Smile

Ahreighn knew she couldn’t trust Ben to take her home tonight and she was very tired. She walked to the balcony just outside the room and tried to find someone who she knew could take her home. No one was found. She settled on going to her car and possibly seeing if it was open. She hurried down the stairs trying to make sure she wasn’t seen by to many people. When she got outside of the house she turned around and looked at it, and at all the cars parked in front of her. There was a big problem. Ben had parked Valet and she had no idea where to find the car. And if she was to ask the valet about it then he would surly tell Ben she was trying to leave. She walked around to the other side of the house and sat down on the edge of the water fountain inside Nash’s massive garden. She dropped her head and began to cry. “How could he do this to me?” She kept saying this over and over. A shadow crossed her path but she wasn’t aware of anything. “Ahreighn.” An easy voice rang in her ears. She jumped up and looked at her intruder. He could see her tears and sadness. “Bert… I was just leaving. Only it seems I don’t have a ride since Ben appears to be busy with some way more important woman. Obviously more important than me.” “You know she’s not. Ben did marry you. Didn’t he?” “We’re not married. I’m just a slave to him.” “Maybe, possibly you could find someone else, someone who could treat you better, maybe.” “Ben would never let me go. I’ve tried so many times before. He’s either tried to kill me or raped me or whatever else he’s done.” “Perhaps you just need the right person to help you.” She stared hard at the man in front of her. “Are you saying you would help me?” “I’m saying maybe it’s time you showed Ben how it feels to be alone.” “Help me Bert. Please.” Bert knelt down in front of her. “No one not even a woman as beautiful as you should ever be treated so poorly. I’d be glad to help. First things first, lets get you home.” She smiled and he smiled as well. He took a hold of her hand and kindly pulled her behind him. She followed silently. He barely gripped her hand. Unlike Ben who nearly cut off her pulse trying to keep her from getting away. It was a good thing Bert didn’t park valet. He drove a 1976 ford Mustang. The kind you can’t find in the condition he had his in. He unlocked the car and opened the door for Ahreighn. “Be careful. Rasckle’s in there.” “Oh god. Who’s Rasckle?” “He’s my snake.” She grabbed Bert’s shirt and tied to pull herself out of the car. Bert laughed. “Calm down he’s just a puppy.” A little black dog came crawling from out under the seat. She let go of his shirt when she saw he wasn’t lying. “Oh my god he’s adorable.” She picked him up and kissed his nose lightly. “What a lucky dog.” Bert teased. He shut the door and walked around to the other side of the car and got in. He glanced over at Ahreighn. She looked so calm now.
As they drove it was very quiet, no music and no talking. The only one making noise was Rasckle. Ahreighn knew they were going to her house. She had to be dropped off but she didn’t want to go. “Bert please don’t take me home.” He looked at her then again at the road. “Where am I supposed to take you Ahreighn?” “I don’t know. I don’t have any friends or family out here. It’s just always been me and Ben.” “I have no idea where you could go.” “Take me with you Bert.” “Ahreighn you know I’d love to but if Ben found out I was helping you he’d kill me or worse. He could possibly decline the tour. “Come on Bert. You know if I go home and he gets there he’s going to be upset at me. He’ll hit me Bert.” They came to a stoplight. She turned her head and pulled up her hair. Bert looked and almost at once circled his head back. She dropped her hair. Her hair was matted with blood and the gash that Ben had left had reopened. Probably when she had slept. “I’m taking you home.” She shook her head and let it fall slowly down. “We’ll get you some clothes and then you can stay at my place for a while.” Ahreighn let a timid smile show.
They reached the house. Ahreighn was almost scared to go in. “I’ll go in with you if you want me to.” “I would like that. Can I bring Rasckle too?” “Sure.” They got out the car and headed up the sidewalk to the house. When they got to the door. Bert began to talk again. “Make sure you only get things you need and fast.” “Okay.” She unlocked the door and hurried up the stairs all the while carrying Rasckle. She ran into her closet and grabbed a small bag Big enough to fit a weeks worth a clothes in. Bert stood in the doorway of her room watching her pack. She was a gorgeous woman with vibrant red and brown hair way past her back. She had beautiful hazel eyes that were the shape of almonds. She was short but not much shorter than he was. Would she possibly let him kiss her tonight with her full pink lips? “Ahreighn are you done.” “Almost. I just have to call Nash and tell him where I’m going.” “Why?” “Because Nash is like a brother to me and he won’t tell Ben anything.” She picked up the phone and dialed Nash’s number. But once she heard him answer she heard a car pull up in the driveway. Bert looked behind him. He turned around and told her to hang up so they could get out. “You have a back door right?” “Yeah.” “Let’s go.” He whispered. “Where’s Rasckle?” She asked. Bert Whistled and Rasckle came from under the bed. She ran down the stairs and he followed behind closely. As they rounded the corner to the garage Ahreighn heard the front door open. “Ahreighn. Ahreighn I know you’re here.” She turned around to walk back. Bert grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?” “It’s not him.” “How do you know?” “Trust me.” He let her go and she walked into the living room. There stood Nash. Bert stayed where he was. Ahreighn ran to him ad hugged him tightly. “I saw you leave with Bert. What were you thinking? What if Ben had seen you?” “It’s okay Nash. Bert is just trying to help.” “Help you with what?” “I’m leaving Ben.” “What? Ahreighn Ben is going to rip you apart if you leave.” “I know that’s why I need your help Nash.” “Where’s Bert I know he’s here I saw his car out front?” Bert stepped out from behind the corner. “How are we supposed to go on with the tour if you’re trying to steal Ben’s wife?” “I’m not stealing her. I’m helping her get out. Come on Nash I know you want to help too. But you’re stuck because he’s your friend. We’re friends too but I can’t sit back and watch this go on.” He turned Ahreighn around and lifted up her hair. “What the hell happened Ahreighn?” “Remember earlier when Ben took me down in that room? Well he tried to make me have sex with him and when I tried to get away he bashed my head into the cement wall down there. I know there’s blood everywhere.” “Bert she needs a doctor.” “If we take her to the hospital then they’ll ask how she got it. What am I supposed to say, oh yeah her husband smashed her head in trying to get her to sleep with him?” “I don’ care what you do just get her out of here right now because Ben was right behind me when I left.” “Come on Ahreighn it’s time to go.” She hugged Nash again and thanked him. “If he asks I’ll just say I hadn’t seen you.” They walked off through the front door. “Bert if anything happens to her, I’ll hold you responsible.” He nodded and was gone.