ANGEL IN DISGUISE , MILEVEN AU

22.

el yawned, trying to keep her eyes open as she typed down some notes of the meeting.

she tucked her hair behind her ears, pulling lightly on her hair to wake her up but she stilled when she saw a few strands of hair on her hand.

oh no, not this again.

"el?" mike called out to her as she flinched a bit and looked up, hiding her hand. "y-yes?"

"you good?" he asked and she nodded slowly and turned back to her laptop, trying to dismiss the thought of her hair thinning again.

"meetings over," mike stood up then motioned for el to follow him.

when they exited, el rubbed her eyes and held her hands safely to the side when she saw black dots coat her vision.

everything was blurred for a few steps so she kept her hand out as she just followed behind so he wouldn't see.

"head home, you're tired," he told her as she hit the side of her desk.

"hey, hey," he went to help her which only made her jolt.

he won't hurt me. no, not him. never him.

"i'm.. fine," she forced out quietly. too scared to say it louder.

"okay.." he nodded but then helped grab her laptop and notebook to place on her desk. "go home, ives. you've done enough,"

she looked away just to shut her eyes and to let the dizziness pass.

"ives?"

she turned back just as she blinked tiredly and nodded. "sorry.."

he shook his head, "go home, get some rest, honey. i'm sorry, okay? you don't apologise," he whispered to her quietly before grabbing her bag for her, "a ride?"

she shook her head, grabbing her bag and some additional stuff on her desk.

with a small glance at mike, she slowly walked to the elevators and made her way down the building and to the lobby to head home.

home sounded nice. the only thing keeping her going was finally being able to go home after work and rest.

just to finally rest.

♥︎

"oh el, you're back. we were just about to start on dinner. i've cleaned your clothes and i placed them in your closet for you. that is alright, right?" veronica asked as el nodded, coming down from the stairs.

"yes, that's fine. thank you." el shot her a smile despite how tired she was. "i can't thank you enough for doing this many things around here,"

veronica shook her head and laughed as they went to the kitchen. "oh it's no big deal, dear. i'm used to it all and i quite enjoy it."

"you are?"

"yes. it was actually something i could bond with my mother with as a child. she taught me everything i needed to survive." she smiled, helping el sit.

"everything you need to survive?"

"yes. things like laundry, sewing, fixing shoes. anything." veronica took out some food they cooked for her and placed it on the table.

"is there any chance you know how to cut hair?" el asked quietly.

"i wouldn't say i'm the best but i could do a trim."

el looked up, "would you mind.. trimming my hair? i want them gone."

veronica stopped her actions, "you want them gone?"