Chapter 33: Chapter 33

- W-what do you mean? – Missy tried a shaky smile, knowing she wasn't being successful in showing kindness – N-nothing is wrong. I just... I've been forgetting to wear them lately, that's all... - She tried to defend herself, saying a silent prayer that he would be content with that silly excuse and just let the matter go.

But of course her prayer was not answered.

- No, Missy, I know that's not true. – Logan sighed, regretful, still looking at her in that intense way that made her stomach clench with fear – At first, when you started showing up dressed in simpler clothes, without any reference to the things you like, I thought it might just be some coincidence, but... When I saw your reaction to what Eleanor asked... The look of horror, almost panic on your face, as if even the slightest mention of it would hurt you... - he recounted, clearly desolate - Then I was sure it wasn't just a coincidence. That you were purposefully avoiding wearing your favorite clothes, the same ones I'd always seen you walking around the agency in and now I haven't seen you wear a single time... Not since Foster and Newton did that to you. – he concluded, with his green eyes stormy and dark – Is it because of them, Missy? Is it because of any of the horrible, untrue things they said? Did it make you insecure about your clothes? Is that why... Is that why you always seem to be avoiding seeing your own reflection? – He swallowed hard, almost as if he was suffering to say it as much as she was, to listen – As if he was afraid of mirrors or something?

-I... I... - Missy stammered, trying to keep the tears from accumulating in his eyes.

- You know you can trust me and talk to me about anything, no matter what it is, right? – he asked carefully, taking her by the hand and sitting her on the sofa next to him, wrapping her affectionately between his arms, in a consoling hug – If something is wrong, or making you feel bad, we can solve it together, I promise. Just tell me what's going on, please. The sharp distress in his voice surprised her, even amid the pain inside her, and after a moment of silence, Missy realized that maybe it really was good to talk about this with someone. They were unlikely to reach a resolution, or so she believed, but Logan had already helped her so much and in so many ways... There was no reason not to open up to him again, especially about something that was hurting her so much.

- Since... Since that day, I... - Missy began, with a shaky and tearful voice, not knowing exactly how to put it into words - I don't know why exactly, but... I can't wear those clothes anymore ... Or looking at myself in the mirror, because... I know it doesn't make any sense, but... I feel like I'm living it all over again. Hearing the same horrible words, getting the same sneers... And not only that, but also... It's like they're right. – she admitted, in the middle of a whimper – It's like they were proofs of how ridiculous I really am. As if they were justifications for them to have done what they did. I've always known what some people think about the things I like, about who I am, but... After that day... It seems those people are right about me. About me being an idiot who likes stupid things and dresses stupid and I just... I don't want to think about it. – Missy gasped, feeling tears streaming down her face, while she kept her eyes tightly closed – I just don't want to feel like this. Especially not after you've started to get better. So... I stayed away. I hid my clothes and avoided mirrors because... I don't want to see her: the ridiculous girl in the mirror. It hurts to realize that she is me. It hurts to look at my clothes and know that somehow they're right about me. It hurts... It hurts too much. - Missy gasped, feeling the weight of all that confession fall on her, leaving her almost breathless due to the intensity of the pain in her chest.

Logan spent a few moments in complete silence, making her even fear that he had agreed with her, until she felt his hands on her face, lifting her to him and wiping her tears gently with his thumbs. Gradually, Missy managed to gather enough strength to open her moist eyes and stare at his tormented and desolate expression, which, amazingly, looked almost as disturbed as she felt.

- Oh, Missy... I'm so sorry I had to go through that. If I could have just avoided it... - he lamented intensely, shaking his head vehemently afterwards - But now that doesn't matter. What really matters is that all of this... What you're feeling, Missy... - he caressed her face anxiously, almost desperately - None of that is true. Because they're wrong, baby. They are a pair of empty assholes and petty eyes that can't see beyond their own navels. Just like every other idiot who ever dared to make fun of you. There's nothing wrong with you, Missy. You're not ridiculous or stupid or pathetic or anything like that. They are. And they are for the simple reason that they cannot recognize the incredibly kind, sweet, intelligent and beautiful woman that you are. So don't let them make you blind like them, Missy. – he pleaded – They may not see you clearly, but that doesn't matter. Because they don't matter. What matters is that you can see yourself clearly. May you know how special you are and be proud of it. That you can love yourself and be proud of yourself. Because, Missy, in the midst of all this, the only person that matters... Is you. – Logan concluded, giving a pained sigh – So, don't be afraid of the girl you see when she looks in the mirror. Be happy to see her because she is the most special girl in the world and she deserves all the love in it. Including hers.

- I... I don't know if I can... - Missy panted, looking away nervously from his eyes. - She admitted, distressed.

Again, Logan spent a moment in complete silence, just watching her intently, before suddenly taking her in his arms, quickly taking her to her room, as he said, his voice low and more determined than she ever remembered have listened.

- Well, then maybe I should help you see yourself as I do. - He promised, before putting her on her feet right in front of her huge mirrored closet door, the same one that so many times, during those last two weeks, she avoided looking directly.

Shaking and confused, Missy, as usual, automatically looked away from her reflection, turning to look at Logan, unsure what he was planning, but he just took her gently and firmly by the shoulders and kept her facing the mirror. , staring at their reflection as he lowered his hands slowly to her waist, curling his fingers in the elastic of her skirt.

- Look at her... - he asked softly, holding her jaw with one hand and keeping his face turned towards the reflection of his own crying and flushed face - I know that horrible things must have been said to you about her. . So horrible that you might never even want to tell me what they were. So horrible that they may have hurt you so much that you ended up thinking they were real. But they weren't, Missy. And never will be. That's why I ask you to look at her for a while... - he turned his eyes to the startled reflection in her mirror - And try to see her a little through my eyes. Through the way I see her: as she truly is.

- Logan, I… - Missy sniffled, nervously averting her eyes from her reflection and returning to stare at herself nervously, several times – I don't know if I can…

- Shhh... Just try it, okay? – he asked, keeping his hand holding her chin until he noticed that she wouldn't look away again – I just want you to be able to see yourself clearly. May you stop believing those lies... - He ran his hands down her body again, rubbing the sides of her breasts until he reached her waist, where he pulled her skirt down, leaving her with only her panties already stained by her moisture. – You are perfect, every inch of you… – he dropped to his knees behind her, running slow, hot kisses along the length of her legs, while he continued to whisper against her goose bumps – I thought you knew they were nothing but people horrible. How can you think that their opinion is worth so much?

- N-no... It wasn't just them who told me things like that... - Missy half sniffed and half gasped, as she ran her fingers along the length of her still covered entrance, leaving her lost between the sensations of pleasure. and the nuisance of self-doubt – And… If so many people think that, then isn't there a possibility that it's true?

- If many people said that your sister is ridiculous, would you believe it? He suddenly stood up, looking at her seriously.

"N-no, but…" she stammered awkwardly.

- And if all the people in the world decided to say that I'm an idiot just because I like music, would you believe it? He raised an eyebrow, clearly already knowing the answer.

- Of course not! – Missy exhaled, frustrated – Don't you understand? No one would ever say things like that to you or her, but... I'm not like you. – she sighed, her head down – I will never be confident or amazing like you. I know I am...

- You are wrong. – Logan shook his head negatively, with green and astute eyes staring at her attentively through the reflection of the mirror – When I started planning to open the agency, many laughed at me. They said I was just a pretty face and I wouldn't be able to command a business of this size.

- Did they really tell you that? - Missy gasped, horrified - This is horrible... I'm glad you proved them wrong. – she murmured, sad to know that someone had ever doubted his ability.

- And you are perfectly capable of doing the same, you know? – Logan asked, with his brows furrowed with concern – What happens is that you let the bad words they told you take root in your mind. I know that after you hear something over and over again, you might think it's true. But try to forget about all that for at least a second and see things as they really are. – His eyes locked with hers through the reflection of the mirror, while he removed her blouse – You are seeing yourself through the eyes of people who despise you. Why not try to see yourself behind the eyes of those who love you, at least a little bit? – he asked, spreading kisses over her bare shoulders – Do you think your father would ever say that you are ridiculous? That he would despise you?

For a moment, Missy's words stuck in his throat with such intensity that she almost thought she might choke.

- Tell the truth. You know what it is. – Logan asked softly and gently, touching the place of her heart with his fingertips – Don't be afraid. Suffice it to say.

- No, he wouldn't say. – She sobbed, as tears started streaming down her face – He spent my whole life telling me I was perfect, before he left. He said that other people were just being mean because they couldn't accept that someone different from them could be so happy being who they are. He always told me that I should be proud of who I am, because I was special and unique... Because I made the world a little more beautiful, just by smiling... - Missy gasped, watching the tears flow down her face. her face trembling through the mirror.

- And he was right. – Logan smiled sweetly, distributing kisses on her back – And Megan? What would she say?

- She would say that I could never be ridiculous, because Liam and Suzan are. – Missy laughed, breathlessly – She would say that I shouldn't waste my time feeling so bad about two people who aren't worth it. She would say that if it were a situation with anyone else, I would know how wrong I am to feel this way. If it was any other girl's story, I would be telling her to try to get rid of those thoughts and be happy... – Missy sighed, feeling the weight of those words weighing heavily on her, as if they were about to break something inside her chest. Something she didn't know if it was good or bad.

- Exactly. – Logan's smile widened even more, clearly elated – And my family? After everything we've been through today, do you think they'd be able to think you're ridiculous? Pathetic?

- No... They would try to make me laugh. – Her tremulous smile also widened a little – They would welcome me. They would make me feel like there was no better company in the world than mine. They would say they miss me. They would say that someone ridiculous would never even set foot in the Knights' house, let alone be part of the family.

- Very well. See? Deep down, you know the whole truth. You just need it to take root inside you and push away all those horrible things you've been told. – he whispered vehemently, hugging her tightly by the waist – But… What about me? Do you think I'd say you're pathetic? he questioned, raising an eyebrow almost in a warning tone, which made her giggle.

- No, you would never do that. – She smiled at him through her reflex, feeling her throat tighten with emotion and… Another feeling, more intense than anything else she had ever felt, and that she didn't even know how to name what it was - You… Would you tell me to see myself as I really am... To start seeing in myself all the amazing things you always repeat when you're with me.

- And what do I always repeat to you? – he challenged her, as he slowly removed her bra, letting her breasts, free and heavy, push themselves directly into his large hands, which began to touch them with reverence.

- That… – she gasped in pleasure when he teased her nipples lightly – That I'm very kind. And... That I have good taste in movies, series and books... And... That I'm beautiful. – she whispered, embarrassed – And that I'm very smart. And a lot of fun. And that I have a beautiful smile. And that I'm amazing. And... That you think I'm very sexy... - Flushed from head to toe, she watched him kiss down her spine as he gently removed her panties - And that I'm very good in bed.

- More than very good, I would say. – He smiled wickedly – Infinitely more, actually. But then what? Just that? - he encouraged her, standing up and to be able to rub his massive erection, still covered by his pants, against her ass – You know I always say a lot more than that to you… – Running his hands gently over her belly, Logan finally sank two fingers inside her. , letting her moan and squirm anxiously against his hand, before he suddenly withdrew his fingers, licking them teasingly as Missy whimpered at the loss – So what? Say it.

- You always tell me that my presence makes your day better. – she smiled shyly at him through the mirror – And that I am very kind and kind. And cute... And that I deserve all the love in the world. - terribly blushing, she finally concluded, happy and disconcerted.

- And who do you think is more important? Most relevant in the world? – he asked, softly and yet vehemently, again lifting her chin towards the mirror, to make her look at her own reflection – Your father, Megan, my family and I…? Or Liam Newton, Suzan Foster and all the other people who have walked into your life and wanted to make you feel bad just because they are cruel and mean? He growled, almost as if just mentioning them made him angry.

- You... All of you. – Missy sniffed, feeling that strange and intense pressure in her chest increase more and more-Daddy, my sister, the Knights... And you.

- Then why not believe in us, instead of them? – he questioned, before locking eyes with hers through the mirror, nodding towards his reflection – Why not believe her, the girl we love so much and want her to be happy, instead of them? Why not let her do the things she loves, have fun with whatever she wants and live a happy life, loving herself, instead of letting them make her tormented and sad forever, believing herself to be what she is not ? – Her question, intense and distressed, made her gasp – Do you think it's fair to her? Suffering so much, without having done anything wrong, just because of wicked people, who find joy in the pain of others?

"No…" Missy sniffed, feeling the hot tears run down her face and the heat inside her chest explode through the rest of her body, making her feel shaky, almost dizzy-No, it's not.

- And why isn't it? – he asked intensely, his green eyes burning with emotion – Come on, you know. Say it. – he encouraged her, almost panting – Tell her. He looked away again at her reflection, almost pleading.

-Because… – Missy gulped, feeling the intensity of the words she was about to pronounce transform her inside completely, maybe forever – Because I don't deserve any of this. – she was finally able to admit that to herself, letting that truth sink deep inside her, healing the wounds that the years of teasing and disdain had left inside her – I never did anything bad to any of them. The things I like and the way I am never hurt anyone. On the contrary, they make me happy... And I want to be happy. I deserve to be happy. – she cried, saying that to her own reflection, literally talking to herself: convincing herself.

- I don't know why they don't like me or love to torment me, but... It doesn't matter. – She gasped, relieved to truly realize that – Because they are not more important than the people I love! – Missy prevailed, feeling determined – And they love me because I'm important to them. Because I'm worthy of them thinking I'm special. Because… I deserve not only their love… – she blinked away the tears that were still streaming down her face, smiling shakily to herself – But so does my love. I deserve to love myself. And be happy. And do what I like. It doesn't matter what they think. I don't think my clothes are pathetic! I don't think my tastes are pathetic! And... - she swallowed hard, feeling the joy and softness of that truth that would come over her next - I don't think she's pathetic. No, I don't believe them anymore. – she smiled widely to herself, now not only comfortable, but also happy to face the girl in the mirror – I can't believe I'm pathetic. I'm... I'm Missy. – she said to herself, proud – And… I like being me. she concluded, finally looking at him, deeply grateful for all those crucial things he had helped her to realize.

- Yes you are right. - Logan sighed, looking jubilant as well as relieved - You're absolutely right, my love.

-Logan ... - Taken by that exceptionally pleasant feeling, the feeling of being at peace with herself, Missy turned around inside Logan's embrace, getting face to face with him, lovingly caressing her face - Thank you. Thank you... For absolutely everything. She sighed, her voice choked with emotion, especially because of that intense, effervescent feeling that was building inside her it every second she stood looking at him: a feeling so strong and fantastic that she felt she could drown in it. And like — Make love to me. - The request, which sounded almost like an order, escaped her lips before she even realized what she had said.

And with a wicked smile, Logan simply did as he was told.

Right there, in front of the mirror, as she watched, completely at peace, her own reflection.