Chapter 9 Anabella's POV

"We'll be right over" He says before slamming the door in sheer joy, he has only been able to afford cheap rum, now expensive wine...free?.

His birthday came early this year.

We both put on our best clothes, which includes a worn out suit on his part... I think he wore it for his wedding.

And a red short sleeved dress from my design class in sophomore and black flats, I'm pretty good at tailoring, so I can say this with confidence.

I don't look horrible. I put on a jacket before we leave to cover the bruises on my arms to which James nods his head in approval.

Fool I ain't doing nothing for you, I'd rather avoid all the questions. I hope you rot in jail, or in hell rather.

I locked the door while James walked ahead whistling the tune of an old pirate song even skipping some steps.

I walked behind him but with less enthusiasm.

Why?

Because this will not end well.

*********

The door was opened by a very irritated Ethan and an enthusiastic mother behind him, I could say her enthusiasm beat that of James.

"Welcome to our humble abode" Ethan says monotonously.

James simply ignores him and walks right past him hitting his shoulder in the process.

Living Ethan and I in a very awkward position.

"So..* he starts scratching the back of his head

"Um.."

Thankfully Mrs Brown came just in time.

"Hello dear you must be Ethan's friend"

I subtly ignore her statement...

"Nice to meet you Mrs Brown"

"Just call me Erica dear, Nice to Meet you too, you can go ahead and join your father in the dinning room, I think he is just as excited as me" she says clapping her hands clearly excited.

Ah jeez

The dinning hall is directly next to the kitchen, made up of a rectangular table and six chairs, which is weird considering there is just two of them.

I watch as Mrs Brown finished the the final dishes... The center of the table was already almost filled.

"Mum it's just dinner not a charity ball for the whole country" Ethan said while giving James the stink eye, he seems to hold a strong dislike towards him.

That makes two of us, only I won't quite say dislike.... Something along the line of strong hatred.

She simply ignores him, balancing three plates all at once.

She's a really pretty woman with waist length blonde hair, different from Ethans light shade Brown hair and blue eyes a bit brighter than Ethans blue gray eyes.

I've been working in a bakery for four years and I am yet to master the act of plate balancing.

It was a quiet dinner to say the least, except for the sounds made by the clanking of James' plate as he wolfs in a lot of food... a considerable amount of food, I must add.

Mrs Brown and Ethan stare at him in shock, he was on his third helping already in a matter of ten minutes...

And me? I enjoyed a peaceful, delicious meal while I had the chance. Knowing very well that I would be as good as dead when we get home.

Then suddenly he stops eating, I look up from my food for the first time since I got here to see his eyes set on two expensive looking wine at the center of the table focusing his gaze on the alcoholic one

Oh good God

He stretches his hand and picks it up.

Ignoring the four tumblers surrounding it he opens it up and takes a large slurpy gulp then moans

"This *long large slurpy gulp* is good stuff" he says his saliva dripping from the bottle.

I don't know how nice Mrs Brown is... But I'm pretty sure she's currently regretting extending this invitation, as she Alongside her dear son watch the scene unfold with wide eyes.

Well me ? Been there, seen it. It could get worse.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that he is low alcohol tolerant?

***********

Fifteen dreadful minutes later of snide and rude comments by James... Most at my expense. He was now fully drunk.

Ethan giving him a Nasty eye and Mrs Brown.... Oh the poor lady might just pass out.

"So..." He draws out "Mrs Brown"

Oh no... This can't be good.

"Where's your husband did he leave you for a younger prettier woman?"

Dear lord!

Mrs Brown visibly stiffens tears pooling in her eyes as Ethan's fingers tighten around his fork, his knuckles turning white.

"Where's your wife" he fires back with hatred did she leave you for a smarter man with better sized stomach?"

"Ethan no" Mrs Brown says shakily the tears now threatening to fall.

I just look back and forth, lost. What can I do, what could I say.

"What the hell mum!" Ethan scream standing up and pushing his chair back, clearly aggravated. "This man has to leave"

You know what James did?

Puked.

All over his remaining food and part of the table.

And then again and again emptying all his stomachs contents and then turned to Ethan with a deluded smile

"My wife? Why she's right over there" he manages to say pointing to the second bottle of wine.

It's not alcoholic, but it would do for him, he couldn't get anymore drunk anyways.

Poor Mrs Brown seems to realize the pickle she's in as she stares at him helplessly with her eyes filled with shock and fright.

Ethans pinky twitching showing he's seconds away from punching the breath out of James.

Not that I wouldn't want that to happen.... I do, much more than you can imagine, but I don't think the nice lady wants a fight between a drunk man and her son.

I decide to try to intervene even though I know doing so will land me in a bigger pot of hot soup.

"I think we should get going now" I say standing up and pushing my chair back "good night ma'am"...

I turn to her when I don't get a response, she seems to be lost in thought, her eyes barely holding in the tears.

"Good night" Ethan says making me turn to him, his eyes mirroring concerned, silently asking me if I'd be fine.

I nod answering the silent question.

I half pull and carry him out... With him muttering to himself about how wines aren't as they used to be.

Just before I close the door, I hear Mrs Brown choke on a sob. I feel my eyes water for her.

I blink them back, and move to the problem at hand

I struggle to pull the fast going unconscious man, my hands are paralyzed by the time we get to our door.

I need to exercise more.... Or rather someone does.

I manage to drag him to the sitting room, for a second I consider dumping him on the floor...

But I decide against it, knowing that will just fuel his anger when he does wake up.

Do I push him to the couch and collapse on the floor to catch my breath, right next to my leg is my biology notes and assignments.

Oh brother... I think as I face palm

**********

Two hours later, I'm done with my assignments. I dress my wounds and get ready for bed.

I turn to the other room opposite my window just in time to see the light go off.

I lay on the bed with great discomfort due to my injuries, hoping to fall asleep.

My door is kicked open and my light turned on.

"Anabella!!"

Well.... You can't always have what you wish for.

A/N: please drop a review.