The Unexpected

Part One

I had to escape, I just didn't know how to.
Growing up and getting married was always the dream I really wanted to come true. I stayed up long nights sketching how I wanted the church to be decorated and what I wanted my dress to look like. White and long like a ball gown with sparkle bedazzled jewels on the torso, strapless with a heart shaped rime on the chest. I want my bridesmaids wearing strapless lavender long dresses and I want my maid of honor wearing teal. My flower girls will throw out teal lavender and white rose petals. And I already have my Prince Charming. Well I thought I did. This all already happened and it was a dream come true. It was after the fact when it became a nightmare. My Prince Charming and I met when I was bartending on a Saturday night at Club Flip. He was there with his friends and I took his drink order. I remember he order our famous Jungle Juice. I had no interest in him at first. He flirted with me, I didn't really flirt back because I was at work.
"What time do you get off tonight, beautiful" he asked
"Midnight." I said.
"Early enough for me to buy you drink? .... Well I will be right back over here in this same spot at midnight if you're interested" he responded
I smiled and brushed him off. I thought "That's probably how he picks up all of his girls. Midnight came around and I was so excited to be off. I gathered my things and began walking to my car. When I walked outside he was standing by the door.
"How did I know you wanted to meet me here instead?" He asked
I began to chuckle "I'm just very tired, it's been a long day"
"Okay can I take you out another night?" He asked
"I'll think about it I'm busy you know"
At this time I was a college student majoring in Music Productions.
"What about a name and number? My name is Charles"
"Well Charles my name is Christina, and if you want my number you'll find a better way to get it." I walked away to my car.
After a couples days I was at the gym and my phone started to ring from a number I was not familiar with. I didn't answer but they left a voice message and familiar voice spoke "Hey Christina. Didn't you say if I really wanted your number I would get it. Well I did. You must be busy like you said you were. Call me back when you get the chance. Oh and by the way this is Charles from the club." I started to laugh and continued on with my workout. I went home to shower and get ready for class.
During class I could not stop thinking about this Charles boy. I mean I wasn't interested in him like come on I don't have time for boyfriend right now. But I decided that after class I would call him back. I got home and dialed Charles' number. He didn't answer but he text me and said "Hey I'm at work, can we text?" I responded and said "Yes wassup" I couldn't believe I was even giving this boy my time. It was just something about him that was so settling. He would always come visit me at work and buy me drinks when I got off. Eventually I let Charles take me on a real date. He took me to this nice fancy expensive restaurant. I asked him if he was sure he wanted to spend all that money on me and he looked me in my eyes and responded "I'll spend my last on you if I have to" this made me feel a certain kind of happy. After time we became really close. We stayed up all night talking on the phone the nights I didn't have to work and he would always send me flowers with cute messages attached to them. One day I came home with a big box that said my name on it. I wasn't sure what it was but I dragged it in a struggling way into the house, it was very heavy. I cut open the box and a whole bunch of wrapped gifts were in there. They were all from Charles. There was a note that said "I want to move forward with you, move in with me" and there was a key attached to the note. I was so shocked, I didn't know how to think or how to feel. The thought of moving in with a guy made me feel weird but happy and anxious at the same time.
"What would momma or daddy think if they found out I moved in with a guy that I've only been knowing for some months" I said to myself. In my mind I really really liked this idea but I didn't want to seem too easy so I put that message aside. He bought me so many designer clothes and shoes and purses. I felt like a spoiled princess and I wasn't used to such things. Charles called my phone and said "did you see what I sent you?"
"Oh my gosh! Yes!" I said with joy
"So I take it you liked it" He said
"I loved it. All of it. Thank you babe" I replied
"You're welcome baby. So what do you think about the note" he asked
"Do you think that would be the best option for us?" I asked
"I absolutely hate being away from you and sleeping alone when I have a girlfriend is the worse"
"Oh I'm your girlfriend?" I questioned
    "Well, I mean yeah you my babygirl all this time we've spent together it would only be right to give you that title ma" he answered
  Mmm it was something about that ma word; can y'all guess what my answer was?
Two days after that phone call conversation we began to move the things I wanted out of my flat. Charles lived in this big mansion; with high ceilings, long doors and huge chandeliers in almost every room. It was gorgeous and a dream house. Makes me wonder why he would be living in a house this big all alone but I'm here now and I can tell he didn't really know how to decorate.
"Can I redecorate for you babe?" I asked
He looked at me and smile " Of course you can this is your house too. And I know my decorating skills suck" We both laughed.
Later that night I decided to call my parents and tell them I had moved in with my boyfriend
"What do you know about this man" Momma said
"Mom I know enough we've been hanging for almost a year now and I really like him." I said
"We sent you to California to pursue your dream of becoming a music producer not to lollygag around with some boy" Daddy said
"Daddy, I am maintaining A's in every single one of my classes. I never miss a class and I never miss a day of work. I am still doing good this is just a little fun for me to have. Ever since I got here it's been all business no fun. And you made sure David made that possible. I'm still young and I don't wanna die alone! My journey with serious relationships starts now daddy I have to do this. I am 24 years old and 10,000 miles away no disrespect but you guys can't make decisions for me any longer" I responded
"You're my youngest baby and my only girl, I love you I just want what's best for you" Momma said
"I love you too momma. Look I have to go, I'm going to be late for class."
Even though my parents weren't on my side with this decision my brother Davis was and he really wanted to meet Charles, but Charles wasn't really up for it for some reason. My brother David moved to Cali with me so that I wouldn't be all alone and plus he wanted to explore something new outside of our typical Chicago lifestyle. Oh and even if he didn't want to go daddy was going to make him anyway because I wasn't allowed to come all alone.
Class was so boring that day. I just wanted to lay under my boyfriend but he was at work. When I got home after class I decided to clean up the house and unpack the rest of my things. Charles came home and he seemed irritated. I just knew it wasn't because of me because we didn't really talk today. He went straight to the room and in the bathroom. I went up there to see what was wrong.
"Are you okay honey you seem irritated" I asked
"Why the hell does the house look like this Christina. Huh" He said in a quiet irritated voice.
"What do you mean Charles I just cleaned it before you got home. Can you not smell the bleach." I responded
"What the fuck did you clean?! The kitchen?!" He yelled
I began to walk away "Okay you're taking your frustration out on me an-"
"Don't EVER walk away from me while I'm talking to you" He said grabbing my bicep and pulling me closer to him. I looked him in his eyes and you could see the rage in his face. He let me go and pushed me down. Tears started to roll down my face in terror and anger. I knew this just wasn't like him to act like this or do this.
"Clean yourself up and go make me some food" He said
I just wanted this day to be over. I washed my face to clear my tears and went down to make dinner. While I was cooking Charles came behind me and apologized for the way he was acting and said he just had a bad day at work then kissed me on my forehead and told me he loved me. That was the first time he's said that to me so I didn't know how to take it but I told him I loved him back. Charles would always stress how much he needed me in his life and he didn't know what he would do if he lost me and I felt the same exact way about him. After about four months me and Charles became closer than ever and he didn't have any more outbreaks like before. For the Fourth of July we had a get together at our house with all of our friends. Charles grilled all types of meat and I made all of the sides. Some of our friends brought food too. My best friend Daya and her boyfriend Brian were there as well. My best friend lives in Nevada and it was so comforting seeing her I just didn't know why Charles would have her fly all the way here for a Fourth of July party. Tonight was also the night Charles got to meet David. They were cooking the meat together. God I was terrified at what they were going to say to each other.
"Hey Chrissy, you okay girl?" A voice from behind said
Turning around I said "Huh? Ye-, OH MY GOSH DAYA!!!"
Daya laughing "Hey girl!"
"I missed you baby! It's been way too long" I said hugging her
"I know I know but I've been so busy with Brian and the kids" She replied
"How are my babies anyway" I asked
"They're good just bad! They are with momma right now though. I was going to bring them but Danielle is sick" She said
"Awe my poor baby, well we're going to have to set up a week when we come there" I said
"Anytime is perfect because I really do miss you and we're not going to be here for that long. We leave tomorrow after we see his parents." She said
Charles announced to everybody and said gather around and told me to come here. I did not know anything he had planned I was nervous honestly. He started digging around in his pockets and some slow music started to play. He got down on one knee. My heart began racing and the adrenaline in my body started to pump.
"I love you and I meant it when I said I needed you in my life. Being without you would be like the stars with no moon. Will you marry me Chrissy?" He asked.
I looked at David and he was smiling so big nodding his head then I looked at Daya and she had tears in her eyes as if it were her getting asked.
"YES!!! Oh my gosh yes Charles!" I replied excitedly with tears streaming down my face.
He got up with tears in his eyes and then he kissed me. This was the best day of my life. I knew this was the person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.
"I didn't see any of this coming babe" I said to Charles.
"I know baby. You weren't supposed to" He said.
For the rest of that night I spent it talking with Daya about everything that's been going on and Charles was with my brother and his friends. One of Charles co workers walked over to me. He was six feet tall and built like a bodybuilder. His skin was smooth and chocolate like a Hershey bar. I didn't like Hershey bars though so it didn't matter to me.
"Congratulations Christina, He's really happy with you" He said
"Thank you, What's your name again?" I asked
"I'm Brandon, I work with Charles. You look sexy tonight too by the way" He said
"Umm thank you but that's not a very appropriate way to talk to me, I'm engaged" I replied confused.
"You're right. I'm sorry" He said walking away smiling.
Everybody was out of our house by one in the morning. Daya and Brian helped us clean up before they left to his parents house. Charles wasn't really talkative. I didn't know what it was about but I was scared. I walked Daya and Brian out to their car and made sure they pulled off safely. When I walked back through the the door Charles was there waiting on me in the doorway.
"I should beat yo ass right now" he said angrily
"What? Wh-"
"Shut the fuck up" He said slapping me in the face before I could finish " You just thought I didn't see you over there talking to Brandon? AM I DUMB TO YOU? How do you think that makes me look. You stupid bitch." He said yelling and pushing me
"I'm sorry I didn't think me talking to your co worker would be this serious Charles!" I said crying.
He hit me over and over again. Then he eventually left and didn't come back for the rest of the night. The next morning my body felt so fragile and I had bruises all down my arms and back. I figured I deserved this because I was talking to another man at our gathering. I drew myself a hot bath to sit and think about what just happened. Charles still wasn't home.