Autumn

9: Secret

Elise Grayheld lay in the empty bed, covers slightly tugged from where she slept. It was one of the greyest rooms she had ever seen. The one who owned the room did not have any interest in decorations or color. The bedroom itself was the only place that actually had some color. The sheets were white with a green quilt with embellished flowers. It was a gift she had given the man herself which he didn't mind. Elise also took the opportunity to make the room feel at home. She brought in some sort of exotic plant along with a bright red ink pen for his paperwork. Books were also aligned in a such it way it seemed welcoming but also intimidating.

Though she enjoyed decorating, the man had organized it as such, having it adjusted to his own touch. It was elegant but also deadly, what Elsie had described his style to be.

There was then a small creek as the door opened slightly for someone to enter the small bedroom. It made Elise almost jump up but she restrained herself. She opened one eye to get a glimpse of who was approaching her. It was Aleck. She smiled slightly as he came closer towards her changing into something much more comfortable for bed, as if to join her.

"Anonymous," she whispered. She was intrigued by his graceful movements, he slowly crept next to her, pulling the covering up to her waist. "I didn't think you'd come."

Aleck ignored her, he edged his body close enough to touch her own.

"Don't I always?"

Elise sighed, her hand reaching to touch his face, at least to be close enough to him. "You're late than usual. It's almost midnight."

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Aleck kissed her forehead. "Work is exhausting."

"You can always quit." Elise had suggested this idea many times. It seemed like an endless pattern.

Aleck knew the risks he was taking, but this was not a fight worth losing.

"You know as well as I do that's not an option."

"I'm just saying you need to think of what the consequences are." Elise turned her body so her back was pressed against the mattress. Her red curly hair was in a tangled mess, which Aleck seemed to love. He stroked his fingers through it sometimes when he was close enough; it bothered Elise sometimes when she grew annoyed with him, not using conditioner all the time so it wouldn't always have its curl. But her hair was naturally curly, so it didn't do much. "I'm scared for you."

"My work shouldn't scare you," Aleck said, thinking long and hard about that thought. "It's just Lesley-"

"Everything's about Lesley these days." Elise, leaned up from her position, tired of sleeping. "You're not telling me something. And I can see it from that smug look you're giving me."

Aleck sighed, his head leaned to the side like a confused puppy. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but I can promise you this. I have already told you what you need to know."

Elise raised her eyebrow. "What I need to know, or what you want me to know?"

Then, she got out from the sheets, grabbing her dark black jeans, putting them on without hesitation. Her crumpled burgundy sweater that fits her like a globes sat at the end of the bed along with her purse. As she finished zipping up her pants, Aleck grabbed her by the wrist.

"Where are you going?" Aleck's voice sounded worried, but it might have been Elise's imagination.

"Home, Aleckander." She began to put on her sweater. "Until you start telling me the truth, I'm going home. There's more work to do there than here."

Aleck leaned back in his bed. "Unless there is another way I can make you stay."

Elise pulled her hair up in a bun, stray hairs escaping the bounds of the hairband, still making it look gorgeous in Aleck's eyes. Her unnoticeable freckles became clear in the moonlight. She crosses her arms. "What makes you think that I will stay with you when-"