ch.4

---

Helen stood there, her heart still pounding, fists still clenched. She could feel the cameras on her, but she was too pissed to care.

Javon was watching her closely, like he was waiting for her to break.

Kylie, on the other hand, was absolutely thriving off the drama.

“That was so intense,” Kylie said, stretching across the couch with a grin. “I mean, the way you two were just going at it—whew. This episode is gonna break records.”

Helen shot her a glare. “Kylie, I swear to God—”

“I’m just saying,” Kylie interrupted, sitting up. “You and your dad? Y’all be fighting like y’all are in a season finale every week.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “Fuck off.”

Kylie gasped dramatically. “Such language.” Then she looked at Javon. “Ain’t she adorable when she’s mad?”

Javon smirked but didn’t answer. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Helen’s waist, pulling her against him. “You need to breathe, princess.”

Helen exhaled sharply. “I am breathing.”

“Not very well.”

Helen shot him a look, but the tension in her chest loosened slightly.

Kylie grinned. “Wow, the Javon Effect is crazy.”

“Kylie,” Helen warned.

Kylie giggled, then suddenly gasped. “WAIT.”

Helen flinched. “What? What now?”

Kylie’s eyes sparkled. “You should totally go out tonight.”

Helen blinked. “Go where?”

---

Helen led the way upstairs, the cameras still rolling behind them. At this point, she didn’t even care. If they wanted to record her getting ready, let them. She was gonna have fun tonight, whether her dad—or Javon—liked it or not.

She rummaged through her closet, flipping through dresses. “If I’m going out, I need to look good.”

Javon sat on the edge of her bed, watching her with an unreadable expression. “You already do.”

Helen smirked but kept looking. After a minute, she pulled out the one. A short, tight, sparkly silver dress that hugged everything just right. She held it up and turned to Javon. “What about this?”

Javon’s reaction was instant. His jaw tensed, his eyes scanned the dress, then flickered back up to hers.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” he asked, his voice even.

Helen raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, why?”

Javon rubbed his chin, exhaling through his nose. “I mean… you look good in everything. But that dress?” He let out a low chuckle. “You trying to make a scene?”

Helen smirked. “Why? You don’t like it?”

Javon tilted his head. “I love it. I just know every dude at that party is gonna be looking.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “They can look all they want. Doesn’t mean anything.”

Javon leaned back on his elbows, watching her. “Mmm. Alright then. Do your thing.”

She squinted at him. “That’s it? No ‘Helen, don’t wear that’ or ‘Go put on a sweater’?”

Javon laughed. “Nah, I know better than to tell you what to do.” Then his voice dropped slightly. “Just don’t get mad if I gotta check somebody tonight.”

Helen’s stomach flipped, but she ignored it. Instead, she gave him a teasing smile. “I’ll be just fine.”

Javon smirked. “We’ll see.”

Shaking her head, Helen grabbed the dress and headed to the bathroom to change.

As she shut the door, she heard Javon mutter, “This girl’s gonna be the death of me.”

And she loved it.

---

The party was in full swing by the time Helen, Javon, and Kylie walked in. Music blasted through the speakers, the bass vibrating the floors. People were everywhere—dancing, drinking, shouting over each other.

Kylie immediately disappeared into the crowd, already hyped. “I’ll be back, b****es!” she called over her shoulder.

Helen just laughed, shaking her head as she turned to Javon. “She’s a menace.”

Javon smirked. “Yeah, and you’re not much better.”

Helen rolled her eyes playfully before tugging his hand. “Come on, let’s have fun.”

And for a while, they did.

Helen danced with her friends, took a few sips from Kylie’s drink, and let the energy of the party take over. Even Javon loosened up, keeping close but letting her do her thing.

Everything was perfect.

Until it wasn’t.

Helen had just gone to get some air when a guy she didn’t recognize slid up beside her.

“Hey, you’re Helen, right?” His breath reeked of alcohol, and he was way too close.

She forced a polite smile. “Yeah. I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Nah, but I’ve seen you on TV.” His eyes dragged over her, lingering in a way that made her stomach turn. “You look even better in person.”

Helen shifted uncomfortably. “Thanks.”

He took a step closer, his hand brushing against her arm. “You wanna go upstairs? It’s loud as hell down here.”

Helen tensed. “I’m good, thanks.”

He ignored that. “Come on, just for a second.” His grip tightened as he tried to steer her toward the stairs.

Her heart pounded. “I said no.” She tried to pull away, but he was stronger.

Panic flared in her chest.

“Let go of me,” she snapped.

Before she could react, he yanked her forward, dragging her up the steps and then went in a room and raped her.

Her stomach twisted. She tried to fight it—no one even heard he cries.

She was naked and in the bed with him hoveringover her zipping up his pants.

Then, suddenly—

BAM.

The guy flew backward, crashing into the wall so hard the whole room seemed to shake.

Javon stood over him, breathing hard, rage burning in his eyes.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Javon growled, grabbing the guy by his collar and slamming him against the wall again.

The guy groaned, barely able to lift his hands before Javon’s fist connected with his face. Once. Twice. Over and over.

Helen could barely breathe.

She pressed herself against the railing, hands trembling, watching as Javon beat him black and blue.

By the time people realized what was happening, it was too late.

The guy’s nose was broken, blood dripping down his face as he slumped against the wall.

Javon grabbed him by the shirt one last time, pulling him close. “If you ever touch her again, I’ll fucking end you,” he hissed. Then he shoved him to the ground.

The room was silent and put on her clothes javon tossed her and changed.

Helen swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling quickly.

Javon turned to her immediately, his expression shifting from fury to concern. “Are you okay?”

She couldn’t even speak. She just nodded, tears spilling over.

Javon didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into his arms, holding her so tight she could barely breathe—but she didn’t mind.

Because in that moment, all she cared about was that she was safe.

And it was because of him.

---

Helen barely remembered getting home. Everything was a blur—the ride back, the silence in the car, the way her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

By the time they stepped into her room, she felt like she was suffocating.

“I need to change,” she whispered, barely recognizing her own voice.

Javon nodded, his jaw still tight. “I’ll be right here.”

She grabbed a pair of soft pajama shorts and an oversized hoodie, then locked herself in the bathroom.

The second she saw herself in the mirror, she broke.

Her makeup was smudged, her hair was a mess, and her skin—her skin—felt wrong. No matter how much she rubbed at her arms, she still felt his hands on her.

Hot tears spilled over, her breath coming out in sharp gasps.

She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, just trying to breathe. But eventually, she forced herself to get dressed and walked back into the room.

Javon was sitting on the bed, his elbows on his knees, head in his hands.

When he looked up and saw her, something in his eyes cracked.

Without a word, she crawled onto the bed and into his arms.

He held her tight, wrapping her up like he was trying to shield her from the entire world.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Javon frowned. “For what?”

“For not listening to you,” she choked out. “For wearing that stupid dress. For letting him—” Her voice caught, and she squeezed her eyes shut. “I feel so fucking dirty, von.”

His grip tightened. “No.” His voice was firm, but his hands were soft as they ran up and down her back. “Don’t do that. This isn’t your fault.”

Helen shook her head. “If I had just—”

“If I had just listened to you,” Helen choked out, gripping Javon’s hoodie in her fists. “If I hadn’t worn that stupid fucking dress—”

Javon pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, his hands cupping her face. “Stop. Stop blaming yourself.” His voice was low, controlled, but his eyes burned with something dangerous. “That asshole did this because he’s a piece of shit. Not because of anything you did.”

Helen swallowed hard, tears still streaming down her face. “Then why do I feel so… disgusting?”

Javon clenched his jaw, his fingers brushing over her cheeks, wiping away the tears. “Because you’re hurting. But you are not dirty, Helen. You are not ruined. You’re still you.”

She let out a shaky breath, burying her face into his chest. He was so warm, so steady, and right now, he was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.

Neither of them noticed the small red light blinking in the corner of the room.

The cameras were rolling.

Somewhere, someone behind the scenes was recording everything.

Helen sniffled, her voice muffled against Javon’s hoodie. “I just wanna forget tonight ever happened.”

Javon exhaled sharply, his arms tightening around her. “I know, baby.” He kissed the top of her head, lingering there. “I promise you, I won’t let anyone hurt you like that again.”

Helen curled up against him, exhaustion hitting her like a wave. She felt safe here, wrapped in his arms, his heartbeat steady against her ear.

Slowly, her breathing evened out, and for the first time that night, she felt like she could breathe.

Javon stayed awake long after she had fallen asleep, his mind racing. He couldn’t shake the rage boiling in his chest, the image of that guy touching her, the way she had looked—so scared.

He was gonna make sure that motherfucker paid.

But right now?

Right now, he just held her.

---

Thank you so much for reading💘💘