Love Me Always (I Hate You...I Think)

by Davis, Anna

  I had been having mild nausea since we got here but I figure that’s from stress. Everything I know about pregnancy is what I’ve seen on TV or from Kimmy, and she has horrible morning sickness. However, I don’t.

  “Ever?” Harper knocked on my door.

  “What?” I asked rudely.

  “Are you hungry?” “Of course I am,” I scoffed crossing my arms I leaned against the wall looking down at the street below the hotel. Harper opened the door. I heard him bring in food. In the reflection in the window, I watched him take new soap and shampoo to the bathroom.

  Now! I thought. Running for the door I slide out, Harper yelled after me. I slammed the door shut and shoved the wooden chair sitting to the side under the handle.

  Harper slammed into the door hard and the chair budged a small amount. It wouldn’t hold long. Bolting for the front door, I paused seeing my phone on the kitchen counter. Grabbing it, I ran out of the hotel room into the hallway. Sliding around the corner, I ran for the elevator. I pushed the button repeatedly but it was taking forever.

  I could hear the car moving and hear the ding as it reached each level. It was almost here.

  “Come one, come on,” I whispered angrily pushing the button again. I heard a door breaking and knew Harper was out of the room. The elevator dinged and opened. Jumping in, I slammed the shut door button then the first floor.

  Looking down the hall, I screamed as I saw Harper coming toward me. The doors slide shut just in time and he slammed into it. I heard him trying to open the door.

  “Everlyn!” he yelled.

  Sighing I turned on my phone dialing Oliver.

  It rang and rang but no one answered. I tried Jake then.

  “Ever?” Jake questioned instantly.

  “Jake,” I spoke quickly. “ I got away from Harper. I’m in the Marrion Hotel. The one Oliver and I stayed at, I’m in the elevator.”

  “Shit, I thought Oliver left to go after you?” “What? No, he had no idea where I was. Why would he leave and why isn’t he answering his phone?” I questioned.

  “I don’t know. I’m on my way. Stay away from Harper.”

  “No problem,” I scoffed. Shoving my phone into my robe pocket, I waited for the doors to open. Did I mention I was in a nightgown and robe, with no shoes?

  The doors slide open and I ran out. Heading for the front doors, I ran out into the street. Hurrying down the sidewalk, I darted into an alley and rounded another corner coming onto the street behind the hotel. I walked for about twenty minutes. My feet hurt so bad. Glancing behind me nervously I felt as if someone was following me.

  I called Jake to find out where he was while looking around at the people and cars passing by. “It’s going to be another ten minutes before I can get there. Do you have somewhere you can go?”

  “No, I don’t and I’m in my nightgown. I don’t even have shoes.” “Dammit Everlyn, I swear you get yourself into the worse shit of anyone I know,” Jake groaned.

  “Have you talked to Oliver?” I questioned.

  “No I haven’t. Oliver can take care of himself. You are more important right now.” "Jake, what if Oliver went to Weasley?"

  "He did," A male voice spoke.

  Gasping, I turned around.

  "Ever?” Jake asked, “What’s wrong?” I stared wide eyed at the car that had pulled up next to me. I knew someone had been watching me.

  "Weasley," I breathed as I looked through the open window. It was a sleek luxury car. Weasley was sitting in the back with the window rolled down.

  "You remember me. That is good," Weasley smiled opening the car door. Stumbling backwards my back hit the brick wall behind me.

  “Hello? Are you still there? What about Weasley? Is he there? Please tell me he’s not,” Jake spoke in my ear. I still had the phone clutched in my hand.

  Weasley was in his forties with blonde hair and blue eyes like Harper. He was in a blue suit and tie.

  “He’s here,” I gulped. Weasley took a step out of the car and stood just before me cornering me against the wall. Reaching out he removed the phone from my hand. I released it quickly dropping my hand and pressing myself into the wall.

  Weasley ended the call his eyes crinkled as he looked down at me with amusement. Where was Harper? I wondered. How did Weasley find me? Did Harper call him? Would he do that? What is going to happen now? Will he force me to go with him?

  "Do not worry I have no intentions of hurting you, dear. It seems I need a little assistance however with Oliver. He is a very hard man to talk to right now."

  Weasley placed my phone into his suit pocket and held out his hand for me to take. I knew better than to refuse him. Taking his hand, he guided me to the car.

  "Where is Harper?" I asked looking around the street. Surely, he had to have followed me. "Don't worry about him sweetheart. He is just fine," Weasley spoke in a calm tone that made my skin crawl.

  I knew deep down that this calm was a front and it scared me to no end. Jason was flat out, about what he intended to do but Weasley. He was a smart man and his calmness made me far more frightened than I have been before in my life.

  ~I Would Die For You~

  "Have a seat," Weasley told me pushing my shoulder and forcing me to sit down in a chair in front of a desk. He took the large chair on the other side. Folding his hands in front of him on the desk, I felt as if I was in the principal’s office, only where the punishment was death.

  The car ride to Weasley's home was long and silent. We were on a hill just outside the city. The mansion looked as if a movie star would live here.

  "So Everlyn it's nice to finally meet you," Weasley spoke calmly.

  I nodded shifting uncomfortably under his gaze. "Where is Harper?" I asked again. He had said he was fine but I didn't believe him. I had yet to see him and I knew something was very wrong.

  Weasley's face darkened, "I said the boy is fine." I bit my tongue. I don't need to anger him. Where is Oliver? And is Jake still coming? Does he know where Weasley’s house is? Jake said he was ten minutes away but I have a feeling Jake won't be abiding by the speed limit at all.

  "Now," Weasley straightened and fixed his suit he unbuttoned the jacket and leaned back.

  "How far along are you?" he questioned looking at my stomach.

  "How…how do you know?”

  “I have my ways now answered the question.”

  I hesitated and Weasley looked like he was getting impatient.

  “Ten weeks.”

  "Hmm...not very far along. Have you gone to the doctor?"

  I nodded, "How did you know I was?"

  "How about leave the questions to me, dear," he pursed his lips.

  I held my tongue and kept my face blank.

  "But, I happened to hear a portion of a conversation. Did the doctor say what it was?"

  Frowning, I didn't say anything. Why did he want to know all of this?

  “I didn’t stay long enough to find out anymore but I think it’s too early for that."

  "Good, good," he nodded looking thought. He turned away toward the massive window behind him.

  "Harper is down stairs, Anthony escort her down." A man with a bald head and tattoo's covering his face and neck stepped to my side taking my arm pulling me out of the seat. I went with him looking back at Weasley nervously.

  “Wait,” I pulled back.

  Weasley didn’t turn but I rushed on.

  “Where is Oliver?” Weasley waved his hand and the man holding my arm jerked me around guiding me downstairs. There were three guys sitting at a table they looked up as we came down. They were guarding a door that was pad locked shut.

  "Putting her in," the bald headed man spoke. One of the guys opened the pad lock and I was pushed into the small room. It was lit by a lamp on a table. There was a cot in the corner and Harper was laying on it his back to me. He didn't move an inch. Going to him, I sat on the edge of the bed turning him over.

  "Harper," I breathed seeing his left eye swollen completely shu
t. He had choke marks on his neck.

  "I'm sorry," he muttered throwing his arm over his head. "It's my fault they found you."

  "What happened?" I questioned confused.

  "I came here to kill my father," he told me bluntly.

  "When?" I gasp wide eyed. "Right after you left the hotel. I don’t know. I guess I just got pissed at all of this. I realized how stupid it was to take you away from Oliver. I should have just taken you back to him. But, I came here."

  "Are you crazy?" I demanded. "You just came here? What was your plan? What did you think was going to happen, you'd just walk in here and kill him then what? Your father’s men would have killed you."

  "I know."

  I slapped him. He cringed.

  "You knew, but you fucking did it anyways? You were ok with them killing you?"

  Harper opened his mouth and I slapped my hand over it not wanting to know the answer.

  "Don't answer that. How did they even find me?" "GPS I put in your phone," Harper muttered, “That’s how I’ve know where you’ve been.

  I stared at him, "You've got to be fucking kidding me. What the hell is wrong with you? I've been an idiot myself lately but I have an excuse. Are you having hormone issues? No. Dammit Harper."

  He cracked a smile.

  "How can you be smiling right now?" I scowled. "You act a lot like, Oliver. I see now why he likes you," he smiled bright showing dimples in his cheeks.

  "I like you too," he muttered.

  "What?" "I have for a while. At first I thought it was because you were Oliver's and I wanted to take you away from him but I just like you," he said softly.

  Sighing, I looked over his face. He was no longer the arrogant boy I originally thought at all. He's angry, misunderstood but not bad.

  "I love Oliver," I whispered.

  "I know, and I would never come between you, even if you weren't knocked up," he smirked.

  "If we get out of here you're coming home with us. No arguing you're joining Oliver's gang, understood," I told him sternly. He didn't say anything just looked at me. It was the way Oliver sometimes looked at me and it made me uncomfortable because he was so not Oliver.

  "You're creeping me out, Harper."

  "Sorry," He coughed sitting up and looking away from me. He cringed as he sat up, his ribs were broken. Maybe that's why he hadn't tried to break out of here yet? I knew Harper was strong like Oliver, why hadn't he kicked the door off yet and beat the hell out of everyone. Oliver would have by now.

  We were silent, I could hear talking just beyond the door just before the lock came off and the bald guy stepped into the room. With the door open, I could hear the voices. Oliver's voice carried it seemed through the whole house.

  "Bring her to me now!" he snarled. "This should be interesting," Harper muttered. Anthony ushered me out, Harper went to stand but was pushed back down. Harper growled and started to stand again. Anthony took my arm and jerked me a roughly to him. I gasp in pain at how hard he had tugged on my arm. Harper froze where he was. The man pulled me out of the room shutting the door. I knew now why Harper hadn't fought them. Me.

  I was quickly taken back upstairs to Weasley's office where Oliver was going off on Weasley.

  "I left for a god damn reason. If you don't get her in here in 3 fucking seconds I'll tear the house up."

  "No need to act irrationally Oliver," Weasley spoke coolly as we stepped into the room. Weasley looked up and Oliver spun around releasing his grip on the chair I had sat in last time. Indentions were clear on the back of the seat.

  Anthony released me but I didn't go to Oliver. Frowning, he knew as well as I did that it wasn't a good idea.

  "She's here in one piece; now let's talk civilized, shall we?" Weasley told Oliver. Oliver pulled the chair back and ushered for me to sit down. I did and Oliver placed his hands on my shoulders firmly but not in a way that hurt. Just letting me know things were very serious. Weasley watched us much like a hawk would a rabbit.

  "I'm not joining you Weasley." "You are my son Oliver. I was there for you when that scum who called himself your father wasn't."

  “I am grateful-" "No, I don't think you are. I taught you everything you know and you threw it back in my face," Weasley was tense his hands were in his jacket pockets and no doubt in tight fists.

  "You told me to basically kill your son," Oliver growled.

  "And, take his place yes," Weasley shrugged like it was no big deal.

  "He's your child." Weasley scoffed turning away, "I know and he's pathetic. He's not you, Oliver," He said turning back to Oliver looking him over like he was a proud father.

  "I'm not your son. I never have been and never will be. Your son tries and has always tried to make you proud, but he is never good enough because you are stuck in a fantasy," Oliver spoke firmly his hands tightening on my shoulders. I raised my hand touching his gently. He released his grip.

  "I have wanted him dead since the moment he was born to that tramp," Weasley hissed, "He is nothing to me. I have only kept him because I thought I could change him-"

  "You mean make him like me!" Oliver yelled. "Harper is a good man. He is my brother, not by blood but you...you I will never call my father."

  Weasley lashed out suddenly flinging his chair across the room I cringed back against Oliver who didn't flinch a muscle. His arms ready to lash out to protect me at whatever cost.

  Harper stepped out into the room to the left of Weasley. All of us snapped our eyes to him. My eyes focused on his hands.

  "Harper," Oliver choked out staring at his hands as well.

  "Go," Harper spoke in a monotone voice his eyes focused on his father. "Harper think about this," I pleaded eyes still fixed on the box in his hand. A detonator, like the ones you seen in movies. Where the hell he got it was beyond me. Who just has detonators lying around!

  "I actually rigged the whole house with C4 earlier, got it from that new construction site of yours. It seems I’m not as pathetic as you think I am. Lucky for me you had some idiots guarding me," Harper's voice was still void of any emotion whatsoever.

  "Harper, please don't-"

  Harper Charged Weasley. And the two began fighting.

  "Harper stop!" Oliver yelled. Oliver grabbed me into his arms and we bolted for the doors. I could hear grunts and yells behind me but it all faded out as an explosion went off.

  The whole house shook as if there was an earthquake deep beneath our feet. Oliver and I were propelled into the hallway slamming into the wall. Oliver wrapped his body around mine. I could barely hear as the explosion had caused my hearing to go out. My ears were ringing and Oliver's yells were inaudible. There was fire and heat wrapping around us.

  Oliver had me pressed to the shaking floor, beams and debris was flying. There was four separate explosions in total each one after another. We are going to die, my brain screamed before I blacked out completely.

  When I came to everything was blackened and charred. I could hear flames in the back ground but only just my ears were still ringing. I sat up to find Oliver was no longer on top of me protecting me. Roof was crumbled around us.

  Thankfully, I had been in a doorway that seemed more stable than the rest of the house. Quickly looking around me I couldn't see Oliver I searched frantically through the debris and fallen boards until I found him covered in blood.

  "Oliver!" I screamed. He was unmoving. No god! Please no!

  ~Love Me Always~

  "Oliver, open your eyes," I begged holding him in my arms his head lying against my chest. He was burnt across his chest, his shirt was scorched. His face was covered with soot and his head was bleeding.

  "Please Oliver, I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry," I cried rocking him. "I love you, you have to wake up."

  Laying my forehead against his I held him tight with tears running down my cheeks. My hearing was returning to normal and I could hear sirens in the distance.

  “You promised. You promised you would love me always. You can’t do that if your de
ath!” I yelled.

  Sobbing, I leaned my face down to his kissing his lips softly feeling his gentle breath. He was still breathing. It was shallow but he was breathing.

  Fire was still blazing behind me down what used to be the hallway. The doors to the office were charred black and warped. The walls were still standing on either side of us but only just. I feared they would collapse any moment. The roof was in pieces around me the beam just above our heads keeping it from crushing us.

  I don't know how long I sat just rocking him hoping that he would wake up soon.

  “Oliver! Ever!”

  I turned to the sound. A wall crumbled somewhere in the house and I heard Jake curse.

  “OLIVER! EVER!” “Jake! I’m over here!” I yelled back. The beam above me shook with my voice. I cringed. It’s going to come down any second.

  I could hear someone climbing through the debris.

  “Ever?” Jake called. Looking up he was on top of part of the roof that had collapsed to my left. “Jake, the ceiling is about to come down and Oliver is unconscious. He won’t wake up,” I choked out.

  “I’m coming down, sweetie,” he said slowly climbing down at kneeling next to me.

  “Are you hurt?” He asked me lifting my chin.

  “I don’t know. My adrenaline is still going and I’m just kind of numb.”

  “Ok,” he looked down at Oliver, “I’m going to have to carry him out of here can you stand. I tried to pull myself up but sank back to the floor cringing and holding my stomach as it ached.

  A sob escaped my lips.

  "Ever," Oliver breathed. I looked down at him. His eyes were open slightly. "I'm here," I reassured touching his face gently. I didn't know if it was burnt. I wiped away some of the soot from his cheeks.

  "You’re hurt. The babies?" he muttered turning his face into my chest.

  “I don’t know. We need to get out of here.” “Hey love birds, I’m really glad you’re both alive but the three of us won’t be if this ceiling collapses.”

  Oliver tried to sit up but couldn’t.

  “Alright, I’m going to carry him out first and put him up on the roof then I’ll carry you up ok Ever?”