𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 | ✓

Chapter-42

"Ow, I was just kidding. Everything was so messy, everyone in the office got the wind of the news, you already saw why. Chase was unconscious for like..a couple of hours and there was alot of media. I'm sorry, should've sent someone earlier." He frowned.

"Oh, it's fine if you put it that way but can you drive a little faster? I have to take a shower, my hands hurt. It was really a shitty day. I don't even want to remember what all happened today." I sighed, resting my head back.

After a few minutes of silence, he said, "Thankyou."

"For what? I did nothing. I promised him she'll never touch him again, look at me now. I don't even know what she did." I shook my head.

"She didn't.." He trailed off. "We looked at the footage, she clicked a few pictures. By the time she was..uhm..opening his clothes, you arrived, rest you know." He tells me. I hummed in response.

It's funny how I was dying to go home and now standing outside, I can't seem to take a step inside. Everything started replaying in my head, everything Jezebel helped me forget came back rushing to me.

"Celeste, it wasn't your fault." Alec said to me. But it was, I shouldn't have taken the leave. I could've avoided meeting my mother, it wasn't even important. This all wouldn't have happened if I went to work today.

"Stop it." He snapped.

"It is my-"

"No it's not. Do you think Chase will appreciate you thinking about yourself like this? He needs you to be with him right now, not self-loathing." Alec said, holding my hand and pulling me inside.

Caden looked at us as we entered. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, clearly tired.

"Yeah." I will be. "You should take some rest, it's getting late, Alec, go eat something." I looked at Rome coming out of Caden's room.

"Oh pretty girl." Rome said, coming towards me, pulling me in a hug. "Remind me to never piss you off by any chance." He tried to joke.

"I need a shower." I said, pulling back. I tried to look around discretely but they all noticed. "He went to sleep after having dinner, he was waiting for you but -"

"It's fine. I'll just..go..yeah."

"He asked us to leave after you came back..so.." Caden started.

"I'll see you soon." I said to them before walking upstairs. Can I face him? I took a deep breath and opened the door. Not looking at him, I dashed into the bathroom.

Taking longer the necessary in the shower, I got dressed.

Moving my fingers through his hair, I looked at him. He immediately opened his eyes, getting tensed but relaxed when he noticed it was me. He sat up, I withdrew my hand but he held my wrist, pulling me in his lap.

He buried his head in my neck. We were silent for I don't know how long but I knew he was crying, I felt his tears on my neck. "I'm sorry." He said, after he sobered up a few minutes later.

"No, Chase. I am sorry, I failed you. I promised you..I should've been there..I should've-"

"It's not your fault. I should've pushed her away, the pictures..I didn't touch her on my own..I promise..I didn't..If you don't want to touch me anymore..I..it's okay." He said, loosening his hold on me.

I pulled him closer if it was possible and cupped his face, wiping away the leftover tears. "She drugged you. None of it was your fault, you couldn't have done anything even if you tried, stop blaming yourself. You're the purest person in my life, don't ever believe otherwise. If I could, I would hold you for the rest of my life." I told him, pulling his head closer to my chest as I lay down.

"Are you comfortable with all this? If you need some space, just tell me okay?" I ask him.

"You won't leave me..you won't right?" He asked.

"Never..not until you ask me to." I replied, massaging his head lightly, he just wrapped his arm tightly around me.

"I feel violated. I hate she touched me Celeste, again. I never want to see her again." He whispered.

"I'm so proud of you, for pressing the charges Chase, she..she, there were more guys, I hope they come forward after this. You're so strong, I admire you." I tell him. "If you're uncomfortable with anything, please tell me okay? Don't hesitate..i'll stop doing it okay?" I reassured him.

"You're not dis-"

"No shh..You are everything to me. I won't allow you to feel so low about yourself. She was the one who needs to feel disgusted with her own self, not you." I tell him.

"Love yourself, I need you to love yourself my love, nothing else." I say, kissing his forehead.

"Can I sleep like this?" He asked.

"You can do whatever you like to as long as you're comfortable." I say to him.

"Did you eat?" He asked.

"Yeah." I lied. "Sleep boo." I kiss both of his eyelids.

•••••••
To everyone out there, love yourself first before loving anyone or anything else. You matter <3