For the Dream of 5 Years: Chapter Thirty-One: Go Back!

"I am not leaving this place until you get inside that house or we go back to mine," texted Dan. He was still at the gate, while Michelle was seated at the door, thinking about what to do. She didn't want to anger Dave, but she would not beg him either. Her sins were negligible compared to his. Dan kept blasting her phone, call after call, as she tried to read her messages from Tracy. She suddenly felt a sheer pain in her forehead, more like a stray bullet, but before she collapsed and died, she was distracted by Dan's voice. "Hey, pick up my call, or I jump over the gate," Dan shouted, startling her and bringing her back to reality. She redialled his number, and he picked up the call immediately, "I've been hit by something. A stray bullet maybe. My head hurts," she said on the phone. "Come, let me look at it," he insisted with a mumbled giggle. "I can't walk; I feel dizzy," she said, struggling to stand on her feet, touching her forehead to check whether she was bleeding. She felt a little bump; she was starting to swell up. "Please! Stop being dramatic! It was a small stone," Dan said, laughing. "What do you mean a small stone? Where did it come from? Did you hit me, Dan?" She asked, puzzled and standing on her toes to increase her height and properly locate Dan, still on the phone. "I'm sorry curvy girl, come, let me check it out. I'll perform first aid on it if need be," He said. "You can't be serious. Did you just hit me with a stone? What if you gave me a concussion?" She asked, wondering what type of a person Dan was. "Are you coming? Should I jump over the gate?" He asked, moving closer to the gate. Michelle did not want drama; she did not want Dave to find out that she had come home in the company of another man. So, she picked up her clutch bag and walked toward the gate. Once out of the gate, she grabbed him by his wrist. She wanted to drag him away from the entrance, somewhere further that if Dave came out, he wouldn't see him. Her effort almost made Dan laugh, but he decided to move, not because Michelle was strong to make him, but because he saw she was trying to. "Dan, please, I know you've made me feel good most of the time we've been together. However, the last few hours have been unbearable for me; I am stressed and find it hard to keep up with your games. Additionally, you have hit me on the forehead with a stone, which I consider violence against a woman. I don't condone violence at all," she said, still holding on to her forehead. "Ooh, curvy girl, don't you worry about that. A cube of ice will do. I'm sorry. I am sorry," he begged. "It is okay. I'll be fine, but don't you ever do something like that to me again," she said. Dan tried holding her hand and leaned in for a kiss when she violently shoved him away. "What do you think you are doing? This is my home area; my husband can see us anytime!" She told him quietly. "Oh, sorry, my bad. Forgive me, curvy girl," he said, putting his hands in his pocket. Michelle remembered the day he put his hands in the pocket when they were in the village and walked away, angry. She felt drawn to him more. Maybe she had something in her that wanted to break the unbreakable. It was happening again, and she did not want to see him coil in defeat or anger. She leaned in and hugged him tightly, still his hands in his pockets. He didn't hug her back but lowered himself and planted a warm kiss on her forehead. She rested a little longer on his broad chest and listened to his powerful breathing. "I said it is okay. Let me get the Jeep. We must be clear; I am dropping you off on the way. I will be going to my friend's place. The friend that texted you," she said, letting go of the embrace. "Whatever you want, baby girl. Just don't let anybody disrespect you or walk over you. Did Dave refuse to open the door for you? Do you want me to make him open?" He asked. "Thanks, but no thanks," she said, getting in the gate to get the Jeep. He picked Dan outside the gate, and they drove off. In the car, Dan was so quiet, like he was hurt. He wondered how a man could do that to Michelle. Michelle was such a sweet, kind-hearted human being, and she genuinely cared about other people more than she cared for herself. He felt helpless. He wanted to beat Dave up for chasing her away, but that would hurt Michelle. He looked so sad, which worried Michelle. She pulled over on the side of the road. "What is wrong?" She asked, looking very concerned. "Michelle, I don't like how that man is treating you. Please understand that I am very serious when addressing you by name. Why would he turn you away at night? Where does he want you to go? I feel like I want to teach him a lesson. Should I? He asked, gently massaging her knee. "I appreciate your concern. However, let me deal with my marital issues. I will take some time tonight at Stacy's and figure out how I will return. Dave made a mistake, but I know he has truly repented. He is a good man. I know he loves me. I just felt a void, and I was trying to fill it," she said, touching his arm gently. "Did I fill the void?" He asked. "Please, don't make me choose between you and my husband. I don't want to hurt you. I liked you and have grown fond of you, but recently, I felt a much deeper feeling that I have no label for. I don't want to see you hurt. Most importantly, I need you to consider that I have a family, a husband, and two little children. You may not understand, but it is not always easy when children are involved," she said. "So, you want to tell me that you will stay with a cheat because of the children? A man that turns you away at night without listening to your explanation? A man that has another family somewhere?" He asked. "It is not like I am entirely a saint. I don't like what I did, but I don't regret it either. I needed to have such a thrill so I'd know it wasn't such a big deal," she said. "This is a part of the thrill. I hate that it worries you. I will protect you, curvy girl. There is nothing that psycho will do to you. Trust me. I will be looking out for you," he reassured her. "Please don't call him a psycho. I don't want to discuss my family with anybody," she said. "So, why do you want to let your friend know you have been kicked out? We could go home since I already understand your plight. Besides, nobody can take care of you better than someone who loves you," he said, touching her chin. "That is so kind of you. Still, I want to go to Stacy's," she insisted. "If you say so. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to," he said. Michelle then drove to Stacy's, Dan still in the car because he had insisted that he would not leave her alone until she was settled. When they got to Stacy's, the door was locked. She wasn't around, and her number was not going through. Michelle left her a voicemail saying she was there and wanted to spend the night. "Well, you are stuck with me, curvy girl. Let's go home," he said. They drove to Dan's place, where they had spent the night together the previous day. Michelle did not look at ease. She agreed to go there anyway. She could have gone to a hotel, but Dan convinced her not to. At his house, Dan made her rice and beef stew. They ate, took a shower, and cuddled throughout the night.