can’t defend themselves. I had way too many patients who came into the ER who got abused by their husbands, boyfriends and even school children. Of course, it brings back all the memories from when I was 8 years old, and sometimes I would find my way to the doctor’s lounge breaking down in tears. All the memories killed me inside, and ever since I was 8 years old, I have never switched off the memories. I could never get used to abuse, and I never dared to fight anyone back. I left my mother with the jackass when I turned 18 years old and left my hometown and never returned home. She never left him, not even for me, even though he abused both of us. She believed she would never find a man again after the death of my father. Well, that’s what he made her believe. He mentally and physically abused both of us. We would never be loved, and my mother never broke free from that. I don’t think I ever did. I still get nightmares. The only time I have the power to help someone that gets abused is to call the police and get satisfaction when they drag the person’s ass out of the hospital, even though some women deny the abuse. I know how it looks when someone lies about abuse and tries to cover it up. My shift was finally over, and I could finally go home. The only problem is I have to walk home tonight. I don’t have a lift tonight because of working overtime. I walked down the alley, the only noise was the wind and the homeless man making noise fighting each other for a place to sleep. I don't have a choice but to walk down this alley. It is the closest route to my flat. The only way to get rid of your fear is to face your fear until the three-man jumped me, and my fear returned with all the memories I’m trying to lock away. “I swear I don’t have a credit card, take my cellphone and my purse. Please, just don’t hurt me.” I pleaded with the guy with the mask on, and the other one kept kicking me. The other one searches my body like I’m some kind of whore. “Please, just take what you want. I don’t have anything else.” “Shut up, bitch.” the blood is flowing like a river out of my mouth. I can feel my ribs crack one by one as the person keeps kicking me. My vision became blurry. They kept hitting and kicking me until I could no longer focus on the pain anymore. I remember my stepfather used to keep telling me, “You're weak. You will never be able to defend yourself.” “What, you’re here to rescue the princess?” the guy said. I opened my swelling eyes long enough to see another man standing over my body. “You better leave, or we’ll all end up in jail. You for hurting this woman, and me for killing you.” the robber started laughing. I could see his feet coming closer to kick me again, but in a second all three of them were lying on the ground. “I’ve got you.” the unfamiliar man said while he picked me up and held my head in his arms. The blood is still flowing out of my mouth and I can nearly breathe with the bruises on my body. “I’ll take you to the hospital.” “No! No hospitals,” I begged. My stepfather would only glow if he knew I was jumped and almost beaten to death. “ You are bleeding pretty badly, and your ribs might be broken.” he kept holding me. “I said no hospitals.” Before I could explain that I’m a nurse, I passed out in his muscular arms. .............“Where am I?” the unfamiliar man is busy doing push-ups and God knows what. How did I end up here, but mostly, who is this handsome, gorgeous guy, shirtless, muscular man in front of me? “I brought you here. I actually wanted to take you to the hospital, but you were quite adamant not to go. What are you, some criminal that got a beat down?” he asked, his eyes dark and his veins visible from the workout he just did right in front of me. My face feels swollen and my ribs feel like they are crushing my insides. “If I was a criminal, don’t you think I would’ve been able to defend myself? And if you thought I was one, why did you bring me here? I can kill you.” he smiled while pulling his T-shirt over his head. My eyes moved to his boxers, staring at him like a pervert.&n
Emily’s Pov I watch how he uses his body to help kids defend themselves, and how confident these kids look, more than what I feel like a grown-up. He hadn’t noticed me yet, so I looked around the gym. It’s massive. Gloves hanging everywhere, kickboxing bags hanging in rows. Weights everywhere and a cage obviously to learn and defend yourself. I sat down on the bench, waiting for him to finish his class. I don’t know what to expect when he finishes, but he did tell me to find out who he is, so that’s what I did. I’m amazed by these kids, how they know how to turn themselves out of a position when they're in trouble, how they can block a punch and how they use their legs to stay firm. “Thank you, guys. We’ll catch up with some warmups tomorrow and choose wh
Emily’s Pov I keep checking the clock. My shift ends at 3 PM, so I have to rush to the gym and hope Blake will still train me. It’s 2:34. Jeez, can these last few minutes just fly? “Emily, can you please help with these patients? We’re short stuff and the nurses can’t keep up.” I sighed, watching the clock. There are literally 10 minutes left. I rushed to the first patient and then the second one. “I really need to get going,” I said to Linda. She glares at me like I had a date or something. “No, it’s not what you think? I’m actually...” I kept quiet before I told her where I was going. Blake asked me to keep this to myself. I’m sure Linda won’t say a word, but I need this. I’m already 5minutes late, so I pray he will still help me. I jumped on the bus and it wa
Blake’s Pov “Can I get you something to drink, Sir?” the bar lady asked, while my eyes followed Emily’s every move. Her beautiful blond hair hanging perfectly down her back, her bright blue eyes that can make any man go numb by just looking at her. Her body is slim and perfect. “No thank you,” I responded while she threw herself at me. I try to figure out why a nurse wants to learn how to defend herself? I know it’s not just because of what happened in the Alley the other night, something happened to her that made her angry, and she’s been holding on to that anger and pain for a long time. I’ve seen kids being abused that came to me for support and the same anger and pain they showed is multiplied on Emily’s face. I know how to teach you to defend yourself, but with her it&rsq
Emily’s Pov “Hey.” I greeted Blake when I enter the gym. He doesn’t greet me back. He threw the gloves at me and instructed me to punch the kickboxing bag. “Okay.” I thought we connected last night, but clearly, he is still a jackass. I put the gloves on and hit the bag as hard as I can. I kept going with Blake busy on the phone, glaring at me like I’m failing a math test. “You’re doing it wrong,” he said, walking up to me. “Clearly, that’s why I’m here for you to show me how to do it, remember?” “Get your posture right by standing with your feet and shoulder in a wider distant, and your front foot facing the punching bag.” he grabs my leg and pulled one to the back and one facing the bag. He pulled my shoulders up. “Don’t shy away from emptying your punch
Blake’s PovEmily has left the club. It’s silent and just me and all memories hanging around in the club, staring me in the face!I picked up gloves and put them on. This time I used Emily’s.As I pull it over my hands, I can feel the pain. I don’t know her story, but I have my own story about why I started to become a kickboxer. The memories of my father run through my mind when I pull the punch bag closer.“Did you hit him back?” father is sitting with a knife peeling his apple on the front porch when I came home from school with a bloody nose.“I asked if you punched him back?” I hear my father’s voice clearly as I punch the bag.I just stared at him that day, remembering how he used women, how he was never there for me. He only cared about his title as the world-famous kickboxing champion and how women were falling at his feet. And here I am, getting bullied at school because I&
Emily’s Pov “Miss, what happened? You need to tell us what happen so that someone can help you.” the unfamiliar woman is laying in the ED, her lip busted ad can barely keep her left eye open. My day shift is almost finished and Blake said he will pick me up so that don’t have to take the bus in the rain. “Miss?” she picked her head up long enough to look at the man that was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. “Did he do this to you?” I point a finger at him and asked her again, but she looked scared when I pointed it out. “Did you do this to her?” I push forward to the man with so much anger inside me. “Wow, wow. I would never beat a woman like that.” he jugg
Blake’s PovI’m still sitting on the couch like an ass. What was I thinking?If my dad was here now, he would’ve said with your *dig* but yeah, he is not here, and that is not what I was doing. For the first time in my entire life, I felt something, something that I wanted more of.I’ve had women in my life before. I know the adrenalin feeling of winning over and over, and I know how it feels to have a joint and to zone out, but this feeling I don’t know.It’s a feeling of wanting someone or something so bad that you’re willing to give up everything for that.It’s a feeling that you can’t see or touch, but it stares at you brighter than the sun and cuts you deeper than a knife. It’s a feeling that you beg to hold on to, but it’s slowly slipping away into the darkness, and the only way to grab it is to climb down the lather and pull it up.*meet as, at the club, drinks on
Blake's POV"Blake?" Lizzy called out my name, I could feel the intensity of the moment building. Behind the ally of the gym, Emily's eyes widened as I continued to pleasure her with my fingers. "Shh," I whispered, a mischievous smile dancing on my lips as I noticed the conflicting emotions of pleasure and shame on her face. "Blake, she..." Emily began to say, but I quickly silenced her with a passionate kiss before unzipping my pants and entering her. A moan escaped her lips, and I covered her mouth with my hand to muffle the sound. "Let go, Emily. I'm so close," I murmured, my eyes squeezed shut as I felt the rush of desire consume me."I'm. BLAKE!" she whispered as she finished along with me. "That was fun," I gasped, trying to catch my breath as I gently lowered her back down onto the hard concrete floor. Her eyes met mine, filled with a mix of confusion and desire. It was clear that this spontaneous act of passion was far beyond her usual comfort zone.But oh, the thrill of i
Blake's POVThe sound of Emily's voice echoed through the office door of the gym, reaching my ears as I went about my business. Lizzy, always one to stir up trouble, seemed to enjoy taunting her, making it clear that I had no interest in seeing her. And truth be told, she wasn't entirely wrong. I had grown tired of people walking out on me, only to expect a warm welcome back once things settled down in their twisted minds."Can I please see Blake?" Emily's voice pleaded, but Lizzy stood her ground, keeping her on the other side of the door."It's okay, Lizzy," I finally intervened, opening the door to face Emily."Blake, you need to train, you can't..." she began to say, but I raised my hand, signalling for her to back off. I wasn't in the mood for her to tell me what I should or shouldn't do."Hey," Emily said softly, her voice carrying a mix of hope and uncertainty as Lizzy finally took the hint and retreated to the other side of the gym."Hey," I greeted her, my tone guarded. I cou
Blake's POVAs I watch Emily's taillights fade into the distance, leaving me stranded on the curb, a mix of anger and hurt surges through my veins. How could she just abandon me like that, as if I meant nothing to her? My fists clench instinctively, and I release my frustration by pounding the boot of my car, each blow echoing my inner turmoil.The onlookers in the parking lot shoot a fucking disapproving glances my way, their judgmental eyes adding fuel to the fire raging within me. In a fit of rage, I let out a primal scream, challenging anyone who dares question my outburst. The couple nearby averts their gaze, hurriedly escaping into the safety of their own vehicle.Taking a deep breath, I attempt to steady myself, realizing that giving in to anger will solve nothing. With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly retreat to the refuge of my car. The engine roars to life as I speed away, the road stretching out before me like an endless path of uncertainty and heartache.The drive back to the g
Blake's POV"I know, I'm fucking sorry. What do you want me to say? I panicked. I didn't ask for this Em," I yelled outside the bar, my voice filled with frustration and regret."You panicked? I had your mother in a bathtub with foam coming out of her mouth, your mother Blake," she said, folding her arms tightly across her chest. I could see the anger and frustration in her eyes, growing with every apology I uttered. The weight of my mistake was sinking in, causing my intoxicated body, bloody knuckles, and pounding headache to fade into the background. I could throw a punch, and make my enemies kneel, but I couldn't handle the overwhelming disappointment and frustration that radiated from this beautiful, angry woman standing before me.I was supposed to be her saviour, her protector. I was supposed to help her confront her demons and move forward with her life. Yet, here she stood, her emotions in turmoil, fighting with every fibre of her being to face my own demons and help me heal.
“Emily, Blake is here to see you,” Linda announced when she opened the doctor’s room where I was sitting and drowning in my sorrows.“I don’t want to see him.”“I told him that, but he said he’s not leaving till you come out.” I sigh in frustration, anger, or sadness. Either of them is making me feel sick.I stood up and walked to the front desk, where he was waiting. His eyes were bloodshot and looked like a total mess.“What do you want?” he stood up straight when he saw me, dragging his hands through his messy hair.“Thank you for taking care of my mother,” he said without apologising.“How is she?” I asked, folding my arms.“In rehab. I booked her in this morning.”“Good.” I turned around and walked back to the Ed.“So that’s it?” he yells afterwards. I stop dead in my tracks trying to b
I picked up Em from the ground and carry her to the apartment. Her face holds the most adorable smile and I can’t keep my eyes off her, until I almost drop her when I saw my mother lying in front of my door in her own puke, having a seizure.“Blake!” Emily yells when I put her down and run up to my mother.“What a fuck mom, what did you take?” I yelled when Emily pulled me away from her and turned to get on her side so as not to choke on her own puke.I grab my hair in frustration, and my entire childhood is having a feast inside my mind.“We need to get her to a hospital,” Emily announced, frightened.“No, I can’t have this all over the media,”“Blake, now is not the time for you to be ruthless. This is your mother.” Emily yells when the neighbour opened his door.“Get the fuck back int
Emily’s Pov “Where are we going?” I ask Blake, who drives into a forest with no toads with only trees, flowers and birds chirping. The scene is beautiful and so relaxing. Blake doesn’t answer me and only focuses on the bumpy road in front of him. “Are you going to kill me?” I joke and smirk. “You will see.” we drove for about another mile until he stopped. A beautiful lake is in front of us. The water is so clean that you can actually see the fish swimming in the Lake. “What are we doing here?” I asked with curiosity. “Training.” he opened my door and took my hand like a proper gentleman. I smiled while following him to the lake. He removed his close and jumped into the water. “Are you crazy? It’s like 15degrees.” I fold m arms and raise my brow. “Get in, you have to face the unbearable moments of defeat the unknown.” He lectures. Really? This is how he wants me to face the unbearable. I think I’v
“Fuck,” I cursed in the hallway in front of Emily’s apartment. Another idiot is shouting to keep my mouth shut. “Fuck you!” I yell back and laughed at myself. What did I drink, or better yet, what a hell did Vicky give me to swallow? Emily’s door fly opened and I my god she looks beautiful in her short pyjamas, her perfect body screaming to be touched, and her soft poker lips, well I don’t think that’s poker lips, that’s more angry lips, but still looks like it wants to be kissed. “What are you doing here?it’s 3 AM in the morning.” She folds her arms looking in control of her emotions. I run my hands through my hair to try and fo
Emily’s Pov I woke up in Blakes’s enormous bed with him nowhere to be seen. I pulled the blanket and wrapped it around my naked body and made my way downstairs. Blake is busy working out and I can’t help by stare at him. He caught me staring and just carried on. I can’t help but shake the feeling that he regrets what happened last night. “Are you okay?” I asked, but he didn’t answer. “Blake?” “Yes, I made a pot of coffee. I’m sure you need to get to work,” he answered without looking at me. “Did I do something wrong? Or are you treating everyone like this the next morning you had sex with women?” I challenged him. “What?” He ask