Ch 144: Dinner With Friends

"How's your head?" Crystal asked me across the table. "I haven't heard from you much lately since Kai hurt you."

"I'm fine," I replied. "I was sleeping for two days and took it easy yesterday. But Zoey took care of me. She said my cut was easy to glue back."

Alejandro gently removed my hair on the right side of my head to peek at my injury. "I can't believe Kai did that to you," he said, shaking his head disgusted.

"It was an accident. Kai didn't mean to do it," I clarified and they looked at me like I didn't know what I was talking about.

"Victoria, Kai literally strangled you and when Orlando tried to stop him. He shoved you so hard that you hit your head," Zach said, completely disturbed.

Next, Alejandro said, frustrated. "Then once he saw you were bleeding. He takes off like he didn't care! He deliberately hurt you and acted like he did nothing."

I remembered Kai was in a rage and he didn't realize he was hurting but I don't recall him doing it on purpose.

"Kai was trying to protect me like Orlando was trying to protect me too," I said how I remembered it. "Kai was just in the moment of his rage."

"You can't seriously be defending him?" Crystal questioned. "Honey, we know he's physically hurting you and it's ok. We are here for you and we understand you're scared of Kai."

"He isn't hurting me," I tried saying. "I'm being honest. Kai has a temper but he's never once hit me. Even when I thought he might."

Perhaps I spoke too much by the way their eyes gaped.

"When did you think he might?" Zach interrogated since he was highly against any man hitting a woman.

"When I ran away from him at the duck pond. He handled me a little roughly and another time when he punched the wall near my face." They were more shocked and frustrated so I quickly added. "But he didn't touch me."

Crystal sighed, "sweetie, you're being mentally abused and it shows with his behavior at the fundraiser. He's getting more physical with you."

"You know you can always come to us," Alejandro touched my back.

They weren't getting this about Kai. Maybe at first he was rough but thinking back he showed to be gentle. And even more recently he's been more reasonable and sweet.

"I don't wanna talk about this anymore," I curtly said.

"Okay, will change the subject," Zach frowned. "We don't wanna make this anymore harder than it already is."

Luckily, they changed the topic and we talked about the University. They told me about their classes since they got their schedules in the mail. Then we ordered our food after the waitress returned with our drinks. I ordered pasta. It didn't take long for our food to be done. We ate and talked about the fun times we had at college. Right in the middle of our conversation, my stomach turned squeamish.

"Are you ok," asked Crystal. "You look pale."

"I'm going to use the restroom," I grabbed my purse and hustled to the restroom. I just barely made it to the toilet before I puked.

"Victoria, are you ok," Crystal tapped on the stall when I flushed the toilet.

"I'm fine, I just got sick for whatever reason," I opened the stall saying. Then I went to the sink to clean up.

"Are you sure you aren't pregnant?" Crystal randomly asked as I dried my hands.

"I took a pregnancy test and it was negative," I informed her but she didn't look convinced. "I mean it."

"Alright, let's head back out," said Crystal and I followed her out. I finished what I could as Alejandro and Zach kept looking at me.

"I am not pregnant," I giggled and they smiled at me.

"Even if you were it changes nothing," Alejandro glimmered at me.

Honestly, I thought they were being ridiculous. I finished what I could and we said our goodbyes. After I changed into my new shirt and shorts, I returned to the mansion.

"Welcome home, Victoria," greeted the Butler.

"It's nice to be home," I smiled as Mr. Collin stood up from the couch and handed me a white envelope.

"This came in the mail for you," he said smiling and I saw it was my schedule for the University.

"Does Kai know?" I asked, feeling guilty.

"No, but I think you should tell him," Mr. Collin suggested. "He just came home a minute ago before you."

I nodded to understand and started making my way back to our room. I found Kai on the balcony. After I put my shopping bags away. I stepped out to see he was sipping wine from a glass.

"How was your day?" He smiled up at me, asking. "Buy anything nice?"

"Yeah, I picked up some things for Sapphire and I got some new outfits," I replied not sharing anything more than that.

I took a seat across from him at the round stained glass table and mentioned. "I need to tell you something."

An odd smile arose on his lips and he asked, "do you now?"

I gulped. "I signed up for college because I wanna go and I don't wanna fight about it. I just hope you can understand," I blurted out faster than I meant to but I was nervous.

And it didn't help that he remained quiet. He pressed the wine glass to his lips and I heard him swallow lightly.

"Kai."

Elegantly, he stirred the darker red wine in his glass still not speaking. And his shades over his eyes covered whatever expression he might be hiding.

"I suppose since you signed up then you can go," he finally spoke strongly and broadly in this intimidating tone. "As long as you stay away from those Mills."

"Thank you, for letting me go," I said gratified as he slightly nodded. "I'm going to get a shower."

I stood up only to feel my stomach bubbling again. I ran to the bathroom and throw my head in the toilet choking up the rest of my food.

In the middle of puking, Kai came in and pulled my hair back. "It's alright," he croons in my ear and rubs my back.

Once I finished he helped me stand and I wash at the sink. "I must have the flu," I said, still feeling sick.

"You aren't working tomorrow," Kai smiled. "I'll draw you a bath and get your clothes."

I couldn't argue on that one. He readied my bath and helped me out of my clothes. Kai was kind enough to bathe me before he got me dressed and into bed.