Running Away to London

by Geiza Stefany de Oliveira

  I even get a little interested, but what I want most is knowing where we are going! The car slows down, and I worry right away looking at Elliott.

  “Tell me we're fine!”

  He smiles at me.

  “We're fine, duchess.”

  I shake my head, taking a deep breath until I come across what comes next after the next right at a crossroads of narrow streets in the middle of Dublin green! We start climbing past a church and then it becomes clear the ruin of a castle that is so familiar to me, despite being the first time I come here...

  “I can’t believe!”

  I exclaim with a smile on my face.

  “I said you would like it.”

  He insists on parking the car. Looks like I'm going to have tachycardia because the ruin of that castle up there is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. We walked together, climbing the stairs toward the castle, wasting no more time.

  “This is Rock of Dunamase.

  I look numb.

  “It's stupendous!”

  Elliott laughs at my countenance. I take some pictures of what I see.

  “Put that phone away and enjoy the walk, duchess.”

  I smile at him with disdain.

  “I just want a picture, can you help me?”

  He shakes his head with his hands in his pocket. He stares at me in time to see me offering my cell phone to take some pictures of me on the trail to the ruins. Elliott does, like a photography professional with my cell phone in hand and me a model.

  “Who would say you look more beautiful without makeup?”

  I stare at him open-mouthed realizing that all this time I am without the only thing I am addicted to.

  “Shut up, Elliott!”

  I balance in my heels going forward, still hear Elliott's laugh trying to tease me. Suddenly, before we get to the ruins, I have a sudden! I remember the movie "Leap Year" and that's where I know the ruin of this castle...

  “Elliott!”

  I exclaim, making him stop beside me, still with his hands in his pocket. His look makes me a little serious, gauging me if I am ok.

  “What's it?”

  “It's about that movie, isn't it?”

  I ask, turning to him. I see him laugh at the same moment.

  “Did you realize that now?”

  Uh! I take a deep breath as he quickens his pace and goes ahead. Son of a bitch, I should not have come! I speed up too and forget the sarcastic.

  “Elliott?”

  “Duchess.”

  “So you weren't born in Dublin, were you?”

  He does not look at me, he just keeps climbing.

  “No, why do you think that?”

  “Oh, I remember in the movie the boy says quality and Dublin is a city of crooks and treacherous snakes.”

  He laughs.

  “He also says this castle is Ballycarbery, which is a lie.”

  I try to remember, and I think he is right. I fail, Dublin is great.

  “Well, then they used another castle instead?”

  “Yes, duchess. If you're trying to piss me off, you'll have to try next time.”

  I smile.

  “I'm not, boss! Why would I do such a thing?”

  Oh, finally, while Elliott offers me his slight arm he looks me superior. He stopped doing it that night in his townhouse. If it starts again we will have problems!

  He pulls me into the castle, simply to enjoy the beautiful view we have from here. For a moment we were silent enjoying the view... I do not even know what to say. Elliott knows how to make me speechless and now I am falling in love more and more...

  “God, this is so perfect! Now I will have to come here every year.”

  He looks at me and then looks away, sitting down. I secure in his outstretched hand to me then. I sit next to him.

  “It's the first time I've come here.”

  “Oh, no! You didn't even use GPS!”

  “It's not complicated to come here, Liz.”

  I look at him a little skeptically.

  “So are you going to tell me you never brought Jordan here?”

  Elliott looks at me without expressing emotions.

  “That's not the sort of place she would go. Jordan likes urban places where he can compliment his Instagram feed. She takes her career very seriously.”

  What's my problem? I don't know why I touched her name!

  “I understand her. But to be honest, I admire that sort of beauty to stay at home the whole weekend watching my favorite films, no matter how many times I repeat them.”

  I learned it from my father...

  “No way! This is the sort of thing I've been wanting all my life.”

  He smiles at me wryly and I look away. I better keep silent from now on.

  “I think this will be my last moment of tranquility going forward, so I can be pleased.”

  “It'll be all right, Elliott.”

  He stares at me and I stare back at him. Silence takes us, there is nothing but the insane beauty of Ireland around us... I look away for a moment, but I feel his hand on my face making me so nervous. It feels like my stomach twitches inside me, and then he looks at my mouth ...

  I close my eyes suddenly a little breathless. I feel Elliott's two hands on my face and his lips on mine. Oh, I love this! He kisses me like we do not have another day in our lives, for I feel him envelop me with all the intensity of his being.

  Chapter 22

  My knees touch Elliott's chest, and I lean back a little while he also leans toward me, holding me. We kissed, but I am just realizing how much I wanted it now.

  “Elliott...”

  He puts me on the field smiling that makes me feel like a fool in love.

  “God knows how long I wanted to do this. You are so beautiful, duchess.”

  I smile at him. I answer with a kiss... the afternoon is falling and our eyesight becomes even more perfect.

  “Do you like me!”

  I mean having fun.

  “Completely.”

  “Since when?”

  My curiosity is piqued right now.

  “Since the accident.”

  The smile fades a little from your face.

  “It's over, and I'm fine.”

  “And now I'll take care of you as you deserve.”

  He kisses me, not just my mouth, but all over my face. Elliott makes me so happy this minute! Here is everything I have wanted since I came to London: to be happy. I wanted to feel free again as if all was well.

  That's the way Elliott makes me feel. We stand about to leave, but first, he hugs me around the waist and makes me smell his Giorgio Armani perfume more closely. He guides me in simple steps, making me smile even more. Elliott is a handsome gentleman!

  We went down together, holding hands as if we were a couple in love in a romantic surprise. Before opening the door for me, my handsome gentleman leans me in the car and kisses me. Oh, I love his kiss! It is so much more than I imagined it could be.

  I get in the car excitedly. At the moment, I do not want to think about anything else. The only thing that interests me is this moment. Elliott kisses the back of my hands as we listen to alternative music. It seems that things will be totally and exciting from now on.

  He opens the door for me and kisses me again before we even enter the house. Elliott is so much fun grabbing me around the waist.

  “Wait, it looks like someone's in there.”

  He says, before we enter, a sudden.

  “Mrs. Fernsby is in there.”

  Elliott releases my waist at the same instant full of posture, like a guard soldier.

  “No, Liz. She's away now, the driver too. I'll go see it.”

  He gives me the car key and stomps hard inside. I wanted to pull him back with me, but I am here not knowing what to do. It does not take more than a minute and it comes out the door a little seriously.

  My steps are fast. I join Elliott relieved that it is nothing serious, and my surprise is complete wh
en I enter the living room next to him.

  “Alright, Mia. We are here.”

  Elliott says leaving me open-mouthed. Mia gets up from the couch so taller than me, dressed in mom jeans, medium heels, and a wool shirt. She has got a sorry girl look and comes straight to me.

  “Guys, I'm so sorry...”

  She hugs me, leaving me a little unresponsive.

  “You know, I fought with Benedict because he made me believe he loved me, but he abandoned me when you fought him, Elliott.”

  She turns to her brother hugging him.

  “I think it's best to leave you alone”

  I mean, though, Mia holds my hand with teary eyes. She pulls me by the hand.

  “I made tea for you.”

  I sit next to her at the same moment and she serves me. Elliott has a relieved look now, much more.

  “Then tell us what happened. What did Benedict do to you?”

  She turns to her brother, serving him. Elliott sits beside her, so she sits in our midst.

  “He flirted with me for several months, as my secret admirer. But I said he needed to introduce himself to you and mom as he was doing to me. The date we chose was on my birthday. Benedict is past now, I just came here to say that I'm sorry, Elliott.”

  First of all, I can not believe it. What did Elliott do to his teenage sister giving up his first love so quickly?

  “You do not have to ask me excuses, Mia. I just want to keep you well and protected from people like Benedict.”

  I keep staring at her as they talk about feeling sorry. Mia has an angelic look, currently downcast. She looks at me sometimes

  “He deceived me, but after yesterday I realized the true story. Benedict was just trying to use me. Oh, I feel disgusted when I think we kiss.”

  Elliott makes a nervous look.

  “We'll go through all this together, Mia. This includes your baby.”

  She makes a funny face.

  “What? Oh, Elliott! I'm not pregnant, dammit!”

  I see him smile relieved.

  “Great, keep it up.”

  Mia laughs, looking at me.

  “Liz, come with me to the kitchen. I think you can save my ratatouille.”

  I frown at the same moment. While Elliott loves Italy, Mia loves France. I follow her right away, so Elliott leaves us alone. Immediately I approach the pan where she prepares and experiment.

  “This is delicious, Mia.”

  I stare at her, still suspicious. She smiles like a sweet little girl to me.

  “Great! Would you help me serve the table? I'm not very good at decorating.”

  I smile, gladly. I follow her once more and so we begin to decorate.

  “So I think this Christmas you will be here.”

  She suggests.

  “I do not know.”

  “Do you want? I'll spread it to everyone if that's what you want. Jordan wouldn't want less.”

  I confess I did not expect this one, but by no means do I wriggle. She can be Jordan's friend as long as she wants, there's nothing wrong.

  “Jordan and I are very different in that regard, Mia. I just want the least attention needed.”

  “My brother's, of course!”

  Mia laughs, making me look at her a little more suspiciously. She looks so shallow and it bothers me a lot.

  “Elliott is an amazing person, who doesn't want his attention?”

  I finish putting the seats. Mia smiles at me in approval.

  “You're right, everyone wants Elliott's attention.”

  I smile at her. So Mia wants to take revenge on me. I turn my back, ready to take a shower. My Dolce & Gabanna dress is dry and in my room. Then I dress glamorously for dinner.

  We will be leaving Dublin soon, but not without dinner first. It sounds like we are all best friends here. I know very well the revolt that goes on in Mia's head, but I am not her enemy and I do not even intend to be.

  Chapter 23

  I think all day long about everything that is happening in my life. The only thing I want is to preserve the moments of happiness that are beginning to surround me. After Elliott and I return from Dublin with Mia, I promise myself that I will do everything I can to preserve the beautiful things I am getting now.

  It is funny how Monday was different, like never today! I smile beside Elliott realizing how ironic it is to be in this place after work, close to the River Thames, spotting the Big Ben and kissing in The Queen's Walk.

  “You look so beautiful today.”

  He says, holding on to my waist as we remain propped too close to the River Thames.

  “You already told me that today!”

  I say with good humor seeing him with affectionate countenance for me.

  “I said there's a Chinese restaurant nearby?”

  My surprise is obvious, Elliott said he just wanted to take a walk and so we ended up here. We walked a little farther with his hand on my shoulders to the beautiful restaurant. We see Big Ben and Parliament!

  Elliott has got reservations for both of us and I have some more fun with him. Oh, how handsome this man is and has got a good taste!

  “How are you dealing with your fashion week publishers in Paris?”

  Elliott laughs after eating some of his vegetable soup. He dries his lips for a moment.

  “Everyone wants to go to Paris.”

  “I'll have too much work by then, so I don't afford to think about going to Paris.”

  “No way! You are coming with me.”

  I look at Elliott in disgust.

  “I need to work.”

  “And you will, duchess.”

  Elliott has fun with me. I worry and he shrugs. It is insane.

  “If you want to know I'm proud of you, this will be your first fashion week as editor-in-chief.”

  Elliott smiles at me and I love the smile he gives me: surely a man in love. So he takes my hand and kisses her back. I love his cold lips on my skin.

  “The best part is that you'll be by my side.”

  “No, Elliott!”

  He laughs.

  “The more you say no the more I'll be obsessed with taking you.”

  “You are terrible!”

  We laugh. So our night is so much fun that I did not want to come unglued from him and when he says he will take me home I decide to pull him to know my flat. Elliott holds my waist all the time fun and sarcastic.

  “Rebekah, we have company!”

  I say as soon as I open the door, and then Rebekah sits very seriously as I bring the editor-in-chief of Pollentier Magazine home. She does not know we are together, and I have fun watching her look at me lost.

  “Elliott, this is Rebekah, my flatmate.”

  He still holding my waist, squeezes Rebekah’s hand that does not say a word. She just gets up, nods, and then leaves.

  “I'm going to bed.”

  She leaves quickly making us hold our laughter. Anyway, we sat on the couch and enjoyed the television.

  “Excuse me, but she's shy about the idea of bringing a man here.”

  Elliott arches an eyebrow at me.

  “Oh, please!”

  “So she doesn't date?”

  “No, she does not Elliott. She is shy.”

  “Would she date a redheaded man?”

  I can not hold back my laugh, Elliott frowns at me.

  “Do you think Lewis... oh, you think so!”

  “Lewis is in love with Israel.”

  I did not expect to hear that from him.

  “I don't know. She's a strong woman and knows how to use a gun, so Lewis better knows that.”

  Elliott smiles.

  “Do you know how to use a gun?”

  I shrug.

  “No, but I have a slight impression that you know."

  “Hunting used to be one of my teenage hobbies with my grandfather.”

  “Oh, tell me more about it?”

  We stayed together on the couch for a long time talking about the peculiarities of our families. He d
oes not remark the size of my flat or anything, the only thing that interests him is me. Elliott wants me and that makes me happy.

  I fall in love with him a little more seeing how much he is not a handsome and arrogant type, much less biased. I am not part of his social status here in London, but the only thing that has mattered to us is how we feel about each other at the moment.

  Elliott appeals to me absolutely, but his care ravages my heart every day. He is the sort of man who cares and wants to hear, to be part of a real relationship. I love him to be so that I feel safe to give my heart a little more. I smile as ever as he kisses my forehead and goes away into the night.

  Chapter 24

  My alarm clock is ringing several times over the last few days so I can wake up because Elliott and I have been having so much fun at night. He is the type who likes to go out and have fun, which includes going to Cambridge over the weekend with selves better friends his and mine and lead me along to venture out.

  “Elliott, we can't be late!”

  Lewis shouts down next to Rebekah probably.

  “Are you sure it's a good idea that we'll be away once Fashion Week is so closer? Everybody is preparing themselves.”

  I mean making him smile at me in his room as he tries to find the sunscreen. That is all that is missing.

  “Duchess, it's hot in Cambridge! The office does not open today, and I will not fail to take advantage of you and our friends.”

  He finds sunscreen between drawers and then turns to me excitedly. Kiss me at last, and I give up. He indeed slows everything down, and as we go to Lewis's house, we enjoy every minute together. The week has been hard work, which has made me escape Mia.

  That girl is chasing me most subtly. She has hundreds of invitations on hand to take me in many places. Saying that I'm working hard — when in fact I am — is the key to keeping her away. That girl hates me, and that's a fact.

  “Something tells me that you are going to go to a charity dinner for Elliott's aunts very soon.”

  I smile at Kim, propping myself up on my elbows in a blanket. We are on a lawn catching a color while the boys have fun playing cricket a little apart.

  “I have a Paris Fashion Week, this time it won't work.”

  “Wait a minute, are you running away from a teenager?”