that august night - c.l.

29. But you love them

Another fucking voice mail. Where the fuck is he? Elena sat in the hotel bed with her phone against her right ear, trying to reach Charles for god knows how long time. She lost count how many times she had called him. He told her he would be back around 1am, and the clock showed almost 4am.

Not a single call or a message. Nothing. She was left with her thoughts, to wonder where he is. Is something wrong? Is he okay? Or when will he be back? Elena was getting mad that he didn't tell her anything. How can he not hear his phone ringing for an hour? But she was getting worried each moment he wasn't there or at least sending her a message to let her know he was completely fine. Her thought drifted off to some bad things, and she didn't like thinking of them, at all.

Then she heard front door of the hotel room opening. She glanced and due to lamp that was turned on next to the door she saw Charles, barely holding himself up, trying to close doors with no sound. "Oh my god, where have you been? Do you know what time is it?" – She got up, rushing towards him and helping him get to the bed as she could smell the alcohol from a mile away. "Should I?" – He asked, his eyes half open. Elena got seriously mad, seeing him in such state. She realized he would drink, but not this much. She at least counted he would get home when he told her he would, and not make her worry.

"Charles, I was sick worried. Where is your phone? Did you not once hear me call you?" – She got mad, trying to speak to him but he kept on mumbling things out. Elena realized there is nothing that could give her answers now, so she let him sleep but not before she helped him get comfortable. She took off his shirt and pants after a struggle as he couldn't help himself.

He still had scent of alcohol and strong smells from the club. It would be mission impossible to try and get him in the shower now once he is in bed and in deep sleep. So Elena took her pillow and blanket, then placed it on the couch, opposite from the bed. It would be much better for both of them. She is not sure if she is going to give him the silent treatment, yell, or talk it out in the morning. She'll decide eventually.

"Charles, for god's sake get the fuck up! We will be late for our flight!" – She yelled, collecting one last shirt that belonged to Charles and putting it in his suitcase. Elena got up early this morning, met with Ashley, Ashton and Joris for breakfast leaving Charles to sleep. But once it got taken out of control she got mad. Elena had prepared his clothes for the flight and packed his suitcase.

"What?" – He finally responded with his eyes half open, adjusting to the lightning in the room. "Get up! Everyone will be in the lobby in twenty fucking minutes. We have to go!" – She placed suitcases in front of the doors. He quickly got up, keeping up with the wall and going to the bathroom. He was back within minutes, freshly showered and in new clothes.

"Did you sleep on the couch last night?" – He asked once he saw the missing pillow from the bed on the couch. "We can't be late." – She ignored and opened the door getting their suitcases out of the room. Once he noticed her struggling, he took them and they called the elevator and got in. "You didn't answer my question." – He broke the silence turning to her as she didn't bother to give him a look. "Yes, I did." – She responded as the elevator doors opened and she rushed out to Ashley and Ashton who were waiting with Joris who was soon joined by Charles.

They got to the airport and got into jet taking their places. Whole ride, Ashton was smiling about the fact that he will be in the same jet as his idol. But Charles was worried about why was Elena giving him the silent treatment. Everyone who was in this plane knew they were dating and she still sat away from him and Joris. (I am about to use Google translate, don't come at me please)

"T'es-tu excuse?" (Did you apologize?) – Joris asked Charles who gave him confused look. "Pour quelle raison?" (For what?) – Charles replied. Joris scoffed at him telling him about how she was worried whole night, when they were at breakfast. Joris told him how drunk he got and that Elena was probably mad at him for not picking up any of her calls for the whole night. Charles felt deeply sorry. And he was pissed on himself as much as Elena was. She slept on couch last night and he couldn't imagine how she felt.

"Hey, can we talk?" - Elena turned around to see Charles basically stepping in the bathroom of the jet with her. She washed her hands and was about to go out but seemed like he had other plans. She shrugged her shoulders not responding but not moving towards the door where he stood, either.

"El, I am so sorry. I really am. I don't know what got into me and why I didn't hear any of your phone calls. I got wasted and I can't remember anything. I am sorry for worrying you and I know I fucked up." - She watched him with crossed hands as he apologized for third time.

"Charles, you can't do that ever again. I was sick worried I was thinking of worst. You told me you'd be at hotel around 1am but you walked through the door at 4am." - She gave him an insight of her previous night as he sighed, his face showing how bad he felt for it.

"And I can't take it back, I wish I could. I feel awful because of it. What can I do to make it up to you?" - He asked, his eyes searching for an answer in hers. "Promise me you won't do something like this. Especially in foreign country we both know little about." - She warned as he nodded right away. "I promise, I won't do such thing again." - He replied, taking a step forward and offering her a hug but she accepted it right away.

"We have to go back, they've probably noticed us-" - She started but he interrupted her by placing his lips on hers. "Rude interruption." - She said after they parted their lips. "But you love them." - He smiled and she could only smile back.

...

"Yeah?" - Elena responded to the phone that woke her up, she didn't even have time to see what time is it, although she noticed how dark it was outside. But she saw Charles waking up and looking at her through sleepy eyes and with confusion plastered over his face.

"Elena, we need you at the scene. We have something really big." - Ashley spoke as she rubbed her eyes while she listened to her. "What happened?" - Elena took the covers off from herself and walked towards the window of their bedroom. "There has been a murder, I will send you the address, please come as fast as you can." - She finished off as she hung up before Elena gave her a confirmation.

"What is it?" - Charles' deep raspy voice was heard in the dark as she walked over to him sitting on the bed on his side. "I don't want to scare you, they just informed me there has been a murder somewhere. I need to go, they need me at the scene." - She saw his eyes widen at the mention of murder but she tried to calm him down by putting her hand over his biceps.

"Promise me you'll text me you're okay and that it is nothing to worry about?" - Charles straightened up on the bed as she reassuringly smiled at him. "I will, don't worry. Get some sleep." - Elena kissed his lips, helping him get under covers. After, she rushed to the bathroom, getting ready in just few minutes, putting on regular black suit, as her belt around her waist held guns and her badge along.

Elena didn't worry about make up because whatever she is about to see couldn't be worse than her no-make-up face. As she walked through the bedroom she heard Charles' quiet snores and deep breaths at which she smiled. This wasn't the greatest start of Charles' summer break, but hers will come soon and they will spend whole time together.

Charles felt bad for her, they came late last night and without getting any sleep she is off on duty. Sometimes he wished to tell her to quit but he knew how much she loved what she did so he held back every time. 

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And so it goes... Little warning, the next few chapter will obviously contain murder content so if you are ready for it, I wish you the best in reading the rest of this book.

Sending love, A! <3