"Good morning", he kissed my forehead as I looked up and at the time, it 5:30 in the morning and there Nolan stood in a tie with a strap on the bag next to him and his briefcase.

"Morning, you're leaving already", I asked him as he nodded and I scooted over as he sat down next to the bed.

"Yes, it's an early flight, I just wanted to say bye", he kissed my lips and let me go back to sleep as he said goodbye softly I pulled him closer as I whispered into his soft ear.

"Come back to me", I whispered as he said "I will", on my heated lips, he took off as he let me sleep soundly.

I woke up peacefully an hour later as I got ready for work, making my breakfast and preparing for today. The day I would try to stand up to my dad.

Other than my sister, I now had a reason to live, he surprised me and it felt amazing. I zipped up my tunic dress as I slipped on my tights and fastened my heels. I made myself a coffee as I got on the road, I went into the kitchen the room he kept all his keys in and I closed my eyes and grabbed one out of random. I walked down to the garage, grabbing my coffee, and hitting the horn as a sports car beeped and I started walking towards it, as the driver came towards me.

"Mrs. Clementé", he said to alert my attention as I turned around and saw him standing with the door propped wide open.

"I was actually thinking of testing these cars, you can take the day off and go upstairs or go home, you know you should go and tell her to both take the night off and go home, I'll be fine", I said as he grew cautious, but he simply thanked me and ran upstairs to tell his wife, the house would be empty tonight and I needed that.

I got in the car as I drove straight to the office, freezing in the middle of traffic to get that sick thought out of my head.

I was going to speak to my dad today and I hadn't felt stronger in so long, and I had never felt braver, just like my mothers' words she came back to me.

I parked the car in my own parking spot with my name on it as I walked up to the office I found people staring at me as I clipped on my badge, with the title Co-CEO, I was the silent one though, but it didn't mean my title didn't matter.

The elevator bell rang and I saw Caroline, working away as she smiled and stopped her call. She walked over to me as she grabbed a couple of files, which weren't slim.

"I'm sorry to do this to you on a day Mr. Clementé isn't here but there's a presentation that has to be ready by next week so that the presenters can be briefed and brought up to speed. Mr. Clementé is giving this presentation to the investors next week, they ordered cause more clients want to invest more with the success of the business, let me know if you need anything and I'll bring lunch for you today", she said as I thanked her and grabbed ahold of the thick files and started to get working on them.

It was mid-morning as a knock came to my door and there at the frame was Caroline with a pink sticky note in the palm of her hand and holding a planner.

"Your dad has asked if you come around after lunch and I can always reschedule it for tomorrow or the next day", I shook my head no, as I knew this was the only time to do it where nobody would see me.

"No it's fine, and for tomorrow is this all I'm working on", I asked as she looked over the planner and skimmed through the dates.

"Yes it is, is it more calming to work from home, we can do that if you want", she told me as I became quite appealed to it and I nodded my head telling her yes. It would be easier for me.

"Okay, great I'll send you the files, If I receive more and that's about it in an hour I'll get lunch sounds good", she said as I thanked her for being an angel and she left to get back to her desk.

After lunch, I would be going to his office. I would be going to the place that scared me and I never wanted to be back, but somehow, he always, they always found me no matter where I went.

A call came through the phone as it snapped me out of my confusing mind. I answered the phone as I heard a voice, I loved very much.

"Nolan?", I asked as the line started fading and I heard his wonderful voice.

"Natalie, it's so good to hear your voice, I heard that you sent the Johnsons home, I mean that's very sweet of you, but they are there to protect you", he said as I could tell he was trying to reason with me.

"I don't need them, I know how to cook somewhat and I can drive", I said as he listened to a crazy lady explain herself, telling him she didn't need any help.

"Okay, okay I just wanted to let you know to stay safe and I'll be home in 2 days", he said as I said bye and I finished up a part of the presentation.

"Lunch is here", the door flew open as I set my laptop aside and Caroline brought out our gyros as she gave me mine, I grabbed us some waters and she opened hers.

"This is so good", I told her as we both ate ours in heavenly bliss, it was so tasty. it was sweet and salty at the same time with so much flavor.

"It's the first thing I looked for in Seattle, any place that has a gyro restaurant is a good place to be", she said as I agreed with her and after we talked about her home town she left to complete more of her work and it reminded me of the chaos that was ahead of me.

I ran over the part I had finished already and before I knew it was time to go, I gathered my stuff and grabbed my bag. I went by at Caroline's desk.

"Hey, I'm gonna go over to my dads' office and I'll finish work up there or I may go home, but I'll get it done see you in a day", I waved as she waved back and I walked out of the elevator wondering in two days what would be going through my mind.

I went to the garage and climbed into the car, this time I had to drive myself back and I had never used a gas pedal after this.

I followed the directions I had memorized to avoid going along and the places to avoid where I worked, my worst nightmare was to be found by him, where he could judge me.

I looked up at the tall building ahead of me and pulled into the parking lot as I braved for what was ahead of me.

I walked into the large building as I went to the private elevator, the bodyguard near the door, welcomed me as I knew he'd expect me this time.

"Ms. Lawrence", he welcomed me into the elevator as he rode up with me. The elevator ride was silent considering there were many floors we were passing and it was just the two of us.

"Good luck", he said as if I should be afraid.

"He's madder than usual", he warned me as I knew I had come on a wrong day and I felt like clicking on the bottom floor elevator.

"Thanks", the elevator pinged as he let me off and I spotted Margie behind the desk in all her glory she gave me a hug and also returned my pad of paper she didn't send in the mail.

I went to his office as he turned around and I could hear the sternest voice I had ever heard. His eyes traced me as the worry could be visible on my face.

"How's your whoreing doing", he asked me as I hated his crude language and behavior.

"I'm happy, he loves me", I told him staying strong as I could feel him strip down my self-confidence just by looking at me with the look of disgust in his eyes.

"God, when are you gonna wake up and realize that no one will ever love you", he kicked over my chair relieving all the hurt he carried inside his broken heart.

"He does", I let a tear fall as I wiped it away and stated what I knew was true.

"He doesn't, he's using you", I got back on my feet as he spat at me. Luckily someone knocked on the door.

"Old friend, I have come to visit you", an old man had said and I wished I could thank whomever he was because he had just saved my life.

"I'll finish this up, one second", Daniel called and pulled me to my knees.

"You listen here, stop being a bitch and remember he doesn't love you", I nodded my head and he let me go pushing me towards the door. I opened it slowly and waved to the man who had saved my life. Tears rushed down my cheek.

Margie was the only one left on the floor as she came over to me crying as I felt the pain rush through my back.

"I wish I could do more", she spoke as she brushed my hair soothingly. Margie had talked to him before and he had threatened her saying if he had said another word he would rape me, she didn't say anything and then he threatened her saying he would burn down her home if she said anything. She told a cop, who didn't believe it as he was an upstanding citizen and he burned down her house luckily no one got hurt, but we both knew it was him. He keeps her around for control, and she stays for me.

"I know everything you've done and I just want to thank you", I whispered into her hair as she brushed away my tears and gave me her coat to hide my bruised arm.

She heard the door open from the bathroom as I ran to the elevator whispering goodbye as she sat down in her desk like she'd been there all day.

The man in the elevator was no longer there, I pulled the jacket over as I hid my face from him and rushed out the door, in search of the car to breathe.

I ran to the car and I unlocked it as fast as I could as I pulled out of the parking spot not even looking at my surroundings. I drove out of there feeling my heart rate incline as my stomach pained deeply, I opened and unbuttoned the coat looking at the purple bruise on my back.

I pulled into the garage and made my way upstairs, I buttoned my coat up and made my way to the elevator. Luckily the ride was absent and no one was there, I climbed out eagerly hoping for relief as I walked into the empty house.

I went up to the room, missing the company as I took off the coat and dress. My sides were in pain, but luckily no blood was spewing from my body.