Five months had passed. Taylor was no longer living with JC. She and Mark were living together. He was 23 years old, about 6'2 and probably 200 lbs. at the most..and it was all muscle. Mark was very handsome..and knew it. He had wavy brown hair and sparkling green eyes. He was the type of guy every girl could dream of..and have nightmares about.
He was a very spoiled guy. His father was a bigwig at Jive Records and had alot of money, which of course he gave to his son. He was also a very controlling person. Taylor was no longer allowed to work. She was no longer allowed to talk to any person of the opposite sex..let alone females. That meant, no communicating with Nick or AJ or JC or any of the guys she had hung out with.
It was early morning, Mark had left for work. Taylor opened her eyes to the bright sunlight filling up the room. She groaned and sat up but it was painful. Mark had gotten angry that dinner wasn't done when he got home..plus he was drunk. He slapped her around and punched her and kicked her. She crawled out of bed and went into the bathroom. Turning on the light, she frightened herself when she saw what was staring back at her in the mirror. She had a black eye, bruises seemed to cover her face. Tears began to roll down her face before she even realized she was crying. Jana, one of the 'servants' Mark had hired, walked in. "Oh my lord. What happened Miss?," She asked touching Taylor's bruise shoulder.
"What do you think Jana? Only whats been happening for the last month..and call me Taylor.."
"You know I can not Mi..I mean Taylor."
"You have to.."
"This is the worst one yet my dear.."
"I know..god, I have to go to the stupid record company party tonight. He'll get so pissed off because I look like this.."
"We'll be able to cover most of it up.."
"I hope..I don't want him to get angry at me.."
"Why don't I draw you a bubble bath?," Jana asked.
"I'd very much appreciate that Jana..but I can do it.."
"No, no, no. I'll do it..you go find some clothes for the day."
"Okay."
Later on that afternoon, Mark came home. He walked up to the bedroom and opened the door. Jana was doing Taylor's hair. She glared at Mark as he walked in. Taylor froze up as he walked over and placed a kiss on her forehead. "This is for you..," He said softly before handing her a white rose.
"Thank you.," She said quietly.
"Jana, is my tux in the closet."
"Yes sir.," She said sternly.
Mark nodded and walked into the closed as if nothing was wrong. Jana went back to curling Taylor's hair. "Thank you Jana. I look so pretty..," Taylor said smiling.
"You look beautiful. And see, I told you make-up would cover that up. Maybe you'll see that man you used to be with.."
Taylor smiled at the thought of AJ. She had confided in Jana alot over the past two or three months. She had told her all about AJ and the other guys and how sweet they all were/are. "I hope so Jana. But..Mark'll be with me all night.."
"Taylor dear, he'll have to leave you some time.."
"I guess..thank you so much for staying so late and helping me with everything.."
"You're very welcome. You have to tell me all about this party..," Jana said hugging her.
"I will..bye Jana."
"Bye Taylor."
Jana left then. Taylor looked at herself in the mirror. She almost looked normal..as if she was going to a record company party and she would be a normal person..but she knew she wasn't. She was the girlfriend..no..fiance..of one of the most powerful men in the industry. 'If only I hadn't let me stubbornness get in my way with AJ. And if only I hadn't been stupid enough to say yes to Mark..,' She thought.
Mark walked out, fixing his jacket. "You look beautiful darling..," He said putting his arm around her waist firmly.
"Thank you..ouch..you're hurting me!"
"Sorry about last night. You just shouldn't of made me so angtry!"
Taylor winced at his tone, "I'm sorry.."
"I know you are. Now let's go."
She followed him out the door and out to the car that would take them to the party. She was wearing a navy blue dress that reached her ankles. It fit in all the right places and flattered her very much. But something wasn't right...she could feel it. Maybe it was because..she wasn't with the right person.
Later on at the party, Mark had yet to leave her side. She hadn't seen any of the BSB but had seen N'Sync. But couldn't talk to them. "Let's go see my father darling..," Mark said leading her over there.
"But..But I want to see the group performing..please?," She pleaded, not knowing who was going to perform anyways.
"Oh alright..well sit down with our drinks and watch them perform. Then we'll go see my father..," He said leading her back to their table.
"Should you be drinking so much?," She asked once they sat down.
"Should you be meddling in my business?!"
"No..but..but..you've drank enough Mark."
"Don't you dare tell me what to do!," He commanded.
Taylor flinched and looked down at the coke she had ordered. Just then, someone announced the performing group..it was BSB.
Taylor watched as the five guys sang their single, "I Want It That Way". When AJ sang his verse she almost thought how true those words were. He looked wonderful in a tuxedo with a blue shirt on underneath. His hair was actually a normal color, brown, with blonde tips. He had on a pair of regular glasses. He didn't see her..which she was sort of glad.
Across the room at N'Sync's table. JC had seen Taylor and Mark walk in. She looked almost scared to death. They locked eyes for a split second but looked down. He had watched her throughout the night. Mark had dragged her from person to person with his hand gripping her arm tightly. He turned to his girlfriend Tracey, who was also watching them. "Is something wrong with that picture, or is it just me?," He asked.
"There's something wrong with that picture."
"I mean, did I do something? Is that why she's never called or visited?"
Tracey sighed and smiled a little, "I think I know what it is."
"What?"
"I think he's controlling her.."
"Not Taylor. She's always been strong and independent."
"A controlling, demanding person can change all that. We've been studying people like those in class. I also think he's been hitting her.."
"Why? And I'm almost afraid to ask..," JC said looking back as Taylor and Mark were talking to Mark's father, John.
"Her dress, its sleeveless. Look at the bruise on her arm.."
"Oh..now I see it.."
"I bet he's controlling her and made her stop talking to all her friends. He doesn't want to 'share' her with anyone but himself. Have you noticed, she doesn't work anymroe.."
"Yeah.," JC said nodding his head.
"I'm sorry to say this about her. But, she's in an abusive relationship."
Taylor walked out on the balcony to get some fresh air. Mark was inside talking with his father and some old businessmen about work or something. She leaned forward onto the railing. She hadn't noticed the figure standing in the corner until they spoke. "Taylor?"
She spun around, mostly by instinct. "AJ?," She said squinting to make him out.
He stepped out of the shadows and nodded his head. "How are you?," He asked starting to go in for a hug.
Taylor took a step back almost immediately and glanced quickly at the door. How much time with AJ did she have before Mark came to get her??
"I'm..I'm fine..how are you?"
"Good..How come you haven't called in awhile? No one's heard from you in forever.."
"I..I know..I've..just been busy.."
"Ohh..how's Mark?"
"Fi..fine."
"Taylor? Is something wrong?," He asked growing concerned.
AJ had never seen her act like this. She was jumpy and seemed frightened. She was also looking at the door every five seconds as if waiting for something or someone.
"No..No..everything's fine.."
"You sure? You can tell me if anything's wrong.."
"I'm positive. I liked your all's performance.."
"You did?," He asked smiling.
Her eyes lit up, "Oh yeah! I saw the video like last week.it was wonderful. The song is excellent..and--"
"Taylor?! What the hell are you doing out here?," Mark demanded coming out of the doorway.
Taylor's head shot up and she backed up so her back was pressed up against the railing. "No..nothing..I was just getting some air.."
"And talking to him ??"
"S..So?"
"Are you backtalking me?," He said getting in her face.
Taylor shook her head 'no'. AJ watched this in complete and utter horror. "Nothing was going on man..I was just having a conversation with her..," AJ said putting a hand on his arm.
"Get the hell off of me. You have no right to talk to my fiance like that!"
AJ stepped back, "Fiance?"
Taylor looked up at him, almost in fear. Mark nodded, "Yes, she's my fiance. Who the hell are you anyways?"
"I'm..just an old friend.."
Mark stood up, knowing just who AJ was. He straightened his jacket. "So you're an old boyfriend. Lemme ask you..was she good in bed?"
"Excuse me?"
"I believe you heard the question."
"Mark..please, let's just go..," Taylor said pulling on his arm gently.
"Get off of me.," He said shaking her off.
"You have no right to ask him that!," She hissed.
"And you have no right talking to him you whore!"
Taylor shrank back against the railing. "There's no need to call her names.," AJ said trying not to lose his cool.
"I can call her whatever I want. Now answer!," He barked.
"Yea she was good. Why?"
Mark grabbed Taylor's arm and got in AJ's face. He lowered his voice, "She's really good when she's crying and crying out in pain.."
Then Mark grabbed Taylor roughly and walked out. AJ stood there in shock. 'The one woman you love is engaged..,' His mind said.
'But she's also in trouble..,' His heart said back.
AJ shook his head. "I can't believe this..," He murmured.
Once at home..Mark slapped her around some more. And some more..and some more. He finally ended up in bed, passed out. The phone rang..Taylor got up off the floor and answered it befrore it woke him up. "He..Hello?"
"Is Taylor there?"
"This is her.."
"Its AJ."
"How'd you get this number?"
"I have my ways Taylor. Are you okay?"
She fought the urge to burst out crying. "Of course I'm okay.."
"Taylor..talk to me..please? I'm worried about you.."
"Wh..why?"
"Because..he's beating you.."
"You don't understand..you can't understand! I..I make him so mad sometimes.."
"Taylor! Goddammit! This isn't your fault!"
"Please don't yell AJ..please.."
She heard him sigh, "Look, is there any way you can meet me?"
"I don't know..he'll find out.."
"What..what if you meet me in Tampa?"
"Why?"
"We have a photo shoot tomorrow morning..I'll probably be there all day. You could meet me near Nick's house or something.."
She thought for a minute, "Okay..I think I can get out. What time and where?"
"Is he listening?"
"No..he's passed out upstairs."
"Okay..you know where Nick lives?"
"Yea."
"Go fifteen minutes past there. There's a park, meet me at the basketball courts around 3 if thats a good time.."
"Okay.."
"Alright..Taylor?"
"Yea?"
"If you don't show up, I'm coming there.."
"AJ..don't.."
"Taylor..you better come.."
"I will..don't worry."
"Okay..I'll see you then.."
"Alright..bye.."
"Bye Taylor."
She hung up the phone then. She slid against the wall and for the second time since she left AJ, she cried. She felt as if she was losing her only connection to the outside world..and she might of been.
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