Chapter 96 - You Deserved Better

"I've restored all your files already. Just check the flashdrive if there's something missing on the file." Pierre gave us the flashdrive while we're on Noah's office.

He explained the process of giving our proofs and how to file a lawsuit using those evidences. I was kind of happy, of course. Our biggest problem have been solved and what we really need to do now if to make them pay for all the damages.

Though, I didn't know what's Noah's plan for this. He might talk to Shawn about this and I'm hoping that they won't end up hurting each other. I saw how Noah got mad at him, I want to be there when they face each other. He can't face this alone.

"I don't want their compensation, I just wanted to clear my shop's name," Noah says. He placed his arms around my waist which made me shiver down to my spine..

"We can work on that later, for now just focus on the case," Pierre put some documents on the table so I immediately read it.

The document states all the necessary things to work on while investigating the motive behind this. It was written there the possible things to do inside the court and how to protect our argument.

I was startled to the thought of having this right now. I mean..he's not a lawyer but how..

"Why are you giving this to us?" Noah concluded it immediately. I looked at Pierre to hear his answer also.

But he just shrugged while skimming all the papers from me.

"I just think you might need this.. I once enter the law--"

"YOU'RE A LAWYER TOO!?"

He stopped and looked at me. His brows furrowed, I think he got irritated by my loud voice.

I gave him a peace sign so he turn his eyes on Noah now.

"I was a lawyer," he simply said.

I bit my lower lip to prevent myself for talking much. He might scold me after that. I didn't want to be nosy too.

"Can we give this to the police, then?" Noah asked while holding the evidences.

"Hire an attorney first so they can advise you on what to do with that. It's better to consult first than doing what you wanted in a tricky way,"

"Will I be able to clear my shop's name and give some justice for humiliating Raine on the publi--"

"You don't have to complain about that Noah." I cut him. I know that it's true so I don't have any right to deny it.

I'm an undergraduate who's been working with Noah right now..

"What are you saying?" His brows furrowed while facing me.

I know he wouldn't understand since he doesn't feel what I feel right now. I felt humiliated and I didn't want to make it worse. It's making me sick of it.

I sigh heavily and turn my eyes at him. He gave me a questioning look so just shook my head.

"Everything on the article was true. I'm an undergraduate because my family failed to send me to school and I'm this irresponsible for not finding a way to educate myself.." I almost broke my voice while saying it. I didn't know that it feels bad for saying this myself. I felt really really bad..

I saw how Pierre changed his reaction from being cold to being shocked. He stares at me like he didn't know about it, though I we're not that close so it's only natural that he didn't know it.

I smiled at them bitterly. The pain inside was building up again and I didn't know how to stop it. I felt humiliated but I will chose to keep it all with me. I don't want to bother others with my own problems.

"Are you on your right mind right now, Raine!? Do you know how humiliating that was? How could you--"

"I just don't want to make it big--"

"But this is a big deal, Raine! They insulted you! They put your name on the article without your consent and even got in your privacy! That's all a bullshit, baby!"

"But everything in there was true, Noah.." I answered with a lower voice.

I don't have any strength to say it out loud to him now. I felt drained that I just want to rest and leave everything..

He looked startled. His lips parted while his brows were still furrowed. He wouldn't understand it, I was expecting it.

"I think you better leave it to the authority, Raine.." Pierre suddenly interjects while looking directly on my eyes.

He stared at it like he's asking for my trust and he's willing to help me get through this. I don't know why I suddenly felt soft inside when he gave me an assuring look. I swallowed hard while preventing my tears from falling again.

"I don't understand you, Raine. You can't possibly say this but you did. I was expecting you to punish them with me but you're just making it worst for yourself," Noah shook his head, I could see the anger and disappointment in his eyes.

I looked down on my hands and gasp since my nose's a bit runny for crying right now. I was trying hard to stop sobbing or even whimpering.

Why am I crying, then? Am I disappointed too? Or am I pitying myself?

"No matter how we make it sound like I was qualified to be your editor, it doesn't change the fact that you hired an undergraduate person, Noah.."

The whole office got silent. Noah didn't mutter any words and even Pierre..

I was waiting for them to scold me but they didn't. I looked up to face him but I am more shocked when I saw him. He looked so sad while looking at me. I bit my lower lip and looked away.

"You shouldn't just humiliate yourself when people are trying to bring you down, Raine.. You should be more determined to do better and appreciate your own effort for working so hard to provide for your family.." He says that my eyes widened. He gave me a small smile and he caressed my hair. "You deserved better.."

I gulped in so much emotions. He made me feel like I really need tp fight for myself.

"Ehem.." We heard Pierre's voice, I blushed when he's looking at us awkwardly but Noah didn't even bothered by his presence, he just stared at me like he only care about me..

"I-i..think, I should go," Pierre excused himself. He looked for his stuffs on the side of the computer table.

"That's better," Noah rolled his eyes.

"Well, I think you really need to persuade her.." He smirked.

"I don't need your opinion," he sarcastically says so I immediately hit his arm.

"Stop being a sarcastic, Noah." I glared at him but he just made a face to me.

"Thanks for helping us, Pierre." He smiled at him. "Please, send your bank account I'll wire you your money,"

Pierre just nodded, "Anything for my friend," He glanced at me and left the shop.

I woke up next morning with a slight heaviness in my chest. I still thought about what we talked about last night. Noah didn't really stopped on pursuing me on getting my apology. He said I still need it at least. I should do it right? He didn't nag me for filing a lawsuit for this but he asked me to demand for public apology..

I also deserved it right?

I stood up went inside the bathroom, I still feel sleepy because I stayed up all night thinking about it. I didn't know what to do so I really felt so worried.

I didn't know how long I stayed up in the shower but when I went out to get dressed, my friends are already inside my room. They looked worried and sad, I'm sure they already knew about it. It spread so fast, huh?

Jess's looked like she's about to cry while looking at me and Gia was just quiet on the side. She can't look at me in the eyes and when I turn to Sam, he eyes were bloodshot. I want to laugh but I just remained silent. I know they're all worried about me.

"Raineee.." Sam walked towards me to give me a hug. Her embrace was so tight that I even felt his shoulders moving. Her sobs broke my heart, this is the first time that I saw her crying again so I got worried.

"Shh.. I'm okay now, don't worry.." I caressed her back to comfort her.

"Why didn't you tell us?" She cried again.

I released a heavy sighed when I turn to my friends. They smiled at me and gave me tight embrace too. I saw how Jess's also cried and was just silent on the other side.

"You can lean on us, sissy.. You know, you have us we're friends and friends comfort each other.. We're like family now, so please don't hesitate to tell your problems to us.." And with that they cried again which made me feel a little okay now. They knew about my struggles and they're all here for me. That's enough for now.

"Don't open your social media yet! I know that those shitty people will talked shit on you, I might just go straight to the police station and dragged them there!" Jess's says. She looked mad as she scanned my face.

I know I looked bad for being stressed like this. I didn't know how Noah still managed to looked at me in this state. Ugh! I probably looked terrible.

"If you didn't get a public apology, I will do everything just to punish those people who did that to you!" Sam seemed furious while hugging me behind.

"You should fight for your right, girl. You can't let them insult you like that." Gia appeared in front of me and held my hand. She smiled at me nodded. "Everything's gonna be fine.."

I muttered the word 'I know' while smiling at them.

To be continued..