Catherine, we're going to be late—why are you dragging your feet?
…
Hey, what's going on? You look like you're about to burst into tears. Come on, let's sit down for five minutes and talk. Is it Stephane?
Yes… no…
Uh… yes or no?
We had a bit of a fight. He got angry and I'd never seen him like that before.
Well, that's not too serious. Hey—you're a couple! It happens to fight. What was it about?
Marc!
Ah, him again! Okay, now I get why you're in that state. So what was the problem this time?
Stephane doesn't want me to see Marc anymore.
Ouch, that's not going to go over well—does he realize that?
He asked me to choose between the two of them. It's ridiculous. Especially since I haven't said a word to Marc since he hit him.
So why did the subject come up again?
Because I started asking myself questions, so I wanted to know more about their fight. Oh Melanie, I might have made a huge mistake.
I get why he got mad. And why, all of a sudden, did you want his side of the story?
Well at the time I was super angry at Marc, you know, so I didn't give him any chance. But he said something to me that came back to me later, and since then it's been stuck in my head.
Yeah? What?
He told me, "You know me better than that." And actually, Marc isn't the fighting type at all…
Except to defend someone… and especially when that someone is you!
Exactly. Now I'm telling myself that he never would've jumped on Stephane—or any other guy—if he hadn't had a really good reason, you know? He's never hit anyone just for fun or just because he didn't like them.
So that would mean that Stephane is hiding something from you, or at least maybe didn't tell you everything.
And…
And what?
Mel, I'm realizing how terribly I miss Marc. Not seeing each other, that I can deal with—but no more texts, no more calls, that feels really strange.
You know exactly what you have left to do, sweetheart!
*************************
Hi, beauty!
Hey Stef, come on in.
It smells amazing in here, what is it?
Surprise! I cooked for you tonight.
Wow, you're amazing—and the most beautiful of all, too.
Thanks, that way we can just stay in and relax. What do you think? Or would you rather go out? I can freeze all this.
I think it's a great idea: a little romantic dinner, made by my sweetheart on top of that—what more could I ask for?
Alright, make yourself comfortable.
*******************
Well, that was delicious, thank you.
Go sit on the couch, I'll tidy up a bit. You still want to go out now?
Forget the dishes, I'll do them later. I should take part too, right? Come sit next to me, let me hold you in my arms…
A little calm and tenderness after these turbulent days…
I'm sorry we fought like that. I regretted what I said, but I think the idea of losing you made me aggressive.
I'm sorry too for spoiling all these moments between us. I'm going to try to separate things. That's why I made this little dinner—I wanted to show you that I really care about you.
Let's talk about something else now. I want to enjoy this evening with you. Hey, I've got something in my bag that I'm going to make you taste.
What is it?
An alcohol a friend just brought me back from South America. This is the perfect chance to try it.
…but I don't drink alcohol, you know that.
Hey, trust me, it's very mild apparently, kind of like a cooked wine, you know, it's not strong. I just want to celebrate this moment with you, okay?
Okay, but just a little then, to toast with you.
Wow, that's good, you like it?
It's still pretty strong, I think.
No, come on, finish your glass, I'm having another one.
It's making my head spin a little, I'm not used to it.
Come closer to me, I'll take care of you then, my turn… I really want to hold you tight, touch you, kiss you all over… Let yourself go…
…
Put your hand under my shirt and touch me!
… no, wait…
What? What's wrong? Here, take another sip, it'll help you relax. Aren't we good here, just the two of us?
Yes, but… what are you doing?
Well, you see, I'm undoing your shirt buttons one by one so I can touch you.
Stephane, stop please, my head is spinning a bit.
It's nothing, relax, you'll see, it'll pass. Lie down.
No, take your hands off me, please.
Cathy, please! I really want you.
Stephane, this is going too fast, wait…
Why wait? Haven't we waited long enough already? You wanted us to stay here tonight, right? That was what you wanted, right?
Yes, but…
Let yourself go, my beauty, you'll see, relax, it'll be very nice.
Stephane, please, stop!
Why? You don't like my touching you? We're good together, right?
Usually yes, but right now I'm not comfortable.
Then relax, let me do it, trust me, you know I love you.
Yes, but if you love me, then listen to me and respect what I'm telling you.
Are you kidding me, Cathy or what? We've been together for months, everything's been fine, I've been waiting, I didn't touch you during our mountain weekend, I've waited long enough, don't you think? I've earned it, right?
Earned it? What does that even mean? You want a reward?
No, that's not what I meant. But we had a great time, admit it.
Yes, it was great. I thought we were good together. I thought that was enough for you…
But we're going to be even better, I promise you… Take off that shirt, it's in my way.
NO! No, no—I want you to get out of my place right now, please.
What?
I said: get out of my place. RIGHT NOW!
Cathy, I don't understand—you invited me, didn't you?
Yes.
You did say you wanted us to stay here together, to spend a nice moment?
Yes, that's true.
For a romantic dinner?
Yes—but nothing more. Get out of here now, please. I want to be alone.
Okay, I'm leaving, I'm going. You don't know what you want.
… it's my fault, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…
***********************
Hello? Cathy?
…
Cathy, are you okay? Talk to me.
Yes… no…
Are you at home?
Yes.
I'll be there in fifteen minutes.
*********************
Cathy, it's me, it's Peter, open up, I'm alone.
…
My God, what's wrong?
Peter… something happened…
Come on, let's sit down. What happened? Do we call the cops? Do I take you to the hospital?
No, it's nothing serious, Peter, don't worry. I just really feel like crying.
Fuck, you scared me. I can't even imagine your face if it had been serious. Alright, talk to me.
…
Okay, cry it out first. Come here, in my arms—it's going to be okay, I'm here.
…
Let the tears flow, don't hold them back. We'll talk after.
…
You feeling a bit better? Calming down?
Yeah… a little.
It's a small yes, but I'll take it. You can tell me now?
I did something really stupid.
Oops—Catherine did something stupid? That's new! What kind of stupid thing could get you into a state like this?
I'm ashamed, Peter.
Ashamed? Ah shit… so it's kind of serious then?
Yes. It's all my fault.
I'm listening, and we'll see what I can do to help.
I had a fight with Stephane. I just kicked him out.
Okay, so far that's pretty normal couple stuff and not that serious, right?
Yes, but actually it's my fault—I pushed him away and told him to leave. He was furious, and I get why.
Wait—wait—you pushed him away? Why did you have to push him away?
Because… well… we were… it's embarrassing to talk about.
I get that, but seeing you in tears and hearing that you had to push him away gives me chills, so I'd like you to tell me exactly what happened from the beginning. Because right now, I don't think we're talking about a "stupid mistake"—and certainly not on your side. So go on, tell me.
Okay, but don't get mad, alright? Don't go all Marc on me.
I just want to know exactly what made you have to push him away and kick him out.
Alright. We were supposed to see each other like usual, have something to eat and a quiet movie. And actually, I didn't really feel like going out or seeing people. I felt like cooking, making us a little romantic dinner here. Since we'd had a lot of arguments lately, I thought it would be calmer here to talk. So when he arrived, I told him what I'd done and that I liked the idea of us staying here together for the evening.
Okay, I see. Except he took that another way.
It's my fault—I told him I wanted us to stay here together at my place, so obviously…
Obviously what? Catherine, listen to me carefully. You did nothing wrong, okay? You didn't do anything stupid. You just suggested spending the evening at your place. And if you didn't want to sleep with him that night, that was your right. Even if you're a couple.
…
Cathy, please—did he force you?
No, I managed to say no and push him away.
Push him away… so saying no wasn't enough.
No.
Okay. Did he insist?
Yes.
Were you scared?
Yes. I was terrified. I didn't want to show it, but I wouldn't stop shaking afterward. That's why I called you—I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Did he touch you? Force you? Do you want us to file a complaint?
Nooo, no, definitely not.
Why "definitely not"?
Because he's my boyfriend and I'm the one who invited him.
You invited him to spend the evening at your place, that's all. And even if you had started sleeping together, you still had the right to say stop at any moment, do you understand that?
Yes.
Then he had absolutely no right to go any further with you—especially if you didn't want to. If you love someone, you respect them. Marc was right—that guy is an asshole.
No, don't say that. Please don't tell Marc, he'll get angry and…
And nothing, Catherine. He is 100% in the wrong, okay? You have nothing to be ashamed of—you reacted perfectly, I'm very proud of you. You stood up for yourself. But I won't say anything to Marc, that's for sure. And what's that bottle? Since when do you drink?
Stephane brought it. A friend had just given it to him, so we drank a little.
You drank alcohol? But you hate that!
Yeah, I know, but he wanted me to relax so I drank a few sips just to toast. Supposedly it wasn't strong—but I still got dizzy pretty fast.
He made you drink too… so of course, you couldn't resist as much.
I yelled, I still managed to push him away and I told him to leave.
That's perfect. I can't even imagine how scared you must have been. Fuck… I want to smash his face in if I ever see him.
No, please, don't do anything. I told you because I needed to tell someone, not so you'd get revenge. I'm okay—nothing happened in the end.
"Nobody got hurt"? That's how you see it? You've been shaking for half an hour, you're in tears, he tried to force you into something you didn't want. That's an assault, Cathy, do you realize that? And in your own home, a place where you're supposed to feel safe. He disgusts me.
…
Come here, it's over now. You were perfect. I'm sorry, I got angry—but I'm angry at him, not at you. Marc was right from the start. I blame myself for not being able to protect you. Tell me what you want me to do.
Nothing. Nothing at all. I just want to move on. Don't tell anyone, that's all I ask. I just needed to be reassured.