Finding Their Way Back
Chapter Four
The sun had risen and was beginning to peek through the blinds that were slightly open, creating strips of light and shade all over the room. "It's finally morning," Kate thought to herself as she yawned and stretched. It seemed like that one day had lasted a lifetime and even though the rays of sun looked promising and cheerful, Kate knew her nightmare wasn't over. She still had a long way to go and doubted if Roman could protect her from everything that she had done.
After lying in bed for a minute, Kate decided to get up and take a shower. Once she got dressed, Kate went into the kitchen to find Roman sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.
"Good morning!" She said cheerfully, pouring a cup for herself. "I had no idea I'd slept so late. I'm sorry but I have to run or I'll be late."
"For what?" he replied.
"Work," Kate said simply. "I should have left fifteen minutes ago."
"Well I'm sorry but you're not going anywhere, especially alone," Roman said. Seeing the argument forming on her lips, he continued quickly, "There is still someone trying to kill you so until they are caught, you are staying right here."
"Roman, I can't just stay here in hiding," she said, trying to reason with him. "I told you all I know so go arrest Stefano or something. Do whatever you want but you have no right to keep me here!"
Fighting to keep calm, Roman said, "We both know Stefano had nothing to do with this. Last night I overheard you on the phone with Daniel and you two weren't discussing the latest skin care treatment so why don't you tell me what was said and what his connection to all this is…well?" he finished when she remained silent.
"Daniel is not what this is about," Kate said, changing the subject. "The point is that we are not married or even together anymore so you have to stop thinking you can control my life and protect me all the time because you can't!"
As Kate stormed out of the kitchen into the living room she called back, "I never should have agreed to stay here with you." Before Roman had a chance to follow-or maybe he wasn't at all, she didn't know, she took his keys off the table by the door and left.
Kate slammed the car door shut and took off, not completely sure where she was headed. There were hardly any cars as she got on the freeway because it was an odd hour and everyone was working and Kate thought, "Why does Roman have to be so damn caring right now?..What are you talking about Kate? You know you like it so you'd better just enjoy it until Roman finds out the truth." "No," Kate said out loud. "You have to make sure he never does…because he would hate you more than he ever has."
Almost right after Kate slammed the front door, Roman looked out the window to see her speeding away. "Dammit Kate," he muttered, grabbing the keys to the patrol car. Maybe that would stop her.
Trying to get her frustrations out, Kate began to push down on the accelerator harder and harder. Just then she saw a large branch that must had fallen off a nearby tree strewn across the middle of the road, and she was quickly approaching it. Kate tried to step on the brakes but nothing happened, she only kept gaining speed as the car rolled down the hill. Cars were starting to appear up ahead so in a last minute attempt, Kate jerked the wheel to the right and the car went down in the ditch. Luckily it wasn't very steep and there was a lot of space so the car didn't flip. Once it finally stopped and the airbag inflated over her, Kate let out all the air she never knew she had been holding.
A ways back, Roman had seen all the proceedings. He quickly pulled over and ran down to where Kate was. After he managed to get the door open, she scrambled out into his arms. "You followed me."
"Of course I did but thank God Kate! You have no idea what I was imagining could have happened to you. What did happen?"
"Can we just go home and I'll tell you everything? I'm still a little shaky right now," Kate whispered.
"Well that's understandable. Sure," Roman replied, giving her a reassuring squeeze and a soft kiss.