Episode 9
901 Words
The text came mid-afternoon .
Xavier : Party tonight at Leo’s place . Be ready by 8 . Wear something sexy .
Marilyn frowned at the message . She hadn’t agreed to go to any party . In fact , she had told Xavier the night before that she wanted a quiet weekend . Her upcoming exams were a priority , and parties just weren’t her scene .
She typed her response quickly :
Marilyn : I’m not really feeling up for a party tonight . Maybe another time ?
A moment later , Xavier’s reply came through .
Xavier : Come on , babe . One night . Don’t make a big deal out of it . You’ll have fun with me .
She hesitated , then tried again .
Marilyn : I just don’t feel comfortable . You know I’m not into that scene .
This time , there was no text . Xavier called instead .
When she answered , his voice was smooth , persuasive . “ Marilyn , trust me . I’ll be by your side the whole time . Just one drink , a little dancing . Then we can leave early . Please ? ”
Something in his voice made her hesitate . He sounded gentle—almost sweet .
“ …Okay , ” she finally said . “ Just for a little while .”
The house was packed , music booming through the floor , people stumbling in the hallway , some already halfway to blackout . Marilyn clung to Xavier’s side as he guided her inside , the scent of alcohol and perfume thick in the air . Her eyes darted around at the sea of unfamiliar faces — some laughing , others kissing , and a few doing more than that in corners of the dimly lit rooms .
“ I don’t like this , ” she said softly .
“You’ll be fine,” Xavier said, pressing a kiss to her temple . “Here—drink this. Loosen up . ”
He handed her a cup .
“What is it?” she asked .
He smirked. “Just orange juice . ”
She sniffed it. It did smell like orange juice , and she was thirsty . She took a small sip . Then another .
The warmth hit her faster than expected . Her vision tilted slightly, and a giggle escaped her lips without warning.
“What… was that?” she murmured.
“Relax,” Xavier said, placing his hand on the small of her back. “Let’s go somewhere quiet.”
The room upstairs was dim and smelled of cologne and incense. Marilyn stumbled slightly as Xavier led her inside and closed the door behind them.
She laughed nervously. “Xavier, maybe we should go. I—I don’t feel so great…”
“You’re fine,” he said softly, brushing her hair back. “You look amazing tonight.”
He pulled her closer, his hands roaming down her back. He kissed her neck, her jaw. She tried to step back, but he followed, guiding her toward the bed.
“Wait…” she said, her voice hazy. “I don’t—Xavier, I’m not ready for—”
“Shhh,” he whispered, kissing her again, harder this time. “You don’t have to say anything.”
His hands gripped her hips, then moved up under her shirt.
“Xavier—stop,” she said louder, trying to push his hands away.
But he didn’t stop.
Instead, he pushed her onto the bed, climbing over her, silencing her protests with rough kisses. She turned her face away, tears welling in her eyes.
“Please—stop. I said no.”
But he didn’t listen.
Then—
CRASH.
The door burst open, slamming against the wall with a deafening crack.
“Get the hell off her!”
Lucas.
In a blur of fury, Lucas lunged at Xavier, yanking him off Marilyn with brute force. Xavier stumbled back, shouting, “What the—?!”
Lucas didn’t hesitate.
His fist connected with Xavier’s jaw.
Then another punch to the ribs.
“You disgusting bastard!” Lucas roared, shoving him against the wall.
Xavier fought back weakly, but Lucas was bigger, stronger, fueled by rage and betrayal.
“I heard everything,” Lucas growled. “The drugs. The bet. You were going to—”
“I didn’t do anything!” Xavier shouted, blood at the corner of his mouth. “She wanted it—”
Lucas hit him again, this time sending him crashing to the floor.
Marilyn sat frozen on the bed, her blouse twisted, her cheeks streaked with tears. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and her entire body trembled.
Lucas turned to her immediately, his voice softening. “Marilyn…”
She looked up at him, confusion and fear in her eyes.
Without a word, Lucas slipped off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. Then, gently—protectively—he lifted her into his arms.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered. “You’re safe now.”
As he carried her out of that room, down the stairs, and through the crowd, the music still blared, and people barely noticed. But Lucas didn’t stop.
He didn’t look back.
And in that moment, for the first time in hours, Marilyn allowed herself to breathe.
- Writer
