Lara sat at the large kitchen table, the newspapers of that morning laid out in front of her. On the front page of nearly every one was the news that she was having an alleged affair, it confused her why everyone was so interested in her life, it wasn't like she was a singer or an actress. She hadn't done anything to really write about, she was just born into wealth. Sighing she looked over them again. It just didn't make any sense, the only photo they all had was the one of her kissing Neal on the cheek but yet she knew in the photos before that one had been taken she had kissed many men on the cheek yet no stories were written about that. The story had pretty much broken overnight and she was at a loss as to how the press could have come up with it.
Feeling the onset of a headache coming on Lara swept her arm across the table and threw all the papers onto the floor, she knew it wasn't true so why should she care. Walking over to the kitchen cabinets she opened one of the drawers and took out a small glass bottle of aspirin, the label on it clearly stating a warning that it was harmful to exceed the stated dose. Studying the label carefully she knew what she wanted and tried to open the cap. "Bloody childproof caps" she muttered under her breath, yet the cap was stuck firm. Getting to the point of beyond frustration she lifted her arm to smash the bottle on the countertop and felt a strong grip around her wrist, thinking it was only Hillary she relaxed and let the hand take the bottle from her. It put the bottle down on the surface and put a strong arm either side of her, then pushing her body against the countertop she smelt a smell that put fear into her very soul. It was an aftershave, the same one that Neal had worn that night. She started to panic and tried to move away but his grip on her was too strong.
"I take it you weren't interested in what I had written for the papers." He whispered in her ear, his breath touching her skin.
"You did that?" she asked trying to keep herself calm even though inside her stomach was tied up in knots.
"Who else would have? I'm proud that I had you, is it wrong for me to want to share that with the world?" his breath on her neck made her feel ill.
"You're sick Neal, let go of me." She tried to move and he grabbed her waist and forcefully turned her round so she faced him.
"You wanted it. You were just to drunk to remember why." He hissed at her.
"You disgust me." She spat back at him. He simply smiled at her.
"It's a shame that I was so rough with you," he indicated her bruised cheek. "I promise next time I will be more gentle, you'll enjoy it more that way."
"There won't be a next time Neal."
"Oh but yes Lara there will, we have chemistry. You need to be shown what it's really like, and I my dear am the man to show you that." He pinned her against the counter and kissed down her neck. Tears formed in her eyes and she let out an exasperated sigh. She longed to cry out but daren't in case he would take it further. Taking her sigh as she was enjoying it Neal pressed against her harder.
"Please stop." Lara asked, he looked up at her and saw the tears in her eyes. He wiped one away.
"What are you crying for? Am I hurting you?" he asked.
"No, not hurting me it's just that…" He silenced her by pressing his finger to her mouth.
"I know, you don't want James to find out any more about us. It's ok, you do what I want and I won't tell him." With that he kissed her on the lips. She started to push him away but the more she did the stronger he held her. Trying to muster up all the strength she had to get him away from her she pushed him hard so he stumbled backwards. She then ran from him but in her weakened state knew she couldn't get away very fast, she headed for her bedroom where she knew the locks on the door would stop him from coming in, just the thought of being safe pushed her on a bit more. Just as she got in the doorway of her room Neal had caught up with her, he grabbed her and threw her into the room closing and locking the door behind him. He then advanced on her, picking her up and putting her on the bed. Then kneeling over her to stop her from moving he pinned her arms to the bed and once again began kissing her over her chest and neck. Lara screamed for him to leave her alone, placing his hand over her mouth he hissed at her.
"You let me do this and don't fight against me or for every time you disobey me I will hurt you." With that he put his hand into the pocket in his jeans and pulled out a small flick knife. Lara just sobbed as he took the blade and gently made a small cut on her stomach. "That was for you screaming. Now are you going to do what I say?" All she could do was nod and pray for it to end quickly.