16 My Heart Ached

Aubrianne Ivanov POV

***WARNING*** Triggering content.

She reaches over, squeezes one of my palms in her hand, and then returns it to the steering wheel. She continues. "Suddenly, Ena came sauntering out of god knows where and asked, but where is Aubri?"

"I told her you were going to the changing room. She looked confused and in deep thought. Impatient, I told the b!t3h to spit it out."

"She quickly explained that you were not in the changing room, and I instantly felt dread when I heard that. Immediately, I called for Shawn, and we searched in the direction of the changing room because I knew I saw you heading there."

"As we approached the second room, we heard a small scuffle. It was faint, and Shawn kicked the door down, and to my horror, I saw you... looking like you were dead on the floor and this maniac over you,"....Jada paused, inhaling shakily, needing a moment before she continued.

It was clear that Jada was having a hard time with this. I know she cares for me. She showed me what a true friend looked like.

Finally, she exhaled and said, "Aubri honey, that scared the shit out of me, the way you looked so lifeless on the floor like that"...., then she looked at me with sad eyes.

"I am OK," I said softly while absorbing everything she said.

"Thank god, she says. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you like that," she shivers.

Jada then grimaces, and her disgust is evident as she continues, "that bastard's pants were unbuckled, almost halfway down, and he seemed to be crying, in shock as he hovered over you, gently caressing your face."

She paused again and seemed deep in thought, and I leaned my head back on the headrest, closing my eyes tightly at the image. As if shutting it out. Willing it away.

"I believe he thought he killed you... Anyway, Shawn lifted that a$$-wipe off of you and flung him across the room while I screamed at that f**ker, yelling, GET OFF OF HERRR, YOU PERVERRTTT."

Despite the discussed topic, I couldn't help the smile that blossomed on my face at the thought of Jada's reaction. I could imagine her red-faced and yelling angrily.

She continued, "I screamed for someone to call 999 while Shawn checked your pulse, but the ambulance was too far away, so John decided to drive you to the hospital himself after Shawn confirmed your pulse was there but very weak."

"It seems while we were busying ourselves with you, Ron disappeared, nowhere to be found, uhh that perverrrttt," she sighed and ranted about her revulsion and contempt for Ron now.

Nevertheless, she snaps out of it and says, "whew, anyways, needed to get that out. Kylynn and I went with John, while Ena stayed with Shawn and closed up. Everyone else went home, and girl, thinking of it, I am so happy that you gave me the stash when you did and didn't have all that money on you."

"Just the little last-minute cash that maybe came in and probably when you did your usual final checks when you left the stage, it was all that might have been on you. Next thing that pervert would have taken it from you."

That's true, I thought dejectedly and wondered if he would have taken it from me.

Would he?

I can't believe this. Ron went from zero to a hundred real quick. I saw a totally different side of Ron that night, someone I obviously didn't know as well as I thought I did.

"Jada, imagine I was planning on spending the night with him. I wanted to, so badly," I told her, then sighed but remained quiet for a long while, deep in thought.

I vaguely heard her saying, "I know, hun, I know, but we were all deceived."

I can't fathom how my sweet, sweet Ron just morphed before my frightful eyes out of nowhere. I never would have thought this man, with such kind grey-blue eyes, who looks like he could never even hurt a fly, would do something like that to ME.

My Ron, who never once harmed me before that night, Ron, my regular, my favorite customer. Hell, his money alone presumably put me through college.

The last two and a half years of college.

The crazy he was blabbing about. Was he really convinced that we would have a life together? He thought that I would take that next step with HIM?

Did he really think that I would believe those lines that we dancers have to hear every single night, are either someone or the other constantly peddling these dreams, like puh-lease!

He waited?? Waited for what? To get in my panties? I am happy I got to see his true colors before anything went further between us, though, I must admit, and sighs heavily as relief for that fact rushes through me.

Jada looks at me, "penny, for your thoughts."

Snapping out of my thoughts and back to Jada, I glanced at her and told her exactly what I was thinking.

She agreed. "Yes, that's a huge relief. Before things went any further with you guys," she says.

Then I decided to relay the entire incident from the moment I left the floor, heading towards the changing room that night. Attempting my best strategy to get through this without breaking, and we were almost home anyway.

When I was finished going over that horrible experience with all Jada's outbursts and inputs, yes, all her dramatic interruptions, we were at her place.

I was plopped down on a couch, stuffing my face with some leftover pizza after heating it, and Jada made her coffee and was drinking it while on the high chair next to the kitchen counter to my left as she listened.

After eating, I had that nice, long, hot shower I was desperate to have and got ready. I just have a couple of things to finalize before I leave this town called Clifton Hill tomorrow.

Jada said she would come with me, as she would only leave my side once I left hers tomorrow. She then quickly called John and explained; he was compassionate. He also insisted on sending Shawn over.

I didn't mind spending these last moments with Shawn and Jada. They are special to me, and I would miss them both terribly.

I knew I was not in danger solely because I had convinced myself it was a heat of the moment, a lapse in judgment and state of mind that Ron was in that night.

Me leaving, leaving hit him a bit hard. I am sure once he calms down and realizes what he has done, he will soon feel shitty about it, and if so, at least I didn't have to worry about him. Though if I never see him again, it would be too soon.

I just had to make a quick run to my old place to do a once over, stopping at my ex-landlord and visiting my mother's grave to say my goodbyes, as this may very well be the last time I see her grave.

One hour later, we were on our way! Jada and I were casually dressed in tight blue jeans and a crop top; hers was light pink, and my top was white.

Jada and I wore our hair up in a messy bun, did light makeup, and paired our outfits with slipper heels, and we both had our handbags and shades as the sun was still out.

We do this all the time, dressing alike. I was the brunette to Jada's blonde.

The evening went by smoothly, with no hiccups. I made the stops I needed to make, and we got back at about midnight.

We had decided to go have a nice dinner to wrap things up, choosing that cute little spot downtown. Barnabelle! It was my favorite.

We sat in the corner, our usual booth, and ordered our favorite meal. Jada had their famous meats, Pasta, I had their grilled to-perfection steak, and Shawn had a lamb.

We ate and talked, and the conversations flowed naturally. When soon enough, our plates were empty, and we were filled.

We had sat a bit longer reminiscing about the good ole days before we left, calling it a night.

Back home that night, Jada and I stayed up late just lying around and chatting about nothing in particular until we both fell asleep.

I even had to poke her a little, making the mood light. I said, "well, looky here, I wonder who said they wouldn't spend a weekend with me?" I looked over at Jada, a smirk on my face.

She rolls her eyes, "this is different, and you know it," She grins when I retort, "wow, so I have to be dying, huh? Is that what you are saying?" I watched her incredulously and went on...

"So, in order for you to come to visit for a weekend, I have to be dying?"

"Oh, stop now, you rubbing it in. You know I was joking." Jada defends.

"No, no, I do not," but I grinned at her regardless. She had poked me and then engulfed me in a hug.

This was my last night in Clifton Hill, and now I was over-eager to make my departure. But at the same time, my heart ached and broke about leaving behind Jada, the one friend that loved and cared for me.