Looks Can Be Deceiving

Chapter Fifteen

Erick told Stella everything. He told her that Chris sat all the boys down during the show and warned them to keep their hands off Stella but everyone knew he was really only talking to Richard. Stella almost didn't believe Erick at first but she knew there was no reason for him to lie. Erick confessed that he knew the entire time about Richard's strong feelings.

Stella decided to stay home for the day and try to rest while all the boys went for their press interviews. Well at least that's what she thought. When Stella ran into Richard in the shower, her feelings were confused. She wasn't sure whether to be angry at him or feel kindness towards him. She knew she had strong feelings for him and that's why she felt all the emotions running through her body. She wanted to speak to Chris first, make sure everything was true before she spoke to Richard about her feelings.

Richard and Stella spent the day in their own rooms. Stella was able to fall asleep because she played a video on YouTube of Chris singing. Richard on the other hand, spent his time with his eyes closed trying to sleep but failing. By the time he had to get up he felt more rested but still on edge. The events from the last 24 hours still take a toll on Richard's energy.

"Did you have a spare minute to talk to Richard?" Erick asks when Stella enters the venue's greenroom.

Erick's arm is resting across the headrest of the couch and Stella finds comfort on his chest while he wraps his arms around her.

"No. Why would we?"

"Stella, you know how he really feels. Why wouldn't you?"

"I need to speak to Chris. I want him to tell me the truth."

Erick rolls his eyes. "You're just avoiding the inevitable! You have to speak to Richard."

"I will." She sits up looking at her best friend. "Just not tonight."

Chris bounces into the room. Once he sees Stella he rushes to her side.

"My little girl!" he smiles, lifting her off the couch and swinging her around. "I missed you today." He kisses her cheek holding her tightly.

"I missed you too Chris." She smiles in her brother's embrace.

"Look what Mama sent me." He pulls her to another chair in the room and pulls his phone out. It's a sweet video of them when they were kids singing in the house they grew up in. Chris and Stella watch the video fondly.

"We're such babies!" Stella smiles.

"We've always been best friends, hey?"

Stella looks up at her brother. She can't believe that he would stop her from dating Richard. He loved her, she couldn't comprehend that he would be in the way of her happiness.

"Did you tell the boys they weren't allowed to date me?" she blurts out.

Erick's face snaps in their direction and he almost wants to leave but he waits making sure Richard tells the truth but more importantly he waits in case his best friend needs him.

"Che?"

"You told me you wouldn't stand in the way of me dating Richard, back during the La Banda days. Right?"

"Right."

"Well, did you or did you not tell all the boys including Richard to stay away from me?"

Chris looks down. He doesn't want to meet her eyes when he admits to what he did. "I was just trying to protect you. Richard didn't seem like the type you should date. I didn't know him properly at the time but I just didn't want you hurt."

Stella sighs. "For fucks sake Chris." Her chair screeches under her as she pushes it away and walks off to one of the other greenrooms, doing her best to stay away from Chris.

Stella successfully manages to avoid Chris for the rest of the night. Erick makes sure to check on her throughout the entire night. Even when he was on stage, he ran backstage to check on her a few times. All the boys pushed their way into the hotel but Stella patiently walked into the hotel room and then straight to her bedroom. She didn't want to talk to anyone. Erick followed her though, she knew that he would. As soon as the door closed behind him, she wanted to cry but she was sick of crying.

"Are you ready to talk to him yet?" he asks.

"I will. Later. For now I just want to sleep." She sighs, reaching into her luggage to pull her pajamas out.

"I'll be just across the hall if you need me okay?"

"Mmmhmm." She nods.

The truth was, she wanted him gone because she had plans. She was angry, frustrated and wanted to hurt Chris. He had done so much to 'protect' her but the entire time he was hurting her.

She changes into her pajamas, a loose t-shirt and some shorts. Taking a deep breath she walks to the connecting door. She opens it slowly and walks through.

"Richard?" she calls out.