This chapter is heavy with tension! The argument with Chace perfectly captures that toxic cycle of concern mixed with control. Here is the translation for you:
Translation: The Return of Chace
"—What's wrong, baby?" he asked between kisses. "Didn't you miss me?" He made a confused face.
"Why are you here?" I asked while he continued to hold me tight.
"It was time to come back. I got in yesterday and decided to surprise you, but to my disappointment, you weren't home. So I went to my place, let some time pass, and tried to call, but you were unavailable. I waited until morning but didn't call you again; I called Lia first. She said you hadn't slept at home and were probably with Weza, so I thought, maybe that's it... let's try to figure this out."
He looked thoughtfully toward the door.
"I called Weza and lo and behold... you weren't with her either. You can imagine how worried I got," he said, pacing the room with his hands in his pockets.
"I didn't see your car outside."
"I thought I'd surprise you again, but to my damn, fucked-up luck"—he laughed bitterly—"you still weren't here. Lia said I could wait, that maybe you'd be back early, and here I am. Thank God it's my lucky day."
He sat down on my bed.
"But now, my princess, I want to know where you were. You didn't sleep at Weza's, I know that for a fact. Where were you?"
"I slept at the house... of a friend," I said simply.
"Mmm, I understand perfectly..." He paused for a moment. "So that's how it is now? You sleep at your friends' houses without letting me know first?"
What?
"Since when do I have to ask permission to do anything?"
"Since you're my girlfriend, and I deserve to know at the very least," he said, walking toward me.
"Excuse me? You vanished for a month. You didn't speak to me for one long, fucked-up month. I had no news from you, and now that you're back, you think you can exercise some power over me? What, you're here to play the 'worried boyfriend' role? Forget it, Chace."
"Play a role? I was worried, dammit! You didn't sleep at your friend's house, your phone was off—oh wait, was I supposed to guess that you decided to sleep at the house of a friend I don't even know, right?" he asked sarcastically.
"Chace, I don't want to fight. Bruno has nothing to do with this. If you came here for this, then leave."
"I don't give a flying fuck whether your 'goddamn friend' has anything to do with it or not. It's because of this son of a bitch that we're screaming at each other, for fuck's sake!"
"You're the only one screaming, just so you know. And if I were you, I'd thank that 'son of a bitch' for taking me to his house. Otherwise, I'd be drunk and probably dead by now."
He looked at me for a few brief seconds, appearing to reflect on what I had said.
"You were drunk?" he asked, his eyes widening.
"Yes, I was. So what?"
"With a stranger?"
I confirmed it.
"And you don't think something could have happened to you, Theo? How hard is it for you to understand the point here?" he said, and he actually seemed serious and concerned.
"But it didn't happen, Chace. Thanks to the 'son of a bitch' we're screaming at each other about."
"You don't realize that this is wrong. You can't just go out there, alone, drinking left and right, blacking out and having a stranger take you home. My God, Theo, the world is so dangerous and you're making such childish decisions. Have you thought about what if something went wrong? My God, what if he raped you? Or if you fell in the middle of the street? I don't even want to think about the possibilities. Don't ever do that again, Any!"
"Chace..."
Well... I really was stupid for doing that, but I didn't leave the house alone. To be honest, I would have preferred to stay home crying over you, wouldn't I?
"Any..." He rubbed his temples... he only called me that when he was pleading for something.
"I can't promise anything."
I definitely wasn't going to do it again, but he didn't need to know that.
"And why not? Huh, Theo? Do you think you might go back to his bed at any moment?"
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"Chace, leave..."
"Theo!"
"Get the fuck out of my house now!" I screamed.
"What is wrong with you, Theo?" he murmured, looking exhausted.
"Leave, Chace. For whatever fucked-up love you feel for me, leave. Please," I said, my eyes already welling up with tears.
"This conversation isn't over. You're tired from your drunken night. I'll let you rest today, but tomorrow I'll be back and we're going to spend the day together. I..." He tried to redeem himself. "I'm sorry for yelling at you," he said, sounding somewhat regretful. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He stood up and, before leaving the room, gave me a chaste kiss on the lips.
Shit.