THE PROMISE
Chapter 20: I've been afraid of changin'

Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes bolder, children get older
I'm getting older too, well, I'm getting older too

So take this love and take it down
Yeah, and if you climb a mountain and you turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide brought down

DECEMBER 2015 (continuation)

MILEY'S POV

I went back to my apartment in a cab with Tom, the guard. I felt so low that I left Nick just like that. I didn't want him to get hurt, he's my life. He was so good to me. He even got here immediately after I called him, and when he came here I turned him down. His blood sugar got low and I turned him down. This is much worse than any other fights we had.

"Do you have a daughter?" I asked Tom.

"Yes I do."

"How old is she?"

"Ten"

"Would you do me a favor? Do not leave your daughter no matter what. Protect her from anyone who might hurt her. Do not restrain her happiness. Let her be the person she wants to be. She might go the wrong way but don't ever fight with her, just guide her and let her learn from her mistakes. Would you do that for me?"

His expression showed confusion, "Why are you saying this?"

"My mom died when I was seven, that's the time I met Nick, we were neighbors. We became best friends, we realized we're in love when we're in high school. My dad got in a car accident a month later, Nick helped me cope and his family took me in their house. I was happy there."

"How did you end up with Sam?"

"Uncle Sam is my dad's brother. I never get to see him that much during reunions because they told me he's too busy working. I didn't know he's this greedy. I shouldn't have accepted his offer."

"Wow, you're a very tough woman."

"I thought I am, but I'm near to giving up right now."

"No, you'll make it through, don't worry," I smiled at his positive mindedness.

"Thank you... For helping me take Nick to the hospital."

"It would be a big problem if Sam finds out."

"Sorry."

"It's fine, we'll think of an excuse," this the part where my life will look messed up but I somehow still see a faint hint of light shining towards me.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I've come to realization that Tom isn't really a bad guy; he's just doing his job.

I was in the middle of my dreamy state when someone from the real world violently shook my arm.

"Get up!"

I opened my eyes and rubbed them until my vision got clear and I saw Uncle Sam towering over me, his face, a bit red and he smelled like he'd been drunk.

"I said get up!"

I got taken aback by the tone of his voice but I got up anyway, only to be pulled by the arm. I felt his tight grip on my arm and I saw the anger in his eyes, I got afraid.

"How dare you use the company credit card to pay for hospital bills?"

My eyes got wide; of course he would find out, idiot!

"It's an emergency! Nick's blood sugar went down."

I felt his palm collide with my cheek, hitting me hard.

"I don't care about his life! You f*cking used the credit card for personal issues! You have no right to do that!"

I brought my hand to my cheek to soothe my stinging skin as tears brimmed from the corners of my eyes. He pulled me by the arm again and he yanked it.

"I'll pay for it!"

"Yes you will because you're marrying Liam whether you like it or not! We need the merge!"

That's it. I won't let this monster get what he wants.

"You're a f*cking money greedy person! You don't value anything but your money! You're f*cking selfish!"

He pulled my hair hard and I cried harder as he punched my stomach. My eyes popped open and I felt like dying as pain spread a throughout the part where he hit me in the abdomen. My arms made its way to cover and somehow stop the hurting of my tummy but he pulled my hair again, "What did you just call me?"

He slapped me on the face on the left part and it started to hurt too.

"You're a coward! You're scared of losing money!"

He pushed me against the foot board of my bed and my ribs and upper abdomen landed on it. He pulled me to face him and he started hitting, grasping my arms.

"I treated you like my daughter and this is what you're giving me?"

"You are not even close to my father, you're a heartless man! No wonder no one loves you! You're so self-centered."

"You are going to marry Liam whether you like it or not!"

He pushed me hard on the floor and I just laid there, curled up like a ball, my body shaking with pain.

Thank God Sam left, I just cried and held onto my hurting stomach. After hearing the front door open and close, I heard footsteps rushing towards here in my room, and I found Tom kneeling beside me.

"Oh my God, Miley?"

I felt him gently pick me up from my fetal position and lie me down on my comfortable bed. Like a worm that was hit or touched, my body immediately curled up like a ball.

"Quick! Carl switch with Jo, call her! I need a female here," I heard Nick shout to the boys.

"What? Sam would get furious!"

"He wouldn't have to know. We can't leave Miley here in pain! She needs medications."

I felt dizzy and weak but comfort when Tom caressed my hair and rubbed my arm to calm me down.

"It's okay, sweetie, we'll take care of you, okay? You'll be fine."

I smiled despite all the pain I'm feeling, and I felt him kiss my hair in a fatherly way.

"You remind me of my daughter, her name is Anne. Remember the favor you asked me? I'm on it. I promise I'll take good care of her, and I won't let anything bad happen to you too. You'll feel better soon, I promise."

I nodded and waited for them to take my pain away and treat my wounds and bruises.

Tom stayed with me inside the room to monitor my condition. I was resting when I heard a very familiar voice from outside of my room, "Where's Miley?"

My heart skipped a beat, he's here, and he came back for me.

"She's not here," I heard one of the guards say to him.

"I need to talk to her, where is she?"

"She doesn't live here anymore."

"Let me in!"

I glanced at Tom, "It's Nick. He's here."

"Do you wanna talk to him?"

I want to, but I know I can't. He'll see my condition and that's the last thing I want right now. I don't want him to worry.

"No, make him leave but please don't hurt him. Tell him I don't want to see him anymore, that I'm marrying Liam."

"What? You're kidding, right?"

"I'm serious, I don't want him to get hurt too. Tell him to leave me alone. This is the only way I could end this."

"Are you sure?"

"Y-yes..."

"Alright."

Tom got up from the couch and went out of my room. I did my best to hear their conversation but I think Tom used his calmed voice because a few moments later, I just heard the front door slam.

My door opened and Tom stepped in, giving me an apologetic look.

"He left without a word."

"Good."

Sam dropped by at my apartment on the next day. He was surprised to see me with lots of bruises. Tom even said I actually have a fever.

"Oh God, I wasn't thinking straight. I was drunk last night. I am so sorry Miley. Hurry, let's bring her to the hospital."

Tom immediately carried me. Half an hour later, we're already in the hospital. They examined me, gave me pain killers and I got transferred to a private room. I requested to keep Tom with me and he willingly agreed.

I agreed to marry Liam. I don't have any other choice. Sam allowed me to go out every once in a while but Tom and three other guards still went with me wherever I go. I get to do my office work in my apartment. Tom and I became friends, he cares so much about me and he's like a brother or a young father to me. Liam and I went to dates again and I acted like everything was fine but it wasn't. I'd changed my phone number, never checked my old email and AIM account and Nick never went back to my apartment. I really feel miserable for doing this to him. I feel like an evil person for hurting him like that. He doesn't deserve any of this, and I think my Christmas will be a lot more lonely.

AN: Hello! HAPPY NILEY DAY! PLEASE REVIEW!

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