Stella

I was sitting on a big bed in a large bedroom, which was Julian's. He told me to wait for a bit, then got out of the room and hasn't returned since. Will he hurt me like Raymond? I can not trust men. Yeah, he saved me from him, but I couldn't help but feel insecure. I was in a house that was full of males. They could be like Raymond for all I know; he was nice initially but turned out to be the cruel mad wolf who was so abusive and vicious. I believed that they were waiting for the perfect moment to beat me up. They wanted to gain my trust first. I can't let my guard down. I won't let my guard down.

I was cut off from my thoughts by Julian's knocking on his door. He didn't have to; it's his house. "Stella, can I come?" he asked in a soft and polite tone. Yet, with all of my insecurities, I felt that I belonged here, which was weird.

"Yeah," I replied in a quiet tone. Now that I think about it, why did Julian referred to me as his? He entered while holding a tray filled with all kinds of food. The smell was delicious. It was mouthwatering, and I felt that my stomach was demanding to have something in it. "Here you go," he handed me the tray, and I stared at him. Why would he give me food? I am not worthy of it.

"Why?" I found myself asking, confused at his action.

"Why what?" he replied with a questioning expression, and I gestured to the food. "Because you need it, and you're so skinny. You need to eat to be healthier, Stella," he explained with a sincere smile that I was not used to seeing. I could not refuse his offer since my stomach decided that it was the perfect timing to grumble. So I nodded, feeling embarrassed at myself yet helpless. "Thank you."

"You're more than welcome. By the way, I searched for clothes so you can wear but found none of your sizes. You're too small, and there are no female clothes here. Do you mind if you wear my shirt? It's big and will cover you up," he asked, looking at the floor with a bit of blush on his cheeks. He was sweet and gentle, and I could not defer his proposition.

"I don't mind, thank you, Julian," I said, and he rewarded me his million dollars smile, which made his dimple more noticeable and more adorable.

"Great, now eat while I prepare the shower; you need it to relax." I shook my head lightly. "Oh no, you don't have to do that. I'll just eat this, then take my leave." As soon as I uttered those words, he was so quick I did not see how he became so close to me in split seconds.

I looked into his captivating honey eyes and recognized the hurt, and sadness one feels when they lose something or someone, and it troubled me that I was the cause of it. "You don't have to leave. You could stay here for as long as you want; you can even stay here forever," he remarked and raised his hand. For a second, I thought he would hit me, so I flinched and closed my eyes, waiting for the blow to land on my face. However, it never came. "Stella, can you open your eyes?" he asked in a calm tone. I opened them slowly and saw that he was frowning, and it killed me to see him in this state. Why? I never met him before, yet why do I feel so attached? He arched his eyebrows at me. "You believed I was going to hit you?" he asked.

I nodded, feeling a bit scared of his reaction. "Yeah..."

He put his hands on both of my shoulders and sighed. "Stella, I wasn't, wouldn't, and won't ever hit you! Don't even consider it. I will never lay a hand on you in a bad way. I'd rather die than do that," he replied genuinely. "But I need to know why you flinched. Was your brother the cause of your paranoias?" he asked, and I felt like an arrow made its way through my fragile, tired, and dull heart. I remained silent, not knowing what to say.

"Stella." Julian held my hands and squeezed them gently. "You could tell me. I'll listen and won't judge."

I looked at him, hesitant and frightened. "but he will come after me!" I stuttered with fear remembering all the physical and verbal abuse I have endured all these years.

"No, he won't. I won't let him lay a hand on you. Tell me everything after you take your shower, okay?" he whispered, and I nodded uncontrollably. What was wrong with me? It was like I couldn't resist him!

I hopped into the bathtub after half an hour of debating with myself whether I should listen to him or run for it. I listened to my heart this time, and I was glad. I missed this feeling: the warmth and the relaxed body sensation. I haven't taken this long shower all these years, the maximum time I was allowed for was 4 minutes, and I was not exaggerating. Raymond used to stand by the bathroom door and wait 4 whole minutes. After time passes, he would turn off the lights and makes me change in the dark, cold, and scary bathroom.

I was brought back to reality by a knock on the door. "Stella, are you okay there?" Julian's worried voice echoed in my ears. I immediately stood up, grabbed the towel, and warped it around my tiny and bruised body. "Yes, how long have I been in here?" I asked, looking for the clothes that I was supposed to wear.

"An hour and your clothes are on the bed. I'll leave you alone to change," Julian replied, and I smiled. He was a gentleman.

"Thank you," I said. I slowly opened the bathroom door and made sure that no one was in the room. I scanned the room and saw the clothes on the bed.

I grabbed the new boxers and pulled them to my hips, they were a little loose, but I will manage. I grabbed the shirt and was about to put it on me when the door opened. I froze, facing the other way. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry, Stella. I thought you finished, and I was looking for my phone, em, uh sorry!" Julian apologized, and I sighed.

"That's okay but can you, um, get out until... I put the shirt on, please?" I asked in the politest way possible. I didn't want to sound arrogant in his house. "Sur- wait... what are those, Stella?" As he asked, I felt his cold hand on my bareback, and I screeched. I didn't dare turn so my front won't be exposed to his eyes. I was basically naked from the waist up. "What?" I panicked while shifting in my place.

"The scars!" he stated in a firm tone, and I sighed in agony.

"I'll tell you, but please let me wear something first," I pleaded, and he was out of the room without any other word. I put on the shirt, which reached my mid-thighs, so the boxers were not even visible. I soothed my hair a bit so it won't look like a nest when it becomes dry.

When I was finished, I opened the door to call for Julian and tell him that it was safe to enter, but I found him right before me, waiting impatiently. "Can we talk now?" He asked, and I gave him a slight nod and let him in his room. We sat on his bed across from each other, crisscrossed.