Chapter 12
Annika
“Annika, it’s not that big of a deal,” Leon attempted to console me, albeit unsuccessfully while driving us to the restaurant for dinner. After receiving the devastating news that I had yet to accept fully, he immediately took me to a pharmacy to pick up the antibiotics for the stupid STD that my sorry-excuse-of-a-man-whore husband gave me.
“Mr. Von Doren! Are you serious right now!?” I snapped at him, staring at him in disbelief. “Do you see this!?” I asked while holding up the packet of antibiotic powder I would have to mix with juice once we made it to the restaurant. “Your skank of an ex-wife gave my husband Chlamydia, who in turn gave it to me!”
“I understand that, but at least it can easily be treated, hence why you’re holding that packet right now,” he replied with his ever so cool and calm demeanor. I was so exacerbated over this whole ordeal that I just wanted to go home and strangle Jeff to death.
“No, you don’t understand! I’ve been walking around with this nasty disease for almost a fucking year!” I screamed and buried my face in my hands in shame as soon as the words escaped my mouth.
“Come again?” Leon responded in shock and confusion.
“That was the last time Jeff has ever touched me. It’s been almost a year since we were intimate with one another, which means I’ve had this for almost a year and had no idea! Do you not get how humiliating this is for me!? I’m a fucking doctor, and I was totally unaware that I’ve been walking around with an STD!”
“Okay, calm down. I get that it might be a little embarrassing, but the bottom line is that it’s easily treatable. Let’s just get to the restaurant so that you can take it. I’m sure once you get the antibiotics in your system, you will feel more at ease, yes?” I subconsciously squeezed the packet of medicine and glared at him. Men would never understand. “Though, I’m curious to know how Sadie ended up with an STD. I’m the one who mentioned it, but I was technically joking and just talking shit about her. From what I know, I was Sadie’s first, and I was clean. I got checked before I took her virginity. Additionally, your husband is the only other man that I know of she has been with,” Leon said while scratching his chin and making a thinking face.
“Are you saying she may have slept with someone else that you don’t know of?” I clarified.
“That, or maybe your husband did,” he retorted.
“Ugh!” I grunted in frustration when a sudden thought zapped my brain. “Wait, there’s a way to check to see if Sadie has it as well!”
“Really? How?”
“We have her medical records. And since she’s currently pregnant, Kenzie is required to perform an STD test while also conducting her pap smear. Her results should be in her file.” As I finished uttering my final words, Leon slammed on the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road unexpectedly. “What the hell!?” I shouted as the car stopped abruptly, my heart now pounding furiously in my chest.
“SADIE’S PREGNANT!?!” he shouted, and his face contorted at me with rage. My eyes dilated, and it was then I realized my mistake.
“Oh shit.”
“Annika, tell me the truth! Is Sadie really pregnant?!” I bit my bottom lip and wanted to lie, but I knew it was already too late. I reluctantly nodded my head, and as soon I confirmed it, I could see his rage dissipate, and his expression descended into sadness.
“Mr.… Leon, are you okay?” I asked hesitantly.
“That bitch! She told me she never wanted kids! She made me use condoms every time we had sex, or she would stock up on the Morning-After pill. THAT LYING, TWO-TIMING WHORE!” He screamed and unleashed his wrath on the steering wheel, punching it several times.
“LEON! STOP!” I screamed and attempted to grab his arm. He was the size of a Spartan warrior, and my hands could barely fit around his biceps. “Leon, you’re going to hurt yourself!” I cried out and tried to prevent him from hitting the steering wheel further. Amid his explosive outburst, he shoved me off with so much force that I hit the back of my head on the window and heard the deafening sound of a crack.
“AHH!”
“Annika! Shit!” I heard a car door open and slammed shut, but I had become so disoriented that I wasn’t sure what was going on. There was no doubt that I saw stars from the blunt force trauma to my head. My door was being yanked open the next thing I knew, and Leon gently pulled me out of the car. “Annika, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you that hard. Are you okay? Let me see,” Leon crooned, his voice full of concern and worry carved into his eyes. Even though I was a little dizzy, I could tell that he was terribly sorry for what had just happened. He tenderly cupped my cheeks and turned my head to each side to assess for obvious signs of injury.