Till Death Us Do Part

by V, Krissy

  “I can’t believe you stole my clothes” he laughs “I can just imagine you wearing them Angel, you looked so good wearing them this morning” he groans. “I’m in bed too and I was thinking about you, I’m so glad you rang me.”

  Neither of us say anything for a couple of minutes, then I say “Caleb, thank you”

  “What for Angel”

  “For being you. For being in my life”

  “It’s me that needs to thank you Tasha for being in my life, you’ve brought me meaning to my life. It was work, work, work before and now even that isn’t as important to me as you are.”

  “Wow, talking about work, I need to go I have a new job to start tomorrow.”

  “Ok Tasha, sleep well and see you tomorrow bright and early”

  “Night night Caleb, thanks for a great …………”

  “Tasha, are you ok? Tasha ….. guess you must have fallen asleep on me. Hope you sleep well Angel, I’m so happy you came into my life. I know I can make you happy, I know I’m falling hard for you and I hope you are too. I’m going to end this call now Angel, it’s going to be a busy week for both of us”

  Chapter 54

  HOW DID I GET into this situation? Felix is dead, so why is he in my room hitting me? Why am I in the corner of the room while he kicks me? It hurts so much, I thought this was over!

  I’m shouting at him to stop “Felix please stop, you don’t want to do this”

  He stops kicking me and he spits on me “You had fun this weekend Tasha, this is what happens when I don’t remind you that you’re mine. You shouldn’t be having fun Tasha not without me”

  I cower in the corner and I shout at him again “Felix you’re dead leave me alone, I need to move on and so do you. You made me so unhappy towards the end, I need to be happy, please leave me alone” I know I’m crying.

  I wake up with tears running down my face, the door to the bedroom opens and Dad is there kneeling in front of me. “Baby girl I’m here I will look after you, it’s ok”

  I wake up and just stare at Dad, then I fall into his arms and cry like a baby. “Why Dad? Why tonight? Is it because I had so much fun? Should I not be having fun anymore?”

  “Tasha don’t be silly, it’s your subconscious that’s all, yes you should be having fun, don’t let Felix hurt you anymore baby girl, please” he hugs me some more and I can feel myself drifting back to sleep.

  Chapter 55

  WHEN I WAKE UP, I’m in my bed. I must have just dreamt it all and Dad didn’t come into me.

  Today is my first day at my new job, I’m nervous for a few reasons, because it’s a new company, it’s my first time back at work since Felix passed away and lastly because of Caleb - I don't want anyone to know that we are friends outside of work. I explained this to Caleb and he doesn’t see it as a problem, but I pleaded with him until he relented and agreed, although he told me that he wouldn’t lie if someone asked him about me.

  That was good enough for me and I agreed with him, he then said that he would let me get settled in but in six months time he hoped he would be able to freely tell people that we were friends. I agreed to the six months time limit, it gave me enough time to show my colleagues who I am and what I am capable of before they know about our friendship.

  When I arrive at work, I'm reintroduced to Helen from HR and shown around the office, she introduces me to loads of people who I'll never remember. I'm shown my office, it's gorgeous, the desk is in front of a large picture window looking over the townscape of Bristol, I can see I'll be looking out the window a lot.

  I turn my computer on, I have an appointment with Steve in 5 minutes. He's one of the IT guys and he is going to set me up with usernames and show me the internal systems that they use. I love computers so I'm looking forward to it.

  Steve is a lovely guy, he made me feel at home and not out of place at all. He is really funny and I find myself relaxing with him. It turns out he's gay and we spend quite a lot of time talking about his relationship problems. I've laughed so much my stomach hurts.

  He sits with me and goes over all the procedures and computer programmes for about 3 hours and then it's lunch time. I'm thinking about what to do for lunch when Meg, the receptionist, comes into my office and asks me if I want to go to the canteen with her and Steve. I agree and they show me where it is.

  When we are sitting at our table they both start talking at once, I start laughing and then we all fall around laughing.

  This is a great first day! After lunch I go back to my office and check my emails. There is one from Caleb, it's all business-like and it feels strange. I suppose this is the email that gets sent to all new starters. As I'm reading it I get a text.

  "Hey Tasha I hope you're settling in ok. Sorry I'm not there today I have meetings, I will be back later but it will be much later on."

  "It's no problem Caleb it's probably better you're not here today."

  "I have a strange week at work this week so I'll be in and out of the office. I want to see you though, maybe we can go to dinner on Wednesday after work"

  "I'd love that Caleb. I'm so excited about this job but I was secretly hoping to see you"

  "I'd see you all the time if I could Angel you know that"

  "I know Caleb, I know ;-)”

  Since I’ve heard from him and know he's not going to be here today, I relax and start going through some of the tasks that Steve left me.

  There's a knock on my door at 5.15pm, it's Meg. "Hi Natasha, everyone's gone home I just wanted to make sure you're ok" she smiles at me.

  "Gosh I didn't realise the time, yeah I'm fine. Just trying to read up on everything we do here."

  "I'll walk with you so we can chat about your day" she says passing me my jacket.

  I like her she's so kind "Thanks Meg" I say as I'm packing my bag and putting my jacket on.

  We walk out together and talk about my day. Meg tells me she's only new herself but she had temped here for a while and that she was only just made permanent recently.

  We say goodbye when we get to the car park and she says she will see me in the morning. I drive home and Mum and Dad are waiting for me to tell then how I got on.

  I'm so excited that I know I'm rambling and not taking a breath, mum laughs. "Tasha take a breath we've got all night you know" she starts laughing and so do Dad and I"

  "I know it's just it was exciting and strange at the same time. Everyone was really nice, especially Steve and Meg, they made me feel very welcome"

  "Tasha you look happy, I'm glad you're excited" Dad says smiling.

  Kammie and Luca both ring me to see how I got on and I know they are happy for me.

  When I go to bed I get a text from Caleb.

  "Hey how did your first day go?"

  "Hi boss lol it went well, everyone is so nice. I had lunch with Meg and Steve ☺"

  "Good I'm glad you had someone to go to lunch with. Everyone's very good with new people. I'm glad you're happy Tasha"

  "Thanks Caleb, I had a bad nightmare last night, I think it was because I had so much fun over the weekend with you"

  "Are you ok? Were you ok? I wish I could have been there to look after you"

  "I wish you were too"

  I can't believe I just said that, but it's true

  "Angel I'd be there every night if I could xx"

  "I know and I know you'd keep me safe Caleb, you already do x"

  "Good then I'm doing my job ☺ I want to look after you and make all your pain go away xx"

  "Thank you. Now I have to get up early for work tomorrow, so I have to sleep"

  "Ok see you soon Angel, I hope you sleep well tonight xx"

  I lay looking at ceiling for a while just thinking about my day, about Caleb and my new friends. I fall asleep smiling.

  Chapter 56

  THE NEXT DAY AT work there are a couple of meetings I have to attend, I was hoping Caleb would be in them, but he's not, I think he might be avoiding me. I text him after lunch.

  "Ar
e you avoiding me? Everyone tells me you usually meet new people on the first day ☺"

  "No I'm not avoiding you Angel, my body is craving you. Believe you me, I would love nothing better than to come and see you and say hi. It's just there are problems on an account that I need to deal with but we are having dinner tomorrow aren't we?"

  "I was only joking with you Caleb. I know you wouldn't avoid me. Yes we are having dinner tomorrow. I need to see you too x"

  "Good now get back to work ha ha xx"

  On Wednesday I don't see him all day again, he sends me a text in the afternoon.

  "I'll collect you from your Mums around 7.30 pm is that ok?"

  "Yeah that's fine. I can't wait to see you Caleb"

  "I know the feeling Angel. See you soon xx"

  When I get home from work I go and take a shower and start getting ready for Caleb. I'm really excited about dinner, I can't wait to see him. I put on a dress because I don't know where we are going.

  The bell rings bang on 7.30pm and I go to open the door. As my hand reaches for the door I take a deep breath to try and still my erratic heart. I open it slowly and when I see him stood there in front of me I can't speak or breathe, he is just so gorgeous he literally took my breath away. I come to my sense when I hear

  "Tasha, are you ok? Breathe Angel, Breathe"

  I take a big gulp in "Sorry Caleb I don't know what happened there" I blush I'm embarrassed.

  He smiles and gives me a hug and whispers in my ear "I feel the same Angel" he knows I'm overwhelmed.

  I smile at him when he pulls away from me, he leans forward and shouts through the door "Hi Jean, Hi Brian" They reply back and tell us both to enjoy our night.

  "Come on then let's go Tasha" he says holding out his hand for me to take.

  I take it and smile at him, I close the door behind me and he walks me to the car. As usual he opens the door and waits for me to buckle up before he goes around to his side of the car.

  When he's driving I ask where we are going.

  "We are going to a lovely little restaurant I know in Bath, is that ok? I know it's an hour drive but I promise you it's worth it" he smiles and I would do anything he asks me to do just to see that smile.

  I reach over and take his hand off the gear stick and place it in between mine "Caleb that's fine I don't mind how far away it is. I'm just so excited to be with you"

  He turns my hand so that he is holding mine and then he takes it up to his mouth and kisses it gently.

  "So tell me about work Tasha. How have you got on?"

  I sit for the whole journey telling him about what I've been doing and how I've had meetings with the admin staff trying to find out what they do and how we can make improvements. He smiles and asks questions and it all feels so natural and relaxing.

  When we pull up to the restaurant it's beautiful, I've always loved Bath and am so excited to be here.

  Over dinner we talk about the weekend and how much fun we had ice skating. I love being in his company, he is entertaining, interesting and very easy on the eye. I giggle to myself.

  "What are you laughing at Tasha?" he says staring into my eyes. I start to blush and he starts to smile.

  "I was thinking how much fun tonight has been and how gorgeous you are" the wine must have gone to my head.

  He looks at me then he starts laughing and he's even better looking when he does that "Tasha you always surprise me. You never say what I expect you to say! I'm glad you're having fun. So am I"

  We manage to get through dinner without anymore outbursts from me. When it's time to go, Caleb pays the bill and he takes my hand and we walk outside to the car. As we get closer to the car he pulls me into him by my shoulders "Tasha I really enjoyed tonight, I don't want it to end, is that bad of me?"

  "No Caleb I don't want it to end either" as the last word leaves my mouth he has turned me and pushed me up against the car and his lips are on mine.

  He groans and then he says "God I want you so much" into my mouth. My hands have moved into his hair and I pull him closer to me. I want him too, I feel like I need him.

  After a while he pulls away, I’m glad because I don't think I have the strength to. I feel weak all over.

  "Come on Angel before this gets out of hand, that's not what I want for you and me. I want to wait until your ready and until you want all of me"

  What does he mean by that? I don't understand.

  "Ok Caleb, but you'll have to explain that because I don't understand" he takes my hand and walks me to the door, opens it and waits until my seatbelt is on before going to his side and sliding into his seat.

  "Ok just hear me out please" I nod and he carries on "we both know we have a connection" I nod again "I don't want to have sex with you Tasha that's not what this is about" I can feel tears welling up in my eyes. I reach for the door handle but he takes my hand gently.

  "Tasha you promised to hear me out. I want to make love to you not just have sex, I want a relationship with you not just a fling, a rebound. I want you to want me so much that it is all you can think about because that's how I feel about you. I want you to feel what I feel and I don't think you're ready yet. I could try and have sex with you now and it could set you back months, even years. I don't want that for you Tasha, I want everything with you!"

  I stare straight ahead, I can't look at him.

  "Tasha, why're you crying?" He looks so sad.

  "Caleb I want all that, I want everything, I just don't know if I can give you that right now. My body and mind say yes but my heart isn't sure."

  "I know Angel that's why I stopped, it doesn't mean I care any less. I'm not going anywhere, you are well worth the wait" he leans across and kisses me gently on the lips. This kiss feels more emotional than the last one.

  He smiles at me and then starts the car. On the drive home we talk about my house and whether I want to move into one of his apartments or not. I tell him I'm not ready to be on my own yet because I still keep having nightmares. I can see he gets sad when I tell him about my nightmares "I'd do anything to stop those for you Angel I really would"

  "I know Caleb, hopefully they'll start to lessen soon" I say sadly.

  "Now let's not get sad, we had a great night and I want to do it again soon" he smiles.

  "Me too" I smile back.

  He drops me home and walks me to the door. He leans down and kisses me on the lips "I love the taste of your lips Tasha"

  I laugh "That's because they taste of wine and you couldn't drink tonight" I laugh and he laughs too.

  "No Tasha, that's because they taste of you. I'm going to have to drag myself away. I had a great night see you at work" he gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, then he turns and walks back to the car. He waits til I close the door behind me before he drives off.

  Mum and dad are in bed so I go straight upstairs and get ready for bed. When I climb under the covers I smile to myself, I'm so lucky to have Caleb in my life.

  Chapter 57

  FRIDAY COMES AROUND QUICK and I'm looking forward to work, it's dress down day so I'm wearing my jeans. Apparently everyone goes to The Angel pub after work for a few drinks on a Friday. Caleb is supposed to go as he always buys everyone a drink. It should be interesting!

  There’s quite a few people there and I see that there are a few people who I haven’t met yet and I am quickly introduced to them. They are all very friendly and some of them are very good looking, Meg really likes one of them, Dillon. He’s the Operations Manager who interviewed me. I am talking to him and he keeps looking at me funny, he is starting to creep me out. “So Natasha, how has your first week with us been?”

  “I’ve really enjoyed being here, everyone is so nice and friendly. I don’t think I’ve met everyone yet though, there are so many people working here. How long have you worked in the Company, Dillon?” I ask him.

  He smiles at me with a million dollar smile “I’ve worked with Caleb since he started the company. We’re best friends!” He looks into my eyes a
nd smiles and says “I think we’ve met before your interview actually in Jesters a couple of months ago”

  I blush when I realise he was the man that was with Caleb that fateful night when my life started going wrong. “I’m sorry I don’t remember seeing you, I was too busy trying to clean up my drink off Caleb” I give a small giggle and look up to see he is smiling at me. He leans forward and whispers in my ear “Angel? Isn’t it? The woman who has stolen Caleb’s heart” I gasp when he says it and pull back to look at him.

  “Is that a problem?” I ask, not feeling sure of myself.

  “Not at all Tasha, I’m delighted, he is a much better man for having met you, and seeing you here tonight I can see what he adores about you. Now I’m going to buy a drink because Meg is giving you the evils and I know you don’t need that hassle after your first week” he nods his head to Meg and then walks to the bar.

  I stand there and stare after him then turn and walk back to Meg “I can see why you like him! Shame I’m not in the market for a man right now” I start to giggle and Meg laughs along with me, we are going to be great friends.