2 Chapter 2: Not Your Fault

I opened my heavy eyelids, giving my pillow a good squeeze. The moon was still high in the night sky, it's dim light shining through the window.

'Where am I? Did I go home?'

I rubbed my eyes as I tried to remember what happened. Faint snippets of a man doing things to my body crossed my mind.

'Maybe it was a dream?'

I sat up, feeling a dull ache between my thighs.

'It wasn't a dream.'

I looked over my shoulder, the moonlight shining on the man's chest.

'Shit!'

I ran my hands through my hair. I stood up, still slightly dizzy, searching for my purse. I grabbed the bathrobe off the hook in the bathroom and wrapped it around my naked body.

Locating my purse in the corner of the room, I grabbed my phone and looked at the time.

'3:00 am. I need to get out of here now.'

My dress and other garments were practically shredded on the floor. 

'What the hell dude!? Bathrobe it is. That was the only fancy dress I owned.'

I glanced at him once more before I crept out the room. Just as I closed the door, I bumped into one of the janitors.

"Miss Masters, you're awake. Good, let's get you out of here." He grabbed my wrist and lead me down the stairs, speaking quickly as if he only had a few minutes to talk. "I've called a cab for you, and it's already paid for. Just tell them your address and get home safely." He began to walk off after getting me outside.

"Wait, what happened? Where's Bridget? Who is that dude?" He looked around, looking to see if anyone was nearby.

"You and the man you were with-"

"ANDRÈ, zip it!" One of the maids appeared from around the corner.

"Just get home safely miss." He practically ran inside. I got in the cab and told the driver my address.

'What was that about? And why was he saying that it was good that I was awake?'

I leaned my head on the window of the cab, nodding off to sleep.

—

"Bridget, where the hell is the girl? I thought you said you were sure?"

"I don't know! She was supposed to be here." I opened my eyes to see two girls arguing in hushed tones. I squinted at them trying to see clearly. I noticed one of the girls had a reporters badge and a camera. I had seen the other girl from the night before.

'I think she's Bridget? Never mind that, why are they here?'

"What are you doing in here with a camera? Get out." I growled, making them jump before scurrying out of the room.

I rubbed my forehead as I sat up in bed.

'How many drinks did I have last night? Three? No, four. It was just wine so what the hell. And why on earth was a report-... the girl. They set us up to cause a scandal. Then where is the girl?'

The other half of the bed looked like it had been untouched. Her clothes were gone. It was like she wasn't even here, like I dreamed it all.

I pulled the sheets off of me and saw a little bit of blood on the white sheets.

'Wait... was last night... her first?'

I shook my head and sat on the edge of the bed, the night before was hazy but one thing stuck, her piercing blue eyes. The moon barely lit up the room, but they were beautiful. She was beautiful. The women that usually chased me weren't even half as beautiful as she was.

'But who was she?'

"Get her out of your head Oliver. She probably was in on this so that she could get some money out of me later." I mumbled to myself as I shook my head.

Did I use a condom... SHIT!

I gripped the sheets, seething with anger. My adoration for her was gone within seconds.

If she gets pregnant... this was her fucking plan all along! Get knocked up so she could get money out of me. Scandal my ass. Shit I need to find this woman. Damn you Oliver. You stupid, idiotic, dumbass!'

I called Maxwell.

"I need your help."

—

'I have love bites all over my neck and shoulders. Damn this dude was ruthless.'

I thought as I examined my body. Not only were there marks on my neck, but there were finger print shaped bruises on my waist and thighs. I covered my marks with some concealer and foundation.

'Thank goodness for makeup. I guess the first thing I need to do is get the morning after pill.' I thought to myself after getting dressed. The thought of getting pregnant right now wasn't appealing.

I made myself a small bowl of oatmeal and a glass of orange juice.

'Breakfast of champions right? Now thinking back on it, I didn't even get to try any of the food from last night. I bet it tasted great too.'

I gave a little pout at the thought of missing out on the best part of the ball. Thankfully no one asked me to dance since I couldn't dance, even if my life depended on it.

I grabbed my things and headed to the nearest drug store. I decided to call off work from the restaurant, I needed to clear my head. I entered the store and went to the back where the pills where.

'How many different brands are there? And why are some more expensive than others?'

I had been standing there for nearly ten minutes trying to find one. An older woman, mid thirties maybe, approached me.

"Do you need any help miss?" She smiled politely, but was discreet in approaching me. I appreciated that.

"Um yes. I don't really know which one to buy." I could feel my face flush.

"That's okay honey. This one," She pointed to a pink box. "is the one I use."

"Oh okay. Thank you very much." I picked up the little box, giving the woman a small wave before heading to the self checkout.

I didn't feel comfortable going up to the main register since it was a man. Not that that was bad, but it just made me feel uncomfortable. I was always like that with feminine products. It gave me the creeps.

After checking out, I headed home. Once home, I read the instructions.

So I should be fine since I'm taking it within the three day mark. And I will know it worked if I get my period. Gosh this is stressful.

I took the little pill with some water and sat on the couch. I began to remember a few more things from the night before.

'Gahh! I'm so embarrassed. Like, "kiss me?"why?'

I smacked my head into my pillow trying to get the thoughts out. If anyone were to see me, they would probably sent me to an institution.

'Dummy. I should text mom.'

"Hi mom."

"Hey sweetheart, what's up?"

"Do you care if I come over?"

"Not at all sweetie."

"Okay, I'm heading over now."

"Okay!"

I flopped backward onto the couch.

'What am I even going to tell her? I got drugged and slept with a man I don't even know?

I was scared to tell my mom everything. I knew she loved me more than anything, but I didn't want her to look down on me. Sure, I was an adult and could do whatever I wanted, but that didn't mean I should avoid telling her. In fact, telling her would probably make me feel better.

'But what if she disowns me? She's always taught me to save my purity for my husband and I just gave it away to some stranger.'

I groaned. I wondered if I should just avoid telling her in the first place, but then I would have to keep it in all to myself. It's not like I could tell Allie what happened since it would be worse with her! Allie was practically my only friend, I didn't want to ruin that.

'Just get up and go talk to mom.'

-

"Mom!" I exclaimed as she embraced me into a tight hug. I hugged her tight. Hoping, praying that this would end well. I didn't want this to be the last time I hugged her.

"Hi sweetheart. How was the ball? Did you meet any of the people you were wanting to meet?" We sat at the dinning room table, our usual talking spot. "Did you need something to eat or drink?"

"I'm good, thanks mom. As far as the ball goes, it was great." I tried my hardest to sound enthusiastic, I really did however, she saw right through me.

"You don't sound too happy." I sighed.

'Please don't hate me.'

I looked down at my lap as I wrung my fingers.

'Just say it Elaina.'

"Mom... something happened while at the ball." I glanced up at her and then back down.

"Honey what's wrong? Is everything thing okay?"

'Here goes nothing.'

"One of the servers drugged my drink and I slept with a man that I don't even know. I'm so sorry mom." I said it as fast as I could in one breath. I wanted it out. I just wanted it to go away. I tried my hardest to hold back my tears but they just spilled out.

The thought of my mom rejecting me was terrifying.

"Elaina... it's not your fault," she reached out and grabbed my hand from my lap. "you couldn't have known this was going to happen. Did you call the cops or anything?" I looked at her with my tear filled eyes.

"No. I don't even know what he looked like. So there is no point." I wiped my eyes.

"Honey, you should call the police." I shook my head immediately.

"Mom I just really don't want to deal with it. I want to forget it." I felt like if I had to go to the authorities, they would just look down on me. They would probably all just see me as a shameless slut. A girl who slept with a man she didn't even know.

"Okay, did you at least use protection?"

"I took a morning after pill before I came over."

"Okay. I won't bring it up again if you don't want me to." She gave my hand a light squeeze. How could someone love me so much after I had just done something so... wrong.

"Why aren't you mad? I slept with a man before I was even married. You- you taught me to sa-save myself for when I was ma- married and I just ga-gave it to a com- plete stranger." I sobbed. My voice was ragged and uneven.

"Honey, I am you mother. I will always love you. Nothing will change that. I can't hold you to blame either. For goodness sake you were drugged. Why on earth would I hate you?" She wiped my tears before wrapping me into a hug as I sobbed into her chest.

I've always heard that a mother's love was stronger than anything, but how? Why? Why would one person love someone so much after all of the stupid things they've done?

She rubbed my back until I had calmed down. I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose.

"Will you tell dad? I don't think I can face him right now." I asked as I finished wiping my nose. Dad was a little bit different.

"Honey that's something you have to do. I can't do that for you." I sighed.

"I just don't want him to be too pushy. You know him."

"He has your best interests in mind." She gave me a reassuring smile.

"I know. I love you so much mom. Thank you. And for not thinking of me as a slut."

"This is NOT your fault. I could never think that of you." She hugged me once more.

"Thanks mom."

"That is what I'm here for. You know that you can always lean on your father and I." I did know that. In fact, if I needed to move back in I know they would welcome me with open arms.

"Do you care if I stay for dinner? I'll tell dad then."

"Not at all sweetie."

We stayed at the dinning room table, talking about the ball and just our daily lives. It was nice to be able to talk to my mom about anything. To me, not talking to my mom was just foreign.

"What are you two lovely ladies talking about?" My dad entered the room, kissing my mom on the forehead.

"All sorts of things." I looked up and smiled at him.

"Like?"

"The ball she went to, work. Just the usual." Mom chimed in.

'Why ma? Why oh why must you mention the ball.' Internally, I was slamming my head on a wall.

"Oh how was the ball?

'Well shit.'

"Oh yeah. It was great! Uh the wine they had was really good. Better than anything I tasted. And the art there was really nice." I tried to put on the most convincing smile I could manage.

"Uh huh. You sound very reassuring." He raised his eye brow.

'Do parents have like superpowers? They always mange to detect when their kids are lying.'

"Yeah it was terrible. But I'd rather talk about it later. Mom and I need to get started on dinner." I stood up, grabbed my mom's hand, and headed into the kitchen.

"So what's for dinner?" I put my hands on my hips with my head held high. She just gave me the all knowing, 'really?' stare. I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn't ready to tell dad yet.

"Food. Now go grab the box of pasta in the cabinet."

"Which one? There are like ten." Mom was great at giving directions... not.

"The bow tie pasta, I told you that." I just stared at her.

'Woman, I love you but you are crazy.'

-

"So you are telling me that some fucker drugged your drink and then another fucker decided that he was going to sleep with you?" Dad was beyond furious. I couldn't tell if he was mad at me or the people who drugged me.

"Yeah, but I guess I consented so it's not-"

"Don't even finish that sentence. You know what consent is. That is not it. Do you remember their faces? I will go screw them over so bad-"

"Dad, no. I don't remember what they looked like. I sort of remember the server but that's besides the point. I don't want to draw attention to myself. It is what it is." He set his fork down and looked at me like I had 'stupid' written on my forehead. I kind of did though.

""It is what it is." Are you even kidding me Elaina? I'm not just going to let some creep screw my daughter over and get away with it. You and your mother are my world. I'm not going to let some random ass dude destroy that."

"But daddy, I don't want to go to people for help. I came to you and mom. I just want to forget the whole incident. Please." I reached out and grabbed his hand. I knew he didn't like my response to it all. I knew he wanted to find the people who did those things to me, but I just wanted to forget it all.

"Okay... but if you change your mind I will help you catch those guys." I gave his hand a light squeeze.

"I know daddy."

"Please don't ever go somewhere like that alone  ever again."

"I won't. I promise." And I fully intended to keep that promise.

—