37
Ice queen, that’s what I’ve been named. Not to my face of course more like behind closed doors and in changing rooms.
Ryan found out about the incident the next day when he came back to work and let’s just say he wasn’t impressed which wasn’t all that surprising if I’m being honest with you.
Theo has given me my space and he hasn’t been coming to the centre I’ve heard he is busy with the restaurant.
“Oh, great your here, can you give me updates on all the students” I said to Hannah finding her in her office scrolling through her iPad.
She nodded as I left her office. A few minutes later she walked in and sat down.
“I’ve had no problems this week. Obviously, my concern is on Bryony but hopeful her test results come through any day this week” I glanced at her. Bryony took three days off to have all these tests at the hospital and now we just had to wait.
Doctors were confident that it wasn’t something serious may just some underlining problem, but they promised to get to the bottom of it. My old friend was coming in tomorrow to help us out.
“how about Scott is he fully recovered” I said with a hint of annoyance at him for being an idiot. He managed to get himself into a bike accident but luckily it wasn’t bad he was able to walk it off but that doesn’t mean I was going to let him continue like nothing happened.
Silly boy tried to hide his limp from me as he walked to training but I was already watching him all the way from his car.
“I think he will be fine. It’s not made a big impact on his swimming as we know so I doubt it’s something to worry about anymore” even Hannah has now come used to Scott and his idiotic actions.
I give him a lot of shit but at the same time I don’t think I could imagine working here without him. He surely is one to remember and deep down I really want him to succeed in the sport.
“well good, I just want to say how thankful I am you really are saving my life monitoring them all” I said to her.
She stood up “it’s no big deal, I really like working here and I’m glad you picked me”
I grinned at her. “Me and Tina were thinking of getting some food later you should join?”
“I’d love to, I’ll just finish off some forms “she held up a stack of papers.
I winced but agreed ” sure, we will probably head out for 7 if that’s alright with you” she looked at her watch seeing that it had just gone 5, luckily she lived 10 minutes from here so it wasn’t really a problem.
“oh, ladies you are planning a night on the town” Scott practically sang sneaking into the office, he was holding a first aid kit in his hands.
My eyes widened “don’t worry coach just a little cut to the knee” he said gesturing to his knee which had a tiny plaster covering it.
Oh boy.
“Just go home Scott” I rubbed my head already feeling a migraine coming along.
“Okay okay I’m going have fun ladies” he sang out as he left my office.
When it was half 5, I decided that I needed to leave if I was going to give myself enough time to get ready.
I passed the gym on my way out. I saw that Theo was inside the gym doing some weight training.
I was surprised to see him sitting on one of the benches his head bowed as the weights laid on the soft mat.
A big part of me just wants to go to him, I really miss spending time with him and talking to him, but I knew that distancing myself was what was best.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
I made it home in time for me to shower and get ready. I played some chilled music through my speakers as I got ready. I changed the blades on my razor and got to work.
Maybe I could find some guy to have fun with tonight, get my mind off Theo for once. Since he had no problem moving on surely it would be the same for me.
Once I finished my shower I went into my wardrobe and decided on an outfit for tonight. I found a strapless midnight green dress that would go perfectly with my new heels.
I even started on some light drinking with a bottle of wine I had in my fridge, there was no harm in starting early.
With 20 minutes until I had to leave, I heard someone knocking on my door. I didn’t even think about putting my wine glass down as I made my way to the door.
My mind was elsewhere when I swung the door open that I was mentally never going to be prepared with who was standing on the other side of my door that my grip on my wine glass weakened. The wine splashed over the shoes of my guest.
“Elle”
“no” I breathed.
“leave” I said firmly even though I was literally shaking with fear.
I watched him reach out to me, but I stepped back. “you can’t just show up here, you need to leave now”
“I have every right to see my daughter” I don’t know where I found the courage, but I actually laughed at him. To think that he even has the right to call me that.
“you lost that right when you beat up my mother Infront of me, so like I said seconds ago leave”
My father never really hurt me physically when I was little, he would say that he could never harm me but I’m sure that’s exactly what he said t my mother years ago.
“Just like your mother, always bringing up the past” his words were like setting a fire within me.
“for your sake I hope you haven’t visited my other because I’ll get a restraining order right now”
Now he was the one finding this amusing. “I have no reason to see her, I’m here to see my daughter and that’s all” for his ace I hope he was right and not lying to me because he swears to go I will do it.
“Elle? Is everything alright” I heard Tina behind him.
My father turned to see Tina standing behind him looking concerned for me.
“this isn’t the last time you’ll be seeing me princess” was the final words he left with me as he finally left my door and headed over to his car.
I watched him get into his car silently and when he was finally around the corner was when I finally crumbled.
“ELLE” I heard Tina shout to me as I dropped to the ground. I brought my legs close to my chest and finally let my tears flow.
“was that?” she didn’t need to hear my answer as I continued to cry on my doorstep, ruining the makeup I spent so long on.
Why was he back.
He didn’t care about me then so what makes the difference now.
Theo
“C’mon Theo I’ve said sorry so many times” one of the guys moaned as I forced him to do more ten more pull ups.
I didn’t show any emotion and just stared at him. He managed to just about do 10 more before he laid down on the matt exhausted.
I was not going to let them off so easy with the shit they pulled the other day with Elle.
Once he was finished, I simply left the gym need, I needed to get out of here before I lose my shit.
I haven’t tried to speak to Elle, not again I’m afraid she will bite my head off.
I barely made it to the car when Ryan rushed out to me. I groaned, what now.
“what the fuck do you think you’re doing” I asked when I saw him pulling open the passenger side door.
I just want to go home and sit and play with my son, is that too much to ask.
“drive to Elle’s right now Theo” i stared at him. Is he crazy? I swear he was literally begging me to stay away from Elle last night as we finished a pack of beers.
“Nope, get out of my car Ryan” i said to him.
He glared at me before picking up his phone and talking. I simply slid into the car. “yeah I’m coming, is she, did he touch her is she okay” he babbled on.
Who was he talking too?
“I can’t believe I let him into my office, what a fucking sadistic asshole” Ryan carried on talking.
“Theo drive the fucking car to Elle’s” I heard the small but angry voice of Tina through the phone.
Finally, I was able to register what was happening. Was I that pissed off that I wasn’t intelligent enough to understand the person they were talking about was Elle?
I didn’t even put my seatbelt on as I reversed the car out of the parking and headed down the road.
“Speaker” I practically growled.
“it’s her father Theo, he came to her door, she’s not moving or talking I’m scared” Tina said through the phone.
Not the lawyer, this was her real father I knew about him from what Elle had told me about him.
If he touched her, I would go find this bastard myself.
We finally made it to her house and what I didn’t expect was to see Elle still at her door as Tina was crouched Infront of her.
I rushed out of the car and got on my knees Infront of her. Tina silently slipped behind me and went over to Ryan who just wrapped his arm around her waist.
“hey Elle, let’s get you inside” I whispered as I placed my hands on her arms rubbing them from the cold wind. She was barely covered up as she wore the smallest dress, I have ever seen her wear.
I pushed the angry emotion to the back of my head as I thought about her out in such a sexy dress.
I was nothing special since she just continued to stare openly not saying a single word. Elle was never someone to have little to no words, so this was a shock.
I just wanted to hear that beautiful voice.
“Get her mother on the phone” I directed my words to Ryan knowing that he would have her contacts. He seemed to get right to it.
“you can’t be out here like this Elle its cold let me take you inside” I didn’t want to just grab her and force her inside it might trigger something.
I didn’t know the extent of what her father did when she was little and what she saw but I didn’t want to risk it.
It was the tiniest nod, but it was enough for me. I picked her up bridal style and brought her inside.
“Yes, he came to the centre at first, but he came to her house after” I heard Ryan say behind me, it seems as though he managed to get hold of her mother.
I carried her over to the sofa and let her rest back on the cushions. Tina came over and placed a blanket over her covering Elle’s bare legs.
“Talk to me Elle, what happened” I said crouching flown inform of her.
This time she just stared at me but there was still no emotion. It was scary seeing her like this and it made me curious as to what she’s been through.
“she said to call her father” Ryan told me as he walked over. He brought the phone to Elle’s ear and I could hear the faint sound of her mother trying to soothe Elle’s state. Endearing words.
I knew what she meant, I needed to call her stepfather, luckily, I had his number, so I made the call.
“well what do you have to say for yourself son, you break my daughters’ heart, so you call her father, doesn’t seem very wide does it” I internally groaned. This was not how I wanted the first call with her father to go down.
“It’s definitely not wise but I’m afraid this is an emergency” I heard him move around from the sound of his slamming doors through the call.
“Elle’s biological father was just here and none of us can get her to talk, I think you need to come” I said. I didn’t want to him her father because I don’t think either him or Elle would appreciate that.
I heard his curse from the other end. “I’m on my way, don’t leave her side Theodore” he said firmly. I reassured him I wouldn’t leave her side and ended the call.
I went back over to Elle. She was starting to show some more emotion as she cried. I quickly wrapped my arm around her. My fingers found her tattoo smoothing it with my finger.
I was relieved when she moves closer into my hold.
“Elle, you’re okay nobody is going to hurt you, I promise I won’t, I promise nobody will”
I just hoped that her father would get here quickly, none of us like seeing Elle like this and I don’t think anyone but him or her mother could really help Elle at this moment.