Chapter 31

Ashton

I opened my eyes nervously when the car suddenly swayed, I almost fall from my seat, fortunately, some arms stopped me.

"Hey sorry, the road is a bit bumpy because we are about to enter the forest," Zie informed me, I took support from his thighs and sat down erect, I rolled my eyes using my hands then I looked outside, I could only see trees around, it's so quiet, it's nice and peaceful in my feeling, but not until I saw Joe on the front seat.

"What the hell?" To my great surprise when I turned to the front, I saw Joe's neck tied to the chair. I frowned and slowly approached Joe's seat, I removed the belt that was used to tied Joe's neck.

"He deserved that." Nile calmly replied without taking his eyes off the road. I just raised an eyebrow at him even though I knew he would never see it.

"Are you okay?" I asked Joe worriedly, the belt was so tight that I got a hard time untying the belt. Joe was gasping for air when I finally untie the belt on his neck. Joe looked at my direction and winked at me then made an okay sign that disturbed my mind, I frowned. What the fuck does that mean?

"You're weird," I commented, there was a bruise on Joe's face, his lips also looked cracked but the way he smiled and acted, it was as if he didn't have bruises all over his face. Although I wanted to ask, I did not ask them anymore and just chose to keep quiet.

Moments later the car stopped, "we're here," Nile informed and immediately got out of the car. Zie and I grabbed our bags and got out of the car and followed Nile.

When we got out of the car, the cold breeze of the forest welcomes us. The trees around are quite tall that I think it looks so scary here at night.

"It's already two in the afternoon, let's eat first before setting up the tent," Zie suggested and we agreed.

We laid a piece of fabric on the ground not too far from the car and pit our down the edge of the fabric. I went back to the car to pick up the food that Nile and Joe had prepared, I was stunned when I open the door of the car and found Joe is still inside, it seems like he was sobbing but when he noticed my presence he immediately wiped away the tears that trickle from his eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked him concern, Joe turned to me and slowly nod before he showed me his faked smile. I no longer annoy him with questions and picked up the baskets containing foods and drinks.

"Let me help you, Ash," Joe said and got out of the car, I handed him the two baskets while I took the drinks.

We laid the food on the fabric and sat down, Zie and I sat side by side while Nile and Joe sat side by side. Joe and I just kept quiet while Nile and Zie talked, I couldn't help but be annoyed every time I looked at Joe's face, it seemed like he's hurting but he tried to hide it from us.

"I want to go to the waterfall, Nile." Joe interrupted Zie and Nile's conversation, Nile only nodded and turned his attention back to what they were talking about.

Joe got up and walked towards the waterfall.

"Wait? Does he know the way to the waterfall?" I asked in surprise and looked at Joe's figure anxiously, what if he suddenly disappears in the middle of the forest? What if he gets lost along the way?

"Don't worry, this is not the first time we have been here," Nile replied.

"Can I go with him, Zie?" I ask Zie and look at him with puppy eyes, I know he can't resist my puppy eyes.

"Of course, baby." He replied and messed up my hair, I immediately got up and ran to follow Joe's blurry figure, because he was walking so fast.

When I heard the faint rush of water from the waterfall I slowed down my walk, I saw Joe leaning on the big rock, he seemed so deep in thought that until now he did not notice that I was following him. I was just staring at him waiting for what he was going to do next.

My heart almost broke by what I saw next, Joe began to cry, his hands resting on his chest as if his heart was in so much pain. I was dumbfounded, not knowing what to do, if I was just going to watch him or approach him and hugged to comfort him.

When I could no longer bear it, I slowly approached Joe's place, he immediately wiped away tears that trickle down his eyes the moment he saw me walking towards him.

"You're not okay," I commented and stood beside him.

"Your point?" He replied but the gaze focuses on the rushing water from the waterfall.

"My point is, why are you letting him hurt you? If you're not okay with it, why don't you fight him? Why don't you tell him to stop? You let him beat you and then you're here crying." I stated in a matter of fact. His face became sour.

"It's not your problem so fuck off." He replied angrily and pushed me causing me to sink my back into the boulder.

"What the fuck! I'm just trying to talk to you and comfort you, I just don't understand why you act so tough in front of Nile even though you are hurting inside by what he does to you." I said angrily half shouting because I was annoyed with him.

He kept quiet.

"I'm sorry if I'm too inquisitive, but I suggest you look in your face and ask yourself if you deserve those bruised," I said calmly, he still did not respond, tears fell in his eyes again and I could not help but feel sorry for him.

"He's a sadist." He broke the silence and wiped a few beads of tears on his cheek.

"And I love him, I don't want to lose him, you can only understand me if you've been in love but I guess you never loved someone before. That's why I endure the pain Nile cause to me if that means I won't lose him and besides I... I kinda like it when he punches or slaps me." He confessed.

I was stunned by what he said, I suddenly thought and asked my self, have I ever loved someone? What's between me and Zie? Are we just fuck buddy? Did he see me as his escort? Did I see him as my savior? Do I love him already?

Many questions went through my mind but I only found one answer, just like Joe I don't want to lose Zie. Fuck! Do I love Zie already?