49: Tough Decision

Elara's POV 

Marco was pissing me the hell off. 

He was biting more than he can chew and I wasn't sure how long I'd put up with it. 

Annoyed, I paced up and down the empty space of the room, confused, bitter. 

He had seized my phone and went somewhere in the estate. If Evelyn ever calls, it would be him taking my calls. Hopefully, Matthew wouldn't. 

“I hate you!” 

I growled, trashing things. First, I pulled down the sheets and trashed it recklessly, next were the numerous things on his bedside table. By the time I was done with my mischief, the room was a total mess. 

Good job. 

Unable to tear down the rest of the room, I collapsed on the foot of the bed, gnashing my teeth, and groaning from frustration. 

Unexpectedly, the door opened without a knock. I didn't even hear any footstep approach. 

Marco. 

He stood tall, hands dipped in his pockets as he surveyed the damage. 

I didn't react, didn't try to be apologetic. 

“Miss Alma wants to see you.” His blunt tone informed. 

Oh… It had to be about Violet’s program we talked about. 

It wasn't what I needed right now, but it was a good distraction. 

“Not so fast, Lady.” 

He gripped my arm, stopping me on my track. With ease, he pulled me backwards, the other hand remained in his pocket. 

“Clean your mess.”

I sighed at his words and tried to free myself, but it only worsened. I stopped to catch my breath, biting down a scream. 

His nails dug in my flesh. 

Blood seeped out, staining his fingertips. 

“I'm not joking.”

“Neither do I have a clown emoji on my face.” I fired back. “If  you want, call Francesca.”

He paused, still holding onto me like a teacher scolding a stubborn toddler. 

“It's your mess, now clean it up.”

Pushing me backward, he did let go, but didn't take his eyes off me. 

Stamping my feet in anger and pulling a stunt, he only watched in mocking silence. Against my will, I picked up every single item and arranged the bed. 

“Asshole.” I mumbled under my breath before dashing off. 

Alma was downstairs when I arrived. Francesca has helped her to a pack of cookies and glass of wine. 

“Miss Elara,” she smiled and set the tray of goodies aside. 

“Have a good time.” I stopped her from standing up. The spot Marco held still hurt. Thankfully, my dress wasn't sleeveless. “For the recommendation, I guess.”

She nodded and dipped her hand in her big Gucci bag as she began to search for something. 

“Alma,” I murmured to her hearing. 

She paused to look at me. Seeing the signs, she swept around. There were soldiers and staff, and nothing more. 

I adjusted closer. “I need your help to get out of here.” I continued to whisper.

Her eyes widened in terror and her jaws dropped. She looked at the soldiers, but this time, she was scared to her bones. 

“No. Alma. It's not what you think.” I did a quick damage control. “I just need to attend an event and he won't let me.”

She couldn't hide her irritation. “Does he control you?” Her tone was damn low. “I could help you out of here forever.”

I shook my head and smiled when I spotted Marco stroll out. Smart enough, I picked a random letter from her bag and flipped through. 

Beside me, Alma was still scared. 

“Play along, we'd be fine.” I mumbled. “Please.” 

She gulped a response. 

Standing to my feet, I walked up to Marco, and waved the letter in his face. “She is resigning. She needs to help me secure another teacher.”

Marco's jaws tightened. He was holding a glass of brown liquor. 

“I'd double your pay.”

“Sir… it's…”

“Tripple.” Marco cut her off. “Name your price.”

“It's the child.” She managed to get her words out. “She's too smart for my curriculum.”

He shrugged. “Then draft another.” He responded like it was some piece of  cake. 

Alma adjusted. “I fear that she may not get the best from my services.” She paused. “While your offer is great, accepting it would only make me selfish.” 

A short pause followed. 

I took it as my cue and jumped in. 

“She needs to fix me with a few professionals.” I waved the letter again. “I have to go.” 

He knew that I was testing him. 

“Alma, I'll be with you shortly.” I waved her and hurried upstairs. 

Violet was already awake, and she was running around the house without a care. Birdie was her accomplice. Not having taken her bath, she was still in her pajamas. 

It would be fixed. 

“Honey,” I called out, waiting for her to appear. “Baby?”

“Yes, mama.” She answered, still gigling. 

When she appeared, I almost died. 

The shirt of her pajamas had a lump of whitish substance. Her baby powder. 

What had she done?! 

I took a deep breath, exercising patience. 

Squatting to her level, I held her arms. “Baby, you know mama hates when you waste things.”

“Hmm?” She looked down. “I bathed Birdie.” She rubbed the dist off her body. 

This wasn't the time to scold her. 

I carried her up and started out. “We have to go out now, we'll clean you up later.”

“But mama,” she played with my hair. “It's bad habit not to be hygienic.”

“It still is.” I cautioned. “But this is an emergency.”

When the living room was in view, I noticed Alma slightly shivering. Marco on the other hand just sat on the opposite couch and crossed his legs. 

He had obviously poked her. 

“Alma, let's go.” 

The speed with which she grabbed her bag and ran for the door, scared me. When we got in the car, she heaved a long sigh. 

“You'd want to speak at some point.” 

She puffed before looking at me. “He said his eyes are on me and he'd come for me if anything happens to you both.” She rapped and stopped to catch her breath. “I don't think I can…”

“Alma,” I held her hand and rubbed her palm. “Nothing is going to happen. He's just being overly protective.” 

She took a moment to calm herself down. 

When we were ready, I wrote down the address and she relayed it to the driver. With time already gone, the burial must be over. I may meet Evelyn at the family's compound. 

The ride there was longer than I planned. Each minute had me sighing. 

When we eventually arrived, I spoke to Alma for the last time. “Be at ease, I'll be fine.” I faked a smile. “Thank you so much, Alma.”

Alice's family house was a small cottage with vegetation, and an old garage. People dressed in black formed different clusters. 

To keep our drama going, she joined me to the small gathering. 

I looked around in search of Evelyn, and when she saw me, she waved. 

Thank goodness. 

“Have fun.” I tapped Alma's arm and walked away, with Violet laying on me. 

“You have a habit of fucking up things.” Evelyn grumbled, not caring to even hug me. 

“I can explain.”

“Of course.” She hissed and sipped from her glass. Her eyes fell on Violet and she looked back at me. 

“Today was quite rough. I had to sneak out.”

She tsked, wearing a pitiful look. “I'm glad you're seeing reasons for yourself.” 

A young girl with a tray of empty and filled glasses, passed us. Evelyn gulped the rest of her wine and set it down. She mumbled a ‘thanks.’

“I'll take care of her.” She reached for Violet. “You should go out on a lunch date with him.” 

I looked ahead to see Matthew. All this time, he was watching us. 

“I haven't even honored Alice.”

Evelyn scoffed. “If you wanted to, you'd be here long ago. Now, run along.” 

Reluctantly, I did. 

This didn't feel right, but I needed a reason to get away from Marco. He was bad for me and my child, and the earlier I started getting that right, the better. 

“You're a true queen.” Matthew started dishing out compliment. “You don't need to do much to stand out.”

I smiled, self-conscious. 

“You don't look bad yourself.”

“I try,” he got down from the step and reached for my hand. 

I let him take it. 

“I love the feel of your palm.” He teased me. 

“Can we get right to it?” 

If I had to put up with this act one more minute, I'd take Violet and run home. 

“Not so fast.” He let go of my hand, opened his suit, and pulled out a small bouquet. “Evelyn says lilies are your favorite.” 

So thoughtful. 

I nodded and took it with a smile. 

Adhering to Evelyn's advice, I approached the date with a clear mind. Matthew turned out to be a really cool guy. 

He had a great sense of humor and paid attention to every detail, a trait he shared with Marco. 

We finally settled for a fancy spot and had finger food, and a chilled bottle of red wine. 

“I want you, Elara.” 

I froze. 

He watched every reaction, took note of it. 

Not even Evelyn knows. 

“You see, I do good research on people I love.” He leaned forward on the cleared table. “I love to be fully present.”

I swallowed the rest of my wine and set down the empty glass. 

“Good thing,” I shrugged. “But I still maintain that only my family calls me that.” I maintained a poise. “Lilian is just fine.”

My heart was literally pounding. 

How much does he know?!

“What do you say to forever with me?” He proposed, picking up his glass. “I know that you're scared of ‘forever’ but I promise not to die on you.”