Chapter 1: Disrespect
“A little bit to the left.”
I struggled to keep my balance on the ladder as I moved the poster slightly left.
“No, no. A little bit back to the right was better.”
I sighed as I moved the poster slightly back to the right again. At this point I honestly didn’t know whether he was talking about the poster or his view of my ass while he was holding the ladder for me. Not that there was much to see with the maxi skirt and thick pair of tights I was wearing.
“Yeah, right there is perfect Ellie. Keep it there!”
Gareth reached up to hand me a piece of blu tack while accidentally touching my leg for the millionth time. I couldn’t even be bothered to try pull away or look shocked anymore. I was tired. It was almost closing time; we had been at this for over an hour already and hadn’t even managed to hang half of the decorations. The only thing on my mind was finishing up quickly so I could get off this stupid ladder.
“Good job! Let’s go over there next, that should be the last place we need a ladder for.”
He helped me off the ladder before picking it up and heading to the other side of the library. I followed right behind him, carrying a few more posters under my arm. The children’s book week was next week, and Gareth had decided we had to go big this year. On top of making sure everything was ready for the regular visits form schools, he had planned a reading competition. Or actually, he had told me to plan it.
To be honest, planning it all had been quite fun. I had decided on three age categories, and everyone was free to choose a story as long as it was somehow related to this year’s theme: Friendship. For the kids too young to read there was a colouring competition and for the young adults I had set up a writing competition. I had even made posters to hand out to the schools in the area, which was something Gareth had helped me with. He had contacted them about the competition and dropped off some posters at each school one as well.
“Alright, up you go. I’ll hold the ladder.”
I sighed as I placed the rest of the stuff down on a table before climbing the ladder once more. That creep hadn’t gone up the ladder once, not even when I asked him to. There was always an excuse, although his favourite was to emphasize that he was strong enough to catch me if I fell, while I wasn’t strong enough to catch him.
Once I was at the top of the ladder, I rolled two pieces of blu tack between my fingers and stuck them on the top corners of the poster. When we had just started decorating, I had been foolish enough to immediately stick the poster against the wall. Gareth had complained about the positioning, asking me to peel it off and try again several times. Hanging that first poster had taken ages and, knowing that he had been staring at my ass during all of it, had been the most uncomfortable thing ever. So, to avoid that, I now raised the poster and held it in position first.
“Here?”
“…I don’t know. Can you hold it a bit higher?”
I stretched, standing on my tiptoes to reach a little bit higher.
“Yes, right there looks great!”
The moments those words had left his mouth I pressed it against the wall. Gareth handed me two more pieces to secure the bottom corners, after which I made my way down.
Finally.
Finally, the last one was done. It was tempting to rush down, but I didn’t want to give Gareth another excuse to touch me. Instead, I took it slow, keeping my eyes down and moved carefully. There was no way I was going to slip or miss a step.
As my toes touched the ground a sigh of relief escaped me. But then, when I tried letting go of the ladder, I suddenly felt Gareth’s warm hand over mine. Locking it in place.
“Well done, Ellie.”
His face was way too close to mine, his hold preventing me from moving away.
“Uh- Uhmm… Thank you? But… Can I please have my hand back?”
I made sure not to look him straight in the eye. Instead, my gaze darted around nervously, like a cornered animal trying to find an escape.
“Oh, sorry! Of course!”
His laughter echoed through the empty library as he smiled and pretended nothing happened.
“Shall we call it a night then? I can hang the rest of these by myself tomorrow.”
“Yes! I mean, yes, that sounds great.”
I started collecting the stuff on the table, trying to clean up a little bit before going home.
“Just leave it, I’ll need it again tomorrow anyway.”
“Oh, alright. Then I guess I’ll grab my bag and head home.”
As I started making my way to the desk, Gareth started doing his last rounds. While he made sure there was no one left in the library, I quickly grabbed my bag. After checking everything was in there, I headed towards the exit, hoping to leave before Gareth came back.
“Ellie, don’t forget your coat!”
Disappointment caused my shoulders to drop the second Gareth’s voice reached me. I had been so close to the door. So close to avoiding this conversation. I really wasn’t feeling like walking home with him, but as I looked over my shoulder, I saw him running after me, waving around my coat.
“Here, put it on. I’ll quickly grab my own and then I’ll walk you home.”
“No, you really don’t have to Gareth. It’s only a short walk and it’s not that late yet.”
“Ellie, I insist. It’s already dark out and you never know who you might run into. I’d feel much better if I know for certain that you arrived home safe and sound.”
“No, seriously Gareth, I can manage. I would really like to have some peace and quiet during my walk today. Besides, it’s only a few blocks away and I have lived in this area for years now. I can walk home by myself just fine.”
It was a losing battle. The more I said, the more determined the look on Gareth’s face became.
“I’ll be quiet. We can just walk in silence so you can enjoy your peace and quiet safely… Don’t forget to properly tuck in your scarf. It’s chilly outside.”
I quickly tucked the ends of the scarf into my coat, not wanting to give him any more excuses.
“No, you’re missing the point Gareth… I just need some alone time.”
The way he shoved his arms into the sleeves of his coat showed that he was having as much difficulty maintaining his composure as I was.
“Ellie, stop being so unreasonable. We both know that I am right, and I refuse to allow you to let your stubbornness put you in harm’s way. I am walking you home and that is the end of this discussion.”
I would’ve loved slapping so hard it would leave a bruise on his face for days…. But I didn’t. It wasn’t something Ellie would ever be capable of doing. Besides, I was once again carrying home a book with hidden information. There was a new target and, as always, Gareth would be Ellie’s alibi. Allowing that creep to stay near was the easiest way to ensure my main identity would never be a suspect. And as long as Ellie was flying under the radar, I would be able to use her as an escape strategy if things went wrong.
“I-… I guess you’re right.”
“Good. Then let’s get going. Maybe we can even pick up dinner on the way home?”
“Maybe… I don’t know. I’m honestly not feeling very well, so maybe I should just go to bed early…”
Upon hearing my words, the look on Gareth’s face instantly turned from frustration to worry as he held the door open for me.
“Alright, let’s quickly get you home then. We don’t want you getting sick.”
He stayed close to me and asked me whether I was cold a few times, but other than that he hadn’t bothered me much. The walk had mostly been nice and quiet, allowing me to actually enjoy the feeling of the cold evening breeze against my skin.
“Are you sure you aren’t cold? Your cheeks are getting a bit rosy.”
Gareth placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks before fidgeting with my scarf, pulling it further up to cover my nose and cheeks.
“I’m fine, really. Besides, my apartment is right there!”
I raised my arm, pointing at my front door to remind Gareth that I had reached my destination, and our walk was over. Finally.
“Ah yes, so it is… Do you want me to come in? Is there anything you would like me to do? Cook you dinner? Make you coffee?”
“No, thank you. I am just going to go to bed early. You should go enjoy your weekend.”
“Are you really sure? You really don’t need anything?”
I smiled at him innocently, but the way in which I was clenching my fists caused my nails to leave imprints in the palm of my hands. He needed to leave, before I would really lose my patience.
“Ellie?”
The front door of my apartment opened as Daryn stepped through, eyeing me curiously.
“Why are you standing out here? Dinner is getting cold.”
Without warning Gareth grabbed my coat firmer and pulled me back, shoving me behind him in a protective way.
“Ellie… Who the fuck is that man?”
His eyes were focussed on Daryn as they narrowed, glaring at him. If looks could kill, Daryn would’ve been dead and buried by now.
“Wait, Gareth- That’s just-”
“EXCUSE ME?!”
Daryn threw the door shut behind him after stepping out, walking right up to Gareth. If there hadn’t been so much tension in the air, this whole scene would’ve looked hilarious. Daryn didn’t even reach Gareth’s chest and the fact that he was standing out here wearing an adorable apron while waving a spoon around didn’t exactly help in making him look intimidating.
“You get your filthy hands of my daughter RIGHT NOW!”
As Gareth’s jaw dropped in surprise, I took the opportunity to rush to Daryn’s side. Daryn in turn immediately put a hand on my shoulder and started guiding me to the door.
“Come on Ellie, let’s go inside.”
“Wait! Did you- Did you just say daughter?”
Daryn looked back at Gareth. The glare he sent him would’ve been enough to chase most guys away, but Gareth didn’t even slow down. He didn’t even take a moment to think before taking a step after them and opening his mouth.
“Stop, I don’t believe you. You don’t even look-”
Daryn intercepted the hand trying to grab him, squeezing Gareth’s wrist hard enough to leave bruised fingerprints as he held him in place.
“Disgusting. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?”
Gareth tried pulling back, but Daryn had no intention of letting go as he moved closer to Garth, forcing him to back up. The interaction made it very clear that Daryn was stronger than him, regardless of his size. And Gareth noticed it as well, the panic in his eyes increasing with ever step he took.
“I- Wait-“
“No. No waiting. You need to leave, right now.”
He shoved Gareth away, almost causing him to trip over his own feet.
“AND DON’T YOU EVER DARE TO DISRESEPCT ME OR MY DAUGHTER EVER AGAIN!”
