Elsie

Chapter 9: Heartache

Clement woke the next morning after only a couple hours of tortured sleep. Even before he opened his eyes, the weight of realization came crashing down on him — the memories resurfacing faster than he could control his thoughts. Eileen's bruised and battered face swam into his vision with the barrage of tears that he could not seem to suppress over the past twelve hours.

Slowly, he pulled himself out of his bed and moped into the washroom. The mirror hanging above the basin revealed his puffy, red eyes. He splashed water on his face and took a deep breath. Even breathing seemed to be a chore as his chest ached with each inhale. For years and years, Eileen had kept him at arm's length, but never had he imagined that she would ask him to leave forever. Despite their differences, he was the only person on earth who truly loved Eileen, and he was fairly certain that he was also the only person whom she loved as well. He thought back on all the times he had told her he loved her, and though she had never returned the sentiment verbally, he knew she loved him, and yet she pushed him away. He pondered every little detail of their past, tormenting himself with what-ifs. More than anything in all the world, he wanted Eileen to be safe and cared for – to be with him always, and yet with all his wealth and influence, he could not save her from herself.

Clement made his way to the company, not bothering to touch the breakfast that he knew would only cause him to feel nauseous. Of course, Mrs. Jacobs had worried that he was ill, and informed him of just how awful he looked, as any well-meaning motherly figure might do, but Clement had insisted he was fine.

The next few days seemed to drag on, and the nights seemed endless. Nothing could distract him from thoughts of Eileen. She was always there, lingering in the back of his mind. He even dreamed of her at night, his brain conjuring up images of her marred face.

It was nearly three o'clock on Tuesday before Clement remembered his little arrangement with Elsie. In the days since his fallout with Eileen, it was the only thought that boosted his spirits just a bit, and yet at the same time, there was a heaviness as he considered Elsie's plight. Betty... Eileen... he couldn't help them. He could only pray that Elsie would be different.

Elsie sat in the library by the window, waiting for her boss. It was three-forty-seven, and she had just finished skimming the next few chapters of Treasure Island. She wasn't nearly as nervous to read aloud to Mr. Jones this time; in fact, she was a bit excited.

The moment Mr. Jones walked through the door, Elsie noticed that something was wrong. She had heard Nora fussing over whether Mr. Jones was ill, but Elsie hadn't thought much of it since he was still going about his daily routine. As he took his seat by the clock, however, she could clearly perceive the dark circles beneath his eyes, as well as the cloud that seemed to hang over his features. Mr. Jones was not ill, Elsie was certain, but he was definitely overwhelmed with stress... or perhaps sorrow.

"Good afternoon, Miss Thomson," he greeted her, though there was an absence of enthusiasm in his voice.

"Good afternoon. Are you well, Mr. Jones? Mrs. Jacobs is worried that you are ill."

"I'm well. Thank you for inquiring, Miss Thomson. I am very anxious to learn what Billy Bones' real name might be," he replied.

Elsie was not fooled by his attempt to change the subject, but she opened the book to the third chapter anyway and began to read. As she did so, Clement rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. Elsie had a soothing voice, and he did his best to focus on her tone and the story.

Under normal circumstances, Elsie might have thought that Mr. Jones was asleep, but she could detect small movements as he adjusted himself in the chair every now and then. She stopped after just one chapter, setting the book aside. She gathered her courage and looked straight into his eyes, which he had opened the moment she stopped reading.