He pulled me close to him, and I felt safe- like nothing would be able to touch me again. His arms were the only place I felt safe anymore.
"Mimi, what happened earlier? That man… who was that?" he asked after awhile.
I turned to look at him and was shocked that he had a black eye and quite a few bruises on the rest of his face. "What happened to you?" I whispered, fearing that what happened to me began with what happened to him.
He shook his head. "When you passed out downstairs, I heard it- these walls are so fucking paper thing. I didn't know it was you, but I went to look, and there was that guy standing over you, with this weird look on his face- I've never seen him before."
He took a deep breath and continued. "Well, he started to carry you out, when I stopped him, and well… we got into a fight, and I…I lost." His fingers stroked my cheek. "If I ever find him, he will pay…"
"Roger," I said, cutting him off, "remember when I told you about the guy at the Café? This is the same one." I didn't want to go into details. I didn't even want to remember this whole thing. "I'm going to bed."
He helped me up and led me into our room. Without even changing, I fell asleep.
The red lights of the clock blinked 6:52 A.M. It seemed like I had slept for days, but in reality it was only thirteen hours. Roger was asleep next to me, looking more beautiful than ever before. I watched him for a few minutes before getting up and making my way to the bathroom, where I took a much-needed shower.
I was a complete mess. I ached all over and I felt so tired, but I couldn't go back to sleep now. I messily put my hair in a ponytail then threw on a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, then made myself comfortable on the couch. I wasn't going back to the Life Café. Ever.
And I didn't even feel comfortable here in the loft. He knew where I lived… well, the building, at least. And he knew Roger because of their fight, and I didn't even know what else he knew!
I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind and tried to concentrate on something else- anything else besides yesterday. I stared at the dirty wall, just sitting and thinking…
"Mimi? I'm so glad you're okay!"
I turned around and weakly smiled at the familiar figure, dressed in a red coat and navy-and-white scarf. "Hey Mark."
He sat down next to me and looked into my eyes. "Are you sure you okay? Is there anything I can do?" He was always there to help me.
"Yeah, I'm sure I'm fine. I'll be okay."
He got up and grabbed his camera off of the table. "Okay- I'm off to work, then to do some filming. See you later." He quietly left the loft, and I was alone again.
I began to shiver- it's been happening a lot lately- so I began to search for a blanket. Quietly I entered our room and began to rummage through piles of clothes in the closet and dresser. I guess I was being too loud because I woke up Roger.
"Mimi, what are you doing?" he asked sleepily.
"It's fucking freezing in this place," I told him, still searching.
He laughed. "What else is new?" He got up and wrapped his arms around me, holding me close… and giving off body heat. "Is that better?"
I closed my eyes and smiled. "Yes… yes, it is better." I released myself and stared into his magnificent blue eyes. My mood completely changed when I re-noticed the black eye. "I still can't believe that that guy… I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive him." Then I quietly added, "And I hope I never have to see him again." I shuddered at the thought.
Roger went over to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and threw me a blanket. "Don't worry about him. He can't hurt you again. I'll make sure of it." I could tell that he was doubting himself, but it made me feel better anyway.
I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and went into the other room to make some coffee. But then the phone rang.
I quickly picked it up, expecting it to be Mark or Maureen or someone. "Hello?"
The only sound on the other line was breathing. "Hello?" I asked again, louder this time.
More breathing. "Mimi… Mimi… it's so good to hear your voice again."
The phone fell from my hands.