Source...
Although the small restaurant suffered from an even tinier parking lot with only a few assigned spaces in front, it served delicious food, including a tangy Greek dinner salad. The perfect ambience for a single person's night out for self-indulgence. Hannah quickly ordered without hesitation. The weekend Filet mignon special and huge slice of the best cheesecake she'd ever eaten was the ultimate steak companion. Enjoying this deliciously decadent meal temporarily distracted her from the hurtful words coded inside Rayford's Valentine Day cards.
Only fifteen minutes from her apartment, she let slip a hopeful sigh and settled in to relax among familiar faces she recognized that flocked weekly to the popular mall area.
Slightly at first, the rain now pelted the awnings of the small pub as Hannah peered out the window toward the parking lot. Instantly, Rayford's face flashed before her eyes. Shaking her head violently, she pressed her palms to her face. His image disappeared. I can't continue on like this, she reasoned. She turned quickly and stared down at her plate that waited patiently.
No, she couldn't continue. And she couldn't continue overlooking all that was wrong in her relationship.
This time of year was meant to celebrate a happy occasion. Rayford's cryptic messages overshadowed that. It was the first time in two years that she ached to be alone. Prompting her decision, she messaged him saying she'd decided to visit her family after concluding the business trip.
Her message was partly true. The plan to visit her sister and brother-in-law who lived nearby was intentional. The time was right to confide in someone her concerns about Rayford. Their elderly parents need not be aware of her dating drama.
Numerous attempts failed to unravel the meanings behind the fourteen days of Valentine Day cards last year and this year starting on February 1st and ending on the actual day. A sweet thought if handled correctly. However, the intensity of the words increased.
Online help she read exposed a possibly deeper problem Rayford could be experiencing that needed to be addressed. But am I qualified to even approach the issues? she questioned daily.
This year, opening the final card, her heart sank. No clue as to the meanings and warnings issued in the previous thirteen notes. What should have culminated into final bliss in the messages ultimately sank deeply into shock.
"I'd cut off my hands; my arms; gouge out my eyes, and joyfully bundle them for you freshly wrapped in this Valentine Day package so that you'd understand my loving embrace and eyes only meant for you...for eternity. Say you'd do the same if our love is as strong as you profess?"
Forever Yours, Forever Mine
Her appetite dissipated rehearsing the words. She dropped her fork and stared again out the window.
Two years ago, she met Rayford on the job. An instant attraction. Both in supervisory positions, moving to a different department made sense. He volunteered, so the relationship continued. A successful salesman, his tactics were unconventional. But management listened, and he was rewarded for his innovative methods.
At the outset, minor nuances cropped up. She noticed, but placed them in a category of growing pains in a relationship. She accepted his marriage proposal. That was a year ago. Now, she extended the wedding date, pondering the extreme change in his conversation and attitude.
Startled by the ring tone, Hannah quickly turned from the window and glanced down at the screen.
"Did you read it yet? I'm waiting for you."
Hannah's head shot up. She scoured the restaurant, then switched to the parking lot. She paid her bill, then hurried outside.
She froze. There sitting in the passenger seat of her car, Rayford smiled, holding up a key. He had a key to her apartment. She never gave him one to her vehicle.
Once inside, Rayford's agitated hand gestures initially confused her. "I'm afraid you'll have to share why you're upset. I'm not a mind reader. And please share how you secured a key to my car."
"I have to check on you because you're a liar. You didn't visit your family. You've been at home all the while. Now, drive, so I can keep an eye on you. Once we're married, things will change!"
Afraid to respond, Hannah stared ahead. Halfway home, the situation deteriorated by the intensity of Rayford's ramblings. Would asking to explain the key distract him while buying time to concentrate on an escape?
Fearfully, she let go of the steering wheel hoping he'd grasp it.
"What the hell are you trying to do, kill us? Rayford yelled as he grabbed the wheel. "That maneuver won't save you from your dishonesty. You can't rid yourself of me that easily."
A long pause. Hannah's eyes darted in every direction, avoiding his. "I'm not trying to get rid of you. Just searching for my purse," she lied.
Perspiring, she cautiously slipped her hand down under the seat belt. Crazy, she knew. But if she could just manage to open the door, she might survive the tumble. Staying inside the car with a deranged man was not the way she wanted her life to end.
Speaking rapidly, repeating his comments from the Valentine Day cards accomplished two things. It brought a smile to his face; and it provided precious moments to locate a safe spot to land should she be successful in jumping from the moving car.
Rayford lowered his voice. Once Hannah sensed his anger subsiding, she floored the gas pedal. His hands still grasped the wheel as she tumbled from the car.
She didn't look back as a horrible roar and tires screeched in her ears. Barely able to stand, she limped away a few yards in the opposite direction. She remembered her purse still lay underneath the driver's seat. She'd worry about that later.
Fifteen minutes later, sirens flashed as two cars approached Hannah. She fell to the ground and extended her hand. Hannah had no idea who held her hand until she stirred in the ambulance, and her sister's face came into focus.
"How did you know?" Hannah questioned in a weak voice.
"Get some rest. We'll talk later." Thankful she convinced her sister to take her husband's advice, Brittany responded quickly, "the vehicle and phone tracker your brother-in-law put in place helped save your life. I was worried, so decided to visit. Good thing you texted our emergency code before leaving the restaurant."
"Where is Rayford? I hope he's not hurt!"
Brittany flashed a confusing scowl as her head jerked back.
"That man just attempted to seriously harm you. Who knows how far he would have gone. He's the last person you should be worried about."
"Brit. I know Rayford's intentions toward me. I wish him no ill will. He's out of my life now. But I also know he needs professional help. And I hope he's able to get it."
"That's all fine and good. But you'll be pressing charges against him for abduction. That's final. Perhaps he'll take his actions more seriously if facing real consequences. All I know is that this is a Valentines' Day I'll never forget. My dinner and gift is waiting for me. That's a small matter compared to your ordeal. Sis, this day will hold a different meaning for you going forward."
"Yes, it will. It's not the occasion that matters. Valentine's Day can be celebrated year round. It's the people involved in your life that has meaning."
Resting peacefully, Brittany continued holding her sister's hand until they reached the hospital. She'd tell her about Rayford's condition later.
My story is based on the following contest: S&S Invitational: Valentine's Edition
🎥 Genre: ACTION
🤹 Theme: VALENTINE
Total Word Count for story: 1,264
Minus footer.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.