by Gray, A L
"Is Amin here?" I ask.
"No, he couldn't make it at such short notice, Princess. We will travel to Kent soon so you can meet him."
Oh I feel bad that his one true friend couldn't come.
"I'd like that." I say deadpan, I cannot believe he didn't wait until Amin was free.
Everyone digs into their breakfast, and before I do, I steal a few minutes to look at my ring. It really is stunning. The diamond catches the light so perfectly, trickling hints of blue and pink through the centre of the diamond. It's so beautiful. I *sigh* and aim to seize my sandwich, but my phone starts to ring. I pull my phone free from my pocket and see it's Elijah's father. My eyes are wide. I press my phone on silent and continue with our celebrations, now with that evil Bastard in the back of my mind.
Once we have all finished eating, and the table is clear of all food, Elijah rises to his feet.
"If you could all pull your champagne glasses forward, the waiters will fill them for the toast."
Champagne this early? The waiters make their way around. When everybody is ready for the toast, Derek strangely rises to his feet. Elijah steals a glance down at me, a cheeky smile on his lips. He winks at me and stares over to Derek.
"I would like to say something about my best friend, Anile." Derek says, peering over at me. "Anile is one of the strongest people I know. She has had her fair share of tough times, but as always, she learns from the hard times and keeps moving forward. She is funny, caring, sweet, impulsive, clever, and a dear, dear friend of mine. Elijah, you are a lucky man to have found your Anile, and I hope you two will be very happy together."
Everyone claps and Derek nods his head, proud that he has been in my life. My Mother rises to her feet. She's so beautiful, her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She purses her lips, she's going to cry, I know it! I smile fondly.
"My daughter Anile wasn't always a responsible young woman. She had me pulling my hair out throughout her teenage years - all night parties, drinking, constantly running over time for curfews, homework, and so much more. But at the end of it all, she was always my sweet little girl who was, and still is, my best friend. I'm so proud of you Anile. Your achievements as a pianist, your law degree, everything, you are a special woman, and I hope your life with Elijah will bring you all the happiness you deserve."
Her eyes well up, as do mine. I quickly grasp my napkin and hold it to my eyes. I cannot help the moan that escapes my lips, I cry happy tears. Elijah pulls me to my feet and tucks me under his arm. He playfully ruffles my hair.
"Sentimental little thing." He jokes, and everyone laughs. He kisses my forehead. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming today at such short notice, and I would also like to thank my Grandmother for being here - that was nothing but pure luck and I'm so grateful that you can share this moment with us. Today, there will be no fancy dancing, no fancy food, just good old intimacy, sharing of memories, and," he stares down at me, "normal." He clinks my glass. "To us." He says to me.
"To Anile and Elijah." Derek cheers.
"To Anile and Elijah." The crowd chant.
THE DAY DRAWS to a close and we all say our goodbyes. Tears are shared, good wishes are given, and at the end, it's just Elijah and I - exactly how I want it. My Mother is going to stay with her friend Kelly for the night, and Elijah's Grandmother is going to visit - of all people - Elijah's father. I suppose she is his Mother in law after all, and although she doesn't like him, she has to make an effort. We leave the workmen to dismantle the marquee and head inside at dusk.
"That was the best surprise I have ever had." I say, grasping Elijah's arm while walking into the living area.
"There is more where that came from."
I giggle. "I like how it wasn't posh."
He stares down at me, a perfect eyebrow arched. "I know you don't fancy such things, extravagant ideas. And I have to say, I thought the bacon sandwiches were funny."
"As did everyone else." I laugh. "I bet they never expected that from you!" I playfully poke him in his side.
He laughs loudly and freely. "Well, actually, beneath everyone's sandwich was a note, saying the sandwiches were your idea."
I am open-mouth shocked. "You cheeky git!" I stop him in the middle of the living area. The lighting is low, it's quiet. "Hear that?" I say.
He peers around, trying to listen hard. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing but us."
I take his hands in mine, staring down at his wedding finger and mentally envision a white gold band there.
"I like it when it's just you and I."
"Me too." I pull him into my arms and hug him tightly. I *sigh* long and hard. "Thank you for loving me."
He gasps. "I think I should be thanking you for not giving up on me!"
"I told you, no matter what is thrown at us, I will never give up on you."
"I believe you now." He breathes.
I inwardly *sigh*. I cannot remember the last time I was this happy for a steady amount of time. I was happy when he proposed, and when my Mother was freed, but to be this happy, constantly, all day long... it feels really good.
He kisses my forehead. "Now for some downtime. I'm thinking, a movie, chocolate, and a bottle of chilled wine. What do you think?"
"I think it sounds like a good idea. I'm picking, I'll meet you in the snug."
I push past Elijah, leaving him to collect the sweets and wine. I glide through the hallway, and pass my greenhouse, turning right. I keep walking all the way to the very end of the hall where the snug is. I open the oak door and twist the light switch around slightly, leaving the lights on low. I haven't been in here since Elijah gave me... well, since we were intimate, before I willingly gave away my innocence. I blush furiously at the memory. I walk straight over to the dark wooden corner unit, and open the doors. I cast my eyes over his colossal dvd collection - I'm actually a little shocked that he has a romance genre. I run my fingers over - of all movies - Basic Instinct. I laugh to myself; I know why he has that one! I collect, End of The Affair, starring Ralph Fiennes. This is a fine movie. I close the doors to the corner unit and step over the pile of cushions on the floor created bed. I put the dvd in and collect the remote control, readying myself for Elijah's face when he sees what I've picked. I sit in the middle of the Moroccan circle of pillows and tap the remote endlessly on my hand. What on earth is Elijah doing? Maybe getting changed?
While waiting, my mind returns to Elijah's father calling me earlier. I wonder what he wants? Hasn't he done enough? I roll my eyes - he is the biggest Wanker that I have ever met!
"Anile?" I hear Elijah call from down the hall - I left the snug door open for him.
"Yes? You okay?"
"I need to go and grab some wine, I won't be twenty minutes."
I frown. "Take one from the marquee." I call out, but he doesn't answer me. "Elijah?" I get up and peer down the hall. "Elijah, you there?"
Cheeky git ignored me and left! I shake my head. I steal the chance to quickly call his father back - let's see what the old Bastard wants.
"Anile, how long does it take to return my phone call?" He snaps after one ring.
"Mr. Darks, I have better things to do than chase you up. What do you want?"
"Well, for a start, you can tell me what the hell Angela is doing here?" He snaps.
I play back names in my head and try to put a face to that name. "Who's Angela?" I ask, coming up short.
"Elijah's Grandmother, you met her." I hear him sigh down the phone. "Why is she here?"
"I don't know. How the hell would I know? Is that why you called?" I gasp.
"Yes, why else?"
I realize I'm pacing so I freeze in place. I grit my teeth hard. "Let's get one thing straight, we are not chummy pals, you don't call me, ever!" I snap.
"Oh, stop your whining girl."
I aggressively steal the bobby pins out of my hair, releasing my hair. It falls all over my back and it's still a little damp. I thrash my fingers through my locks and my engageme
nt ring gets caught. I pull it free and think long and hard.
"Actually, I'm glad you called, I have a question."
"Huh," he sniggers, "you want a favour?"
"No. Not a favour, a release. How can I get Elijah out of the Freemason cult?"
He's silent for a moment, and my tummy quirks up at the idea that he's actually thinking how.
"It's not that easy, Anile." He says serious, and if I'm not mistaken, he sounds kinda pained.
"I didn't ask how hard a task it would be, I asked how."
I can hear him breathing down the speaker, he sounds like an old perv!
"There is something." He says, almost in a whisper.
"What? Anything, you name it." Hope, there is hope. I smile to myself. I never in a million years thought this could be possible!
"It's quite an... emotionally draining thing to do."
"Just spit it out, Darks."
"It's Castor. He's become a liability. We need him behind bars."
"You what?" I gasp.
"Look, don't become the virtuous, Anile. You asked what you could do to free Elijah, I gave you an option. Let me know if you decide to take up my offer."
I fear he will shut down the phone, so I don't even think to run over this in my mind, I bite the bullet.
I lower my head in shame. "What do I have to do?"
"That's more like it." I hear him say proud. "I need you to get him to confess to Jezebel's murder, on camera."
I laugh. "He won't do that. I doubt he would even confess to me, let alone do it on bloody camera!" Is this man fucking stupid?
"Anile, I want you to lure him out to an old warehouse. It will be rigged with cameras. All you need to do is befriend him - he will be on all fours, begging for your affection. Both my boys are smitten with you." He sniggers.
"Look, I can talk to him, maybe even pry a confession out of him, but you cannot use the video footage. Our English laws state that you cannot use video evidence in the court of law without the consent of the recorded parties."
"Ah, but you missed a bit in your studies, little Anile. If there is a clear sign stating, CCTV in progress, that is classed as consent."
He's right. I start pacing again. I hate Castor, he tried to kidnap me - hell he took advantage of my dying father!
"I'll do it."
"Good girl. I'll text you the location for where you should meet him. Call me when it's done." He shuts down the phone.
Holy fuck, I cannot believe I'm going to be a part of sending Elijah's brother to Jail! I wonder how Elijah would feel about that?
"Princess? Are you still in the snug?" I hear Elijah call.
I quickly gather my mind, stealing all thoughts away from Castor and answer him. "Yeah. You took your time." I say.
He walks into the snug, wine and chocolate in hand, and he stops in front of me abruptly. He's gazing down at me, I feel his hard stare burning into my face. I heed his gaze while pocketing my phone. He's changed his clothes, he's no longer wearing that fine white suit, he's wearing comfy grey tracksuit bottoms and a tight black V-neck T-shirt - he looks good this way.
"Anile, you okay?" He asks serious.
"Yeah, yes I'm fine." I shake my head.
He frowns. "Are you sure? If anyone has upset you, Anile, I will create world war fucking three!" He snaps.
I smile at how protective he is. "Elijah, I'm fine. Why didn't you get a bottle of wine from the marquee?"
He raises one perfect eyebrow. "Because everyone polished off the wine." He heeds eye contact for a moment longer. "Are you sure you're okay? You look like you have seen a ghost."
I grit my teeth for a moment. It's your damn father! He wants me to send your brother to jail! I want to scream, but I refrain.
"I'm just really tired." I say angelic, passing him. I sit inside the circle of pillows and prop a few beneath my arms. "You coming?" I ask.
He smiles a little but he's still curious as to why I look this way. "Yes, let me just pour out the wine."
He sets the wine down on the coffee table beside us. He makes his way over to the mahogany cabinet beside the fireplace and opens the bottom glass door. He seizes two wine glasses and pours us both a wine.
"Here." He passes me a wine.
"Thanks." I take it and down half of it, it's indeed needed.
He takes a seat next to me. "So, what are we watching?"
I smile, knowing he will be rolling his eyes in, T-minus three seconds.
"End of The Affair." I say, trying desperately not to laugh.
"Oh good, I like this movie." He says, robbing me of breath.
"You like this movie?" I gasp.
"Yes, it's a classic romance." He smiles tenderly, pulling me beneath his arm. He kisses my forehead. "This is perfect, isn't it? You, me, wine, a movie, and nothing else."
I squeeze his leg affectionately. "It is. I couldn't wish for anymore." I say in a low voice.
I press play, and welcome the first scene of the movie, and, for the next two hours, I just snuggle in Elijah's arms, feeling content - for now - and safe.
Chapter Thirteen
THE NEXT EVENING I'm eagerly awaiting a text from Elijah's father. I don't want to drag this out, it's killing my caring nature. I have been waiting all damn day - how long does he want to drag this out for? I've had the odd text from him, asking am I ready. I think he's taking the piss if I'm honest.
"Anile, do you want peas or sweet corn with your dinner?" Elijah calls out, the God of a man is cooking me dinner - I never thought I'd see the day.
I climb off of the sofa and over into the kitchen, inhaling the hunger quenching scent of roasted chicken. Hmmm.
"Peas please."
I rest against the counter top, eyeing his beautiful naked back - he's topless, I think he favours this look. His back is so ripped, he has shoulders of a God, wide and strong and powerful. Hmmm, he's so tasty, maybe I'll skip dinner and just eat him, I have yet to try him. My phone pings, and Elijah eyes it in my hand.
"Why are you holding your phone?" He asks, eyebrows creased.
"I'm texting Derek, he wants to see if I can meet him for a drink."
"Tonight?" He gasps. "But it's already six."
"Maybe. Is that okay?" I mentally shake my head, I hope he isn't one of them kinda guys.
"No," he thinks for a second, "no, I don't mind you going out with Derek." He returns to stirring the gravy.
I quickly unlock the screen on my phone, hoping it's Mr. Darks.
From: Mr. Evil
Anile, you will arrange to meet Castor at Wells Firework Factory, Dartford. Everything is set. Stay outside or just inside the entrance doors, otherwise the sound on the cameras will not hear you. The doors are clearly sign written, even you cannot fuck this up. Good luck.
Even I cannot fuck this up! I gasp loudly.
"You okay Princess?"
I quickly peer up at Elijah, stupidly forgetting that I'm standing right next to him.
"Yeah, Derek," I roll my eyes, "he's taking the piss out of my fashion sense."
He frowns. "I think you dress well." He says confused.
I smile fondly. "Me too."
I press my phone against my chin in deep thought, now I need to steal Castor's number out of Elijah's phone.
"Can I use your phone? I need to jot down this number."
"What number?"
He walks past me, over to the fridge to collect something.
"Um, it's just an old uni friend that might be coming out for a drink with us." I need to play it cool on the contrary. If Castor cannot meet me tonight, I will have to pretend I'm going out another night! I fucking hate all this lying. Elijah raises one perfect eyebrow, and I know what he's referring to.
"It's a girl." I laugh.
"Oh good - it's on the sofa." He points over to the living area, a tea towel in his hand. He looks very domesticated.
I make my way over to the sofa and grasp his phone. I thrash my eyes from phone to phone, trying desperately to insure
I get the number correct. Once it's saved in my contacts list, I don't waste anytime, I text him with a heavy heart.
To: Castor
It's Anile, I want to meet up and make amends. Elijah and I are getting married, and I'd love it if you two could make peace. I'd like to meet tonight if you can.
He replies quicker than I anticipated.
From: Castor
Where?
Holy fucking shit! It's actually going to happen! I quickly text him back while stealing a moment on the sofa.
To: Castor
Wells Firework Factory, Dartford, half hour. I don't want anyone seeing us, and that place is well out the way. See you soon.
My tummy is furiously churning. This isn't right, who am I to decide how Elijah's freedom is played out? I never in my life thought I'd walk over to the dark side, and I'm shocked at how easy crossing the road has been in the name of love. I feel bad for Castor. Although he has done some pretty bad things, even to me, it was all driven from him channelling his father. I take a moment of steady breathing and quickly text Derek to cover my tracks.
To: Derek
Can you say we went out tonight if Elijah asks? Or if he calls or texts you tonight, can you say I'm with you? x
From: Derek
What's going on? x
To: Derek
I will tell you all about it tomorrow, but now, I need you to cover my back, please? x
From: Derek
Anile, I don't like lying, you know this. x
To: Derek
I am asking you as my best friend Derek, will you cover for me? x
From: Derek
You know I will.
I inwardly exhale.
"Elijah, do you mind if I go meet Derek now? He's already out and I want to enjoy the evening with him."
He doesn't answer me right away, and I come to wonder if he's offended that I haven't offered him to come with us.
"Of course, have fun." He says deadpan.
I rise to my feet, feeling extremely guilty. I don't run to kiss him goodbye, I go upstairs and get ready to make it look like I'm actually going out. Once I'm in my bedroom, I open the wardrobe and throw on the first thing I lay my hands on - a red mini dress. I pull on my leather waist jacket, slip into some heels and walk back down to the living area. Once Elijah can hear my heels tapping against the floor, he turns to face me, standing just inside the kitchen, and eyes me seriously.