Chapter 10: Assualt

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~CLAIRE~

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Christian took my hand and led me back to our seats. I tried to brighten up so he wouldn't notice, but I couldn't. I felt hurt.

"That was amazing." He murmured, pulling my hand into his. "You're an amazing dancer, Claire. You were perfect."

I smiled and lowered my eyes before he could see my pain. Those words were supposed to make me feel better, but they only made me feel worse.

I looked down at our joined hands, noticing how his thumb kept grazing my skin. He was fond of doing that, and I used to like it. But now, I hated it.

When Christian stared at me while we danced, I had fooled myself into thinking he could actually like me.

I had indulged in my little fantasy, allowing myself to dream about something that could never be.

I couldn't blame him for my hurt feelings. I was the one who made the mistake. I was the one who agreed to this deal. I knew it was all a facade, yet I agreed to it.

Tears brimmed in my eyes and I rose to my feet abruptly. I couldn't let him see me this way.

"Would you excuse me, Christian?" I murmured. "I have to use the ladies' room."

He started to nod, then he noticed my eyes. A worried frown marred his handsome face.

"Are you alright?" He asked. He reached up and gently stroked my cheek.

I almost believed he was genuinely worried, then I remembered it was all fake. And it made me feel worse.

I forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be back."

I turned before he could question me again and hurried towards the restroom. Tears blinded my eyes, but I managed to hold it in until I rushed into the restroom and slammed the door.

Fortunately, it was empty.

My tears spilled out and I shut my eyes. What the hell was wrong with me?

I moved away from the door, taking deep breaths to calm myself. Resting my hands on the countertop, I exhaled slowly.

My reflection stared back at me. My tears had smudged my mascara, and it left two thin, dark lines across my cheeks.

Who was I kidding? I deserved whatever I was feeling. I couldn't believe I actually thought a makeover and a pretty dress would change the way I was.

I would always be the ugly duckling, and no amount of make up could change that. No one would ever love me.

This particular night didn't make any difference. I was Cinderella who only had one night to be beautiful, and once the ship docked the next day, I would go back to being ugly and invisible.

This was my life. I better get used to it.

I dropped my purse on the countertop and withdrew a tissue from it. After wetting it with water, I wiped the trail of mascara from my cheeks and retouched my makeup.

I stared hard at my reflection. My makeup was slightly smudged, but it wasn't really obvious. It would have to do for the rest of the night.

I dumped the wet tissue in the waste bin and started to wash my hands when the door opened. I kept my eyes lowered. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself.

But when I heard someone lock the door, I looked up sharply. My eyes widened in shock.

Jason was leaning against the door, glaring silently at me. His eyes were teary and bloodshot. He held a half-empty bottle of gin. He was drunk.

When he took a sudden step towards me, I whirled around.

"You little bitch." He cursed, his speech slurred badly. "You think I'll... let you go so easily..."

"Jason, whatever you're doing, stop it." I said. "I didn't do anything. You're the one who hurt me."

"You fucked my uncle." He snarled. "You knew what you were doing all along. You always wanted to fuck him, didn't you?"

I backed away as he moved closer to me. I had to find a way around him and run for the door, but I didn't dare underestimate his strength. He might be drunk, but I knew he was clearly alert.

"Jason, please, I beg you." I tried to stall him. "Whatever it is, we can work it out. I can come back to you if you want..."

He emptied the content in the bottle and smashed it on the floor. I flinched as the glass shattered, sending shards everywhere. My heart thundered heavily in terror.

"Come back to me?" He repeated. "I don't want you, you fucking bitch. You make me sick."

Even as he said those words, I saw how his eyes darkened with desire as he stared at me.

"How did you become so beautiful overnight?” He whispered suddenly.

I didn't get a chance to respond, or to wonder why he was suddenly staring at me with such passion in his eyes.

He staggered towards me and grabbed my arms, trapping me between him and the wall.

“Jason, let me go.” I whispered.

He grasped my chin and turned my face to the side, then leaned down and sniffed the curve of my neck. I shut my eyes, trying not to show how much his touch disgusted me.

“You smell so good.” He muttered. He started to kiss up the side of my neck, and I couldn't take it anymore. When his hands trailed towards my breasts, I pushed him away from me.

“Take your hands off me.” I yelled.

He staggered backwards and stopped, and I noticed the look in his eyes change. I knew I had to leave before things escalated.

“Just stay away from me, Jason. We're done.”

I brushed past him and hurried towards the door, praying he wouldn't come after me. My heart was pounding so loud.

As I reached out to grab the doorknob, he suddenly grabbed my hair and yanked me back.

I screamed, feeling the roots of my hair stretched to breaking point. I lost my balance and fell backwards, and Jason dragged me back by my hair.

A few of the glass shards cut painfully into my skin and my screams turned louder. It felt like thousands of needles were pricking into my skin at the same time.

He released my hair and I tried to struggle to my feet, but he straddled me suddenly and pushed me back.

My head banged against the tiles and I saw stars. Seeing me dazed, he dropped to his knees above me and grabbed a fistful of my hair.

"You want to be fucked so badly, right?" Jason snarled. "I'll give you what you want, you filthy whore!"

He grabbed the front of my gown and tugged it. The sound of fabric tearing filled the bathroom as he ripped off the upper part of my gown entirely.

I fought him, pounding my fists on his face and chest, desperate to escape. But he slapped me, knocking me backwards.

I broke into tears when I felt his hand roughly squeeze one of my breasts. I tried to scratch his eyes, but he held both my wrists above my head, trapping me completely

I heard him groan with lust as he touched me, squeezing my breasts painfully. My voice turned hoarse from screaming loudly, but I never stopped.

He started to lift my gown, his hand probing between my thighs. At this rate, if I didn't stop him, he would have his way with me.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"HELP ME!" I screamed with the last strength I could summon.

Suddenly the door was kicked open and ripped off its hinges.

Christian stormed into the restroom, his handsome face twisted into a dark scowl. He grabbed Jason around the throat and shoved him off me.

I immediately shielded my breasts, watching as he slammed Jason against the wall and unleashed a torrent of punches on his face.

Jason didn't get a chance to fight back. Soon his face was completely bloodied and battered.

As Christian pulled back his hand to land another punch, Eric rushed in and stopped him.

"Please, Christian, enough. You'll kill him."

Only then did Christian release him. His fists were covered in cuts and blood. Jason collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

A small crowd had gathered at the door of the restroom, while a few security tried to move them backwards.

I flinched when Christian turned around suddenly and crouched before me. He took off his expensive jacket and placed it around my shoulders.

"Put your arms around me." He murmured.

I obliged, and he lifted me in his arms. I hid my face in the curve of his neck as he took me out of the restroom.