ELVIRAI' am surprised as I watch his back disappear into the crowd. My eyes open, seeing him dissipate like vapor. I wasn't expecting it and my entire body almost melts in shock. I try to process what just happened.Did he just leave me here? Alone? All by myself?...I don't know why I suddenly feel naked. I suddenly feel like a soldier without a shield and even without a sword. I didn't realize before now how alone I am without Demetrius being there? I'm dumbstruck as I realize I don't have anyone besides him and Cassie. And when they're both gone I feel like nothing, absolutely nothing!As I stand here like a robot put in an unfamiliar environment, my head turning mechanically, my eyes taking glances around, remembering what Demetrius said and being careful. I hold my purse tightly, my fingers turning white, holding it close just to give me some sense of protection. I don't know what I'm going to do as Demetrius only told me what not to do…But I can't just stand here stiff as a bo
ELVIRA"I already know who you are," I say, feeble."Oh, you don't," he laughs, shaking his head. "You just think you do."He smiles as he moves one hand away from his pocket and rubs his chin. He looks up at the ceiling, at the bright chandelier hanging down from it. Then he brings his head back down to face me."You don't even know Demetrius that well," he smirks."He's my husband," I reply shakily."He's your husband, yes," he agrees. "But is that really all there is to him?" he asks, frowning."Do you really think that's all there is? And nothing more?" he asks rhetorically. "No secrets, no past? Nothing you've ever wondered about?" he mentions, his voice a gentle whisper. Yet his words heavy."You see him guard you at all times. Always watching, always following you behind and above like a hawk. No breathing room. No space. Always under constant observation," he lists. "And you haven't ever wondered why he does this?""Because he loves me," I answer, but I can feel the lie obviou
ELVIRAI turn my eyes from Alejandro, in a sigh. I face the floor and now give in to his offer, placing my purse on the table beside us. Before raising my head back up to him.“Alright… I don't know who you are or what's happening, but please don't hurt me…” I say, in a sobbing bargain. “I didn't do anything. I don't know anything. If Demetrius did anything, I wasn't involved, so please don't kill me. If you do, he'd kill me too…” But Alejandro suddenly raises himself up steady on his feet. His eyes lose their drunken stare. His hands go back in his pockets. His confidence immediately bounces back into recognition. He picks the glass he had dropped, twirls it in his hand, and chuckles before he brings it back down. His eyes raise up to me.“I'm not drunk…” he smiles. “And I'm not even crazy at all…” he adds, a smirk creeping on his face now. As he smacks his lips.“I'm just a really good actor…” he explains.And I stand shocked. Too surprised for my face to even use the right express
ELVIRAI stand frozen, my head spinning in confusion as Alejandro's words reverberate in my ears. I turn back to face him, my brows furrowing, searching for answers."This ring is from a friend of yours," he says with a smile. "But you may not know her because you both weren't exactly close, even though you were. She was on the same path as you, but unfortunately, she didn't make it. You got lucky, and now you're here."I am utterly baffled by what he's saying. My mind is racing, desperately trying to make sense of his words. Who is this friend he's talking about? How am I connected to her? And what does he mean by saying she didn't make it?I am lost for words, lost for thoughts. I look at Alejandro, his calm demeanor contrasting with his seemingly insane ramblings. He flips the ring in his hand, tucks it away, and then pulls out a pocket watch.He hands me the pocket watch, and I take it hesitantly. I open it, and inside, I see a picture of two hearts merged together. It feels eerie
ELVIRA“Wealth but also danger…”The words ring in my ears as I frown in confusion. Alejandro now opens his palm and looks at me, like he's being owed.At first, I wonder why he has his hands out but then I remember the locket and give it back to him. The chain dangles in mid-air as he holds its frame. Folding it together and placing it back where he brought it from. His face then raises up to look at me.“Perhaps, I may have overextended my stay?” he asks himself, now fixing his suit coat straight and dusting it. He takes one last sip of wine and drops the glass with an effort of finality.“Have a grand time at the party Elvira,” he smiles now, turning. His back to me but his head still facing my direction. “I guess I'll see you around,” he nods then winks.And just like that, he takes a few more steps before disappearing into the crowd. Leaving me even more dumbfounded than when he came. As I stand there open-mouthed and lost. Too befuddled to even begin to comprehend what just happ
ELVIRAThe sun creeps up through the blinds, climbs up the table and over the rest of my body just to dance over my eyes. I roll my head over groaning with my arms and legs stretching in fatigue. My breath hot and my entire body tired to the length of being immobile.I'm still stressed, and still weak. The party is still boring and now I'm here sitting on a chair and sleeping…Wait what?...I suddenly open my eyes and shoot up from the chair. Turning everywhere and embarrassed, to see if anyone is looking at me. Or even worse, if everyone is laughing at me.But I'm surprised when I stand up and still find myself sitting down? I raise myself up with my hands spread out beside me. Feeling bedsheets underneath my fingers instead of armrests? I turn and look around and see the room around me is suddenly smaller. Not tiny, but not as big as the ballroom at the party?And I frown now wondering what even happened to the party?...My face feels heavy and I rub my eyes, trying to clear the fog
ELVIRAI freeze speechless and embarrassed beyond words. I hear the door close behind him as he leaves. My soul leaves my body as I stand there at the edge frame that divides the bedroom from the bath, suddenly feeling divided inside myself. Asking myself why I still love him? And why I still put up with him?...Even though he always plays me, uses me, and has me to his own desires; on his own terms and to his own limits. I never have a say in anything. I am always just a carry on or extra luggage. Only giving value by a binding contract, and honored solely for the sake of it. I feel like a used toy and even worse, a ragdoll.As I turn and enter the bathroom, in my head I wish I could just turn and go back to the past, and make sure all of this never happened. My mind is heavy and my heart is troubled. In a marriage more or less for clout. A story for the headlines, that breaks the news in public, but breaks my heart everyday in secret.Him walking out on me now is just the height of
ELVIRAI am lost and only to be found in the parking lot outside the mansion…With Darko standing beside a brown and silver Rolls Royce, holding the keys in his gloved hands as I walk side by side with Demetrius towards the car. He bows and opens the door. And Demetrius lets me go in first before joining me. His head rests on the soft foamed chair and leans back. As he pushes a button and both our seats suddenly recline. “You deserve to relax a bit on our way to the harbor…” he says, easing himself deeper in the chair. “I know you're still tired from last night but I admire your strength and promise to reward it with a little leisure by the sea…”I frown confused as I hear his words. The ones that stand to me being harbor and sea. I turn to him with brows raised, hoping it isn't what I think it is…“Wait? Are we going on a boat cruise?” I frown.“Yes…” he nods, without his head turning. Simply engrossed in his relaxation. “And it will be great I promise you…” But his words aren't
ELVIRAThe notification that popped up on my phone made me feel broken and helpless.“Oh my God," I cry as I bury my face in my palm and literally cry my eyes out. I was not expecting this kind of news when I was in a happy mood with Demetrius.“What happened, Elvira?" Demetrius asks, but gets no response from me. I am too broken to reply to anyone.“I said, what happened?!" He asks again, this time his tone heightened above normal.He then stands up from where he was seated and crouches down to my height.“What is wrong?" He asks, his tone surprisingly soft.I look up to meet his gentle gaze with my teary eyes; I try to say something, but only more wails and sniffles come out of my mouth.I look down at my phone and then at Demetrius, and almost immediately, he grabs my phone and looks at the content that had upset me earlier.“What?" He mutters as he furrows his brows in confusion. "A birthday invitation?" He asks.I look up at him with tear-filled eyes and shake my head. It is not
ELVIRA"Oh my God," I mutter as I sit down. My mind is racing with endless thoughts that are not the answer to my question.I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "Calm down, Elvira, calm down," I close my eyes and mutter to myself and after some seconds, I begin to calm down.But suddenly, just as I calm down, I suddenly hear footsteps in the office and immediately, my eyes fly open with shock and fear.Standing in front of me is the almighty Demetrius, he looks at me with a slight frown on his face.I swallow hard and wriggle my butt on the chair with nervousness, is he mad to see me?!"What are you doing here?" His cold, deep voice suddenly rings out as he walks towards his seat."I..I..he.." I stutter, not knowing how to answer his question. At this point, I have lost my voice and I don't know what to say. I am not thinking straight right now, I am too scared to speak."Calm down now, Elvira," he says as he starts without sparing me a glance as he starts operating
ELVIRA"Bake him a pie and he is all mine?!" I replay in my head. "Hendrix, are you serious right now?" I ask."Trust me, sister-in-law," he says with a serious tone. "I'm not trying to pull your leg right now; I want to help you, so I'm being very serious.""Jesus!" I exclaim, much to my surprise, knowing his knees is like a huge relief to me. At least I know now Demetrius is a human being."Now, let's get baking, shall we?" Hendrix squeals, and I nod, excited to get this done.We then get baking seriously, our hands moving faster than our brains."We need to hurry, put in your best, sister-in-law," Hendrix says. "Bake it with love, okay?"I sneer; Hendrix is a clown. "I know," I laugh."Bake it with your heart! Your blood, your sweat! Your tears!" He says again with a dramatic tone."Yeah, I know…" I laugh. "I'm also going to add my period blood to the pie too, right?""That sounds like a brilliant idea, sister-in-law," he exclaims. "Now you are a genius!""I know," I smile.After a
ELVIRA"Tell me, Hendrix, what did she do to him?!” I ask.“She… she..." Hendrix tries to say, but he pauses and shakes his head as he averts his gaze.“She did what?!" I ask as I shake him on the arm, my inquisitive side starting to kick in.“It's… it's a long story, sister-in-law,” Hendrix sighs. "But trust me when I say this, very soon you will find out about everything, and you won't be kept in the dark again.”I purse my lips into a sad pout, although I am not satisfied with Hendrix's answer, it gives me a little hope of finding out the truth someday, even if it is not now."Alright,” I nod. "But, what are we going to do about my giant crush on Demetrius?!” I ask, my frustration piquing.Hendrix winks at me with a teasing smile. "Tell me, sister-in-law, is it a giant crush, or do you really love him?” He asks. “Which is it?"“I...I... it..." I stutter, feeling shy and embarrassed. I can feel butterflies flutter in my stomach as I think about Demetrius, which makes me kind of exci
ELVIRA“It's… it's about Demetrius,” I finally reply, and this time as I exhale deeply, I want to calm down my racing heart before saying anything.“About Demetrius?” Hendrix repeats as he furrows his brows with confusion. He suddenly becomes interested in what I am saying and shifts close to me, raising a concerned brow.“What about him, sister-in-law?" He asks with interest and worry. “What did that bastard do this time around?" he asks, gritting his teeth in anger as his fists form into a ball, as though he is out to knock all of Demetrius's teeth out.His actions are funny, and I let out a chuckle, shaking my head with amusement. Although I know he is trying to help, he is being funny.“Hey… hey…” I laugh, shaking my head with amusement. "Hold on, big tiger, Demetrius didn't hurt me," I explain.“He didn't?" He asks as his face flushes with embarrassment. “Oh..." he mutters as he bursts out laughing. “I thought he did something bad to you. I was literally ready to burst open his t
ELVIRA“Tsk…” I click my tongue as the urge to smack him on the head grows within me, but I hold back."Don't let me smack your damn sense out, Hendrix!” I warn."Hey... hey..." he laughs, shaking his head with amusement.“Sister-in-law, don't you think I deserve to know, even if it's just a little bit?" He asks."I've been a good boy lately, sorry you think?” He asks with a wink.I shake my head disapprovingly. "No, you haven't,” I reply. "You are an annoying leech who won't let me be! Ugh!”"I love you too, sister-in-law,” he pouts, and I smack him on his head.“Stop being goofy,” I roll my eyes."Tell me, please," he purses his lips into a pout. “Did you and Demetrius… you know… yesterday night?” he winks.I understand what he meant; Demetrius was so crazy!“Of course not!” I roll my eyes. "Nothing happened between Demetrius and me yesterday. Trust me,” I huff, folding my arms across my chest.“Oh…” he says with a sad pout. "That's so sad.”"Yeah, so leave me alone!" I warn.“Nah…
ELVIRA“I am glad you are okay," Hendrix says as he gives out a light smile. I furrow my brows with confusion. Why is he sounding so cocky?“Okay…” I reply. "Me too.” "I am very happy you are getting along with Damien; I can see some changes in him, ones I haven't seen for a long time now," he says again, and I smile. “How do you mean?” I ask. "Well… I can see some changes in him. He is starting to loosen up to you, and he is no longer that grumpy and bitter all the time," he explains as both of us walk towards the chair and sit down. "Wow…" I mutter. “That... that is a lot." “No, no," he shakes his head. “I'm being very honest here, sister-in-law," Hendrix says. “I'm being very serious. You are doing a good job, and whatever you are doing, I advise you to keep it up." My cheeks flush at his words as a blush creeps up on my face; Hendrix sure knows how to say nice things. "Thank you,” I reply with a genuine smile. “But honestly, I'm not really doing much." “You are, sister-in
ELVIRAI remain in that position for what feels like an eternity, thinking about literally everything after I have composed my emotions. I drag myself up, although I am reluctant to start my day's activity.I sigh deeply as I walk towards the bathroom to have my bath and probably wash away my sorrows. After about thirty minutes, I finish taking my bath and preparing myself for the day.I then drag myself down to the dining hall to have my breakfast because my stomach is already grumbling with hunger.I walk down the hallway straight to the dining room, and once my feet step inside, I am met with two men's faces; one has his usual poker face on, and one has a jovial smile plastered on his face.“Sister-in-law!" Hendrix calls with a jovial smile as he signals for me to come over.“Good morning," I greet as I flash a brief smile before taking my seat near Demetrius. I tilt my head to meet Demetrius's gaze. “Good morning," I greet, and he nods slightly before shifting his gaze back to his
ELVIRAI flutter my eyes open, hoping to see the bright rays of the sun, but instead, I am greeted with darkness.I yawn and try to get up, but suddenly, I feel something heavy on me. Instantly, I become alarmed and want to scream out with fear – where am I and what the hell is on top of me?Slowly, I peek down to meet a sleepy Demetrius; his hand is snaked around my waist, making it impossible for me to break free from his grip.I widen my eyes with surprise as I feel my heart flutter. This is the first time I have ever seen Demetrius sleep! And he looks so cute! I just feel like snuggling him and planting kisses on his face!A subconscious smile spreads across my face, my gaze not leaving his sleeping face. His eyelashes are so cute as they are closed, and his slightly opened mouth as he sleeps just seems to enhance his cuteness! He looks so cute while asleep, and it is impossible to believe that this is the same ruthless man when awake. This man is just so perfect in whatever he is