Conflict Of Interest

Chapter 1....... The Inside Look

"I'm clocking out." I said

"Okay have a good weekend." My boss said

"Thanks Tara."

I gave her a small smile as I walked to the back room. I traced my fingers along the lockers, recalling each staff member while I touched their locker. Then I reached my own. I entered the combination then opened the locker door. I grabbed my normal clothes and placed them aside. I walked to the bathroom so I could get changed. I never liked changing in public places, even if I knew it was safe, so I would change in the bathroom. I had to wear sleek black pants and a low cut standard company shirt that clung to my body during work, company uniform. I wore black jogging pants and a blue tank top before I got to work. Then obviously I changed. Once I had my regular clothes on I left the bathroom and went back to my locker. I placed my work clothes into my locker then shut and locked it

I took a deep breath as I headed out of the staff room and to the front doors. I stood there for a second, then I placed my hands on the door handles. I slowly pushed the doors open. I walked out of the restaurant and headed home. I walked along the city streets just looking at the lights as I made my way back to my apartment. I took my time walking, looking at the people passing me. Some of them look at me and smile, then some look at me and then look away. I sighed. I didn't want to go back because I knew exactly who and what would be waiting for me

It was a normal Friday night in June and I just finished work. As a waitress you don't move up fast and sometimes you don't move up at all. It's a cute girls dream, to be a waitress and get lost of tips makes lots of money. I wish. Depending where you work and how cute or pretty you are you get hit on a lot and you get a lot of numbers, but worst of all you get lots of creeps. Sure the tips were good but when you get really creepy people hitting on you and even people fallowing you home. That has happened to me a few times. But that was the life here in this tiny city. There isn't much to do here career wise. And where I am now, there is no way I could get out. I sighed

"I don't want to go home." I whined in my head

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I never have it on me at work, I don't have a reason to. I pulled out my phone and I looked at my phone to see missed messages from a few people. But there was one who I didn't want to see, talk to or anything but it's the person who I'm going home to. But I don't really have a choice. What have I gotten myself into? 

I hope he's sleeping, or drunk enough to have passed out. It's later in the night so he should be out by now. I hope. Block after block I got closer to the tiny apartment that wasn't my dream place but it would do for now, until I get out of here. Once I reached the block that I call my home, I turned the corner. I walked just a few feet to my apartment building. I slowly made my way up to the little door and slid my key in to open it then placed my keys back in my pocket. The window was broken once again. I shook my head as the not so secure, security door

I walked to the elevator and hit the arro button going up. The doors opened and I was the only one in there and I hit the number 5 which was the level I live on. It was almost 11 at night, this was usual, I work a lot of shifts. I even work over time, a lot. I do that to avoid certain things. The doors slowly closed and the elevator went up. I counted each floor as the elevator went up

"2, 3, 4, and 5." I said

The doors opened and I was so reluctant to step out. I took a deep breath and I stepped out. I walked into the dully lit hallway and then I walked to the door, unit 520. I found my keys in my pocket. I fiddled with my keys until I found the right one I pressed my key into the lock and I turned the key very slowly to avoid a loud noise. I opened the door slowly, afraid of who was behind the door. I walked in and shut the door quietly and I closed my eyes. I opened my eyes to see the person I feared in front of me

"Hi." He said

 He pushed me against the door gently and he looked me in the eyes, his green eyes intruding my blue ones. I could smell the alcohol on his breath as he talked. It made me want to be sick. I turned my face slightly to avoid his alcohol stained breath 

"I've be waiting for you to come home." He said

"I had to work over time. The restaurant was short staffed." I said

"It's late." He said

"I know." I said quietly

"Someone could hurt you. There is a lot of bad people out there." He said

I wanted to yell that he was a bad person but I couldn't bring myself to do it. He brushed his hand up and down my body. I hated his touch, it's not like it used to be. I just wanted to push him away. But I knew I couldn't. I gently turned my head away from his breaking the intruding look that he gave me

"Scott you're drunk." I said

He snapped and he grabbed my chin and turned my head to make me face him, again. His grip was tight and painful. I flinched because of the pain. It hurt more than I expected. A 5'4 girl against a strong 6'0 guy isn't the best outcome. Well for me anyways. I had to keep calm or he will sense it and he will feed off of it

"I am not!" He yelled

"Keep your voice down. The others will hear." I said calmly

"No I won't keep my voice down!" He yelled

He let go of my jaw and stepped back a little. I held my face where his tight grip was and I moved my jaw around to make sure nothing was out of place. I hoped the worst was over but I was wrong. He lifted his hand and he came down hard. The palm side of his hand connected with the cheek and I heard the echo of it, I wonder if anyone else did too. After a few seconds I felt the imprint of his hand on the cheek. I fell against the door then to the floor and he laughed

"Stupid girl." He said as he laughed again

I got up and I headed to my room as he pored another drink and sat on the couch. I knew after this one he would pass out, well I hoped. I shut my door and locked it so I could have my peace. I had my back against the door to make sure he didn't follow me to my room. I heard nothing. A silent tear ran down my face. I wiped it away. Then I pulled out my phone and took a picture of my face. I always do this when he leaves a mark on me. I unlocked the door and I went out again to see if he was passed out. I walked a few steps and he didn't move. So he was passed out

I was safe tonight he would wake up sober with no recollection of what he has done like always, but for me I will be marketing the hand print left on my face for him and everyone to see. Even when he is sober the abuse continues, it may not be physical but it's emotional and verbal. And even when he is sober he still smiles at what he did to me. Like he is proud of beating me up

I walked over to him, I was angry. I loved him and offered him all that I have and this is what he does to me? I was livid. There was a half filled whisky bottle sitting on the table, I picked it up and I brought it over my shoulder. I aimed it at his head and I began to tense up. Just as I was about to take a swing I couldn't make my arm move. I couldn't do it. I placed the bottle back on the table and I walked away

I went back to my room and locked the door. A sense of guilt came over me because of the actions I had planned. I got changed out of my day clothes and got into pajamas. Then I walked to the bathroom to see the print still blood red on my face. I pulled back my long blonde hair into a sloppy bun, I washed off my makeup and I headed to my bed and just laid there. I felt my face throbbing. I started to cry

"Why?" I asked myself