𝐂𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐒 {𝟏𝟖+}

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐈

"𝐌y bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite," she read. "Elijah, honey, do you know what Juliet is saying here?"

"Juliet describes her love for Romeo to be as deep as the sea, and she believes that the more she gives, the more she gets."

"Exactly," she said, placing the book aside. "Elijah, I need you to remember this- your future may not be what you wanted, but one day, you will find someone you love so deeply, though you won't think you ever will."

"What does that mean?"

"When you find that person. give them all you have. Love them with all your heart. The more you give, the more you receive," she said, tears filling her eyes. "I won't be here forever, so I want you to promise me that you'll never give up no matter what happens."

"What are you talking about? You're scaring me," I said. "You'll always be here for me. I know you'd never abandon me."

"Promise me, Elijah," she said, tightening her grip on my arms. "Promise me you will never give up."

Swallowing hard and not knowing what to say, I nodded.

"I promise I'll never give up, mom."

❦

𝐎pening my eyes, I blinked a few times and stared at the dark ceiling, not knowing how to feel. As I slowly got out of bed, everything seemed blurry.

Walking into the shower, I turned on the cold water and stayed in there for a good thirty minutes as I cleared my mind. After getting out and throwing on a pair of grey sweatpants after drying myself, I walked out of the bedroom shirtless.

"You're up very early, son."

I turned around to see Antonio.

"I could say the same to you, Antonio. Usually, you'd still be asleep, no?"

"I would be if my body didn't do the fake fall thing; what was it called again?"

"Hypnic jerks, I believe."

"Yes, yes, that. How about you? Why are you awake at this hour?"

"Had a dream," I sighed. "Wasn't too pleasant, if I do say so."

"Would you like to share it? I have all the time in the world, after all."

I shook my head and declined his offer. "I would prefer not to."

"I see. Are you starting work early? I was informed that there's an update on the situation," he said with amusement.

"An update? That was unexpected, but maybe around six. I need some time to get myself together first."