“I know you think I am too small, but…”
“Stop. Not think, I know you’re too small. Those clothes you are wearing that are hanging off your body, those are your clothes. Clothes that at one time fit and I am betting even looked nice on you. Now you look like a child playing dress up.”
She dropped her eyes to look at her hands. He was right. Her clothes were not fitting the way they should be. She had bought smaller clothes, deciding that no one would notice anyway. He had noticed.
“I need to change.” She left the bed and made her way to the bathroom.
It was easy to pretend on the phone with her bestie that everything was ok, because she couldn’t see her. But hiding things from Niko that would be a different story. Good thing she was leaving today.
She got herself together and walked out. She had a breakfast to pretend to eat.
“Lead the way. I am ready.”
They walked out the door and towards a staircase. At the bottom he led her to the back of the house, which contained a big open kitchen.
“This is beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“Have a seat. Breakfast or lunch? It is pretty late.”
“In that case, it must be lunch.”
She watched as he opened cabinets, pulling out ingredients. “What are you making?”
“Thought we might have another salad. Something light.”
“Sounds good.” If only she planned to eat it.
“Nicolas is coming over today.”
“That’s great. I haven’t seen him in a while. It will be nice to see him, if I am still here when he gets here.”
“You will still be here.”
“What’s he want by the way?”
“I asked him to come over. He is going to examine you.”
“Niko, say what? Why would I let that quack touch me?”
“Would this be the same quack who saved Aran’s life or the same quack who takes care of Rena and would have done more for you after the kidnapping if you had let him? Is that the quack we are talking about? Dee someone tried to hurt you, you need to see a doctor.”
She didn’t meet his eyes. He wouldn’t understand. She couldn’t let Nicolas touch her. Yes, he was a good doctor. He was actually a great doctor from what she had learned. That’s why he couldn’t touch her.
He would know. He would know that the creature who held her had done something to her. She had to get out of here.
“That would be him. Give him my apologies for having missed him.”
She got up and walked out of the kitchen. She was dressed appropriately. She had found a pair of stretch pants, a pair that she had been squeezing into before, but they fit now. She paired it with an oversized shirt that she had tied at the side like it was a fashion statement. A pair of baby doll shoes completed the ensemble. She looked average enough to walk out without drawing attention to herself. She reached the door, turned the lock and pulled. It didn’t budge.
She turned the lock the other way. Nothing. She turned her head to the right, saw a nice big window and crossed to it. She unlatched it and went to lift it. Nothing. Taking a deep breath, she tried every window in every room until she found the back door.
Smiling she unlocked it and nothing. Pissed off she walked into the kitchen.
“You’re back in time.” He slid a salad plate over to her. It had the best looking chicken salad on it.
“It smells good.” The words were dragged out of her mouth.
“Thanks.” He set a much larger plate in front of him. “Eat before the chicken gets cold.”
She eyed the vegetables and the pieces of chicken. Reluctantly, she began to eat. She ate about half on her plate before putting down the fork.
“I am full.” It was defiant. She had just dropped the gauntlet.
“OK.” He reached over and dragged her plate to him. “Wouldn’t want it to go to waste.” He poured the remainder on his plate and polished it all off.
“I noticed none of the windows seem to open. Are they painted shut?”
“No.”
“Just no? Why don’t they open?”
“Because I don’t want them too.”
He got up and started clearing off the table. She joined him at the sink and helped him load the dish washer.
“Niko, what is happening?” Her voice came out soft. She had been in situations like this where she had been hurt.
Niko wouldn’t hurt her, of that she was sure. He might make her eat, but really, she could live with that. No one besides Rena ever forced her to eat.
He reached out and ran a hand down her cheek.
“I will explain it all, but I need Nicolas to examine you first. No worries, kitten. If he finds something that you might be scared of we will take care of it. No matter what, you won’t be hurt.”