Chapter 6

 Chapter 6

 

Willow,

 

I hoisted Angela up and winced inwardly when my entire middle spasmed. Walking was hurting me. Imagine holding a big girl like Angela while doing it as well.

 

But when I saw and heard her pitiful wailing, I couldn’t stop myself. I just couldn’t leave her, even for the moments I might take to speak with my boss.

 

And I think I did the right thing too, because even though he was about to bite my head off, Elijah now relaxed a little as he followed my limping self.

 

I walked slowly, following who I’m guessing was his secretary, and we went outside and he was right. Joseph was standing by the foyer, fuming.

 

His eyes lit the moment he saw me, but then a snarl took over his handsome face and I sighed softly as kept stroking Angela’s back after she settled down a little.

 

“Willow,….I told yo…..”

 

He started to say, but I gave him one of my don’t you dare stare silently and he bit off the rest of his words and clenched his jaws, averting his gaze.

 

“You can go, I will talk to him and I will be back inside so Angela can finish her dinner. You all can see that I can’t just let her go at the moment.”

 

I said tensely without looking beside me because this time if I saw Elijah’s angry, arrogant face, I might snap at him as well.

 

I have been trying to be considerate even though I don’t have to do shit for him, but I did it because of this shaking little girl in my arms, but now I felt like exploding.

 

“I won’t leave my daughter with you both while you fight. She had been through a lot and even though my hands are tied and I don’t know how to handle this, I just can’t leave her with any of you.”

 

The man said through gritted teeth, barely holding back his anger and I closed my eyes, breathing harshly because he was seriously getting on my nerves.

 

I didn’t choose to be here. I just did what any decent person might do, but still, this was the way karma repaid me.

 

“What are you doing here, Joseph? You know that I was fine and I will just spend a couple of days here and be back.”

 

I said in frustration and his eyes widened in surprise, then he just took a couple of steps toward me and I felt the huge man standing beside me bristle. He thought that he might hurt me, us.

 

I can take care of myself. Thank you very much.

 

“Will, you can’t stay here with those strangers. I came to take you back home. I just went back to get you something to change and then found out that you actually left with him! Just let us go back ok. You can get some rest and I will be there to check on you. You can stay at my apartment if you like. It would be even better this way.”

 

My boss and friend started to say and with each word, his face brightened as if he liked what he was saying and I felt ashamed. Not because he looked desperate, which was actually the truth, but because I had to turn him down.

 

“I can’t, Joseph. I already gave my word. I will stay here for a couple of days and I will be back soon.”

 

I said, giving him one of those persuasive smiles that he always said wins him over, but I guess today he wasn’t in the mood because his face darkened quickly.

 

“NO. I won’t allow you to do that. She is not another charity case for you to take care of. You did something good, and that was it. You are not obligated to do anything else to her or him at that. I will never let you stay, Willow.”

 

He growled as he stomped to where I was standing and I started to panic because everyone around us became alert.

 

Suddenly some people barged in and I stared shocked because it seemed that they had been there for a while and I didn’t even notice.

 

Personal guards surrounded us and I stared in horror at Elijah as he advanced on Joseph with his huge tense body and I felt lightheaded.

 

They are going to fight. For what? Because of me. This ……this……..

 

“You fucking dare stand here in front of me, in my own fucking house, and threaten her?!”

 

Elijah hissed in a threatening voice and I swallowed harshly, feeling my mouth get dry and my chest began to rise and fall, struggling to breathe.

 

I might know how to protect myself and yes, I learned a self defense sport, but still, I hate fights and seeing blood for whatever reason.

 

“You don’t want to mess me, Mr Lance. I might look like a simple restaurant owner, but trust me, there is nothing simple about me. But be my guest if you are up for a challenge. Let us see how this will end.”

 

Joseph said in a cold voice, and this was the first time I saw him talk or look like that. I have known him for years and he was so sweet and kind to everyone, not just me, so seeing this made me question judgment.

 

Elijah raised his fist, and I saw the hit coming, so I just ran to stand between them with the now silent girl clutching at me.

 

“Please stop it. Both of you.”

 

I said in a hoarse voice and they kept glaring at each other, not even seeing me, but unfortunately, there was no punching or hitting. At least for now.

 

“This is about me, and neither of you has the right to decide for me. I will stay with Angela for a couple of days and then I will leave. Joseph, thank you for being a good friend and checking on me, but as you can see, I’m here on my own accord. Mr. Lance, you can’t fix everything with your fists, you have a little girl who you are scaring right now, so back off.”

 

I said and my voice grew stronger with each word and finally, they both looked down at me. And I know that my face looked pale and my chest was rising and falling irregularly.

 

But thankfully they took me and my words seriously and just backed off both of them and I felt like breathing a little better.

 

“Will, I think this isn’t the right choice. I’m afraid something might happen to you. I’m concerned. Please understand.”

 

Joseph said and his right hand touched my forehead, then my cheek, and stroked it softly, making me close my eyes and sigh.

 

This is the Joseph I know. He is sweet, caring, and kind, not the man who goes as cold as ice in one second and his eyes look dead.

 

“I know, and thank you for everything, really. You have been taking care of me for years now and it makes me feel safe, but please respect my decision, OK? I will be fine, I promise, besides you now know where I am, so if anything happens you will just get me, right?”

 

I said, smiling after touching his hand that was still on my cheek. and he shook his head in frustration, but I felt his tense body ease and relax.

 

“Don’t touch my mama. Papa is the only one allowed to do that. Hands off.”

 

Suddenly Angela’s angry voice boomed in the silent place and I almost flinched away because this small girl sounded fierce. At this moment, she looked like a mini Elijah. It was uncanny.

 

Joseph took a couple of steps back when she pushed his hand away, then pushed at his chest while she hissed at him like an angry kitten.

 

And I couldn’t suppress the laugh that escaped me. She looked so angry, fierce, and darn cute. I wanted to kiss her, and I did it.

 

“See what I’m talking about? Some things are better snuffed out in the bud like this. You are not helping her, Will, you are just feeding her illusions and giving her hope for things that will never happen.”

 

My friend said tightly, and I stared down at my feet because he was right, but still my heart and mind refused to acknowledge any of this.

 

It is not just about Angela which I was ashamed to admit. This felt personal as well. Like I need to….. no, I must do this for myself too.

 

“And who told you that it is something that will never happen?”

 

But then Elijah stated and my breath hitched because doesn’t he understand what he just said?! The man must have lost his mind.

But when I looked at him and even though I couldn’t see the rest of his face, I knew that he was smirking beneath it. He said those words purposely, just to agitate Joseph.

 

“Oh, I’m sure that it will never happen, Mr. Lance, because who would after seeing the real you behind this mask of yours?”

 

Joseph spat out, then he focused on me while I kept staring at Elijah in confusion because the arrogant, confident man now seemed shaken.

 

“Here is your stuff. I will come some other day with the rest of the things you might need while staying here and check on you. Oh, and your phone is charged now after I had someone change the screen because it was cracked.”

 

He said after putting a small duffle bag beside me and I opened my mouth to thank him, but then Elijah spoke again.

 

“You are not welcome at my house anymore, Joesph, and next time I will call the cops. As for Willow’s things, I will take her myself and get the rest because she will be staying here for a while.”

 

The man said in a cold voice, then nodded at his secretary and my friend was pushed back and out of the foyer, then he disappeared.

 

I stood there watching his retreating figure, and then I looked back at Elijah and found him watching me carefully as if he were trying to read my thoughts.

 

I wanted to ask him about what my friend meant by those hurtful words, but I didn’t. Because just now, along with the cold and detachment atmosphere surrounding him, there was a feeling of insecurity coming off of him, which I didn’t like at all.

 

This man was meant to walk strong with his head held high, but at this moment he seemed broken and just like Angela he wanted someone to cling to for comfort.