TRIGGER WARNING: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT.
Carla still hadn't spoken to Rob. She had a fantastic weekend with Peter, spending quality time was what she wanted to come home for. Peter had made a real effort to make her feel like she was his number one priority, as well as Simon.
Since the party on Friday she had really cheered up, she hated to admit it but maybe Michelle was right to take her.
Today was Monday which meant that Carla was going into work and would have to see Rob.
"Are you sure you are ready for this?" Peter asked, knowing that Carla was worried about it.
"I have to go back at some point and I might not even see Rob'' She told him, finishing up her makeup. Although she knew Rob would show up, if only to rub it in and blame her for his mistakes.
"I can always talk to him" Peter suggested.
"Well that's the worst idea I have heard" Carla laughed.
"Ok but if you need me, you know where I am" Peter told her, pulling her in from behind, kissing the back of her head.
A little over an hour later, Carla was sitting at her desk working on a new order that she has been setting up for a new client. Michelle was keeping a watchful eye on her as she always did.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Carla looked up to see Rob standing there. She sighed knowing exactly what was about to happen. Here it was, he was going to shout and scream about how she left him and how she deserves everything he did.
"Shall I let him in?" Michelle asked "At least he knocked and didn't storm in"
Carla just nodded at her.
"Thank you for seeing me" Rob said as he entered. Carla was taken aback, Rob was acting maturely about the whole situation which was a new one for him.
"Carla, listen I never meant to hurt you, I am so sorry for what I did" Rob started "I know it was stupid but I am sorry"
"Rob, you know what I am upset about don't you" Carla asked him.
"Yes, that I tried to fiddle the numbers and con you out of your factory"
"Yes exactly and does that sound like something a brother does to his sister?" she asked him sadly.
"No and I am really sorry, I love you Carla" Rob told her.
Carla was shocked, he always goes on the defensive and argues with her and then blames her but he isn't doing that. He is taking responsibility for his actions and trying to make it right.
"I am not sure if I can forgive this Rob, how am I meant to trust you after this?" she asked him.
"That is a valid point Carla, I have broken that trust and if you will let me I want to earn it back" Rob told her "I really appreciate everything that you have done for me Carla and I am so sorry, I just want a chance to make it up to you"
"Can I think about it?" Carla said, knowing that she needs some time to think everything over.
"Of course, take all the time you need, I obviously know that I don't have a job here anymore but I will try my hardest to be a good brother" Rob told her, he then left the office. He walked down the street knowing that he did the right thing by apologising and he meant everything he said to Carla, he was really going to be a better brother.
Both Michelle and Carla were silent, neither one really knew what to say. They didn't have much time to think about it because there was another knock on the door.
Carla instantly got off of her chair to open the door "Aiden" she pulled him in for a hug "come on in"
"I was still in the area and thought I'd take you up on the offer to check out the factory" Aiden told the women.
"No problem at all" Carla told him "You are always welcome"
"Was that your brother I saw leaving on my way in?" Aiden asked Carla.
"Yes it was" Carla smiled "Come on let me show you around"
Carla took him by his arm and showed him around, they took their time and he enjoyed meeting all the girls. He liked what he was seeing.
"Carla you have really made something of this place" Aiden told her.
"Thank you Aiden, I have tried" Carla smiled at him.
"I have an idea, let's all go out to lunch" Aiden suggested "we can all catch up"
"Do you know what Aiden, that is exactly what I need right now" Carla told him "Chelle get your coat we are going for lunch"
The three of them left the office "Sal, you are in charge" Carla shouted back.
"Yes, Mrs Connor" Sally replied with a grin.
Carla took them to the bistro, they sat in a booth in the corner and ordered a bottle of wine to share.
After a little while Aiden looked over his menu "Carla those people over there keep looking at you with some looks" Aiden told her.
Carla turned around to see Leanne and Nick propping up the bar "Oh that's Peter's ex" Carla rolled her eyes "they don't like me"
"That's evident" Aiden laughed "What did you do?"
"Let's just say Peter wasn't exactly single when we got together" Carla told him with a grin.
Aiden waved at Leanne with a smirk, causing the whole table to laugh "Aiden" Carla scolded.
"What she needs to get over it" Aiden told them "clearly you are so much better then her and Peter loves you, that was clear from the other night"
Aiden's energy was just what Carla needed right now, she loved the way he just didn't care and the way he looked at life as something to be enjoyed. If she admitted it to herself, she needed to act more like that.
"So why are you here then Aiden?" Michelle asked "Johnny and Kate aren't going to stay here for too long"
"No, daddy's princess needs a tan" Aiden rolled his eyes. He then turned to Carla with a serious look on his face "How would you feel about an investor?" Aiden asked shyly.
"In the factory?" Carla questioned.
"Yes, I need something to make mine and I want to branch away from my dad and I think Underworld is the right place to do it, I have been working in this industry for a while now and I want to improve my career and what better place to do that then with family" he told the two women.
"I would have to think about it, Aiden, the last business partner I had didn't go too well" Carla told him truthfully. Michelle nodded in agreement.
"Well just think about it, I am in no rush, I am looking to settle around here anyway so just let me know what you think" Aiden told them "I am looking at new apartments today"
After they had more conversation and paid the bill, they left.
Carla wondered if she even needed an investor. She was doing fine on her own, she had new contacts coming in and big contracts on the go.
It was a little after 5 o'clock and nearly everybody had gone home. Carla was prepping for the last meeting of the day. She had a new client coming in, Jeff Hardstone.
He had been in contact for a while and could bring big business in. Carla had met with him a couple of times before but today was the first time he was coming into the office. Michelle offered to stay but it was just a simple contract signing so Carla told her to go home as she had been there all day.
Carla looked up to see Jeff standing in the doorway "Jeff, welcome to Underworld, is there anything I can get you, before we start?" Carla asked him, standing to greet him. He was in a very expensive suit with a rolex watch on his wrist, he had blonde hair with slight stubble around his mouth. He looked like he was in his late forties but he pulled it off well.
"A coffee would be great Carla, thank you" Jeff said, placing his briefcase onto the table. He looked Carla up and down and licked his lips.
"Ok, make yourself at home and I will be one minute" Carla told him.
Over the road, Rob saw the light of the factory was on, he really wanted to see Carla and make sure she knew he was sorry and that he was trying to change.
Inside the factory, Carla was in the kitchen making a coffee for Jeff. She was thinking about the day, she had Rob to start and then Aiden's offer, that she didn't notice Jeff appear in the kitchen watching her.
She had a skirt on, with a white shirt. She wore her trademark heels and thought nothing of her outfit, to her this was work attire.
She was reaching up for the coffee out of the cupboard when Jeff came up behind her and reached for it himself, leaning against Carla, squashing her against the counter. He groin leaning against her bum. Carla jumped at his touch but he kept her in place as he stretched for the coffee.
"Jeff" Carla warned, causing him to step back "shall we move into the office?"
"Sorry Carla, I just thought I would help you, even with those heels on you would struggle to reach" he smiled at her, trying to act coy.
"I was fine thank you" she told him, taking the coffee from him. He took a step closer to her.
"I know you are fine Carla, look at you" Jeff said looking her up and down.
Now Carla was uncomfortable and noticed she was alone with this man in the factory.
"Jeff, let's go into the office and look at these contracts" she suggested nervously.
"I like you right here Carla, in the kitchen with the counters behind you" He told her "I have heard you like a bit of office sex"
Carla gasped "Jeff, I would like you to leave now" Carla told him sternly.
"Oh but Carla, that's the reason I am here all alone with you" Jeff started, taking a step closer "you arranged it so we could be alone"
"No I did it for your convenience" Carla told him, trying to move away from the counter.
Jeff stood in her path "This is convenient for me, you right here with me"
"I would like you to leave right now" Carla told him, standing her ground.
"Carla, I am going nowhere" he placed a hand onto her shoulder whilst his eyes looked at her legs "Look at that skirt on you, now I bet it looks even better on the floor"
"Jeff I am warning you" Carla said but he wasn't listening.
He took her hair into his hands and took a sniff "Mhmm, let's find out shall we" he placed his hand onto her thigh and began to raise it up her leg.
Carla pushed him away from her but he grabbed her arm and pushed her back against the counter.
"No Jeff" she screamed.
Jeff looked at her, took in her scent and placed his face near hers. Carla let out a scream and the tears began streaming, she pushed and hit but he grabbed her hands and placed them onto the counter.
Carla closed her eyes and took a deep breath in but suddenly felt him release her. She turned and saw him on the floor.
"She said no" Rob screamed, grabbing the collar of his shirt and punching him in the face, several times. Rob hovered over his face so he couldn't get up off of the floor whilst Rob hit him in the face, the neck and his stomach.
"You dirty pig" Rob screamed at him "when a woman says no that means no" he took a step back "how do you like it being defenseless on the floor?"
Jeff wiped his nose to see blood on his sleeve "I was just playing"
Rob kicked him in the ribs as he lay on the floor, Jeff screamed out in pain "Didn't look like you were playing" Rob gave him one hard kick in the ribs before Carla intervened.
"Rob" Carla screamed "that's enough" She looked down at Jeff in disgust.
"Carla, he was going too.." Rob started.
"I know but he didn't" Carla said, tears streaming down her face.
Rob pulled her into him "shhh" he comforted her as he watched Jeff scramble off of the floor and run out of the building as fast as he could.
"Please take me home" Carla pleaded with Rob who just nodded, they began to walk out with Rob's protective arm around her.
"It's ok Carla, I've got you" Rob said, calmly walking her home "no one is going to hurt you"
Carla was in shock, how could this nearly happen again?
Once Rob got her indoors, she practically begged him to get Peter for her. He tried to phone him, but there was no answer.
"I will go and knock on his door" Rob told her.
"NO" Carla shouted, interrupting him "Please don't leave me"
"I can't get hold of him though Carla" Rob told her.
"I know but I don't want to be alone" Carla sobbed.
"Ok" Rob sat next to her, pulling her into his chest, where she cried for what seemed like hours.
"Michelle is on her way Carla" Rob told her.
"Why?" she asked.
"I thought you might want her, rather than me and then I can go and get Peter for you" He told her.
"I don't want her instead of you but I do want her" Carla told her "Thank you so much Rob"
"Carla, do not even mention it" Rob kissed her head "you are my sister, I love you"
"I love you too" Carla wiped her eyes and let Rob go so he could let Michelle in.
Michelle rushed through the door, straight to Carla's side. She pulled her into her for a hug, letting out a tear herself.
Rob shook his head at the sight of his sister. Jeff was not going to get away with this but first he needed to get Peter.
Over at the bookies flat, Peter was asleep on the sofa. He had a busy day at work and then had Simon after school so was exhausted.
He shot up to the sound of banging on his door.
"Alright, alright" he shouted on his way down the stairs to open the door "Rob what.."
"Where have you been?" Rob shouted at him, barging past him into the flat.
"Excuse me Rob but that is none of your business"
"Why haven't you been answering your phone"
"I was asleep, why?" Peter asked, noticing the expression on Rob's face.
"Something has happened" Rob started.
"Is Carla ok?" Peter asked knowing that it must be about her.
"Peter, sit down"
"No, what is going on Rob" Peter demanded to know, worrying about Carla.
"Well she had a meeting at the factory with a new client alone" Rob started but his face was saying it all.
"No" Peter shook his head and raised his hands to the back of his head.
"No Peter, he didn't because I got there in time, but when I got there it was really close, he had his hands all over her and she was pinned against the kitchen side"
"No" Peter shook his head in disbelief, pacing the floor.
"She is so scared and so shaken Peter, I don't know what to do"
"Where is she?" Peter said with tears in his eyes.
This was the first time Rob had actually seen how much Carla meant to Peter. He knew they loved each other but Peter's reaction was heartbreaking, even to Rob.
"She is with Michelle but I wanted to tell you in person so you knew what you were walking into" Rob told him "It wasn't good Peter"
"Where is he?" Peter asked with anger in his eyes.
"I don't know, I gave him a good beating, he could barely walk when he left" Rob told him.
"I will kill him" Peter told him, now changing from sad to angry "how dare he".
"Peter, Carla needs you now" Rob told him "we can deal with him another time"
Peter grabbed his coat on the way out and practically ran to Carla's.
When he got there he let himself in, to see the two women sitting on the sofa. Michelle was cradling Carla who was sobbing.
"Carla" Peter said gently, walking over to her slowly.
"Peter" Carla looked at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Michelle let her go and let Peter take over. He sat next to her and took her into his arms. Carla sobbed into his chest whilst he let out stray tears, pulling her close.
Rob ushered Michelle out of her flat and walked her home.
"Rob, she will never forget what you did for her today, I can't imagine if you didn't get there in time"
"Don't talk like that, I did get there in time" Rob told her "I just can't believe there are people like that out there"
"I know, we thought she was recovering well after Frank and this is just going to set her recovery back" Michelle sighed.
"Well one thing is for sure, he won't be walking around for much longer"
"Rob, you promise me you won't do anything stupid" Michelle warned.
"Have you seen my sister tonight? She is distraught in there"
"Yes, but she is strong and she will get through this, the last thing she needs is you banged up for doing something stupid"
Back at the flat Carla was still crying into Peter's chest. They had laid out on the sofa together, Peter was stroking Carla's hair, wishing she would drop off so she could dream of something nice.
Peter knew that this was going to affect Carla, she needed all the support she could get now. He was not going anywhere.