*Trigger warning ahead

"If you bring any of that near me I swear to god I will stab you!" I shriek running away from Colton who holds the inside of his pumpkin in his bare hands. The stringy-seed mixture drips from his fingers. "Stop. Do not come any closer." I run to the end of his kitchen island, he stands at the other end challenging me. I edge to one side getting ready to run and launch myself along the counter but Coltons run straight into me, rubbing the orange goo all over me. "COLTON!" I scream, the cold goo drips down my face and the smell is retched.

I can hear him laughing at me through my pumpkin covered hair.

"I can't believe you just did that!" I pout trying to pick the pieces out of my hair, " I look like some lagoon monster and smell like sick!" I huff, his laughing dies off and I feel his arms lock around my waist.

"Aw baby, I'm sorry." He pushes me up against the counter and carefully tries to pick the mess off my face. He chuckles as he places a small kiss on my cheekbone.

"You should be sorry." I pout, watching his rosy lips curl into a smirk. His hands snake around my waist and his lips land on mine gently. With him occupied on my mouth, I reach behind me and grab the insides I had scraped out of my own pumpkin and drop them onto his head with a plop. He gasps into my mouth and pulls away slowly, eyes wide.

"You played me!" he shouts, shaking his pumpkin ridden locks, splatting me on the face again.

"Don't give it if you can't take it, babe," I smirk, hopping onto the counter, resting my hands on his shoulders.

"Oh trust me, I can definitely give it but the question is... can you take it, sweetheart?" He steps into my legs, his hands travel under my shirt and tease with my bra strap. A dark red sweeps my cheeks as his hot breath touches my neck.

"Even covered in pumpkin insides you're beautiful." He whispers placing a strand of my retched smelling hair behind my ear.

"Happy Halloween- What the fuck is going on in here." Jaydens voices resonates through the kitchen. I turn and find the most confused face standing in the doorway.

"Well we're carving pumpkins, we have a few spare if you want to do some?" I hop down from the kitchen counter, being careful not to slip on the pumpkin seeds.

"Sure... as long as I don't end up with that shit on me." He says setting down a crate of beer away from the gooey mess. I grab him a pumpkin and go back to carving mine.

"Shouldn't you guys be getting ready for the party though? There're still tones of decorations sitting in the hall?" Jayden asks, starting to hollow out his pumpkin.

Since we'd been given a few days break in the schedule, we flew back to LA and Colton and Jayd thought it'd be fun if we threw a Halloween party at Colts.

"The caterers are dropping off food at five, the alcohol's being delivered at five-thirty and it's just gone one so we have more than enough time to put the decorations up." I giggle at Jaydens impatience.

"Who's coming?" He continues his line of questioning.

"I'm not sure, half of Hollywood probably. I sent out invites but it's more of an open event type thing." Colton answers, he was pretty chill about who to invite, he's got tones of security anyway if things gets out of hand.

"This is like Gigi's first proper Hollywood party." Jayden grins from his pumpkin. I gulp. As exciting as it is, it's petrifying, I hate big social groups and this literally spells panic attack but I'm trying and it's going to be fun. That's what I have to tell myself. Steering the conversation away from my pending anxiety attack I keep calving my pumpkin's face.

"What have you decided to go as?" I ask Jayd, he FaceTimed me last night and spent an hour going through options with me but he still couldn't pick one.

"Either Spider-Man or the cowboy."

"Please be the Cowboy! You looked so cute in that." I plead with Jay as a heavy cough ricochets off the cupboards. I turn to look at Colton who's almost pouting.

"Don't get jealous, you don't like being called cute." I tease.

" You could still give me a compliment and not him." He rolls his eyes.

"Alright needy.. you sing better than you calve pumpkins." I try and stifle a laugh looking at his demented eyed pumpkin. The teeth were weirdly jagged and the eyes are wonky as fuck but at least he tried?

"Don't insult Christopher." He whines snatching the pumpkin from the counter and cradling it like a baby.

" Right... well whilst you go put Christopher and... his friends..." I gesture to the other pumpkins we've carved, "outside on the drive, I'm going to jump in the shower and get rid of Christophers' insides on my head." I place a kiss on Colton's cheek and walk back through the kitchen.

"Hey, where's my kiss?" Jayd strops from the kitchen island.

"Aw does Jay want a kiss." Colton coos, running over to grab his face and places several sloppy wet kisses over his face. Jayden tries to flap him away but Colton is very... persistent.

"Hey! I want at least have the decorations up by the time I come back down okay!" I shout at the boys who are still running around the kitchen like one of them has Cooties.

"Yes, boss." They both reply in unison, standing to attention and saluting me. I shake my head and leave the room.

"Assholes," I mumble loud enough for them to hear.

The place looks great. It's bustling with guests in fancy dress, I almost don't recognise half of the A list celebrities in here. The boys did a great job decorating, it looks like a haunted house, cobwebs droop from the ceiling and blood runs down the walls. Colton moved all the furniture out of his living room and it's being used as the main dance floor... since it's defiantly big enough but the party spills outside into the pool area, which the water in the pool has been dyed green. I don't know how they did it or how long it's going to take to put back to normal but it's one of the best things I've ever seen, they've even thrown some skeletons in there for effect.

I push my way through the dancing bodies until I reach the kitchen area. Will, Jayden, Max, Lucas and Colt are stood gossiping with bottles of beers.

"You guys totally matched with the marvel theme." Max laughs as Colton slides his arm around my waist. We thought It would be cool if we matched like a couple but not the really cringy kind of matching costumes so I went as Black Widow and he went as Captin America, since they have that kind of romance going on in the films. That Captin America suit fits Colton like a glove and his biceps bulge in the fabric, making my mouth water.

"Yeah, we did, although I'm already regretting it, it took me nearly an hour and half a bottle of baby oil to get this bloody latex suit on." I wiggle about in the suit, the guys laugh as Colton's hand finds my ass and give it a firm squeeze. I squeal inside my mouth, Colt sends me a sly wink making me blush.

Suddenly a heavy hand lands on my shoulder, startling my slightly.

" It was worth it though my dear. You look, mhm wonderful." Castro integrates himself into the conversation, keeping his hand somewhere either on my arm or my shoulder. The air goes sour, this man always gives me the creeps and from the looks of everyone's faces, I gather he's not popular with the guys either.

"Oh uh, thanks," I mumble, barely audible above the music.

"What are you doing here, this isn't really your scene." Colton jabs pulling me closer into his side, for which I feel very grateful for. I too was puzzled as to why Castro was here, he didn't even look like he was dressed up, unless sweaty pig was the costume.

"Just thought I'd swing by, I need to have a chat with Gigi about her album actually." My ears prick up, both with adrenaline and apprehension... couldn't he have called and met at the office or even stopped by tomorrow... why in the middle of a Halloween party.

I glance at Colton nervously.

"Can we step outside, it's a bit too loud in here." He bellows already starting to pull me away. I can feel Colton still attached to me as he tries to follow us out.

"It's a private matter, Colton. We won't be too long." Colton shoots him a spiteful grin but I squeeze his arm in reassurance and let Castro lead me out of the room into the bigger library room, I'm not sure why Colton has this since he never reads but the room is modern, fit with a grand piano, a wall of books and a leather sofa.

Castro ushers me in and try's to subtly lock the door from the inside. He sees my discomfort and chuckles.

"It's just so we can't be disturbed. Take a seat." He gestures to the sofa where I hesitantly perch on the edge, Castro thumps down next to me, way too close and immediately moves his hand to my knee.

" You do look very sexy tonight Gigi." His hand moves further up my thigh and I freeze, blood pumping through my veins.

"I'm not sure what that has to do with the album," I force a chuckle trying to redirect. He looks slightly annoyed.

"Ah yes... the album. How badly do you want this album love?" His face inches closer to mine, I wriggle away.

"Uh, very badly I guess." I gulp.

"You'd do anything to get it wouldn't you." He smirks.

"Uh-"

"Well, I can give you that album, make sure it's yours by the end of the year." He slides along the sofa, I try and escape but my back hits the armrest.

"Now now, don't be too hasty. I just need you to do a few things for me first. Just think about how badly you want the album, your careers riding on this." He grabs my waist and pulls me next to him, his breath damp on my neck.

Bile rises in my throat and I can't hear anything over the thumping of the blood in my ears. He leans in to kiss me and I immediately shove him away, leaping from my seat into the middle of the room. Anger flashes his features.

"Now that was silly wasn't it." He launches at me, grabbing my hair and swings me around until I'm facing down on the sofa, his large heavy body on top of me, preventing me from getting up. I've been in the situation one too many times to know it doesn't end well.

I kick and scream against his body.

"Feisty thing, I like it rough." He yanks harder on my hair and I cry out in pain, "Stop fucking moving Gigi!" He flips me over and sends a slap across my face. The sting sends tears flying down my face.

"You want an album? Well, you have to earn the album. This is the way it works." He lowers himself down onto me, his hands fumbling with the zip on the leather suit as his other hand gropes my ass. His fingers slide under my suit and I scream.

You've got to get out of this.

Stay calm.

Think tactically.

He's too big and heavy for me to fight so I look around for defence weapons and realise my knee is in the optimum area. Without a second thought, I drive it up into his groin and watch him cripple into himself.

"You stupid bitch-" I grab the lamp from behind me and smash it down onto his head. He falls off me onto the floor. I take this as my opportunity and dash across the room, violently turning the key and throwing the door open. I dash out into the main entrance lobby where Colton and the guys are stood.

"Hey, we just came to look for you- Gigi what's wrong." I fall into Colton's arms, sobs racking my body, "Gigi talk to me. What's wrong." Colton cups my test streaked face but I'm unable to form words.

"He... I tried to stop... He... I couldn't get out..." My body shakes frantically.

"She's having a panic attack." Colton addresses to the guys, "Go get her a bottle of water." He instructs as one of them flees the area, "I should have gone with you." He scolds himself, "I've got you." My eyes dart to see the door wide open to the library.

"Hey, focus on me. Take deep breaths. Can you feel my heart?" He brings my trembling fingers to his chest, the steady beats surge through my skin, "Good focus on that and keep breathing in and out. I've got you, it's okay."

Max returns with a capped bottle of water just as Castro exists the room, red with anger. I clutch on tighter to Colton who's body is as rigid as a rock right now. Everyone exchanged a knowing look and before I can say anything else, I find myself in Jaydens arms, he rocks me back and forth as Colton stalks up to Castro and immediately pummels his fist into his jaw.

"She came on to me." He yells in defence.

"Does that look like face of a girl who's just come into you? You disgusting pig" Will scoffs before Colton can shove another couple of fists into his face, it's like a blur, Castro ends up on the floor. Blood streaking the marble tiles and his face. I have to stop him before it he gets way out of Contol.

"Colton stop." I squeak but he can't hear me over the cracking of Castro's face, both Will, Max and Lucas are trying to coax him off.

"Stop, Colt, stop!" I break free of Jaydens arms and run over to his sweat driven body. He seizes to stop until I place my hand on his shoulder.

"Please stop. He's not worth it." Tears drip from my eyes, I don't want Colton getting in trouble because of me.

"Please," I sob nearly falling down onto my knees. Jayden rushes over and helps me keep stable, Colton looks up at me, rage darkening his features but they soften as he grabs my hand.

He grunts and leans down so he's eye to eye with the slumped body on the floor.

"If you ever touch her again I will fucking end you. Don't speak to her. Don't talk about her. Don't you dare fucking think about her again. Or I will break every single bone in your body. Do you understand?" Colton Spits. He nods weakly so Colton gets up and takes me from Jayden, cradling me in his arms. His hands cup my face, pulling me away slightly so he can get a good look at my face, his eyes darken and I realise that slap must have left a nasty mark.

"I'm sorry for ruining your party." I shake.

"Shut up. You didn't ruin anything and what happened wasn't your fault." Colton looks at me sternly.

What happened wasn't my fault

It wasn't my fault.

"It wasn't your fault okay." I nod at him, usually, I'd be the first person to blame me but I know it wasn't my fault.

It wasn't my fault.

This chapter really reflects the kind of sexual abuse that women in the music industry face all the time by men in higher or older positions. I really wanted TTS to bring light to this issue because a lot of the time we forget that celebrity's are humans too and they endure things like this in their career- men and women.

If this chapter had affected you in anyway please know you are not alone and what happened wasn't your fault! There are hotlines and people you can talk to! Don't suffer in silence 🖤

My DMs are always open.

Thanks for reading
Iz x