First of all, I want to make it clear that I never really loved him. Actually, I thought what I felt for him was love, but it wasn't. Carl was a master at seducing women, and he had all the skills to do just that. He was charming, had a beautiful smile, friendliness, smart ... unfortunately I was one of his victims. How could I be so naive? If I knew things would get so bad I would never have accepted his invitation to dinner that night ...
In the beginning, Carl was very romantic and a perfect gentleman. I think he treated me in a cordial and respectful way, because he knew exactly what I expected from a relationship, and I fell in his trap. Sometimes he bought me flowers, he always opened the car door or pulled out a chair for me to sit. He used to say that I was his "Bella Swan". I thought it all was very cute. But living with him after a few days, I began to feel that all this cordiality wasn't honest, that it didn't come from his heart. He was polite, but in some moments I realized that Carl was trying to convince me a little too much.
If someone asked me what I learned from that failed relationship, I'd say you never know a person completely, and I learned that in the hard way, for sure. Carl began to show characteristics of his insanity slowly. And I remember how it all began ...
-Carl! I already told you, he's just a coworker! He drove always looking forward, driving his Hyundai Azera madly. He braked hard almost hitting two boys walking through a crosswalk. Emma shouted placing a hand on her chest.
-CARL! After the scare, he glared at his girlfriend.
-You think I'm blind, Emma? I saw him caressing your arm! She shook her head perplexed, not knowing what to say.
It all started a few minutes ago, when Carl went to get Emma at work. Usually he always picked Emma up in her office, but that day he was late. He was a dentist, and after consulting the last patient of the day, he went to meet another woman in a hotel. Although they are dating for two months, they hadn't yet crossed the line. Every time Carl tried to approach her closely, Emma avoided him saying that she wasn't prepared, things were going too fast. Earlier in the relationship the dentist was understandable. But after a while, he became impatient at times and in some cases arguing with her. His words always hurt her, and Emma cried all the times feeling guilty. And the lack of intimacy with her was making his male hormones explode. So Carl started to meet some women ...
Raul was the new Math Teacher. He was a descendant of Spanish and just as Carl, he was also dark and very charming. Although Raul was a great guy, even he couldn't escape the insults of Sue Sylvester. One day, the Physical Education teacher made a joke in front of all the other teachers which really embarrassed him. Emma thought that was very unfair and defended him, leaving coach Sue with no reaction. The coach gave them an angry look and turned away. From there, they became friends. When the last bell rang, Emma accompanied her friend to the parking lot.
-Are you sure you do not want a ride? -Said the charming brunette.
-No, thank you. Carl is late, but he always comes to pick me up. Raul gave her a smile and rubbed her right arm fondly.
-Emma, thanks for everything! See you tomorrow.
-See you! He got into the car and drove away.
Carl had parked his Hyundai Azera a few minutes before and was watching them in the rear view mirror. Once Raul left the parking lot, the dentist removed his seat belt and got out of his car, slamming the door hard. Emma was still in the middle of the parking lot when suddenly was startled when he felt a hand grabbing her arm.
-Carl?!
Come here! He dragged his girlfriend to her car. Puck and Finn were walking around and watched that scene shocked.
-Wait that's Miss. Pillsbury! Puck said putting an arm in front of his friend obliging him to stop walking.
-God... what's happening?
-Let's go find out! Finn then grabbed Puck's jacket.
-No, Puck! Forget it. we shouldn't butt into other people's problems! The bad boy pushed away his friend, making him take his hands from his jacket.
-I have seen this happening before, Finn! At first, nobody cares. We just regret not doing anything only when someone goes to the hospital with a nose or a broken rib! No, Finn. I'll go see what's going on! And the boy turned his back on his friend.
-Puck!
-What's the problem with you, Carl?! You're hurting me! He pushed Emma into the front seat and then got into the car.
-Who was that guy?
-What the ... He cut her off.
-Answer me! Carl yelled making her wince. -Who was that guy?
-h-he's just a c-co-worker, Carl! Emma wasn't recognizing him, he seemed to be a different person. The dentist grabbed her wrist forcefully, looking straight in her eyes.
-Listen to me, Emma! I don't want to see him close to you, ever, ever again! understand?!
-Carl, I ...
-You understand?! The guidance counselor felt Carl's hand squeezing tighter on her wrist. She was so scared that she couldn't even talk. Emma just nodded. Carl dropped her wrist when Puck knocked on the car window.
-Is everything all right, Miss. Pillsbury? The redhead looked at her boyfriend with wide eyes, the dentist gave him a fake smile and a look of "be nice and say that everything is fine or ..."
-It's okay, Noah. Everything's okay. She replied in a trembling voice. The boy wasn't convinced. Puck narrowed his eyes and stared at Carl for a few seconds, the dark haired man smirked and started the engine of the car.
-If you say so ... Puck stood watching them leave the parking lot.
-I don't trust him, not really. he thought to himself.
I arrived at my apartment devastated. I thought I'd broken up with him, actually, I should have broken up with him a long time ago, but Carl was very nervous and I was afraid of his reaction. So I made the biggest mistake of my life, I decided to wait and talk with him ion another day, when he was calmer. When I arrived at school the next morning, for my surprise, there was a apology card and a huge vase of tulips on my desk. Carl took me to lunch and gave me a thousand apologizes, saying he loved me, and would never behave that way again. He really was very convincing, and I accepted his apology and agreed to give him one more chance. Carl behaved well for awhile, until the day that I began to suspect he was cheating on me ...
Every day the dentist went to dinner at her apartment. She had given him a copy of her apartment key, then the dentist came and left anytime he wanted to. Another big mistake, she thought. He acted as if he was already married to Emma, and Carl always arrived late for dinner. Their excuses were always the same, "too many patients", "had an an emergency," and even the classic "car tire punctured" etc. Emma began to suspect it wasn't possible for something unforeseen to happen every day. One night, the redhead was cooking soup, when Carl arrived.
-Hey, what are we having for dinner? Emma noticed he had alcohol on his breath. Carl grabbed a beer and sat at the table. Emma took a carrot and began to cut it without making eye contact with him.
-You arrived late again ... Carl took a sip of beer and licked his lips.
-I had a very tough day ... he replied dryly. Emma placed a soup ladle and put a bowl on the table, Carl pulled the bowl to see the inside content closer and sniffed.
-Soup, Emma? I hate soup ... He said pushing the bowl away. She closed her eyes and pursed her lips angrily, throwing the towel on the table.
-You know what, Carl? I'm tired! Every day you arrive late for dinner and always give me excuses! Tell me the truth, you're going out with another woman aren't you?! Tell me! Emma shouted.
Carl took the last sip of beer and got up walking towards her.
-You want to know the truth, Emma? He walked a little closer to her, making her take two steps back.
-Yeah... I've been seeing some women...Her lower lip began to tremble and her eyes filled with tears. That was the last straw, at that moment, all the respect, admiration and passion she had for Carl, died there. He moved closer even more, making her get closer to the edge of the counter. He yelled in her face:
-Do you want to know why I hang out with others women, Emma?! I hang out with others women, because you are unable to give me what I want!
Emma slapped him in the face.
-You're disgusting... The guidance counselor tried to push him away, but Carl grabbed her right arm and punched her in the face. She fell and rolled on the floor.
-Come here, bitch! He pulled her by the hair, forcing her to stay face down on the table. Carl pressed Emma's head hard against the wood, shouting in her ear.
-You have to understand one thing, Emma! I'm your man and you do what I tell you to do!, understand?! And from today, you will obey me! When I get tired from work and want to eat chicken with potatoes, you will cook for me! When I ask you for a beer, you'll bring it to me! And the next time I want to fuck you, you're going to fuck me, understand!
Emma sobbed desperately praying to get out of this terrible nightmare. Carl slammed her head back against the table, causing her to scream.
-You understand?!
-Y-yes... p-please, Carl ... Her voice was shaky. He turned away from her saying:
-Now wipe your face, you look horrible ...
My life was becoming literally a hell, and Carl was Satan. He tormented me in every way you can imagine. He beat me, and hurt me for any reason. Once I forgot to press his favorite T-shirt, and you know what was the punishment? He burned my arm with the iron ... The bruises he left in my arms and neck were easy to hide with clothing. The problem was the eyes, even with make-up, everyone could noticed. I always had to lie, and I knew I couldn't convince everybody. I began to realize that Puck was suspecting something, once in a while he came into my office to ask for "advice", but actually Puck wanted to find some clue of what was happening to me.
I lost weight and could no longer concentrate on my work. One day in the teacher's lounge, I realized that Sue Sylvester was looking at me all the time. I was holding a piece of bread, and when I looked at my hand, it was shaking nonstop. From there, it wasn't long for rumors to begin to spread. Shannon also pressed me every day to talk about what was happening, and of course I always said that everything was going well. I started to get away from friends and isolate myself even more. Day after day, Carl became more and more aggressive. He threatened me saying that if I betrayed him, some of my friends would get hurt. Every day before going to sleep, I bent down on my knees and prayed to God to get me out of this nightmare.
And then, one day, Lord heard my prayers ...
Shannon entered the men's room and found Puck sitting on a bench, packing up things in his backpack.
-What is it now? Is this some kind of meeting? said Coach Beiste. After training, Puckerman sent him a note from a friend, asking her to go meet him in the men's room.
-It's Miss. Pillsbury, Coach. I think she's in trouble ...
-I know ... Beiste sighed and closed her eyes. -I've tried talking to her about it, but she always avoids me, changes the subject or says it's okay. I really don't know what to do ...
The boy stood up.
-I know what we need to do, but I need your help.
-Noah ...
-Trust me! Will you help me? The boy held out his hand, for her seal the deal. Shannon was reluctant. What was Puck planning? On the other hand, the coach wanted desperately to help her friend.
-Okay, I will.
-Great! The boy turned around and when he was at the door, Shannon said:
-Noah, can I ask you a question? Puck turned and shrugged. -Why do you care so much about Miss. Pillsbury?
-Because the same thing happened to my mother...