Aletheia climbed from the shower and then realised that she had no clothes to wear and so wrapped a towel around herself but it was the one Jaren had used. It was already a wet one. Sighing she stopped and thought before opening the door slightly. He had sat on one of the sofas and he was messaging someone on his phone.

"Hey, Jaren. Could you grab me a towel and something to wear? I don't mind what just bring me underwear." He turned off his phone and stood. Looking at the bathroom door after a second. He tilted his chin up and looked, teasing her. "Please?" He thought about it and then he pushed the door slightly. Aletheia tried with all her might to stop him but he was too strong for her. On the back of the door was his jumper. It had been pulled over her head and she felt like a child. Though it was still enjoyable.

"You don't need pants," Jaren commented and then kissed her. Aletheia felt so bare at that moment but she lost herself and the two kissed deeply. Jaren dropped his hand and grabbed her tightly. She was surprised but a laugh escaped.

"And why would that be Mr Smith?" Her almost childlike voice sent shivers all the way up Jaren.

"It's just more clothing to remove." Aletheia let him walk her to the bedroom where true to his word, she didn't need underwear at all.

An hour later they laid together huddled in a perfect mess. The two held close with the blanket around them. The cold air hitting all at once. Eyes met but soon lost connection as sleep took them but only a second later a loud knock at the door brought them out of the slumber. Aletheia pushed Smii7y down and grabbed his top. She put it on and only just the top of her thighs were covered. Not a single inch more. And that was what she had worn to open the door. A black top with nothing on it. As the door swung open the face was unexpected.

"No. You should not be here. This is my flat and you are not a part of me. Bugger off." To which the person took in her appearance and barged in.

"It is your birthday. Did you get the flowers I sent to you?" He walked around like it was his place and he paid for it somehow, like he owned her.

"I got them. The bin men also got them. So off you go. I have my night to get back to. It's half twelve and you have some cases to lose tomorrow." Will laughed and lifted an apple to his mouth from the fruit bowl on the table before him.

"Right. I want you to work for my company. We will give you a partnership with half the usual cost and you will agree." He was so sure of himself and yet her look made him give a second thought.

"I know about what happened to you when you grew up. Don't think I don't. You even told me. If you, Aletheia Sybil Octavia, don't do what I say everything will be released and everyone will know your dirty little, sad secret." He was so certain but a face she had never given him made it all stop. She had a face of real determination and a glass look of pure desire to destroy.

"Go for it. I mean, I have a witness who will tell the courts the truth about the blackmail attempt. I say attempt because it has not been successful at all. Tell everyone and see if I care. I never cared before I met you. It was you who made me feel little and small. I let you hurt me the same way I let him hurt me. But, I don't care because I am my own person who doesn't need a man to tell her she is pretty. I know I am and yes it may be because of a man but I was centimetres off of knowing that for myself. I hope you find Miah to be satisfactory but I am moving on." Will didn't seem happy. Aletheia was the opposite of what he had shaped her to be. The real kicker was that she had changed because of what he did. Aletheia had changed because he slept with Alison.

"I am no longer with Miah. She didn't work out, in the firm, and you call that moving on? A man who has no standing in society and I doubt ever will." He went to say more but it was too slow as Aletheia jumped in.

"I don't care about you so I had no clue about Miah. Anyway, I moved on, and I don't care what you say because he tells me all the things you didn't. He doesn't call me chubby and he called me a beautiful woman and I love him. I just have to tell him that. Now, get out. I have a man to get back to. His dick is also bigger than yours." That seemed to hit as Will stormed out of the flat. Aletheia wanted to crumble and fall apart but she didn't. She was, somehow, keeping it all together.

When Aletheia got back the blanket was the thing she saw as it was lifted and arms had welcomed her back in. Like a cocoon, the blankets covered her.

"Aletheia?" Jaren had stayed silent for a long while as Aletheia gave her thoughts some more room to play. Her mind was a mess and she knew that and her response was a weak one but still, it came as a grunt, telling him that she was listening. "What happened when you were a child?" The question hung and Aletheia turned so that a hand rested on his chest. Like it made him a real person in her mind. Jaren was a little worried and so brought her closer to his body.

"It wasn't too bad but it makes me look all weak and shit to clients but as a teen, I was groomed by a twenty-year-old. This was five odd years ago. Mum and dad were so angry that the shitty phone I was allowed at long last was taken from me. He never did anything sexual but he wanted to and I did too. I thought I did. He was a paedophile, now I look back I realise that." Nothing else was said but the two laid together until they let a minute of sleep bring them to the morning.