Royally Screwed

Chapter 22

LOUIS

"Son", Dad greets me, already waiting for me in front of the door. I come closer and he has me in a hug, clapping on my shoulder once. As we let go, he takes the suitcase from my hands and starts leading me inside. "How are you feeling?", he asks.

I shrug, not knowing how I am feeling. I know I should feel like shit about the press thing, but what pains more are the worries that I haven't heard from my girlfriend yet.

"Sylvie hasn't answered any of my calls or texts", I begin with what I fear most.

Dad stops, and he turns to look at me. "About Sylvie..."

Yet I don't have the chance to ask him what about Sylvie, for the next moment a way too familiar figure appears. One that shouldn't be in Cordelia, but Boston. "Edmund?"

"You are dating my sister and didn't think I should know?", he begins, and I can see his clenched fist. I know Edmund. For Sylvie, he would punch me. Regardless of the fact that my father is in the room, and my Dad might punch back. For his sister, he would do it.

But it isn't the punch that is coming. But his hand grabbing mine. "I should be pissed at you, but I never saw her so happy than the time she came back from St Moritz. I should almost thank you, but my pride won't allow it."

"Is she alright?", the question finds its way out of me. "Is Sylvie alright? Where is she? Is she..."

"Sylvie, I really think you should...", I can hear my Mom say, yet it's the redhead that rushes into my arms that I first notice. She doesn't stop until she has her arms wrapped around me and her head sunk in my chest.

"Louis", she breathes.

"Trouble", I let out, sinking my lips in her hair and not being able to stop from planting a big kiss, screw the fact her brother is watching. He did raise an eyebrow at the nickname though. "I was so worried", I continue. "You wouldn't answer any of my calls or texts. I was afraid something bad happened, or..."

As Sylvie looks up, my breath shatters. For on her cheek, there is a small cut.

"Who did this to you, baby?", I ask, brushing with my thumb on the cut.

She is breathing heavily as she begins. "I am so sorry. This is all my fault. Were it not for Danny, this would have never happened. I only bring trouble. I guess that's why the nickname. I am so sorry. I should have never."

"Sylvie", I try to stop her.

"And I am sorry that I burst into your home like this. Edmund came right as..., well, that doesn't matter, and he wanted to take me out of there and we didn't know where, so we came here and..."

I stop her with a kiss, since that seems to be the only way she'll stop now. The kiss has her attention, for she indeed stops talking, and looks at me. "What happened to your cheek, baby?"

"This time, as the plate hit the wall, it did hit me too", she shivers.

Oh fuck. I'm going to kill him. Is that even legal? I highly doubt it, but who cares.

"Why don't we all go inside?", I can hear Mom ask from somewhere far away. I nod, yet my gaze is set on my girlfriend: "Do you want to go inside, Sylvie?"

Her eyes are red from crying much, and there are still rows of tears rolling down her cheeks. She is shaking with her whole body, her eyes hollow. I hate seeing her like this. It kills me seeing her like this.

She nods, nervously, then wonders to my side, burying her head at the side of my rib cage, so nobody can see her cry. I have my arms around her, shielding her from the world.

"Hey, sweetie", Mom catches up with me, kissing me on my cheek on the way.

"Hey Mom", I answer. I mouth a thanks, since I get she must have stayed with Sylvie until now.

She shakes her head as if I shouldn't even mention it.

It's then my focus goes back only to Sylvie. I press my lips back on the top of her head and pull her even closer.

I can feel her grip on my T-Shirt getting a bit tighter.

I have never felt more out of control as I do now. Seeing the woman I love suffer, and having no clue what I could do to bring that smile back on her face. For the moment, I simply hold onto her. Yet I promise myself I'll give her the world one day.