20 Chapter 20: First Priority

Negan:

"Si, my girl is giving me a lot of shit about your behavior lately. Please, tell me that she is just being a little drama queen" I ask him, staring him down from the other side of the table.

I called him to the meeting room to finally address the pressing issues that Carmen hasn't shut up about all day. I know how Simon and Jackie's relationship is so nothing she was complaining about was a surprise.

"You know how women are, They gossip with each other but they never really get to the truth" he nonchalantly answers while his eyes roll like he's annoyed that we're even having this conversation.

"You're not wrong about that but she's been bugging me way more than usual. Are you sure everything is fine between you too?"

He nods his head, "We have our problems and I sometimes have to use harsh methods of correction but that's just how our relationship works. We've been together for years now, things sometimes get a little shaky"

A feeling of satisfaction comes over me. This is going exactly how I thought it would. I got all the information that I needed now I can put this whole thing to rest.

I stand from the table and pick up Lucille, "I get it, you do what you got to do. This relationship shit is hard. Carmen has me preoccupied with her constant antics"

"Hmm, maybe she's more work than she's worth" Simon suggests with a little bitterness in his voice.

"Oh no, she has her perks even if she's a little bratty"

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Carmen:

"Did you talk to him?" I spring to my feet when Negan walks through the door.

He wasn't gone long, I hope Simon wasn't able to get him on his side. They have a special relationship, he probably trusts him more than he'll ever trust me but I still have faith that he'll see through all of his bullshit.

Negan smiles a wide grin and wraps me up in his arms. He kisses me on my four head, "Yep Sweetheart, I did"

My heart jumps out of my chest, I feel good about this, "So what happened?" I ask with happiness radiating from me.

He gazes at me in silence for a few moments before opening his mouth to speak, "He explained himself" is all he says.

Sadness spews over me like rain. Simon is a sneaky bastard, I should've gone with him to the meeting.

"That's it?" I ask and tear myself away from his grasp.

"Yeah, what else do you expect me to do?" he walks away from me and goes straight to the bottle of alcohol on the counter.

He pours up a glass as I completely lay into him."I want you to be a good person for once in your life! You always talk about being such a badass but you won't even stand up for what's right".

I run over to him and smack the liquid out of his hands. Vodak goes flying across the room.

"Carmen, calm down. You're acting ridiculous!" He tries to contain me as my slaps hit his face and body relentlessly.

The rage I have is unexplainable, he can't even trust me this one time. I'm technically his wife but he still treats me like I'm an outsider.

"No, I won't calm down. Fuck you!" I scream as he yanks me away from the rest of the alcohol.

"Watch your mouth, princess. You know what will happen" his hand comes down towards my neck to choke me.

The feel of his fingers suffocating me squeezes tears out of my eyes. I fight back against him, struggling to breathe. When I finally am able to break free I can't help but cry. Without saying anything I run into the bathroom and lock the door behind me.

"Shit baby, come on." He bangs the door obviously showing remorse but I don't reply to his pleads.

He could've really hurt me, or killed me. The reality sets in that this could've been his snapping point.

"Don't cry, you know I would never hurt you. Please talk to me" he says in a little voice.

The shock from the situation still has a hold on me. I know I have to come out eventually but I still need more time to get myself together.

"She's my best friend, Negan. You don't understand." My voice cracks from the pain in my soul. I shouldn't be hurting this much since I don't love him. It's not like it was Nate that did this to me but nonetheless, I thought he cared for me a little more than to do this.

"I know but we need to focus on us. She's been fine all this time, don't worry yourself"

I roll my eyes, he still doesn't get it. Simon is a monster even more than he is. Negan has some morals and some values even if he's harsh but the same can't be said for Simon.

We both stand on the opposite side of the door in silence until he says something that brings another emotion on to me."I've been pondering letting Nate out his cage."

My breath catches in my throat, I wonder if he is serious or just saying this to calm me down.

"But that's not gonna happen if you keep creating new problems for me. Please let's talk about this"

Oh my God, this is for real. My feet suddenly get an incentive to move. Nate is my first priority even if Jackie is my best friend.

I quickly push open the door to the bathroom, "I won't make any more problems I promise, whatever you want"

He stands there only a couple feet in front of me and opens his arms out warmly, "Music to my ears".