Chapter 41: Old time enemy

Her shaky lips parted when they finally found words. "Ralph," she spoke in a shallow whisper.

He helped her with the zip. He slid it down while Rachael stood there too scared to speak. "I found it" he grinned at her and ripped the small metal that poked her from inside. He then zipped her dress back up.

Gradually, he held her by the shoulder and turned her to look at him. Tears had already welled up in Rachael's eyes and she let them fall.

"How have you been?" he asked with a sly smile not leaving his face. Rachael felt the need to smack it off.

"How dare you?" she whispered. "How dare you!" she yelled at him now in anger.

"Relax. Is it a crime to ask you that?" he watched as she shed tears helplessly, but he wasn't disturbed a bit.

Standing in front of her was Ralph. Her ex. The man whom she loved so much. The one who she gave her heart until she found out the devil in him.

"I know you aren't going to ask, but Leia is fine," he said, softly. "What kind of mother doesn't care about her own child" he shot at her and she was instantly filled with rage.

She slapped him across the face in anger but instantly regretted it when a fierce look took over his eyes. She thought he was going to hit her, but he didn't and that surprised her. He had always been so good at hitting her at the slightest slip.

"You raped me, Ralph. I never wanted that child"

"Does that stop her from being your child?" he narrows his eyes at her.

"Damn you;" she whispers and was about to go, but he grabbed her hand forcefully pulling her back.

He slammed her to the wall and heaved closer to her. "Do you know how long I have been looking for you, Rachael? Only for me to find out you were hiding in San Diego"

"Yes, I was hiding from you. You monster!" She screamed at him.

He got angry and held her neck, squeezing it as hard as he could. Rachael fought for her life. The look in his eyes gave her the cue that he was bent on killing her. Slowly, her struggles became weaker and her vision started becoming blurry. When she thought he was finally going to kill her, he was pulled away.

Rachael coughed and gasped for hair, trying to steady herself. After she was more stable, she looked up at her savior. It was Lucas. He repeatedly punched Ralph on the face. The way he continuously did it, Rachael feared Lucas might kill him. Even though she hated him, he was also the father of her child.

When Lucan was satisfied, he walked over to Rachael, held her by her wrist, and dragged her out of the toilet.

"Did you hear anything?" Rachael knew he was in the toilet while Ralph assaulted her. She could tell from his undone belt and unzipped trousers which he attended to before responding to her.

"I heard nothing, but I wasn't deaf when he said you have a child for him"

Rachael swallowed hard. "Don't tell Xavier" she begged.

"It's none of my business" he shrugged. Now get out of here before he gets back ok his feet"

Rachael left the place. After adjusting herself, she walked into the hall and bumped into someone. It was Xavier. Out of guilt, her heart sank. He noticed the fear in her eyes and looked behind to ensure no one was chasing after her.

"Let's get out of here" Rachael's voice didn't go above a whisper. She was too scared to raise her voice.

Xavier saw the red mark on her neck and anger clouded his eyes." Who did this to you?" he asked with a venom-filled voice.

"I'm fine. Let's go. I'll tell you everything when we get home" Xavier didn't listen to her. He was about to walk passed her to the toilet, but she stopped him.

"Please" she let a soft whimper. His eyes instantly soften. "Let's go home pleased" she begged as he slowly gave in.

********
Rachael looked out of the car window as she played with her fingers nervously. Different thoughts went to and fro in her head. The urge to cry came, but she fought it. If she bawled her eyes here, she would be forced to give Xavier full details of what happened.

How could she tell him, she had a kid? A kid she hadn't seen since she was a kid. Ralph took Leia from her when she was still very young and denied her all access to her child. Now he was back, trying to blame her for everything when it was clearly his fault. A huge lump took place in her throat. She couldn't bear the pain. It stabbed her heart like a sharp knife.

She knew it would only take a matter of time before he tracked her just like he did. God knows how long he had been looking for her and now he had finally found her. She knew Ralph wasn't the type to let her go so soon.

"Rachael are you okay?" Xavier asked and she turned to look at him.

She gave him a nod, but that made him angry. He wasn't stupid. He knew something happened, but she was hiding it from him and it drove him nuts.

" Seriously I'm fine" she forced a smile when she noticed he didn't believe her.

Even with the smile, he still didn't believe her. He was mad. It was visible in his eyes as he didn't try to hide it. Rachael knew Xavier could protect her, but Ralph was dangerous. He was a crazy person that won't go down without a fight. She didn't want to fight him. She just wanted to be left alone.

Still aware of Xavier's intent gaze on her, she rested her head against the window. She can't fool him, but what she can do is not tell him.