Falling Into You

Chapter 23

Céline's POV
I wake up with a massive headache, I roll over and expect to see Alex beside me, but there's no one. The other side of the bed is completely made, did he not come home from the bar? I can't remember. I look around the room confused, this isn't my room. Who's room is this? I slowly get out of bed and notice I'm still in my clothes from last night. I open the door and walk to the living room.
I'm shocked and a little relieved when I see Rene sitting in the chair drinking coffee.
"Oh hey, sorry I didn't know you were awake" he says to me
"It's fine... um what am I doing in your room? Oh my god did we-" I say panicked
"No! No, no we didn't don't worry" I calm down "You uh... passed out at the bar"
"I did what?!"
"Yeah you got drunk and passed out"
"Oh my gosh I can't believe it"
"Yeah I couldn't either" he smiles, I smile back
"That still doesn't explain why I'm in your room? Did I sleepwalk or something?" I laugh and so does he
"No no, I carried you back to the hotel and you didn't have a key for your room so I brought you to mine. I slept here on the couch"
"Oh, well thank you" I blush a little embarrassed.
"Oh I brought you a coffee by the way, and there's some painkillers on the counter, I thought you'd have a bit of a headache after he night you had" he laughs
"Thank you" I laugh as I go to get them. I take them and the coffee and sit down on the couch.
"So where was Alex, he would have had the key"
"Uh, he was there"
"Did he stay back with Tony?"
"Not exactly" he says reluctantly.
"What do you mean? Why'd he stay back then? And tell me he truth, no sugar coating"
"He was with Cheryl"
"Oh" is all I can manage to say
"But don't worry Elise made her leave with her, that was right after I left with you" all I can do is give a small smile. "You okay?"
"Yeah"
"No you're not, I know you're not. What's wrong?" He says as he stands up and sits down beside me.
"Him and Cheryl... I think-" I stop as I'm about to start crying. Rene puts his hand on mine. "I think there's something going on between them"
"No, come on Céline he wouldn't do that"
"You don't know Alex that well"
"Has he cheated on you before?"
"Not that I know of. But I've had my suspicions. I don't know he just seemed so off last night, the minute I sat down at that booth he was dead silent. He wouldn't even look me in the eyes"
"Well maybe it was because he was drinking"
"Maybe, I don't know. Where is he anyway?"
"I think he's in your room?"
"Ugh I don't even want to face him right now... he's gonna freak if he knows I stayed here last night"
"Yeah I thought about that. Maybe tell him you stayed with Elise"
"Yeah, okay. Ugh... I don't want to go yet"
"You don't have to, stay as long as you need to" I smile at him.
"I don't want to leave... at all. I don't even want to see him" my voice cracks as I feel like I'm gonna cry. He takes my hand in his.
"Céline... talk to me" he says softly.
"He just... he really hurt me last night. Seeing him there with Cheryl, the way he was looking at her..." a tear falls from eye "he hasn't looked at me like that in... I don't even know how long" I say as I start crying even more. Rene puts his arm around me and pulls me close to him, holding me tight.
"Shhh it's okay" he says as he runs his hand through my hair. I sit up and wipe away my tears and give him a smile, he smiles back.
"Thanks" I say
"Of course, anytime"
He's so sweet, always here for me, I don't deserve him. I get closer to him. I almost kiss him when I realize what I'm doing. I sit back. Rene just stares at me, he knew what I was gonna do.
"I think I should go now" I say
"Do you want me to walk you to your room?"
"No it's okay... Alex will be even more mad. Thank you though, I appreciate it"
"If you need anything at all call me"
"I will, thanks" I say as I walk out the door.
I walk to my hotel room and collect myself for a moment before knocking. A few seconds later Alex opens the door.
"There you are, I've been worried sick" he says as he pulls me in the door.
"I'm sorry, I didn't have a key last night and you weren't here"
"So where did you stay then?"
"Uh-" I say nervously debating whether to lie or tell him the truth.
"Hello? Céline! Where did you stay last night"
"Rene's room" his face goes red.
"Rene's room? What the hell Céline I'm not with you for one night and you're hopping into some other guys bed?"
"Woah. I didn't cheat on you Alex, I got drunk, very drunk. And Rene found me and brought me back to the hotel. I didn't have a key, you had it, so Rene brought me to his room. He slept on the couch. Nothing happened"
"You sure about that? I see the way he looks at you. Wouldn't surprise me"
"Yes I'm sure. How about you though? Were you alone last night?" I say regretting it quickly.
"Of course I was, what are you implying"
"Oh please you were totally hitting on Cheryl. I was there I saw it, Rene saw it, Elise saw it. We all saw it don't deny it Alex"
"Are you serious right now? You're freaking out on me for talking to your backup singer"
"You looked like you were doing more than just talking"
"No actually we were just talking. I'm sorry I wanted to have a conversation with somebody fun"
"What so now you don't like talking to me?"
"I mean no, you're just too serious"
"Well someone has to be Alex. I'm sorry if I actually take responsibility in my life. I'm sorry if that not fun to you. But I'm-" He grabs my arms tightly, it hurts.
"I'd be really careful about what you say next Céline. I've had enough with you accusing me of stuff I didn't do"
"Says the one who accuses me of having an affair every time I talk to my manager" he grabs my arms tighter, sending more pain through me.
"Well at least-" he stops "You know what you're not worth the breath. I'm going out. I'll see you later" he says as he roughly lets go of my arms.
He slams the door and I fall to the floor. I burst into tears. He's never layed a hand on me. Ever. I stand up to go look in a mirror. I pull down the sleeve of my shirt and see the place where his hand had been, red and sore to the touch. I cry again. I think about calling Rene but I don't want him to know about this so I call Elise.
"Hello?"
"Elise?" I say sniffling
"Céline what's wrong? Are you okay? What happened?"
"I need to talk to you"
"I'm on my way"