Just Him ❤

25. Turning to the bottle.

A little notice: this part contains content that some readers may find upsetting.

Flashback to August 12th 2006.
Chloe sat back down at the large round table after returning from the ladies toilets, Stephen watched from beside her. She glanced at her champagne glass, it was full again. Had she even emptied it? When did he even refil it?
"Thanks again for coming with me." He placed his hand on her arm, "The dress looks beautiful on you."
"Thank you, you didn't have to buy me a dress though. It must have cost a fortune." She looked down and her hands felt the silky material of her dress. It had thin spaghetti straps, long, with a plunging neckline and back. She felt a bit self conscious in it. Once she'd opened the beautifully packaged box and saw the black dress she'd fallen in love with it, even though the fact he'd bought it made alarm bells ring.
"You deserve it, you're doing me a favour accompanying me tonight." He picked his glass up, "A toast?" He held it up to her.
"Of course." She picked her glass up also.
"To the most beautiful young woman I've ever seen." He clinked his glass to her's and took a sip. She followed his lead, taking a sip also. His words made her feel uncomfortable. He made her feel uncomfortable. He'd barely taken his eyes off of her all night. She took a longer sip to steady her nerves. A while later she started to feel a bit drunk. She hadn't had that much had she? She smiled as Stephen refilled her glass again. The room started to spin as she took another sip. She sat back in her seat trying to regain her composure.
"Oh, looks like someone's had too much." Stephen helped her up, saying goodnight to the others on their table. He ushered her to reception, keeping hold of her by her arm as he booked a room for them. He wouldn't be driving back to Michael's place tonight, he'd been drinking too. Chloe could hear the older man say the words double room. Maybe he meant twin room? He guided her to the lift, they stepped inside and the doors closed. Everything went black.
Chloe opened her eyes, she could hear music. She was in someone's arms, swaying to Sadè's No Ordinary Love. A hand sliding down her bare back exposed by the dress. She hoped it was Michael. She closed her eyes, she was gone again.

                               ~*~

Now.........
"Chloe!" Banging on the door bought her quickly back to her senses, she gasped for air momentarily before being able to take a deep breath. "Chloe! Are you ok in there?" A woman's voice called through the door.

"I'll be out in a minute." She replied shakily, quickly wiping her eyes. She didn't even realise she'd been crying.

"Sebastian sent me to check on you, I think he was worried. You've been in here a while." The voice said.

"Tell him I'll be with him in a minute." She tried not to sound annoyed with the woman, she was only doing as she was asked.

"Ok, if you're sure you're alright."

"I'm fine." She shot back quickly. She heard the woman walk away and the door close. She got to her feet, opening the cubicle door she walked over to the sinks and washed her hands. She checked her appearance in the mirror. "Shit." She muttered, her eyes were red and puffy. How was she going to explain this? With shaking hands she took her trusty liquid concealer out of her bag along with mascara. She quickly reapplied her make up. That would have to do. The longer she took the more Seb would question her when she got back. Taking a cleansing deep breath she popped a bit of gum into her mouth and left the room. Getting back to where the photos were being shot she was relieved to see Stephen had gone. Seb was having his photos done.

"Are you ok?" Kimi appeared beside her. "He was worried about you."

"I'm fine Kimi." She glanced at the blonde Finn.