"Alex, take a nice deep breath in. Nice deep breath in." I instruct as I have a hand on her side.

Alex does as I say, and I can see her try to hold back the pain by clutching on a pillow. Grotesque purple bruises are scattered across her abdomen, and roughly the size of fists. I grit my teeth in vexation, and I continue to examine her body for any more bruising or swelling. Alex sits up after I tell her to, and I take her face in both of my hands. I caress her cheek gently, and she winces before pulling away.

Tears fill her beautiful eyes, and I immediately put my mouth to hers. Her sobs are quiet, and I continue to kiss her until she feels safe again.

"Alex, who did this to you?" I ask furiously, and I clench my jaw.

Alex stays silent for a while, and I'm not going to force it out of her.

"My mom." She says after a while, and my jaw drops.

Her mother was in my house.

Hurting Alex.

"How did she know where I live?" I ask.

"She said that she has her ways." Alex mumbles, and she lowers her eyes to the floor.

This can't keep happening to her. I need to put an end to all of this.

"Alex, wait here. I'll get some ice." I say, and she nods weakly.

After I get the ice, I rush back to my room to care for her. Alex thanks me, and she takes the bag of ice from my hand and holds it against her side. She winces at the slightest touch of the ice bag, and I feel something whirling in the pit of my stomach.

Outrage.

"Rian, what are you thinking?" She asks, staring worriedly at me.

"I'm thinking that I should have your mother arrested so that she can never hurt you again. That's what I'm thinking. She can't keep getting away with doing this, Alex! She can't I-," I say, on the verge of shouting.

"Rian, don't." Alex says, slowly rising to her feet.

Alex limps over to me, and my heart aches at the sight of her in pain. She takes her hand, and she strokes my cheek gently. I let out a sigh, and she kisses the skin underneath my jaw.

"I can handle my mom, and I appreciate you wanting to do something about this." Alex says, and I see more tears forming in her eyes.

"I just don't want her to hurt you anymore. You deserve peace, Alex. If your mother keeps hurting you, you'll never have it. You deserve much better, and I want to give it to you." I say, trying my hardest not to break down.

Alex deserves so much better.

A live worth living, not where she has to constantly worry about being abused. That's no life. That's fear.

Nobody should live in fear.

I place my forehead against hers, and I inhale the scent of her hair as I close my eyes. The scent of her hair calms me, and I'm not as angry when we're holding each other.

"I have to do something, Alex."

"You can, in fact, do whatever." Alex says, and I pull back in surprise.

"I thought you said that you can handle her." I say, and I undoubtedly know that she can.

"I can, but I'm sick of this! I just want one day where I don't have to care for wounds and bruises that she's put upon me. I just want her to-," Alex says desperately, and she covers her face with her hands.

"Leave you alone?" I say, finishing her sentence.

"Yeah," she croaks. "I would like for her to leave me alone."

I pull her into my arms, and she sobs against my chest. I rub her back carefully while she cries, and I press my lips against her temple.

"It'll be okay, Alexandrianna. I will make sure of that." I say into her ear, and she sniffs before nodding.

It's around 12:00 a.m., and I lay next to Alex in the bed while she's texting someone on the phone. I'm not nosy, or anything, but I can see her conversation perfectly from my angle.

Xiu: why didn't u come to school today?

Alex: shit hit the fan 🤕

Xiu: oh no 😨

Alex: my mom showed up at Rian's flat, and she beat me again. She even started to hurt Rian's dog 😭

Xiu: r u okay? 😕

Alex: I can't even turn slightly without my side hurting, and my eye is as black as ur hair was before u dyed it

Xiu: I'm so sorry, Alex. I wish there was something I could do 😩

Alex: it's okay, I have Rian 😍

Xiu: oml that's the one thing that could make this situation better 😏😍

Alex: ikr? Anyway, I gotta go to bed I'm so tired 😴

Xiu: I'm studying for finals, but I'm probably gonna go to bed soon too

Alex: haven't even studied yet 😂

Xiu: damn 😂

I feel Bruno lick my hand that's hanging off of the bed, and I pet him softly as he wags his tail. I stare at Bruno, trying to find any sign that he's been hurt. I can't contain my anger as I look at him and Alex. Not even sleep will alleviate my stress, so I know that something needs to be done.

Alex sleeps peacefully in my bed, cuddled up next to Bruno. I'm off work today, but my body is still programmed to wake up early. I take a shower, and I angrily slam the door shut on my way out of my house. I speed off down the road with my music playing so loud that all you can hear is the bass of the song, and not the lyrics. After a while of driving, I'm at Alexandrianna's house. I ring the doorbell rapidly, and the door swings open.

"Dr. Peterson, hi! What can I do for you?" Alex's mother asks sweetly, and I try to resist the urge to say every swear word I know.

"Don't play innocent with me, I know what you did to Alex." I say furiously.

"What do you mean?" She asks, and tilts her head.

I told myself a while ago that I'd never hit a woman, but if my buttons keep getting pushed like this I will gladly hit her.

"Mrs. Hawkins, I swear to God. If you don't stop abusing Alex, I'll call the police. I'm not bluffing, either. Stay away from my flat, and stay away from Alex and Bruno. I mean it." I say through my gritted teeth.

Her mothers stare isn't innocent anymore, in fact, she looks intimidated. A smug smile spreads across my face, and she slowly backs away from the door before closing it. I turn on my heel, and I storm off back to my car.

Once I arrive at my house, I hear nothing but loud music. I see Alex in my kitchen, and she's making herself something to eat. Alex dances to the music, and she moves her hips slowly, hypnotically, and I can't look away. I can faintly hear Alex singing along, and I smile.

"Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader. She is always right there when I need her. Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader. She is always right there when I need her." Alex sings off key, and my smile widens.

Alex turns around from the counter, and she jumps out of her skin when she sees me.

"Rian, do not sneak up on me like that." She says jokingly and takes a relieved breath.

"I'm sorry that I startled you, Alexandrianna." I say teasingly, and she gives me a cheeky grin.

"Where were you?" She asks curiously.

"I went to your house, I had to set your mom straight." I admit, and her eyes widen.

"You didn't." She says in slight horror.

"Yes, I did. Alex, I don't want you to feel unprotected while you're here. That's the main purpose why I'm having you stay with me, not only because we're now boyfriend and girlfriend, but also for your own safety." I explain.

There's a silence for a while, and Alex just picks at her cuticles.

"Alexandrianna?"

"What did she say?" Alex asks, and I see a certain rage flash in her eyes.

"She was acting all normal at first, but I threatened to call the police and have her arrested, and you should've seen how petrified she looked. I don't think she'll be coming back here." I say, and Alex hugs me tightly.

"Thank you so much, Rian. You've done so much for me." She says into my ear.

"I wish I could do more," I say, and I see a mischievous grin on Alex's face.

"Actually, there is one thing that would make me feel better." Alex says, and she tries to bite back her smile.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Shopping!" She cheers, and I groan internally.

I hate shopping.

But, since Alex wants to go, I'll gladly take her.

"Fine, after we eat breakfast we can head to the best mall in San Fransisco." I say, and she squeals at the top of her lungs.

Alex scarfs her breakfast down, and she quickly picks out an outfit. Her purse is in the crook of her elbow, and she smiles brightly at me.

"Let's go!" She says excitedly, and literally skips out of the front door.

I shake my head and smile at how goofy she's being, and I kiss Bruno goodbye before shutting the door. Before Alex can make it to my car, I rush over to the passenger side and open the door for her.

"Thank you, you're so polite." She says appreciatively, and winks.

"You're welcome."

Once I'm in the car, I give Alex my auxiliary cord and nothing but The Weeknd is playing while I drive to the Westfield San Francisco Centre. At stop lights, I watch Alex hum to herself and sway side to side in the seat. A warm feeling courses through me, and I feel light. Airy.

Again, like my mother said, it's ineffable.

Once we arrive in the mall, I open the door for Alex and she stops in her tracks and her head spins in every direction.

"Woah." She gasps.

Nine floors of nothing but high end designer stores. Heaven for any shopaholic.

"What store should we go to first?" She asks, looking around.

"Your choice."

"I don't even know where to start. Uh-, let's go to Hollister." She says, and I arch my eyebrow at her.

"American Eagle?" She asks hesitatingly.

"Alex, c'mon. We're in one of the most high end malls in California. You need to be showered with as many bags as possible." I say, and she nods and jumps up and down eagerly.

I grasp her hand, and I take her to Burberry. Alex touches the trench coats gently, skimming her fingers over it. I can tell by the look on her face that she wants one.

"What size do you wear?" I ask, and Alex shakes her head.

"Oh, no. I don't want this, I'm just looking. It's probably really expensive, I mean, I've been on the website before." Alex insists.

A deep red, short trench coat hangs on a rack, and I take it and have Alex hold it against her body. The red complements her creamy skin, and makes her brown eyes look wider. I see the tag dangling, and I take it in between my fingers.

$1,695.00.

"No!" Alex gasps. "You do not need to spend this much money on me. I'd feel bad."

"Alex, I'm a doctor. With my salary, I could spend money like this loosely, love." I say, and her cheeks are almost as red as the trench coat.

"Still! I refuse to let you spend that much." She whisper yells, and crosses her arms.

"If you insist." I say, and begin to browse around the store.

After a while of searching, I find a black trench coat made of cashmere with a lamb skin trim. $3,295.00. Alex stares at me like I'm mental, and I just smile at her as I swipe my debit card.

"Y'know, on New Years Eve I'd like to celebrate with you." I announce.

"Are you inviting me to a party, or something?" She asks, her voice raising an octave.

"Who else would I celebrate the new year with?" I say jokingly, and she laughs.

"I accept your invitation. That means that I need a dress!" She says, and drags me through the mall.

We end up in Bebe, and I follow Alex as she stares admiringly at the short, club dresses on numerous racks and mannequins. Whenever she can't decide between two different dresses, she just takes both. After a while, I'm holding dresses that she's chosen while I follow her to the fitting room. I hand her the dresses, and she nearly collapses once they're in her hands. I shut the door for her, and I wait for her to get changed into the first one.

Alex steps out in a long-sleeve dress in sheer mesh detailed by an opulent, artful sequin design. My breath is literally taken away as she views herself from all angles in the mirror.

"Do you like it?" She asks.

"You look...sexy." I say, and she blushes before moving her hair out of her face.

"Thanks," she says shyly. "I like it, too. How much is it?"

She walks closer to me, and the tag is on the back of the dress. $229.00.

"Once you try on all of the dresses, you decide which ones you want and which ones you don't. Okay?"

She nods, and in a matter of seconds, she comes out of the room again. This time, in a party dress detailed by a flapper-inspired feather skirt and front bodice jammed with shimmering oversized mix-cut stones. Also $229.00.

A black, tight, sheer sleeves bodycon dress. $69.00. A light pink cocktail dress with with a bustier design and an overall bandage stretch. $129.00. A black minimalist dress with a sleek neckline cutouts. $129.00. A lace ruche dress, also the color black. $298.00.

"Have you chosen?" I ask, growing impatient.

"I can't choose, I want them all." She says and giggles.

"Okay, let's go." I say, and she grabs my arm.

"Where?" She asks.

"The line so I can buy your dresses." I say, and she shakes her head.

"Rian, baby, it's probably so expensive. No." She insists yet again, and I smile at her before taking the dresses and leaving her in the fitting room.

$1,083.00 later, I hand Alex the shopping bags, and she smiles gracefully at me.

"I have to repay you somehow, Rian." She says, and I shake my head.

"Don't bother, Alex. I wanted to spoil you, and make you feel better."

"I can't wait to spend New Years with you, Rian. I'm looking forward to it." She says, and flashes her gorgeous smile at me.

"Me too."

Alex and I smile at each other, and I kiss her cheek before we walk out of the mall, hand in hand, and back to my flat.