Thank you to everyone who has stood by me as I write this story. I appreciate all the reviews, favorites, and followers. Like I stated at the end of last chapter, I am NO expert on the subject of rape. I've never been raped and don't know anyone who has been raped. I know I will get facts wrong or details wrong. This story is fiction, so please keep that in mind while reading. If I get any details wrong, kindly correct me, but know that no one is perfect. Please continue to review as I love to hear your thoughts. It means so much and puts a smile on my face.
Swedishgirl-thank you so much for leaving feedback. It means so much that this is your favorite story. Holly-thank you for the compliment. You are right that this is a difficult topic. I hope I do it justice. Taya-thank you for leaving feedback. To all the 'guests'-thanks so much for reviewing. 143-glad you're enjoying the story. Thank you for reviewing. leddie2012-you are right that Eddie is very kind and loving. Thanks so much for leaving feedback. Kimberly verwimp-thanks for the review. Lauryn Clark6- thanks for the review. gottalovetv-I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Thank you so much for the kind words. I won't ever give up on this story, it just takes me awhile to update because I have so many stories being posted right now. LRS.9401: Thanks for the review! Tb909: Thanks for the review! To all my readers/reviewers...please don't give up on this story even though it takes me time to update. Thank you all for listening. Warning: there's some language in this chapter. Enjoy the next update.
Chapter 29
(At the Tate house, Nora is tossing and turning. She lands on her back and has her eyes open in the dark room with the lights off. She checks the time, which shows after midnight. She sighs deeply before speaking)
Nora: "Oh, Loren, I hope you're somewhere safe. I know you're eighteen and an adult, but I will always worry about you. I know something has been troubling you. I just wish I knew what it was, that I could help you. You gave me Eddie's number in case of emergencies. Maybe you're with him."
(She leans forward on her night stand and grabs her phone. She scrolls down to Eddie's number and texts him)
Nora: "'Eddie, it's Nora. Have you heard from Loren? If she is with you, can you let me know so I know she's safe? Thanks'."
(Nora presses 'send' and places her phone back on the night stand. She attempts to close her eyes and try sleep. She told Trent she was tired and she was, but worrying about her only child caused her to have a sleepless night. She was shocked Trent didn't try come in the room to sleep. She was relieved at that because if he did try, she'd kick him out. Nora knew she wouldn't get any rest until Loren or Eddie texted her or called her, so she attempted to calm her nerves by reading a book)
(At Eddie's penthouse, Loren sits on the couch with her legs folded under her bottom. Eddie went to the kitchen and brought back two glasses of water with ice in each. He places them on the coffee table in front of them. She offers a light smile as a 'thank you'. He sits down next to her before checking his phone to see a text from Nora. After reading it, he looks over at his girlfriend)
Eddie: "Your mom is worried about you and wondering where you're at. Is it okay if I tell her you're with me?"
Loren: (nods shakily) "Yeah, you can."
(Eddie nods before sending Nora a short text saying Loren was okay and that she was with him. After putting his cell phone on the coffee table, he looks at his girlfriend)
Eddie: "I hope you don't mind that I said you would be staying here tonight."
Loren: (nods) "That's fine. Truth is, I didn't want to go home tonight." (scoffs) "Not while he's there." (sighs) "I know I will have to see him at some point."
Eddie: (shakes his head) "Not if you don't want to."
Loren: (shrugs) "I can't avoid him forever."
Eddie: (seriously) "You have a right to not want to see him anymore, Loren. Especially after what that asshole did to you."
Loren: (shakes her head) "Eddie, it's not that simple. I live with him. I see him every day." (angrily) "Trust me, if I had it my way, I would have nothing to do with him."
Eddie: (tilts his head) "I'm guessing your mom has no idea what's going on? Otherwise I'm sure she would've kicked his ass to the curb."
Loren: (shakes her head) "No, she doesn't know. She suspects something is wrong, but I haven't said anything."
Eddie: "Because of him, right?"
Loren: "Trent said he would hurt everyone I cared about. That's why I didn't want you to know."
Eddie: "Loren, I've taken care of myself for a long time. A guy like Trent Tate is not going to change that."
Loren: "What if he goes after Mel or my mom? Yes, Mel is tough, but I would never forgive myself if he hurt her to get revenge on me."
Eddie: "I will hire a guard for Mel and your mom. Money is no object."
Loren: (shakes her head & sighs) "I don't have the money to pay you back, Eddie."
Eddie: (assures her) "I'm not worried about the money, Loren. Unlike Chloe, who was only with me for my money, you're not like that. Babe, you're nothing like her. Your friends are my friends. Your family is my family." (eyes dark) "Although when I do see your dad, I have every intention of beating the shit out of him."
Loren: (glares at him) "Yeah, you do that and you will be in jail. Eddie, you have nothing to prove."
Eddie: (shakes his head seriously) "Maybe not. But I lose all respect for men who physically harm women. Or in his case, his daughter."
(Eddie saw the worried look in her eyes and knew he needed to tone it down a bit. He took a drink of his water on the coffee table before getting comfortable on the couch again. He saw his girl take a drink as well. From the way she was moving, he knew she was still in a panic, yet attempting to conceal it. He leaned forward and took her hand in his, gently kissing it. He looks at her and spoke softly)
Eddie: "I know you agreed to tell me about what your dad did to you. I'm telling you now you don't have to if you're not ready for it. You will when it's right for you. Do I want you to open up to me? Yes, I do. But I will never force you to."
(She looks at him and knew he was being sincere. Then again, he always was. That is what she loved about him. His money never made a difference to her. He could be poor and she'd still love him. That's the major difference between her and Chloe. Chloe loved his money, Loren didn't. Loren plays with her hands before she finally speaks, yet doesn't look at Eddie)
Loren: "It started when I was five years old. He played games with me. Normal games father play with their daughters. It started innocently with him giving me piggy back rides, drinking tea with me during tea parties, and coloring with me."
(Eddie knew the next words out of her mouth would be bad as she was fighting to stay strong. She couldn't stop the first set of tears from forming in her eyes. Still, she didn't face him. She couldn't as she didn't have the courage. Not yet anyway)
Loren: (sniffles) "We were in my room playing barbies. Weird considering most father's felt embarrassed doing that. But he wasn't. He kept looking at me as we were playing. He would undress the barbie and admire it before facing me and said 'that's what you'll look like one day, Loren'. I looked at him curiously and of course I asked him what he meant by that. He said I was beautiful, yet would be even more beautiful when I turned into a young lady. He asked me to come to him. Of course, I obeyed. He gave me a hug and then caressed my cheek." (tilts her head) "I felt so lucky having a dad that loved me so much."
(Loren clears her throat as she wasn't prepared for what she was about to say next. Eddie wanted so badly to comfort her, but she quickly shook her head. They both knew she needed to get it out while she had the courage and strength. Yeah, strength all right, she thought to herself. What strength? If she had the strength, she would have fought off her rapist of a father years ago. She hated the fact that Trent made her feel this way. Loren takes a deep breath before she continues)
Loren: "One night when mom was washing the dishes, I was in my room trying to put my pajamas on that she left out for me. I must've grown out of them or something because I couldn't get them on. I called out for mom, but Trent came instead. He asked me what was wrong. I told him my pajama's were too small. The only thing I was wearing was my underwear and pajama bottoms. He went to my dresser drawer where my pajama's were and got out a Dora nightgown. He came to me, but before facing me, he made sure the door was shut. He then faced me and suggested I wear what he had in his hand. I took off my pajama pants. He then went out of his way to touch my thighs and legs. I thought he was just being a helpful dad."
(Tears flooded Eddie's eyes as he helplessly watched Loren's eyes close with tears falling down. She knew she needed to continue for her sake as well as her sanity. She opens her eyes and looks at Eddie)
Loren: "He took my old my pajamas and held them to his nose and inhaled. I asked him why he was doing that and he just said they smelled good from when mommy does the laundry. I didn't think anything of it. Before he helped me with my new pajamas, he went to my dresser and got some baby lotion. When I asked him what he was doing, he said my skin was dry. He squeezed some out of the bottle and started spreading it throughout my body. I smiled as I thought he was just being nice. He moved to my breast area and caressed it, making sure to give it the most attention. You would think I would've known what he was doing was wrong."
(Eddie tilts his head and sighs sadly)
Eddie: "Baby, how could you have? You were only five years old. He was supposed to protect you from harm, not cause you harm."
(She wipes the tears that fell on her cheeks before continuing)
Loren: "After rubbing me down with baby lotion, he helped me with my Dora night gown. He made sure to slide it down my legs. Then he looked at me and said, 'You are going to be so beautiful when you grow up, Loren Elizabeth Tate. I can't wait to watch you'."
(Loren looks away from Eddie and seemed to be in a daze. He didn't know whether to get her out of it or let her come out of it on her own. His silent question was answered when she looked back at her guy)
Loren: "He left the room and closed the door behind him. I proceeded to play with my dolls until it was time for bed."
(Eddie nodded a little. He didn't know whether that was the end or if something else happened that night. He was tempted to ask, but he had no intentions of pressuring her. He decided to stay quiet. Loren must have gotten a vibe from him because she answered his question)
Loren: "Nothing else happened...that night anyway."
(He exhaled a huge sigh of relief until she looked at him right in the eyes with a serious look. It scared the hell out of him)
Loren: "The next night is when things really started happening."
Chapter 29 Done
Thank you for reading. Please review so I know what you think. How am I doing so far? Reminder: I've never experienced rape except for what I see on TV, so please bare with me even if I suck at it. I'm just picturing it in my mind. Thanks! Until next time!
