37 days: Holding on 2 broken promises

The strong one?

POV
Stephanie

As soon as Millie leaves for the day I rush out the door to go back to the mansion.

She's completely clueless about what went down last night in the penthouse.

Julian had been texting me all night and into the early hours of the morning with god-awful updates.

I hardly got any sleep with the information I was receiving.

If Millie knew that they lost X for a minute she would be beside herself, honestly, I kind of am but I keep that to myself, I need to be strong for everyone around me.

I type in the entrance gate code and park Mia's car in her usual spot.

I practically run to the elevator to get to Julian and X.

When I reach the black penthouse door I knock impatiently dying to see them.

Julian opens the door and I run into his arms embracing him in a long comforting hug.

"I'm so sorry Julian," I say while stroking the back of his head.

"I'm just happy you're finally here babe, I really need you," he says and it breaks my heart that I couldn't be there for him last night.

I glance over my should and see X sitting on the black leather couch where all the shit from last night went down.

He's wearing a black hoodie and black basketball shorts with his body leaned against the couch and his hands in his lap, he catches my eyes and I just freaking lose it, I cry into Julian's arms like a big baby and I'm supposed to be the one comforting everyone here.

"It's okay babe, he's okay now," Julian says into my neck as he lightly kisses away my tears.

After a few seconds, Julian lets me go and I walk over to X, sitting next to him on the couch.

I meet his green eyes, "how are you?" I ask gently.

"I'm okay," X says sounding like he's lost his voice.

"Can I get you anything?" I ask.

He shakes his head.

"You really scared us, X," I say full of sadness.

"I know, I'm sorry," he says closing his eyes.

He leans his head deeper into the cushion of the couch and opens his eyes to the side to look at me.

"Does she know?" He asks cautiously.

I shake my head.

"Please don't tell her," he says and closes his eyes again.

"Okay, I won't," I say.

He runs his fingers through his hair, "I didn't do it on purpose, I fucked up." He says with his raspy voice.

"I know, X, I know," I say rubbing his arm.

"Alright man, you need more water, you sound like shit," Julian says walking over with a glass of water.

He hands it to X and he takes a sip but scrunches his face as if it were painful to swallow.

"I'm gonna go back to sleep, I'm so tired," X says and groggily tries to stand up but Julian holds him up by the arm and helps him up and they slowly walk over to X's room.

Julian comes out a minute later, "it's like taking care of a baby," he whispers.

I can't help but to smile at his remark.

He sits on the cold leather couch next to me and puts his arm around me, "what a fucking night," he finally says with an exhale of breath.

"I feel bad keeping this from Millie," I say looking up to Julian.

"I know babe, me too, but keeping it from her is to protect her, not hurt her." He says running his fingers through my hair.

"I know," I whisper.