***ANGEL IN DISGUISE***

CHAPTER 22

A couple of days had past before Dr. Edwards called me back regarding the ultra-sound. I had it done the beginning of the week. It was hard sneaking around Nick but I manage to get it done while he was at the studio. “Hi Mrs. Carter,” Dr. Edwards said. “Hi Dr. Edwards,” I replied. A slight pause then, “Well, the ultra-sound results are back,” Dr. Edwards said. “And …..,” I replied nervously. “Now there is really nothing to worry about but I think it would be best to have you come into the office to discuss the results,” Dr. Edwards explained. “Oh ….. well, why can’t you tell me on the phone,” I asked. “Well, it’s too complicated to explain over the phone. Like I said, it’s really nothing to worry about. Can you come by the office tomorrow morning,” Dr. Edwards asked. I thought for a moment, “Well, let me see….” Nick had rehearsals again tomorrow but I wasn’t sure what time. “Well, I can probably make it in there tomorrow but I don’t know what time. My husband has rehearsals but I’m not sure what time,” I explained. “Well, why don’t you call me tomorrow when you know you’re on your way,” Dr. Edwards suggested. “Okay, I can do that. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I replied and hung up the phone. I was really scared now even if Dr. Edwards said not to worry. I just kept wondering if it wasn’t so bad then why couldn’t he tell me over the phone. I made my way downstairs to the recreation room. I was debating on whether I should tell Nick what was going on. I figured that maybe I’ll just wait and see what Dr. Edwards had to say then I’d tell Nick. Before I could make it to the recreation room, the door bell rang. I went to answer the door. I about freaked when I opened the door. It was Steve. I tried to shut the door but he had blocked it with his hand. It must have hurt considering how fast I was trying to shut the door. "Wait a minute. That isn’t the way to treat a guest,” he snarled. “What do you want? Why can’t you just leave me alone,” I snarled back. “Annie, didn’t you already know? I told you we belong together, we were meant for eachother,” he sneered. The pain in my stomach started up again and the intensity was increasing. “Read my lips …. I don’t belong to you. I wouldn’t belong to you if you were the last man on this earth,” I yelled, “if you do not leave, I will call security.” Steve pushed the door wide open and walked in. “So, where is your hubby,” he asked, “we’ve got a lot of talking to do. I want him to know what a BIG tease you are. And that this marriage thing is a mistake because you don’t love him,” he said. “What? What are you talking about,” I asked angrily. “May I remind you that you were the one who took advantage of me,” I said crying angrily. Steve came face to face with me. I could feel his nasty breath against my lips. “Give me a break, Annie. You wanted it. It was written all over your face,” he sneered. “You son of a bitch,” I yelled, “how dare you tell me that I wanted it!” I raised my hand to slap him and he grabbed me by the wrist to stop it. “You wanted it and you know it,” he said. “Get out,” I yelled, “get the hell out of my house!” The pain in my stomach was really bad at that point but I had to keep my composure. Steve threw my hand down as he let go. “You haven’t seen the last of me, sweetheart,” he said and walked out the door. I slammed the door shut and locked it. I went around the house and locked every entrance there was. I ran up to the room and broke down in sobs. I couldn’t believe it. One of the security guards heard me crying and knocked on the bedroom door, “Annie, is everything okay,” he asked. “Oh, yeah, yeah. I’m fine,” I replied. “Are you sure,” he asked concerned. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I said. I got up and gathered myself together, “I’m okay.” “Okay,” he replied and headed back downstairs. I was so angry. Steve was determined to ruin me. But I was not going to let him. I knew for a fact that he was taking his anger out on me and I was not going to let him.

Nick got home about 8:30 that night. He was quiet when he walked into the room. I was sitting on the bed watching t.v. He went into the bathroom and put on his sweats and came back out. He walked towards me, pulled me up from the bed and hugged me. “What’s wrong, Nick,” I asked concerned. His embrace tightened then he pulled away, “I should be asking you what’s wrong,” Nick replied. I looked at him puzzled. “Nothing is wrong, babe,” I said with a smile. He sat me down on the bed, “Annie, the security guard told me what happened,” Nick said. I got nervous and wondered if the security had seen Steve and me arguing. “He did,” I asked, “what did he say?” “He told me that your were crying earlier,” Nick said. “Crying,” I replied. “Yeah, what’s wrong, Annie,” he asked. I was quiet for a bit. “Annie.” “Nick, nothing is wrong. I’m fine,” I replied. “Don’t lie to me, Annie. Something is bothering you. When we said our vows, we promised that we would tell eachother everything,” Nick said. I was quiet. I didn’t know what to say. I knew at that point that I was cornered. I started to cry, “Oh Nick.” Nick pulled me to him and embraced me. It reminded of the night I had opened my heart to him on the beach. I felt that same security in his arms. “Shhh, it’s alright,” he comforted me. I knew that I had to tell him about Steve but I was afraid of how he would react. But deep down inside, I knew that I could trust Nick to help me just like he did that very night I opened up to him for the first time.

CHAPTER 23

“Come on. You know you can tell me anything, babe,” Nick said. I buried my face in his chest sobbing. Nick finally calmed me down. He took his finger and put it under my chin to raise my face to his, “What’s wrong?” I took a deep breath, “Well ……. I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to get worried or upset. You’ve got your career to run. You don’t need to worry about things with me,” I said crying. “Annie, I took a vow to love, honor and cherish you in sickness and in health. I hold those vows to my heart,” Nick explained, “you’re my wife. It’s my duty to care or worry about you. I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you, Annie.” I manage to bring up a small smile, “Well, uh …….” “Please tell me what’s wrong,” Nick pleaded. “It’s Steve,” I said in a tiny voice. Nick looked at me puzzled. “He’s been harassing me for the past couple of weeks now,” I went on, “he’s been calling here.” I could see Nick’s eyes filling with anger. “Remember the day I had gone to the mall and bought that pretty red silk night gown,” I went on, “well, he manage to follow me. He cornered me at Frederick’s.” Nick’s hands balled into tight fists. I was getting scared now. “He told me that I belong to him, that he and I belong together,” I said crying. “He told me that the night we …….. he said that I wanted it, that it was written all over my face that I was asking for it,” I began to sob again. Nick’s eyes had gone from blue to gray from anger. “And the guy that you talked to on the phone. That was him,” I went on. Nick had his head down just starring at the floor. I knew that he was furious but I didn’t know whether he was furious with me or Steve. “Then he was here today while everyone was gone,” I said. Nick’s head bolted up, “What? He was here? In our house?” I embraced myself, “yes.” “What happened,” Nick asked. “Nothing happened. I stopped him. I told him to get out and never come back. But before he left, he threatened to ruin me. He said that he was going to tell you that I was nothing but a tease and that our marriage was a joke and that I didn’t love you. He said that I haven’t seen the last of him yet,” I said. I began to sob again to a point where I couldn’t catch my breath. Nick took me in his arms and tried to comfort me. I put my arms around him and held on as if there was no tomorrow. “Nick, please don’t be mad at me. I wanted to handle this on my own. I didn’t want you to have to worry about me,” I sobbed. “Shhhhh ….. Annie, how could you not tell me,” Nick asked, “don’t ever hide anything like this from me.” “Please stay with me. Don’t leave me. Hold me till I fall asleep,” I begged. “I’m not going anywhere,” Nick replied as he held me. Nick cradled me in his arms and rocked me until I fell asleep.

Nick and the guys:

When I was finally asleep, Nick had tucked me in. He headed downstairs. He was going to hold a meeting with the guys. “Hey fellas,” Nick said, “we need to talk” Brian saw the concerned angry look on Nick’s face, “Frack, what’s up?” “Yeah, little brother, what’s going on,” Kevin asked. Nick took a deep breath, “It’s Annie. She’s got problems.” Howie and AJ sat up straight. “What’s wrong with Annie, man,” AJ asked. “Man, I don’t know how to put this to you guys. Um …… damn …….. Annie is a rape survivor,” Nick finally blurted out. The guys just looked at him shocked. “What,” Howie replied. “Yeah, she was raped a few years back. His name is Steve,” Nick went on to explain. “And ….,” Aj said. “Well, apparently this son of a bitch is harassing her now. He’s here in Orlando. He’s threatened her,” Nick went on. The guys were shocked. “He’s been stalking her, too. He cornered her at the mall and he was here at the house today,” Nick said. “Where was security,” Brian asked. “I talked to him already. He said that he was walking the grounds out back. He heard the door slam. He went in to check it out and he heard Annie crying,” Nick said, “Steve must have just left when security came up front.” “Damn,” AJ said. Kevin shook his head. “What are you going to do, Nick,” Brian asked. “Well, I’m going to beef up the security around here. And I’m going to assign a couple of the body guards to her. Then I’m going to get that asshole and make sure that he doesn’t harass her anymore,” Nick said. “Whoa Nick,” Howie said, “Let’s just report him to the police. We don’t need to do anything on our own. The cops will handle it.” “Yeah, I guess. I’ll give them a call now and report it,” Nick replied.

I awoke a little while later, my eyes swollen from crying. It was 10:30 at night. Just when I woke up, Nick walked in. “Hey bright eyes,” Nick said softly. I smiled as he approached me, “Hi. How long was I asleep?” “A couple of hours. You were pretty drained,” Nick replied as he sat on the side of the bed next to me. Nick brushed the hair away from my face and ran his hand down my cheek. I took his hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Steve,” I said. “Hey, don’t worry about it. I know now. The guys and me got it under control,” Nick explained, “here’s the deal. I’m going to beef up security around here. And I’m going to assign a couple of our bodyguards to you. You need to understand that you are not going to go anywhere without the bodyguards.” “Nick, isn’t that a bit much,” I asked. “Annie, the man is stalking and threatening you. I want to make sure you’re safe,” Nick said. “Okay,” I said. Nick laid beside me and held me tight. I laid my head on his chest. “No one is going to hurt you, Annie. I promised you that then and I promise you now,” Nick said softly has he kissed the top of my head. We both fell asleep in eachother’s embrace.

CHAPTER 24

I awoke to Nick getting ready for rehearsals. I stretched the length of my body and yawned. Nick walked out of the bathroom. “Hey sleepy head,” as he walked over to the bed. He sat down and gave me a kiss. “Morning,” I replied. “How’d you sleep,” he asked. “With you holding me all night, I slept very well, thank you,” I replied. Then I remembered last night. Nick saw the expression on my face, “what’s wrong?” “Oh nothing. I was just thinking about last night,” I replied. “Maybe I should just stay home. They really aren’t going to work on my part today. I’ll tell Bri that I’m staying home with you,” Nick said with a worried look. “No, no …. Go to rehearsals. I’ll be okay. You’ve given me two bodyguards, I’ll be fine,” I said. “Are you sure,” Nick asked. “Yes, go to rehearsals. Practice makes perfect,” I said smiling. Nick chuckled, “Alright.”

Nick finally left. I remembered that I had to go to Dr. Edwards’s office. I called him and let him know that I would be there in about an hour. I got up and got ready. I flew downstairs to the two big bodyguards sitting in the front room. I explained to them that they were not to tell Nick where we were today. They agreed. We took the limo to the hospital. All three of us flew right into Dr.Edwards’s clinic. “Hi Nancy,” I said as I approached the front desk. “Hey Mrs. Carter,” Nancy replied, “I’ll let Dr. Edwards know you’re here. He said that he would be expecting you.” I waited a few minutes. Dr. Edwards finally came out, “Hello Mrs. Carter.” I smiled and started to get up to follow him into his office. The bodyguards were following. “Okay guys, I’ll be okay in here. I’ll just be in his office. And there is no other way out but this door here anyway so don’t worry,” I assured them. They sat back down. Dr. Edwards lead me to his office and had me sit down. “Okay,” he said as he opened up my chart. “I wanted to rule out a couple of things. That’s the reason for all the tests I had given you,” he explained. I listened intently. “There are a couple of things that I cannot rule out because they are there,” he went on. I grabbed the armrests of the chair I was sitting in ready to take whatever he was going to tell me. “You do have an ulcer. Have you been under any stress lately,” he asked. “Well, yes I have,” I replied, “but only recently.” “Has anything traumatic happened in your life,” he asked. I paused for a bit. “Yes . . . . . I was raped a few years back,” I said quietly. “Oh I see,” he replied, “well, it’s possible the ulcer formed then.” “Okay, what else,” I asked. “The ultra-sound you took shows a small mass in your upper abdominal area,” he went on. I froze and Dr. Edwards saw the expression on my face. “We shouldn’t worry yet until we find out what it is,” he went on. “Does that mean an operation . . . . . surgery,” I asked worriedly. “Yes, Mrs. Carter. And then we have to test what we remove to see if it’s . . . .,” he said before I cut him off. “Cancer,” I said as tears began to roll down my face. “Well, it might not be, Mrs. Carter. For all we know, it might be just a fibroidal tumor,” he explained. “God, how am I going to keep all this from Nick,” I said aloud. “Well, you’re going to have to tell him, Mrs. Carter,” he said. “But I can’t. He is already dealing with one of my problems. The guy who raped me is in town and he is determined to ruin Nick and I,” I said crying, “so, how am I going to tell him about this without having him worry more?” “Mrs. Carter, there are just some things that you need to do. You’re husband maybe a lot stronger than you think,” Dr. Edwards said. We sat quiet for a moment. Dr. Edwards broke the silence, “So, we need to schedule your surgery.” “Dr. Edwards, can we wait a couple of days? At least until I tell Nick,” I asked. “Well, we shouldn’t but I don’t think a couple of days should hurt. As soon as you tell him, you need to call here and schedule surgery, okay,” he said. “Okay, okay. I’ll call you as soon as I tell Nick,” I said. I shook Dr. Edwards’s hand and thanked him. I flew right out of the clinic with the bodyguards right behind me. On our way home, I was trying to figure out how I was going to tell Nick. I remembered that I did promise myself that I would tell Nick after I found out what the problem was but I was expecting it to be a minor problem. Things were in a different light now. I knew for sure that Nick would take some extra time off to be with me through all of this. I couldn’t believe that in the first few months of our marriage, all these problems came up. Nick didn’t need the added stress of my medical problem but there was just no way I was going to be able to hide this from him. The pain in my stomach grew more intense each time it hit so I knew it had to be taken care of right away. I just had to figure out how to break the news to Nick.


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