[C] Lightyears

✈twenty-five✈

Elysse was trembling already. What if the president sued me for doing this?

(Note: The following interview has graphic content. Read at your own risk.)

"Tell me what happened on February 23rd."

"I was on my way to this house, but he stopped by and asked me to go out for a drink and then...he drugged me...I didn't know what he did...but I felt him pushing his private parts inside me...I was blindfolded that time, I can't speak, and my hands and feet were tied up...I really felt his private parts toward my vagina..."

She cried afterwards.

"I didn't believe it happened to me. I was scared of telling anyone about it because I feel that the president will sue me of doing this. It's making me feel so scared about my life."

"So what can you tell women who had the same experience as you?"

"The truth will set us free. I feel that speaking out is one of the best things I've ever done about this incident."

And the interview ended. She hugged Elysse tight afterwards.

"I can't imagine that happening to me. It's so scary indeed, but look at you. You remained strong throughout it all, and I commend you for that."

"Thank you, Rachel, for believing in me. To all of you here, thank you."

"We understand what you went through, and we're all glad that you spoke out."

It had America talking the next day.

"Former KDES chief political correspondent speaks out after being allegedly raped by its network president, Frank Horner. In an interview with WLAC's Rachel Adams, Elysse Smith claimed that she was raped inside Horner's house on February 23rd, 2015. We'll show you an excerpt from Adams' interview."

"I didn't believe it happened to me. I was scared of telling anyone about it because I feel that the president will sue me of doing this. It's making me feel so scared about my life."

"Lighthearted Talks airs at Friday 9 pm Eastern on WLAC."

They were all surprised by this. They had made a shocking revelation interview, and it was all because of Elysse confiding to them.

"What just happened?" Rachel asked.

"You had landed an exclusive interview, Rachel. And the ratings are high! Look!" Sara exclaims, handing Rachel a piece of paper.

"20 million viewers...I can't believe this!" she exclaimed.

"What?" shouted Elysse and ran to the newsroom.

She was astonished by what she saw.

"What the hell is this?"

Rachel was already surrounded by the whole squad when Elysse got there.

"What the hell is the commotion here?!" she shouted.

"Look, Elysse!" Rachel exclaimed, handing her the paper.

"Wow...this is...astonishing indeed," she stammers. "I just...can't believe this!"

"Well, that one helped you a lot. Are you feeling alright now?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah, a lot. It feels like a thorn was pulled out of my heart," she answers softly.

"How about living with us?" Lynn asked. "It's gonna be great living with us!"

"Uhm...." she said. "YEAH! Of course!"

Jamie drove them all to the house afterwards.

"Welcome home!" they all exclaimed. "Welcome to your new home!"

"Thank you all," she said. "It's a great pleasure having been friends with you."

"No problem. After all, we're a large family living under one roof," Sara said.

"Someone's missing," Jessica reminded.

"Who?" Candice asked.

"Chloe," Sara said.

"Wait..."

And they all started finding her.

"Chloe! Chloe!"

Elysse found her in the bathroom.

"Hey! I found Chloe! She's about to give birth!"

And they all rushed Chloe to the hospital.

Once they got there, they immediately went to the maternity ward.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Author's Note:

This is one of the best chapters I ever wrote. It's sad, really sad and compelling, I'd say. The video above is Yiruma's Love Me, which really complements the sad theme of this chapter as Elysse tells Rachel what really happened when she was raped on the night of February 23rd. It's a beautiful song and I think if you'll listen to it while reading, you'll really feel the complementing of the sad tone with the story. I hope you enjoy!

With love,
Isabelle