The Beast

S E V E N T E E N : U L T I M A T U M

It was hard, but Jessie had finally decided to confront Patrick. She had been a coward long enough. She was pacing in Theo's living room. He had decided he was going to give her a lift and there was no budging on that matter.

"Theo, I'm scared. What if he made a complaint at the police station, huh? Said you had kidnapped me? What then? You're just going to be arrested?"

"Princess, don't worry. He hasn't placed any complaint. If not the police'd be at my door already. You go in, you talk to him, and you come back. We're done"

Jessie knawed at her bottom lip looking at Theo with worry in her eyes.

"I just don't feel very comfortable about this" she said, sighing.

"I don't either babe. I'm helping you because you need this. If you can't go through it, just say the word and we come back home. Okay?" Theo said, holding her arms gently, then he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Jessie nodded almost imperceptibly but it was enough for Theo. He took her hand and led her to the garage. The ride to town was silent, almost synonymous to the first ride they had shared. But while that one was rife with tension, this one was filled with apprehension.

"Leave me here", Jessie said when they reached an old decripit building. That was not actually Patrick's place but she did not want to take any chance in case the police were there waiting for Theo to make a wrong move.

Theo sighed but dropped her there. Before she could get out, he dragged her in for a long and passionate kiss.

"Be safe. I love you" Theo said, making Jessie's eyes fill with tears.

"I love you too" Jessie said, then went out of the car. Theo waited for about three minutes then got out of the car. Damned if he was going to let his girl go into the lion's den alone.

†††

"Ah, Jessie. It's been such a long time" the caretaker of the apartment complex said as soon as he saw Jessie.

She smiled and waved at him, too strung up to utter a word. Patrick's apartment was on the first floor so no need for the elevator.

She stood for a while in front of his apartment. She knew she was stalling but who knew what was going to happen once those doors were opened.

After taking in a deep breath, and praying to all deities Patrick had suddenly died of a heart attack, Jessie rang the bell.

A few minutes later, Patrick opened the door, dressed in nothing but a pair of joggers. It looked like he had just come out of a shower.

"Ah, Jessie, come in. I was expecting you," he said, gesturing for her to get in.

Jessie was not going to lie. He still had somewhat of an effect on her. She had loved him for most of her teenage and adult years, it was normal. But what she didn't expect was him not looking surprised at her visit.

"You don't look surprised to see me." It was Jessie who spoked this time around, getting in. She was not going to lie, she had missed this place.

The black couch that contrasted so weirdly with the colorful throw pillows and the low table that always seemed to be littered with books and magazines.

"I told you I wass expecting you," Patrick replied simply. "We've been together for five long years, Jessie. I know you"

Jessie stayed quiet. She did not know what to reply to that. He was right. They knew each other to the tip of their fingers.