Free Make Believe by Genevieve Smith Page B

you’re safe now.”
     
    The morning sunlight shines through the blinds in the bedroom. The room is flooded with it. I pull the duvet up towards my shoulders and turn on my side.  Oh my head hurts – was it the champagne or…the realization of what’s happened to me. Just for a split second everything seemed fine. 
    Knock, Knock.
    “Come in,” my voice is husky.
    “Hey beautiful, how are you feeling today?” Elliott’s standing there with a tray of breakfast for me.
    “Oh, you know, sore.” I manage to raise a smile.
    “Here, eat before it gets cold.”
    “You cooked this?” I ask enquiringly.
    “Yes, of course I did - you see I’m not just all  beauty but brains too….No not really, Simon did.” He smiles his beautiful smile.
    I take the first mouthful.
    “I’ve booked you an appointment with my doctor for 10:00a.m. I’ve also cleared it with the studio. I told them you weren’t feeling well.”
    All of a sudden I don’t feel very hungry. The thought of being examined makes my stomach churn.
    “Come on, Jess, try and eat some more for me, baby. Please.”
    “Where do I have to go and see the doctor?” I can’t keep the emotion out of my voice.
    “It’s at her private practice. Don’t worry Jess, I’ll be there. I have no intention of letting you deal with this on your own.” He brushes the hair off my face around to my ear.
    Damn, you have to pay to see a doctor over here. I don’t think my insurance will cover it as I’m not going to the police.
    “How much do doctor’s appointments cost here?”
    “Hey, you don’t have to worry about that, I’ve covered it. I don’t want you to have to worry about anything.”
    “No Elliott, you don’t have to. I can pay my way,”  I plead. I don’t want to be beholden to anyone.
    “Shh Jess, let me help you please, it’s the least I can do for you. If I hadn’t insisted on you coming to the drinks then none of this would have happened. I will never forgive myself for that. Thank God Hudson was there!”
    There’s that fucking asshole’s name again.
    “Elliott, please don’t feel guilty. It’s not your fault, honestly. You don’t have to pay.”
    “It’s too late, I already have done so,” he smirks his cheeky smile.
     
    We arrive at the doctor’s ten minutes early. It’s so private, he was right.  Her practice is at her house which is locked behind huge wrought iron gates. You have to be buzzed in, just like Elliott’s. Does anyone in LA live in a normal-sized house?
     
    The good doctor is at the door before we have a chance to ring the bell.
    “Good morning, I’m Doctor Leonard. Do come in.”
    “Doctor Leonard, this is Jessica,” Elliott introduces us.
    I smile and shake her hand.
    “How’s everything going, Elliott? You still working out so much?”
    “Not at the moment. I’m in the middle of a shoot.” He smirks.
    “Don’t let that be an excuse Elliott. OK, you sit here. Jessica, would you like to follow me?”
    I pause for a second; do I really want to do this on my own?  I feel the panic rising. You have to, I convince myself.  Elliott has been so amazing so far. Him seeing me naked is one thing but making him come in and watch me being examined is another.  I look at him.
    Elliott stands next to me and looks into my eyes, “Jess, you’ll be fine. She knows everything, but if you want I can come in with you.”  He’s so sincere.
    I smile. “Thank you, I think I’ll be OK.”   With that I follow Dr. Leonard into her room.
    Elliott really had told her everything about the attack, even the bullshit accompanying it!
    Dr. Leonard tries to convince me to go to the police. But I just can’t, it would be more hassle than I need right now.  I’m just trying to figure out how on earth I’m going to cope with seeing the bastard again.
    I lay on her couch and she examines me. It’s so uncomfortable but she makes small talk to make the whole process better.
    “Thank you, Jessica, I’ve seen