Never again.

Chapter 3: Notice

Scarlett's POV
It was the next day. I slowly open my eyes and squint due to the rays of sun shining through the window. As I open my eyes, I realize I was still in the bathroom on the floor. I slowly got up and wince at the pain coming from my back, arm, and forehead. I felt my forehead and realized the blood was dried. I had to go into set today. I looked out the window and realized that Romain's car was gone. I ran downstairs to get my phone so I wouldn't have to run into him just in case. I grabbed it and ran back upstairs. I checked the time and let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding. It was past the time he is supposed to be at work. He's probably at work right now so I was safe for now. I quickly took a shower and got ready. I couldn't put on makeup because the wound on my forehead is still red and my hair can't cover it although my hair is pretty long. It's because of the placement of the wound. Now everyone at work will probably see it. I'll just hold my head down. I had the cover up the bruises on my back and arm so I wore a pair of black lululemon leggings and an oversized dark green hoodie. I also wore my black high top converse. I wore my hair down to make my forehead less noticeable. I headed out the door and to set.

When I got there, I parked my car and headed towards check in. I noticed some of the cast was standing near. It was Chris Evans, Robert, Jeremy, and Mark. I held my head down and walk over to check in. Once I checked in, I was heading back to my trailer until I accidentally bumped into Mark and almost fell. Stupid me. He caught me just in time.
"Careful there Scar. Good morning to you too." He said giving a small chuckle. I let out a small laugh and accidentally faced them. They looked at me with worry.
"Scarlett, what is this?" Jeremy said. He tried to touch the wound on my forehead, but I backed my head away and used my hand trying to cover it.
"It's nothing." I said trying to get away but Robert grabbed my arm.
"This is not nothing. It's bleeding." He said still holding my arm looking at my forehead. I winced at the pain caused by his hold on my arm. He noticed and let go. He pulled up my sleeve and saw the bruise on my arm. They all looked at me worried.
"What happened?" Mark said with worry.
"Nothing. I fell." I said with irritation. I hate feeling like I'm being interrogated. I was about to walk off until Chris stepped in front of me and blocked me.
"Look at me." He said in a soft, but firm voice. I sighed at looked up at his perfect green eyes. He had a stern look. I sighed again. He looked at the wound and then right back into my eyes.
"Did he do this?" He asked in the same tone. I couldn't lie to him. I felt my eyes starting to water a little bit and not my bottom lip. I nodded. I could hear him take a deep breath and look down in disappointment like he just felt his whole heart break. I felt tears coming down and he looked at me. He grabbed my shoulder with his hand gesturing for a hug. I quickly wrapped my arms around to his back and held so tight. I cried a little bit. He had his arm wrapped around me tight enough not hurt me but, tight enough to let me know he is not letting me go. I didn't cry my heart out because I felt numb to the pain and all. He held me there for a minute and kept rubbing my back up and down. I rested my left cheek against his shoulder and he rested his head on top of mine. He eventually let go.

Chris' POV
I was fuming. My blood was boiling. I couldn't believe he could do something to someone so loving and caring and gentle. I let her go and set her down on the couch near by and everyone followed. Jeremy handed her an ice pack and she gently rested it on her forehead. I put one arm around her shoulder and one on her knee.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to talk to the producers about what's going on." Robert said and quickly walked off so he wouldn't hear a protest from Scarlett.
"Scar. What happened?" Jeremy said in a gentle voice making sure not to scare her. She took a deep breath.
"When I came home yesterday, we got into a fight about how he saw me hug Chris when he apparently came to surprise me on set. Then I said that I am a grown ass woman and I can hang out with whoever I want and then..." she paused to take a breath. I gently rubbed her knee to tell her to take her time.
"Then he-um-grabbed my arm so tight and went on a rant on how I'm his wife and how I listen to what he says and how he needs to teach me to listen, and then he-he um-shoved me against the corner of a table and I got the wound. Then he called me a bitch and left. I haven't seen his since then." She finished. Everyone had anger on their face including me. I couldn't believe what she told me. This couldn't be happening. Not to Scarlett. She closed her eyes and continued to hold the ice pack.
"I'm going to kill him." Jeremy said angry. We all were still silent.
"At least this was a one time thing, so it can never happen again. Right?" Mark said in sort of a relief. Scarlett didn't respond. Why didn't she respond? We all looked at her with worry. I quickly stood up.
"Has this happened before?" I asked her stern. She nodded. I can't believe I haven't noticed before. I was suppose to be her best friend and I didn't even know she was being abused.
"How long has this been going on?" I asked. This time crossing my arms. She sighed.
"About 5 months" she said in a low voice. I walked back and forth putting my head on my hands. Everyone is in shock. We had no idea. Robert then walks over. He kneels down in front of Scarlett.
"I talked to the producers. They said we are all taking a short break because of what is going on and we can't focus. It's about 2 weeks and they said we are filing a police report." He said.
"No police report. He's still my husband and if it gets out in the public, my career will be-" she said fast but I interrupted her.
"Who cares about the media! This is your safety! This is not right Scar!" I yelled. I saw her jump at my raised voice and took a deep breath. I forgot. I scared her.
"I'm sorry." I said. I saw her calm a little.
"The main thing now is we have to get Scarlett out of that house." Robert said gesturing with his hands.
"She can stay at my house. It's a known place for her and I can keep her safe. Plus, he doesn't know where I live." I said sitting back down. Scarlett was dead silent. She was not crying or anything. She was blank.
"Is that okay with you Scarlett?" Robert asked. She nodded.
"Let's get you out of here and get you some rest." Jeremy said. We all nodded. I helped Scarlett stand up and held her waist as we were walking to my car.
"Do you need anything from your car?" I asked her. I helped her in the passenger seat.
"Yeah. I have a packed bag I always have packed in my trunk." She said handing me her key. I nodded and shut the door. I walked to her car, propped the trunk, and got the bag. I put the bag in the backseat of my car and got in the driver's seat. I glanced at Scarlett and saw she was sleep. I hated seeing her in pain. I hate that she couldn't tell us. She didn't trust us enough. I started the car and drove home. She was sleep the entire time and woke up when I turned the car off.

Scarlett's POV
I woke up and saw we were at Chris' house. He got out and got the bag that he put in the backseat and put it over his shoulder. He then walked over to the passenger side and helped me out. I grunted as he put his hand on my back.
"Sorry." He said and put a more gentle hold. We walked in his house and he guided me to the couch. I laid down. He walked over to his island and put the ice pack and my purse on it. He then put my bag upstairs. I soon drifted to sleep again. I was exhausted. I couldn't stay awake and plus this couch was comfy.