Natalie Breaks down

Chapter 10: The White Knight

Natalie spun instinctively, trying to move past Liam as if she could vanish before he noticed how battered she was. She shifted her weight far too quickly, and a jolt of pain shot through her bruised breasts and abdomen.

She stumbled, letting out a sharp gasp, and the world seemed to tilt. Liam stepped forward immediately, “Whoa—hey! Careful!” he said gently, reaching out. His hands barely caught her arms as he winced to pull her up. His baggy gray sweater hung loosely over his cargo shorts, and his worn, unlaced running shoes were dirty. He was small, nerdy, and visibly looked shorter than Natalie when she had her heels on.

Natalie’s composure finally cracked. A fresh wave of sobs shook her chest as she leaned against him, her heels giving her a slight height advantage over his shoulder, her body trembling from exhaustion and pain. Her mascara had streaked slightly down her cheeks, lips quivering, every movement sending sharp jolts through her bruised torso.

“I… I…” she stammered, voice breaking, “I… forgot…” She couldn’t finish the sentence—she’d forgotten she even had to work the day after tomorrow, forgotten everything in the aftermath of the bar humiliation, the videos, the pain. She forgot that people were going to see her on Monday. Everyone would see her. Everyone would know.

Liam’s small frame tensed as he adjusted to support her more securely. “Hey… it’s okay, Natalie… shh, I’ve got you,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her midsection carefully, trying not to add to her pain. He leaned slightly into her weight, small but firm, guiding her gently.

Natalie rested her forehead against his chest, sobbing quietly now, the sound muffled but persistent. Her tears soaked lightly into the fabric of his baggy sweater, and for the first time since the bar, she felt a flicker of safety in someone’s presence.

“C’mon,” Liam said softly, moving with her in mind, “let me help you upstairs. Just… slow steps. We’ll get you somewhere safe.”

Their walk up the stairs was quiet, filled only with the soft shuffle of his beaten-up running shoes and her heels clacking unevenly as she leaned on him. Once they reached her apartment, Liam guided her to the couch carefully, keeping his small frame close to hers in case she stumbled again. “Here,” he said, producing a bottle of water and a couple of Advil from his bag. “Drink this… and take these. Please. You need to take care of yourself.”

Her hands shook as she took the pills and sipped the water. She looked up at him, voice just a whisper through her tears. “I… I don’t know what to do… I…”

Liam shook his head gently, concern etched in every line of his small face. “Shh… you’re not alone. I’m here, okay? Just… rest for now.”

Liam helped Natalie settle onto the couch, keeping his arms lightly around her as she sipped the water. She was still trembling slightly, sobs quieting but not gone, her heels dug uncomfortably into the floor.

“You… um,” Liam began, scratching the back of his neck, his baggy sweater sleeves sliding over his wrists, “maybe you should wear… something more comfortable. You know, to rest. Not that I… I mean, not that I want to see you change or anything.”

Natalie blinked through her tears, and looked at Liam, surprised at his flustered delivery.

He immediately added, “I just… you look very nice, really… but it doesn’t look comfortable, all those heels and stuff.” He paused, realizing how awkward he sounded. “I… I mean, you can choose whatever you want. I’m… I’m sorry, that came out weird.”

Natalie let out a giggle, a mixture of disbelief and warmth. It was the first lightness she’d felt in hours. “You’re… so awkward,” she whispered, still shaky but smiling through tears.

“I… yeah,” Liam said, rubbing the back of his neck again, his voice soft. “Anyway… you should just change. Go to the other room, whatever feels right.”

Slowly, hesitantly, Natalie nodded. She rose from the couch, still giggling lightly despite the sting in her body, and shuffled toward the bedroom. Liam stayed behind, and waited politely wanting to give her space and anything else she needed.

Natalie stepped out of the bedroom quite quickly, her heels still on. She was wearing a black, sheer mesh bodysuit—skimpy, clinging to every curve, completely see-through, the high-cut legs elongating her frame. Her breasts pressed against the fabric, nipples faintly visible beneath the mesh, her toned waist and hips highlighted. The bodysuit left her back bare, and the thin straps traced her shoulders.

Liam froze mid-step, his baggy sweater and cargo shorts suddenly making him feel even more exposed and awkward. His eyes widened, and his mouth opened, but no words came out. His beaten-up running shoes scraped slightly against the floor as he shifted nervously.

“Uh… Natalie?” he stammered, voice low, unsure. “Are you… okay?”

Natalie walked towards him, slowly biting her lip.

"Natalie... I don't know.... I just... What happened...?"

She paused, letting the weight of her gaze fall on him. Her eyes were sharp, commanding. “Would you rather have me talk about it and fucking cry?” she asked sternly.

He shook his head quickly, almost apologetically, his voice barely a whisper: “N-no…”

Natalie’s lips curved into a slow, confident smile, low and knowing. “Good,” she said, voice dripping with a teasing sensuality. She took a deliberate step closer, then sank to her knees before him, her hands resting on his thighs. The mesh of her bodysuit pressed against her skin as she leaned forward slightly, letting him feel the contours of her body even as she maintained that aura of control.

Liam swallowed hard, awkward and overwhelmed, unsure where to look or what to say, but captivated by the intensity of her presence and the strange mix of vulnerability she radiated.