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Burning under your control

Chapter thirteen.

Controlling someone is having the ability to influence and dominate a vulnerable human being.

Uncertain.

Escaping had been no option now, and they'd shared a comfortable silence for a little while. He'd come to the realisation that she was in fact a thinker, and in the heat of the moment, she had no choice but to admit her feelings. He empathised with her uncertainty, but he just wished that he could shake her. He felt the need to test her and unleash the deep waters that surrounded them, threatening either a sad drowning or a relief of ever building volumes.

'You're not complicated. I don't want to play games anymore, Rachel', he admitted. There was a sadness to his words, and he half hoped that she'd agree and force herself to free him from rejection.

'I don't want to taint you, Eddie', it was a whisper, but he heard it. Pulling away from his desk, he swiftly rose to his feet. Confusion was prominent across his features and he took the daring steps towards her.

'Taint me?', he questioned. The release of anger slipped from his tongue and he felt a slight regret. He was baffled why she would taint him, and it made him angry why she would even paint herself as tainted.

'Stuart-', she began, and he took a step closer, interrupting her as he made his move.

'He's in the past.'

'My past', she interjected, watching as he took another dangerous step towards her.

'Like you say .. it's in the past', he reassured her. He took those final few steps towards her, and as he did so, her heart quickened. He'd backed her into a corner now, and she could hardly push him away. Determination in his eyes and yet, he gave her a little time and space to leave if she wanted. He'd noticed her panic and he wouldn't be so cruel to put her in a threatening position. He loved her too much for that. Her body trembled, but for once, she fully trusted him. She trusted him not to take advantage of her. His hand slowly found a way to her side, and she gasped. He paused abruptly noticing her wince and his heart dropped.

'Rach, are you okay? I'm sorry, have I hurt you?', he said horrified at the thought of hurting her. He knew that she had been playing down her injuries, and in the heat of the moment, he got a little carried away. She gave him a slight smile to show him it was okay, but he knew her too well.

'Please Rachel, you need to go home, you're not well. You shouldn't be here. Come on, I will drive you home.'

The bell rang only a few short minutes after Eddie had finally persuaded Rachel to go home, and break had began. The staff room shortly bustled with teachers and Steph was eager for Matt to arrive. She had been tortured with the fact that it had still been lesson time for the last twenty-five minutes, and so now, she was desperate to share the news.

'Ask me who's been caught I'm the act today?', Steph gleamed as her smile reached from ear to ear.

'What? As in 'the act' .. surely not, Steph', Matt answered as he reached the kitchen, pouring himself a tea. His raised brow and change of tone showed his disbelief that someone had been caught in the act.

'No not that, but you know, kissing?', she rambled as she eagerly just wanted to blurt the news.

'Maxine?', he questioned.

'No. A teacher, or should I say two', Steph followed him to the chairs, and they sat comfortably.

'Well it would a bit alarming if it was a teacher and a pupil, wouldn't it?', speaking sarcastically, Matt chuckled slightly as Steph rolled her eyes. He watched as she leaned in closer and he prepared himself.

'The ever so mighty I'm Miss professional and Mr I don't fancy her but really I do', Steph blurted as her hands mimicked her exaggeration. Matt looked puzzled and gave her silence. He had absolutely no idea what she was on about.

'Rachel and Eddie!', she exclaimed almost bouncing from her seat in excitement. Matt's expression rapidly changed, and a smirk omitted his lips.

'No? ..', he questioned hesitantly.

'Oh yes!'

The journey had been fairly quick back to her house, and she had noticed him checking on her a few times. His caring nature had been a trait of his she adored and she understood that he only wanted the best for her.

'I'm sorry, Eddie', Rachel apologised, as she pulled her seatbelt from the buckle and continued to stare out of the windscreen.

'What for?', he questioned softly.

'You're always having to sort my mess ..', she answered. She turned to face him and felt his hand protectively rest on hers.

'Hey, I'm not sorting your mess, im helping you. I want to help you, just please let me?'

'I should go .. Melissa is waiting for me inside' rolling her eyes at the thought of her sister, she then watched as he sighed at her deflection. He had a gut feeling that this woman would cause Rachel nothing but trouble.

'Yeah', he replied glumly.

'I'll call you later?', she hoped that he wouldn't reject. He nodded gently, and she felt her heart ache ever so slightly. She wanted to show him affection, and in an ideal world, she would have loved to have kissed him again. However, that wasn't an option but she definitely wouldn't leave him on just that header. Without a second more to think about it, she leaned over and placed a soft gentle kiss on his cheek. Neither had to say a word, and a delighted smile danced across his lips. They both knew that love and affection for one another was mutual, and it reminded him of why he was prepared to wait.

Clambering out of his 4x4, Eddie watched as the playground roared with busy kids. His curiosity grew as he saw Tom walking over to him. He wondered who had done what and it alarmed him he'd only been gone twenty minutes.

'Eddie mate, you do realise the staff know?', Tom said whilst he shifted uncomfortably.

'Know what, Tom?', Eddie replied. He felt his body tense up at the thought of the staff knowing about Stuart and he defensively geared himself up.

'Er, well about you and Rachel ..', Eddie halted on hearing Tom's words. A thousand thoughts capturing him. What did they know? He felt somewhat of a relief to know that they weren't talking about the crash, but this was another matter that he'd have to handle.

'What about me and Rachel?', Eddie interrogated. He didn't want to be rude, but this was his personal life, and even more so, it was her personal life.

'Steph reckons you were, er caught .. kissing. Look I just wanted to give you the heads up-'

'Melissa ..', Eddie scorned. It had clicked that the gossip had probably come from Melissa. She had been the only one to know. His frustration grew as he tried to figure out the link between Steph and Melissa.

'Who?', Tom inquired as he looked confused. Eddie shook his head and realized what he had just said aloud.

'Nevermind. Look Tom, it's not true, it's just someone out to cause trouble.'

Her fingers wrapped around the handle to her front door, and she took a deep breath before bracing herself for the second reunion of the day. On opening the door, she was greeted to not only Melissa but her nephew, Phil.

'Phil?', Rachel quizzed as seen him slumped against the wall, with his belongings perched next to him.

'Hi Rach', he grunted.

'What's going on?'

'Rach, I - ..', Melissa hesitated. She had absolutely no idea how she'd get herself out of this one, and honestly she was afraid of her sister's reaction.

'Melissa, what is it?', worry echoed in Rachel's voice, and it frightened her just what exactly Melissa needed to tell her. Rachel stepped further into the hallway and her eyes were drawn to not only Phil's belongings but also Melissa's. On sensing Rachel's eyes on her bags, Melissa shifted uncomfortably.

'Well, me and Phil, we need a place to stay ..', she stopped and eagerly waited for her sister's reply.

'Okay ... but what about your house?', Melissa didn't respond to her question at first, but focused on the lamp she spotted on the sideboard.

'Mum', Phil intervened dumbfounded at his mother's cowardly approach.

'The landlord has kicked us out, Rach. He's selling up, so-'

'Mum, tell her .. or or I will, alright', Phil exclaimed nervously. There was no way he wanted to tell Rachel of his mother's problems, but she was the only one who could help.

'Melissa, what is it?', Rachel asked once more.

'Er, I er, I'm in debt, Rach'. Panic hurled through Rachel, and it was now she could see why her sister had come running. Her stupidity with money and lack of responsibility meant that Rachel was always having to bail her out. If of course Phillip wasn't around then possibly after the second or third time around, she would have cut all ties.

'Debt? I- .. how much?', she feared the amount.

'Five ..', Melissa decided not to carry on but hoped Rachel would understand.

'I hope to God you mean five hundred?!', Rachel shouted. Her anger rising and pain sliced through her body from her sharp movements. She disguised it as best as she could and closed her eyes from exhaustion.

An awkward silence beckoned them all, and it remained for exactly three minutes. Rachel couldn't bear to look at Melissa and so on opening her eyes she looked away furiously. Melissa sensed that her sister was ashamed, and she pondered what to say or what to do. Clearing her throat, and also finding something to focus on, she attempted to break the ice.

'I really wish it was, Rach ..'