Beautiful Trauma

9

  Caitlin's POV 

"No..." I whispered in horror, my other hand covering my mouth while the other tightly grips Justin's phone as I devastatingly watch the video before me.

Justin, Joon, and Yuri, on the other hand, were having the time of their life as they watch me having a mental break down.

"Did you enjoy it? " Yuri teased, and I saw how she was playfully wiggling her eyebrows at me.

We were at the floor's office lounge where people usually stay to rest, have some coffee or chat.

Due to a hangover and waking up late, I came in half-day at work, for the first time in my life, and that was something. Even Ciara had to raise her eyebrow at my arrival, but she didn't say anything to my surprise.

If the coffee isn't hot, I could have thrown it to these three idiots.

My eyes landed on Joon.

"Why didn't you stop me?" I asked incredulously. I was hoping at least he was insane enough to prevent me from doing something I will regret.

He smirked at my direction while sipping his coffee. "I can't, babe. You look adorable," he smiled, and I looked at him appalled.

"I was drunk!" I exclaimed.

"I know! But you were having fun, so, yeah..." he smiled at me apologetically.

"Caitlin, I didn't know you were that wild," Justin started teasing, and I flicked my hand over his direction, which earns a whole set of laughter from the three.

I glared at Yuri. "Stop hanging out with those three. I swear to God it hasn't been two days, and you are acting like them already,"

"Well, I realized that it's fun to stay in your house," she smirked, and once again, I buried my face straight on the table.

"Why did I even drink?" I whispered cry.

After seeing everything that I did last night, how am I supposed to look at him the same way?

I bite my lower lip in frustration.

So that's why he was at my room earlier this morning.

My mind wandered to what happened earlier when I woke up - when I still don't have any idea about the stupidity of my actions.

"Arggghhh" A loud yawn escaped my mouth as I stretched both my arms and legs while still lying on my comfortable bed.

A huge smile was on my lips, glad to finally be able to have a good sleep.

With eyes still half-closed, my right hand slowly reached for the clock on my bedside table to check on the time.

Nine o'clock.

My eyes closed once again as I pull my blanket to get back to sleep.

It's nine o'clock.

I cooed in my bed, mind still drifting as if wanting to get a few more hours of sleep.

And then it hit me; my eyes shot wide in a flash as the realization hit me like a truck.

It's f*****g nine o'clock!

I immediately sat up from my bed, my hands pulling the strands of my hair.

I'm already late. I was supposed to be at the office at eight!

"f**k! f**k! f**k!" I whisper shouted as I stare at the space before me.

What happened last night?

And it was as if my mind is playing on me, the door on my bathroom suddenly burst open, and a man, in all his glory, went out of the bathroom without a top and only with his black slacks on.

He was busy wiping his face with a towel and didn't even realize that I was ogling at him.

With my mouth wide open, my eyes travelled from his face down to those tremendous chiselled abs.

Holy s**t.

That's some firm goodies right there.

My eyes skillfully wander over his fit body down to that very noticeable bulge down there, and I gulped.

And if it wasn't already embarrassing, his eyes snapped to my direction and once our eyes met, his brows furrowed.

"Why are you awake? I thought you wanted to sleep the whole day?" he asked, and my eyes didn't leave his body.

Goddamn mackerel. Those abs are a huge distraction.

Is he always working out?

"Caitlin..." his soft chuckles took me off my trance, and my cheeks burned red when I realized that he caught me checking him out once again.

"Ugh!" I grunted, covering my face.

Fuck, Caitlin, what the hell have you been doing?

I was startled when I felt the bed moving, the new presence causing the shifting of the weight on it.

My eyes snapped to his direction when I noticed that he just casually slipped in beside me.

"What-" before I can even finish my words, he pulled me towards him from being seated on the bed, his arms wrapped around my waist as he buried his face right at the crook of my neck.

My breath hitched at his action, and I was frozen at my spot. By this time, I was fully aware of his warm breath hitting on my neck. And good Lord, it was sending shivers throughout my body.

He was breathing softly, and for some reason, I am liking how his warmth is starting to envelop through me too.

It felt natural. And I start to think that my days will be better if this will happen often.

His presence, it gives me warmth, contentment, like staying like this is all that matters.

But it won't. It's impossible.

My mind suddenly remembers the words he left with Yuri. Why did he said I am his girl?

A few years ago, he was so adamant into neglecting and avoiding me after he found out about my feelings.

What changed?

I suddenly remember the pain that I felt during those times, how hard I suppress my emotions so I wouldn't get hurt.

At that, I tried removing his arms around me, but he was strong. Instead, he pulled me even closer.

"Seth, what the hell are you doing?" I asked. I tried to sound intimidating, but I was sure my voice sounded weak.

"You said you wanted me near you. You told me you like having my arms around you, that you like me kissing your lips. You don't remember?" his voice was hoarse, and that made it even worse.

What?

"I - no way... That's..." words seemed to get stuck on my mouth.

Did I really say those words?

It's impossible. Why would I say those words?

"Caitlin?" he suddenly called for my name, and I didn't know how to react. I'm not even sure if I'm still breathing.

"Why did you drink last night?" he asked, and I didn't know what to say.

Should I tell him that it was because of him? That ever since he came back, my heart had been pounding real hard inside my chest?

But I can't.

"No reason at all," I mumbled. "Let me go. I have to go to work," I told him and he grunted.

"I am your boss. I told Oki to tell everyone you're sick," I felt him pulled away from a little, his eyes now boring on my face. "And I heard you are some workaholic s**t. They said this is the first time you're skipping work. Are you not taking care of yourself while I am away Caitlin?" he asked, his brows furrowed and I was confused at how mad he sounded.

Why does it seem like it's his problem?

"Why?" I asked, and it was already late when I realized that I had expressed my thoughts loudly.

I gulped.

He avoided my glance, and that's when I knew he wouldn't answer, a familiar emotion started taking over.

"Stop acting as if you care for me. You're not obligated to do that. And you're right, you are my boss, and right now, I need to go to work," I pushed his arms around me rather forcefully before jumping out of my bed.

"Use my brother's room if you're gonna keep on staying here. I won't stop you because you still basically own this," I told him before grabbing a towel. I turned around and faced him.

"And I see you're about to go to work. Please lock the door when you leave," I told him with the most serious tone I can muster.

I watch him sit on my bed, and I had to stop myself from imagining things as I realize how my bed looks good with him on it.

"Just go to work with me. I'll wait for you," he whispered, and I tried to summon every courage that I have so I can look back.

"I can go to work on my own. Please don't give me any more problems than I currently have. I don't think people seeing me getting out of your car is a nice idea," I told him before I turned my body to head down to the bathroom. Before I enter, I look at him one last time, "Lock the door when you leave."

And I ended up taking a bath for more than an hour to make sure he's already gone.

The whole team was surprised to me coming in at noon, and I just faked a smile.

Yuri was smiling smugly at me, and after finishing my workload, she pulled me towards the lounge while Justin and Joon were already there.

That's how I ended up watching the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life.

"f**k," I mumbled as I saw on the video how I was giggling loudly while Seth was carrying me bridal style.

"Somebody kill me now," I mumbled and once again, I heard the other three laughing over my state.

Caitlin, you are not going to drink anymore.