Chapter 2

The water was warm and felt nice against her bruised flesh. Helga stepped out of the shower and began drying off carefully so as not irritate her fresh bruises. Slipping into her night clothes, Helga walked out of the bathroom and into the hallway where her butler and dear friend Albert was waiting. "How is Marissa? Is she still crying?"

"No ma'am. She's sound asleep. Has been for the past 30 minutes." Albert replied watching the girl sleep.

"I never wanted her to see this." Helga started, staring at the bruises on her arms, "She shouldn't have to grow up like this."

"Helga! Can you come down here?" Jake's voice called from downstairs.

"It's Jake." Helga whispered.

"Go on Mrs. I'll keep an eye on Miss Marissa."

"Thank you Albert." She nodded and cautiously went down the steps, "Hi Jake." She said nervously, stopping on halfway down.

"I've got something for you." he said, "Come down and get it."

She descended the rest of the way down the steps, "Close your eyes and turn around."

She obeyed and he slipped a diamond necklace around her neck, "Open them." He said fastening the clasp.

She opened her eyes and gasped, "Jake…" she whispered looking at the diamond hanging from her neck.

"I had it custom made for you." he smiled as her eyes lit up, "I wasn't going to pick up until our anniversary but I thought you might like it now."

"Thank you so much." She said kissing him gently.

His face became grave, "Helga, I am so sorry." He said, "I got out of hand. I let my anger get the best of me. You know I don't mean to hurt you."
Helga smiled, "its okay." She said as a few tears slipped down her face.

"Helga…I can't live without you." he placed his hands on her cheeks and wiped away her tears, "I'm not gonna let you go." He said holding her close.

She gripped the fabric of his sleeve and buried her face in his chest. The way he spoke scared her but she wasn't about to tell him. The next morning Helga prepared Marissa for school. "Okay sweetie, I'll be there as soon as school's out." She kissed her forehead and hugged her close.

"We're going to be late Miss Marissa." Albert said taking her hand.

"Bye Marissa. Have a nice day." She said waving to her little girl.

She gasped as she felt Jake's arms wrapped around her waist. He kissed her neck tenderly, "How about I spend the afternoon with you?"

"Jake you scared me to death." She covered her mouth to help steady her breathing.

"You're shaking baby." he said taking her free hand, "I'm gonna stay with you today."

"B-but don't you have a meeting today?" she asked

"I can cancel."

"O-Ok." She whispered.

"That's my baby." He said.

Later that afternoon, Helga and Jake went to the park for lunch. She spread the blanket and settled on it. They were eating happily until a familiar face walked up to them, "Helga? Helga Pataki?" he said studying her

"Arnold!" she laughed, "What a pleasant surprise."

"I haven't seen you since Highschool. How've you been, Helga Pataki?" he asked pulling her to her feet and hugging her close.

She smiled, "its Blackwell now." She said turning around, "Arnold this is my husband, Jake."

Jake stood as Arnold extended his hand. He took a firm grip on it and shook it.

"You've got a great girl." Arnold said smiling.

"And how do you know my wife?" Jake asked, snaking his arm around Helga's waist and pulling her close to him.

"We grew up together and we dated in Highschool." He answered, "But that was after she tortured me for most of our childhood."

Helga bit her lip to keep from crying out as Jake squeezed her skin, his thumb pressed against a fresh bruise.

"You've got yourself a good woman.' Arnold said nodding toward Jake, "She's really a wonderful person." Arnold glanced at his watch, "Well, I gotta get going." He pulled out a slip of paper and scribbled his number and address on it, "Give me a call sometime and we'll get together. All right?" he kissed Helga's cheek then turned to Jake, "It was nice meeting you." he said waving to Jake then walking down the path.

As soon as they were alone, Jake released her, "Why do you insist on provoking me?" he asked shaking his head.

"I-I'm sorry." She said reaching for his hand.

He snatched it away, "Not as sorry as you're going to be. Go get in the car. I'll deal with you at home."