The Music of the Night

Chapter 26

(The song signifies the overwhelming emotions that Ellie is experiencing in this chapter).

Ellie asked Gerard to take her back to the hotel so that she could pack up her belongings and head to Cleveland as soon as possible. 

He didn't hesitate a second, and he called Joel to let him know about what was going on. 

She had not heard their conversation, but it was clear that Joel had understood her situation and gave her permission to go, saying that she could use his personal jet to get to Cleveland.

Ellie was practically moving like a cheetah as she stuffed her clothes and products into her large suitcase, sweating profusely. 

Gerard, being a true gentleman, helped her pack and called Kurt to drive her to the airport. 

The limo came up to the lobby of the hotel, and she threw her luggage into the trunk. 

Ellie dived into the back seat with Gerard right behind her, speeding off in a cloud of smoke. 

Her hands were shaking so violently that she had to grip onto Gerard's body tightly, but he didn't seem to care. 

His arms were securely around Ellie, and he was kissing her head soothingly the whole way.

It felt like forever before they got to the airport, but it eventually appeared on the horizon, giving her the tiniest bit of relief. 

Once they found a parking spot, Ellie stepped out of the car and grabbed her suitcase. 

Kurt came to the back and said, "I'm sorry I can't come with you, Ms. Parker."

She hugged him and kissed his cheek sweetly. 

"You've done more than enough for me, Kurt," she replied quietly. "I'm grateful to have you as a friend."

"Me too," he smiled. "Keep me updated, alright?"

"I will," she nodded.

He then hopped back into the car and drove off.

For a moment, Ellie was deeply saddened, thinking that Gerard was still in the car and that she hadn't got to say goodbye to him. 

But when she turned around to get her luggage, it wasn't sitting on the road anymore. 

Instead, it was up on the curb and next to Gerard, who was standing there with a soft expression on his handsome face. 

Confused, Ellie asked, "What're you still doing here? Did Kurt forget you were here?"

Gerard shook his head. 

"He's fully aware of my absence."

She tilted her head with furrowed brows. 

"What do you-" 

She stopped midsentence when the realization washed over her like a wave. 

He was going with her to Cleveland.

"No," Ellie said firmly. "You're not coming."

"Why not?" Gerard asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Because you have a job to do here!" she exclaimed, waving her arms around for emphasis. "You can't just leave because I have to."

"You're my girlfriend, Ellie," he stated calmly. "That means you're my responsibility, and I will hold up on that promise."

She shook her head. 

"Like I said, you're not coming. Now give me my suitcase." 

Ellie reached out for it, but Gerard stubbornly pulled it away from her. 

A glare contorted her face as she pointedly told him with her eyes that he was not accompanying her to Cleveland. 

He, however, was having none of it.

With a frustrated groan, she asked, "Did you at least tell Joel about this?"

He nodded and replied, "He encouraged me to go with you."

Ellie furrowed her brows. 

"What? Why?"

"Because he knows about our relationship," Gerard replied. "He told me, in his own words, to 'go and take care of you'."

Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to process what he had just said. 

Joel was letting one of his main actors leave because he knew about their relationship? 

If that really was the case, then Joel had to be one of the greatest friends she had ever had. 

"You're serious?" she breathlessly asked.

"I would never lie to you, Ellie," Gerard said softly. "And even if he hadn't given me permission, I still would've come because of how much I love you."

The tears uncontrollably slipped from Ellie's eyes as his words sunk deep into her heart. 

He was willing to put his career on hold for her, and her brain couldn't even begin to process it. 

She let go of her stubbornness and hugged him tightly, burying her tear-stained face into his chest. 

"Damn it, Gerard," she muttered. "I couldn't resist you if I tried."

He kissed the top of her head delicately and said, "I promise I'll listen to your every word. This is your family, and I don't want to be in the way at all."

Ellie pulled back and looked him straight in the eye. 

"You could never get in the way, Gerard. I'm sorry for being so stubborn."

"You don't need to apologize," Gerard replied. "I understand that you're scared right now, and I don't blame you for your behavior."

She smiled the tiniest bit and kissed his cheek. 

"Thank you for being here with me."

"Of course," he said, leaning his forehead on hers. "Let's get on that flight."

Ellie nodded and grabbed the handle of her suitcase with one hand, then interlocked her other with Gerard's. 

He didn't let go of her once as they made their way to Joel's jet, which was parked in a special, personalized area for celebrities only.

The security led them there and kept the people back who recognized Gerard in the crowded areas. 

Ellie was becoming overloaded with so much noise that she felt like she was going to explode, but they eventually made it to the jet and got on in record time.

Once they were onboard, she collapsed onto the small sofa and exhaled loudly. 

Her body was depleted of energy, so Ellie was ready to fall asleep at any moment. 

But before she could, Gerard kneeled down beside her and said, "There's a bed in the back if you'd like to sleep there."

She nodded in acknowledgement and slowly got up. 

He took her hand and pulled her gently behind him to the inviting white bed. 

Ellie didn't even bother to change as she plopped onto the sheets ungracefully.

Gerard slipped in next to her and took her limp body into his comforting arms. 

Her face landed on his clothed chest while he pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

"Get some rest, my Angel," he whispered. "You need it."

Her eyelids were about to close, but she managed to say, "I love you."

"I love you more" was the last thing Ellie heard before she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.