He Killed Me Then Loved Me Chapter 05
When Arnold said, “See you around,” I didn’t expect to see him again so quickly.
When he showed up with a lunch box in hand, I’d just finished half a roll.
“Living on carbs alone isn’t healthy, Catalina,” he said, spreading all kinds of delicious food across my desk.
Handing me a fork, he smiled, “Hey, we’re friends. Don’t be shy.”
I was so weak. I couldn’t help it and cried again.
From then on, Arnold had lunch with me every day.
In the fall semester of junior year, the whole school had an arts showcase. Every class had to put on a performance, and my class decided to do a play.
I wasn’t going to be part of it. But Vanessa and her little crew signed me up for a role anyway. When I refused, she dragged a teacher into it to force my hand.
Ever since things between Charles and me had turned cold, she’d been in my face every chance she got. She said his parents were discussing engagement with hers and asked me, the “homewrecker,” to stay away from him.
I ignored her completely, but she wouldn’t let up. She took every opportunity to bully me.
For this play, she’d assigned me the role of a pile of dog shit. Charles was playing the prince. She, of course, cast herself as the princess.
I was so pissed when I heard this ridiculous arrangement that I almost laughed. But I didn’t let it get to me. I never gave a damn about which role I played anyway.
On stage, in a princess gown, Vanessa lifted her hem and trotted toward Charles. According to the script, she was supposed to step on a pile of shit and slip.
But she didn’t follow the script. As she passed me, she rammed into me hard on purpose.
The stage was so high. In the blink of an eye, I was over the edge. My head struck something solid, and a ringing filled my ears.
I couldn’t move. By the time I realized what was happening, I was already in Arnold’s arms as he rushed me to the infirmary.
He kept mumbling, as if comforting himself or me, “It’s fine… It’ll stop hurting soon…”
I let out a weak laugh, reached up, and gently hooked my arms around his neck.
The doctor did a full exam. Fortunately, my bones were fine. It was just some scrapes and a minor concussion.
Since the doctor had other patients to see, Arnold took over, applying the ointment himself.
He blew softly on the scrapes, his movements gentle and slow. Every touch was impossibly careful.
I watched him quietly. He had long, thick lashes and soft features, just like his personality—no hint of aggression whatsoever.
The serious look on his face made me think of a word, for no real reason. Saintly.
Just as the thought seized me, he suddenly looked up at me. Something flickered in his eyes, something I couldn’t quite read.
Then he reached out and brushed his thumb against my lips. A thick layer of sweat coated my palms.
He pulled his hand back quickly and lowered his eyes.
“The corner of your lip was bleeding,” he explained, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “I was just wiping it away.”
For some reason, I let out a sigh of relief.
Then Charles barged in. The men he brought held Arnold back, while I was taken to the Spence’s villa.
His eyes bloodshot, his expression fierce, he gripped my shoulders and gritted out each word, “What did Arnold do to you?”
Still dizzy, I held my head and said weakly, “He put ointment on for me. That’s all.”
While he stood there in a daze, I softened my tone and went on, “Charles, my head hurts. The doctor said I had a minor concussion.”
He didn’t ask anything more. He carried me back to my room and got me a week off from school.
He was exceptionally nice to me during that time. He even threatened to pull out of a business deal with Vanessa’s parents unless they taught her a lesson.
I heard that only after they’d really laid into her did he reluctantly back off.
The day before I went back to school happened to be Christmas.
Charles insisted on taking me to the Chicago riverfront. He’d set up an enormous fireworks display, which was absolutely dazzling.
When the last bit of light faded out, the storm of emotion in his eyes finally broke free.
He gazed at me, his eyes full of affection, his voice carried by the cool breeze. “Catalina, I want to spend all the years ahead with you.”
I clenched a handful of wild grass beside me tightly and said nothing.
He seemed to have a lot to say tonight. Gazing out at the river stretching wide, his voice barely above a whisper, he said, “Catalina, do you know? Every time you smile at Arnold makes me burn with jealousy.”
“I always think, why don’t you wanna coax me? Even if it’s a lie.
“You fell off that stage right in front of me. I have to admit… I panicked in that moment. Nothing matters when your life is on the line.”
After saying this, he turned to look at me again. “I mean it, Catalina. I really like you.”
The cold wind against my face only made my mind clearer. I gave a numb, faint smile and nodded slightly.
For the thousandth time, I repeated to myself, “Soon. Soon, I’ll be rid of him.”
It wasn’t until his hot hand pressed against the back of my neck and turned my face toward him that I jolted awake.
He kissed my lips, barely a second. I didn’t dodge.
It was two weeks later when I went back to school.
When I saw Arnold again, there were faint dark circles under his eyes, and he’d grown much more haggard.
I heard he’d come by my classroom every day, only to leave disappointed each time.
He forced a strained smile. “How have you been these days?”
I lowered my head, not daring to look at him, and just said quietly, “Arnold, I’m sorry.”
After a moment of hesitation, I went on, “Can you do me a favor?”
He agreed readily, not even asking any questions.
“Okay. I’ll help. Whatever it is.”