Chapter song: Swap It Out by Justin Bieber

(Justin's pov)

-3pm-

Val and I just finished eating "breakfast." We woke up at 2pm, but I wanted breakfast. There's no harm in that.

Honestly, I'm putting my heart into making Val feel better. I'm being sympathetic as to how she's feeling. I mean, I can only imagine what it feels like to be labeled as property and feel depraved by strangers.

"Mr. Bieber, someone's at the door for you."

One of my maids peers from my door.

"Oh, I'll get it."

Taking Val's hand, I stand up and walk downstairs. Shit, I hope it's not another bitch wanting to fuck. Luckily, it's just Chaz.

"Hey man."

We greet each other, and I keep Val's hand in mine.

"How are you doing?"

Chaz asks me as we sit on the couch.

"Good."

I shift nearer to Val, sufficient to feel her presence.

"That's good. Well, I have some news. It's not necessarily the best. You're not exactly off the hook for what happened last night. Because they know who you are, they'll be looking for you. They can easily find you, and they want to hurt you."

Chaz interprets with seriousness yet amiability.

"Dammit. Can't I just hide?"

Why the hell is this a big deal? I offered $2 million, Ben didn't take it, that's not my problem. What does he want from me? From Val?

"You can try."

By the tone of Chaz's voice, my suggestion doesn't sound promising.

"...I can move. Yea, I can get out of town. I have a sweet place in L.A. How about that?"

It's not a bad idea. I mean, nobody can find me there. Plus, it's a better location.

"That'll do. They won't look for you there."

Chaz nods, sneaking a glance at the girl beside me.

"Sweet. Oh, let me introduce you to Val. She's my babe."

Boastfully, I put my arm around Val and present her like a trophy.

"So this is the one you're going head over heels for."

He reminds me of Ryan, Khalil, and Za. They both have similar reactions.

"You can call it that."

I'm not the type to blush, but I grin like crazy.

"It's nice to meet you, Val. You're extremely beautiful. I'm sure you hear that a lot."

Chaz shakes Val's hand, making her cheeks burn.

"Yea."

Her voice trails off while she shifts her eyes to me.

"Well, I should get going. I've got...stuff to do."

In other words, he's got some girls to sell, or buy. Either way, I'm not a big fan of sex slavery, at all.

"Wait, here. You can have this. You deserve it."

I give him the $2 million check from last night. Minus well give it to him.

"Bro, you don't have to."

He gives me a desperate yet thankful look.

"Take it."

I smile friendly at him, and he takes the check.

"Thanks."

His voice is full of gratitude and amazement.

"No problem."

After he leaves, I turn to Val and give her my best smile.

"Are you really going to L.A?"

For some reason, she appears disappointed. She thinks I'm leaving her.

"You mean, are WE really going to L.A?"

I swear, her eyes spark like fireworks.

"Really?"

Glittering fireworks glow in her blue-grey eyes.

"You bet. Is that cool?"

Grabbing her waist, I question her, knowing the answer.

"Yea."

Her nod tells me that she's 100% down with it.

"Perfect."

I gingerly grab her waist and pull her on my lap, trying to demolish any sexual thoughts.

"Are you feeling better?"

My arms wrap around her as her head rests in my neck, her lips against my jaw.

"A little."

She's honest with me, and I like that.

"Does anything hurt?"

Gently I stroke my fingers down her arm from her shoulder.

"Where he hit me."

Her voice is ravaged and sad.

"Where did he hit you?"

I know he hit her temple; I was there.

"My stomach. My head. My back."

Val murmurs, sounding pained.

"Can I do anything to help?"

My heart is yearning to help her in every way possible.

"If I cry will you hold me?"

The way her lip quivers signals that she's on the verge of tears.

"Of course babydoll."

Once I pull her deeper into an embrace, she starts to cry in my neck. I let her cry it all out on me, no matter how wet my neck gets. Her body continues to shake as she cries. I can feel her fingers sink deeply into my shirt. Her tenuous sobs fill my ears, and I sit here, trying my best to heal her.

After minutes of crying, Val quiets down and catches her breath.

"It's gonna be ok, baby. We're going to a new place, and we can have a fresh start. It'll be like nothing happened."

Caressing her back, I transfer comfort with my hands. Val nods and turns motionless in my arms.

"I know something that might cheer you up."

I take her hand and lead her upstairs.

"Where are we going?"

Her voice is full of curiosity.

"How 'bout we take a bath?"

The only flaw about this is that it's gonna be difficult to bottle up my lust.

"A bath?"

Val raised an eyebrow at me.

"Yea, you need to relax."

I smile as I start the warm water.

"Ok."

Her voice trails off as if she's unsure.

"I'll put bubbles in it."

Of course, I'm getting in with her. What's the relaxation without Justin Bieber?

"This is a huge bathtub."

She comments on the bathtub, which is big enough to fit about five people.

"Yea, it gets lonely."

Deliberately, I tease her with a feigned, overemphasized sigh.

"You're seriously doing this right now?"

The smile on her face lets me know that she's just kidding.

"What?"

I play stupid and stroke my fingers over the bathtub.

"You just want me to get in the tub with you."

She grins and starts to tie up her hair.

"Why would I do that?"

Faking confusion, I put my hand to my chest.

"Cut it out, babe."

Val turns to me, her hair up in a lavender bun.

"Cut what out?"

Continuing to play dumb, I give her a bewildered look.

"Turn the water off."

She rolls her eyes and pulls off my shirt from her body. I fight off my sexual thoughts and turn off the water. The bubbles are pretty high.

"Shall I dim the lights?"

I smirk and shut the door.

"Whatever rocks your boat."

Her sassiness isn't helping me at all. Why does she have to be so tempting?

"Shall I lock the door?"

I flick my eyebrows at her.

"Take your clothes off already."

Val drops her panties and steps in the tub. Well shit.

I strip down and join her in the tub, feeling the bubbles rise up to my neck. The water is warm and soothing.

"This is so relaxing."

Val speaks softly with her eyes closed. I can feel her bare legs rest beside mine. The thought of her being naked, so close to me, is unspeakable. Ok, maybe this was a bad idea.

"I'm thinking about heading out after breakfast tomorrow, maybe 9?"

I suggest, forcing my mind to think of something else.

"Sure. Do you really have a place in Las Angeles?"

Her eyes are visible from where I am, and they're priceless.

"Yea, it's actually better than this one."

I can already imagine it. Val and I can abandon all this bullshit going on. Everything will be ok. We'll get a fresh start. Val and I can start over and rebuild our relationship. It'll be perfect.

(A/N: What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving? Next post is on Friday)

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