by Gray, A L
I continue walking to the back of the club - I need to find Derek and get the hell out of here. A thought springs to mind - how the hell does Elijah know I'm here? That damn security guard! I know it was him. What the fuck is wrong with these men?
I continue my search for Derek - pissed off. I again search the toilets, the smoking area and every VIP booth but I still cannot find him. I'll try to call him. When I pull my phone free from my silver beaded clutch bag, I see ten missed calls; six from my father and four from Elijah. I shake my head at them both, knowing I will never break free from these controlling dominant Bastards!
Derek does not answer his phone. He has obviously left. I decide to do the same. It's his own fault for not telling me where he was going.
While I make my way around the crowd of people - hoping to avoid the devil himself - my pinch of luck fails me. Elijah comes up from behind me, screaming.
"Anile - stop. Stop now! I am warning you!"
I try to ignore him but he screams at the security guards, "stop her!"
"Ugh!" I huff.
Tonight is not going to plan. Before there is a big embarrassing scene I stop dead, knowing I have just about had enough of Elijah.
Cast thankfully tries to come to my rescue.
"Elijah, you don't own her! Leave her alone."
"If you do not fuck off, I will paint this fucking club with you!" Elijah warns, waving his hands around like a mad man and Cast gives up way too quickly.
This has gone too far. We cannot talk here, the music is too loud and I don't think I can manage grammatically correct words - I am absolutely drunk out of my mind and I need to go to bed.
"Elijah, you can take the lid off of your boiling pot head. I'm heading home." I snap.
I watch his mood dramatically change. He comes down from his vexed buzz. He's breathing steadily again. He comes right up to me and unexpectedly takes me by my waist. Oh, the static is still there. The longing, the desire, the desperation. - NO! I must nip this in the bud now! But before I even have a chance to tell him to piss off, he has a few things to say to Cast which catch my attention.
"If you come near her again I will fucking ruin you Castor! You know I have the power to do such things, so do not persist in your games!"
Castor? Oh my God - that's his brother. I break free of Elijah's grip. He's reluctant to let me go but I'm insistent.
"He is your brother isn't he?"
Elijah and Cast stand stupefied. They do not answer me.
"You lot are fucking crazy! Leave me alone, and I mean it." I finish, pointing a stern finger at them both.
I storm out of the club - reeling! As soon as the cold London air hits my lungs, the fuzziness of my brain kicks in and I know I need to sit down. I cross the road and take pride position on the curb, trying desperately to gather myself. I cross my arms and sink my head inside them.
"Anile." Elijah whispers soft.
"Elijah, please leave me alone." I beg.
"I am going nowhere Anile. I want to take you home."
I look up at him, taking mental inventory of his beautiful face. As I eye him from head to toe, I notice his clothes are getting more and more casual. He's wearing a dark grey hoodie with light blue tightly fitted jeans and bright white Nike Air Max trainers. His hair is tied back in a neat little ponytail, looking glossy and sharp. His dark features grip me - he has a little stubble and he looks good with it. My tummy tightens with uneasy knots. My entire body pricks - goose pimples, it's just goose pimples because it's cold - I try to tell myself but fail miserably. He smiles, noticing the profound effect he's having on me. I lick my lips and retreat back into the safety of my crossed arms. He sits next to me on the curb - I can sense him near me. I quickly peek up at him from the side. His legs are so long, and lean. He should never have to grace the curb.
He stays quiet and just observes me. I have to suffer breaking the ice. I cannot stand tension between us - especially not now! All I feel with him is sexual tension and now it's multiplied by one-thousand!
"When did billionaires start dressing like yobbos?" I joke, sitting up straight.
"I was relaxing at my house when I had a very disturbing phone call from someone, informing me that you are trashed in a club and with my God damn brother. So I am pretty sure you can guess how it affected me, Anile."
"I thought you were hosting a party tonight? You invited me to it the other day in your office."
"It's Thursday Anile, not Friday. And besides, that party has been cancelled due to… recent events." He replies deadpan.
Jesus I'm losing account of my days now, as well as my time!
I do not immediately answer him. I'm trying to sense which of his personalities are present tonight - but I'm too drunk for this. I stare and frown in sync, noticing I can see two of him - how ironic.
"Are you okay? You look out of it Anile." He says worried. His hands edge towards me but I narrow my eyes at him.
"I'm drunk, what do you expect? We cannot all be perfect Elijah." I joke, slurring all my words.
"Come, I am taking you home."
"You bloody well are not." I snap.
"Anile.... I will put you over my shoulder and carry you home if you do not obey me - let me give you a ride."
"You wouldn't dare."
He smiles at my dare looking deviant.
"Oh baby, I live for this - and who would stop me? You? Derek? No. Derek is not here and you must weigh all of one-hundred and ten pounds. Princess, I could lift you with my pinky. Now get your cute butt off of the dirty floor and let me take you home."
I motion my hand like 'who gives a crap' and try to get to my feet - I struggle, embarrassingly. He tries to help me. He aims to grab my waist.
"Leave me Elijah. I can manage getting to my feet." I snap.
He doesn't listen. He swiftly picks me up and effortlessly throws me over his shoulder. He strolls off down the not so busy street with me.
"Elijah! Bloody put me down!" I scream, but he laughs at me. "Elijah, I will never speak to you ever again if you do not put me down!"
I shake my head at his ignorance, wondering if I should just give up as I bounce with his long strides.
"Oh my God!" Derek mouths as he appears from an alley with the pretty girl. He starts laughing his head off. "What is going on? What have you done Anile?" He continues his loud chants of laughter. He looks absolutely hammered. Elijah annoyingly stops in his tracks and starts laughing with him also. Okay, now I know I'm being 'punked'!
"What are you doing way up there?" Derek continues to joke.
I stupidly try to lean on my arm, using Elijah's shoulder as a platform.
"Chilling Derek; you know how I like a change of scenery." I snap sarcastically.
He starts to really belt out huge roaring laughs. I huff at his arrogance. What is it with the damn men in my life?
"I am assuming you are Aniles' partner in crime?" Elijah addresses Derek – no longer laughing - while he sets me on my feet.
"Thank fucking God!" I snap, clutching at my now aching tummy. I wobble a little but Elijah catches my arm and pulls me close. Hmmm, Elijah. He smells of normal Elijah; spicy and clean. His clothes are so soft - I rub my cheek against his chest. Stop Anile!
"Yes father. How long am I grounded for?" Derek slurs, trying to be funny.
"Do not test me Derek. We are all available for some fun but I mean really, this has gone too far. She ended up in the VIP area with my damned brother!" Elijah snaps.
Knowing Cast is his brother still pools unhealthily around in my mind.
"Well, if you don't want her, what's the damn problem? And anyway, Anile was fine. I was gone for all of one hour."
The girl Derek is with huffs as if to say, 'yeah right - one hour my arse'. I start giggling, knowing what she's referring to - Mr. Floppy. I laugh harder and my eyes fill with water. Elijah looks at me but he is nowhere near laughing. His face is hard, unreadable. Oh dear, did Derek's words rub salt into the wound?
Der
ek turns his attention to the girl, "you know where the bus stop is Love." He snaps.
She is open-mouth shocked, as Elijah and I are.
wh-tch!
She lays one on Derek's gorgeous face for his mockery. He holds it - stupefied. Now he is left open-mouthed! I look at Elijah panicked, telling him to do something in unspoken words.
"Okay. I think you should leave," he addresses the girl, "and I think you should also go home Derek. I will attend to Aniles' needs."
Derek admits defeat and strolls off without so much as one word, completely drunk out of his mind. The girl leaves in the other direction and I swear this could be amusing sitcom material.
"Right, I'm going home to." I mumble and aim to leave but Elijah gently tugs on my beehive hair and immediately stops me. I lean my head back in frustration.
"Elijah - please, I want to go home. I have an early hangover and I need to sleep."
"You are coming with me Anile. I'm not finished with you just yet."
"Elijah," I breathe annoyed. I turn to face him. "Why did you come? Are you jealous because I was with your brother?"
His mendacious eyes try to deceive me. "No." He frowns deeply.
"You are lying; I can see it in your eyes Elijah." I point a mocking finger at him.
"If you truly think I am, then you are a dangerous woman to assume playing with the boundaries of jealousy are safe."
"I measure my love by the extent of my jealousy." I mumble. I start to feel dizzy - fuzzy. Everything is getting blurry.
"Everyone should." Is the last thing I hear Elijah say before I pass out.
Chapter Four
I ABRUPTLY WAKE with the most pounding headache.
"Ugh!" I snort.
I'm in my comfy warm bed. My duvet is so thick and comforting, it swallows me whole. My room is still nice and tidy - bless Derek for cleaning. Slowly and delicately, I manage to climb out of bed. I stand holding my head in shame as last night's events flash through my mind - oh dear God! Elijah must think I'm a stormy petrel! Ha, that's the understatement of the century! I manage to drag myself to the kitchen in desperate need of a coffee - or at the least to smell the aroma scent from the beans. Once I sleepily bump into my kitchen cupboards, I stand still at the sink, eyeing Elijah’s cup – sorry, my cup - still sitting dirty in the sink. I foolishly smile with glee and grab it - I want to taste some of him that might linger around the tip. I glance up at my apartment and idiotically drop my cup in the sink.
"Holy shit!" Now I'm awake! "What the hell?"
There are flowers everywhere, all beautifully dressing the living area. White orchids are in pink pots upon my sideboard - ten of them; roses of every colour available are dotted around my floor; and red tulips are laid around my sofa and upon the counter tops. How I did not smell them before I saw them is way beyond me! I'm frozen in place at the sight of it all, but I somehow manage to tear myself away to grab my phone - I need to call Derek.
He answers quickly - thank heavens!
"Anile. I'm sorry about last night." He says shamefully.
"Forget that Derek, you need to get over to my place, now!"
"Well open the door then, I'm just walking out of the lift."
Holy hell, our connection is off the charts! I cannot believe he's already here when I was going to ask him to come over! I shut the phone down and walk in a daze to the front door, eyeing every flower while shaking my head - I'm smiling so much that my cheeks hurt. On my way to the door I'm met with lily petals scattered on the floor. I try desperately to stop smiling before my face breaks into two but it's near on impossible - Elijah.
Before I completely open the latch on my door, Derek swans in with a hangover that matches mine, almost barging me into the wall.
"Derek!" I admonish.
"Nice pyjamas - but green is not your colour, and you should wear a gown, not a two piece." He says as he makes his way into the living area. I pout at his guru observation. I do not tell him about the flowers, I follow him and wait to see if they have the same affect on him as they did me. Checkmate! He stands stupefied, speechless even, and just looks at me with raised eyebrows.
"I know, right!" I joke with a huge - all teeth showing - smile.
"That man is either fucking crazy or he is in love with you Anile."
"Oh don't be so ridiculous Derek. He wants...." I frown. I'm lost for words, really lost for words. I rub my stupefied head. He doesn't want sex, he doesn't want a relationship; so what the bloody hell does he want?
"See, even you cannot explain this, Miss Smarty Pants!"
I fall into the sofa with Derek. He snakes his arm around my shoulders and we sit upon a bed of roses - literally!
"I'm guessing he has picked up on the fact that you love flowers." He jokes.
"Ha, ha, very funny."
"Anile, this is mental. Who actually does this?"
Mr. Perfect - that's who!
"Beats me," I smile giddy, "I woke for coffee and was welcomed by beautiful flowers. I am not complaining."
Derek frowns deeply - a look with a cause for concern.
"Anile, just because he spends a fortune on flowers for you, it does not mean that you should reciprocate in favours."
"What do you take me for?" I snap - eyes wide, "you know me better than anyone and yet, you still have to tell me this?" I gasp, annoyed and flabbergasted at his statement. Elijah would not even give me the chance to thank him - stupid!
"I'm just making sure you know that you don't have to give yourself to Elijah, Anile. I don't grant you favours for something in return - neither should he."
"I know you don't ever expect anything Derek." I *sigh*, knowing he's right.
I wonder if Elijah has changed his mind, or even decided he just wants sex?
As I lean into Derek to rest my fried egg head, I notice I'm sitting on paper. I grab the paper from beneath me. I eye it curiously. It's a brown envelope with my name typed onto it – no address, just my name.
"What is that?" Derek says.
"Strangely, I cannot see through paper Derek." I joke. He playfully pokes me. "Don't do that, it bloody hurts!" I gasp.
"Just open it!" He says excited.
Pondering over the idea on whether to open it or not, I start to weigh up the pros and cons, but give up and give in quickly. Yes, I know, I'm a sucker! I rip the top open like an animal. Oh my! There is a note, from Elijah himself, and hand written so formally which makes me smile.
Miss Gooden,
I stayed on your uncomfortable sofa last night to be sure you were not sick while you were alone.
Please eat something healthy today and drink lots of orange juice, it has high amounts of vitamin C - which I am sure you will need!
Until Monday, Princess,
Elijah x
Until Monday?
"Let me see!" Derek says elevated as he snatches Elijah's note free from my hands. "Until Monday?" He asks confused.
I pull the remaining papers free from the envelope. It's my work contract with Darks Lawyers. Signed, sealed and delivered. Holy shit! I smile while biting my lip in excitement and only wish I was not hangover so I could celebrate.
"He has given me my job back, Derek."
"What the bloody hell! Are you going to take it?"
I slowly nod triumphant. I'm not sure if this is completely going in my favour - knowing Elijah, there is an alternative agenda, I'm sure.
"Yes I am going to take it. I started on an important case and I hated that I had to quit half way through."
"That was not your fault Anile and you know it."
"Either way, I'm back there now. I think I will demand a different office though, I don't want to be near Elijah in that sense - not yet. For now I want to work, make him take the money back he gave my father and move on with things, Derek."
"Sounds good to me Sweets. Now you are moving on, maybe you will give into me and accept my relationship proposal?" He jokes as he nozzles my hair with his nose.
Cringe! I ha
te it when he asks me such things. It only means I have to repeatedly knock him back, which I hate also.
"Derek." I whisper in a, 'you know you cannot keep asking me this' kinda way. I still want Elijah, I just need to wait until I'm ready - or when he's ready.
He rolls his eyes and sits back, sort of unaffected. Wow, he's more like Elijah than he even knows.
"I'm nodding off for a few hours Sweets, lay back, let's get some rest." He mutters, changing the conversation.
"Give me ten minutes and I will join you. I'm not feeling on top of the world and I could use some more sleep."
Derek gets comfy on my sofa and I scoot off to my bedroom with my contracts; I want to see the small print and see if Hester was right.
Opening the contracts, I search relentlessly through every page but the small print really is quite well hidden. I get to page thirty and see it's nicely tucked between my job description and the NDA - bizarre. The Terms and Conditions seem normal and relevant but, the Termination of Contract is outrageous!
Termination of Contract
Termination of contract will only be accepted by Darks Lawyers - Mr. Elijah Darks - if you are not currently working on an assigned case (personal cases can be taken with the Second Party if they depart from Darks Lawyers.)
In the event of the Second Party attempting to terminate their contract with no authorisation from Darks Lawyers - Mr. Elijah Darks - Darks Lawyers will begin with legal proceedings to obtain all financial assets from the Second Party and/or person/s financially responsible for the Second Party.
The Second Party must fulfil their contract to the finalized agreement and the finalized date and/or when the contract has been given a revision date - the revision date must state it is regarding the vacancy, not the Second Parties salary.