Chapter 2
For dinner, Hannibal was served an impressive dish of pan seared filet of beef with a red wine pan sauce, roasted asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. The meal had been served with a lovely 1998 bottle of Grand reserve Cabernet Sauvignon red, truly impressing Hannibal.
"You are an excellent cook." He praised, cutting some and eating it before taking a sip of his wine. Elizabeth's flushed cheeks did not go unnoticed by Hannibal who hid a smirk behind his glass.
"Thank you, I am not used to such compliments." Elizabeth spoke humbly.
"It is not a compliment if it is the truth. Anyone who has ever said that your food was anything but exquisite is either rude or clinically insane, in which case they should come see me." Hannibal charmed, earning a small melodic laugh from Elizabeth, though it did not last long.
"Well, I am thankful that you enjoyed it, although I personally think that my desserts are better than my meals."
Before Hannibal could react or respond, a knock came from the door causing Elizabeth to flinch almost instinctively at the sound before giving a sigh.
"I apologize for the interruption; please excuse me just for a moment." Elizabeth apologized.
"Of course, it would be rude to ignore." Hannibal excused with a small smile.
Hannibal listened with trained ears as Elizabeth opened the front door, picking on the sharp intake of breath.
"What are you doing here Paul?" He heard Elizabeth ask politely in a hushed tone.
"Did you think I wouldn't be able to find your slutty little ass, bitch." A male voice growled loudly.
"I told you to leave me alone; I told you that we're through. I told you to leave me be."
Elizabeth said panicky. A slap echoed through the mansion, prompting Hannibal to stand and begin walking to the front.
"I see you still haven't learned to hold that fucking tongue of yours, like a good little whore." Paul seethed, another resonating slap making Hannibal's steps to widen.
"Please stop calling me that. The only reason you call me that is because of what you did to me and her. You were supposed to still be in jail. I don't understand why you are so cruel to me, but please keep your voice down. I have a guest just in the other room and I would rather him not hear us." Elizabeth pleaded causing Hannibal to pause.
"Already moved on then, you fucking whore? Tell me, how often do you fuck him? I bet you beg him to…" Paul was silenced by a resonating palm faced slap from Elizabeth.
By this time Hannibal was close enough to see the tears in Elizabeth's eyes. Paul looked shocked for only a moment before anger clouded the man's eyes and before Hannibal could do anything, Paul back handed Elizabeth with such a force that he knocked her to the ground, breaking the soft skin of her cheek. He raised his hand again and this time Hannibal moved quickly, stepping between the man and Elizabeth stopping Paul from striking her again.
"Who the fucks are you? Wait, let me guess, you're the little whore's new fuckbuddy." Paul leered looking up at the taller man.
"I am merely Miss Wolfe's neighbor. I would suggest that you leave before I alert the authorities of your presence." Hannibal threatened in a cool, even tone that hid the rage that seethed right below the surface. Paul sneered at Hannibal before turning to Elizabeth who still laid on the ground and spat on her face.
He then turned and left, angrily slamming the door behind him, leaving Elizabeth on her knees looking down in shame as tears threatened to run down her face. Hannibal tsked as he knelt down, pulling out his handkerchief and gently wiping away the spit.
"I… I apologize that you were forced to witness that." Elizabeth stuttered desperately trying to wipe away her tears.
"You have nothing to apologize for; this was beyond your control. It is I who should apologize for interfering sooner. Tell me, who was that man, Paul, if it is alright for me to ask of course." Hannibal inquired.
"He was once, a long time ago, the one person I trusted as well as the one responsible for completely destroying that trust and my life." Elizabeth answered in a soft, barely audible voice after a pregnant silence. It was in that silence that Hannibal saw the history. Hannibal saw before him a victim and survivor of abuse. From the way she flinched at every noise and movement, no matter how small, there was physical. From the way Paul had spoken and the vulgar names he had called her, there was verbal and sexual. And Hannibal was almost certain financial was in play as well.
Despite his years of psychology, Hannibal had never met someone who had been traumatized and disrespected as much as Elizabeth. But as he continued to clean away the blood from her split lip, he could see a haunting to her eyes that Hannibal knew to be the side effects of PTSD.
"If you ever wish to speak of your past, you may talk to me." Hannibal offered. Elizabeth wiped away her tears and gave a nod.
"I think I would like that." She said, though her eyes still were distant and fearful as they were directed at the door.
After a long silence she spoke again.
"I'm afraid. I'm willing to admit that to both myself and you, and I feel like no matter where I go, no matter how many miles I put between us, I will never be safe from him." Elizabeth murmured as she rubbed away the remnants of her tears. Hannibal thought for a moment. He wanted to know what it was that Elizabeth was hiding, he was intrigued. And if he wanted to find out, he knew he would have to at least gain a mutual trust from her.
"Why don't we go and finish that delicious meal you have prepared and I stay the night in case that man returns, with your permission of course." Hannibal suggested politely.
"I would greatly appreciate it." Elizabeth confessed. Hannibal stood and offered his hand to Elizabeth go gave a small smile as she took it. Hannibal gently eased Elizabeth back to her feet and led her back to the dining room, but not before bolting the door shut.
"How long were you with him?" Hannibal asked as they continued to eat.
"I have known him since I was sixteen, so for about twelve years now. So that means I had been with him for eleven years and eleven months." Elizabeth answered. Hannibal found he was once more intrigued.
Despite her panic attack mere moments ago, he would never have guessed she had been in such an abusive and toxic relationship only a month at most prior. They finished the remainder of their dinner in silence and retired to the library where Elizabeth poured Hannibal another glass of wine before settling in one of the chairs with her legs folded beneath her.
"What is it that you do, if I may ask?" Elizabeth inquired with a curious tone.
"I am a psychiatrist, though formerly a doctor." He answered smoothly with a charming smile, "And what of you? I am curious to how someone who is only twenty eight years of age came to possess such wealth that she was able to purchase an estate as extravagant and beautiful as this."
Elizabeth's cheeks flushed with a pretty ruby color at Hannibal's flattery giving a shy smile.
"I am what you might call a jack of many traits. I work as an artist, a freelance singer and a private tailor and designer of fashion." She answered in a humble tone. "Paul never fully approved at the idea of a woman working, but he never seemed to mind spending the money on his… extracurricular activities."
Hannibal merely gave a nod as he thought before speaking.
"How would you feel about acquiring a new client?" He asked in a thoughtful tone.
"I am assuming that you are referring to yourself?" She countered playfully, taking a sip of her wine.
"I have found myself in need of a new tailor and art." Hannibal explained.
Elizabeth gave a nod as she stood, putting her wine glass on the side table. She went over to a bookshelf climbing up the ladder and removing two large volumes from the collection before tucking them under her arm and sliding gracefully back down. She then walked back to her seat and handed Hannibal the two volumes as she sat.
"That one on top is of color swatches and the second are samples of my art. You may keep them for your personal use, I have others." Elizabeth explained as Hannibal looked through the pages of the first one. As he turned the pages Elizabeth sat passively, occasionally taking a sip from her wine glass until Hannibal seemed satisfied, closing the book.
"Your selection of cloth is exquisite. Perhaps tomorrow we could discuss it more after we are rested?" Hannibal suggested.
"Agreed," Elizabeth nodded with a smile followed by a discrete and politely covered yawn. "Perhaps for now we should retire to bed?" Hannibal smirked, admiring the cute sleepy expression Elizabeth possessed. Elizabeth merely nodded and with that they each headed to their separate rooms to sleep.