Live A Little

Ch 23 : Stalker?

Alexander P.O.V

Im fine, she repeats, her words echoing like a broken record. White lies! I can hear beyond her okay and fine. Something is troubling my little sister, and its tearing me apart knowing I cant alleviate her distress.

Whats wrong? I ask softly, hoping she would confide in me.

Nothing, she responds, offering me a small smile. But behind that smile, I can see pain, a profound amount of pain.

Before I can probe further, her phone rings. Seeing the caller ID, her face lights up with a smile. Elias!

My eyes narrow as I glare at her phone. How dare that kid call my sister, and in front of me, no less!

Stop fantasizing about murdering my partner, Alora chides, picking up the phone.

Partners? When did that happen? Why was I not informed?

Ill call you back in a bit, okay? she says, putting the call on speaker and giving me a reassuring smile.

Why is bloody Mary Xander there? I hear his grating voice screech. That parasitic leech! I swear

Wait- HE DID NOT JUST SAY THAT! What the hell!

Alora taps her phone so fast, I think it might have cracked. She looks at me, smiling sheepishly. I clench my jaw, waiting for the moment I can confront Elias and let my fist meet his repugnant face.

Partners? I question, composing myself.

She nods, Hes my art partner.

Hm, I respond, processing this new information.

Im okay, Xan, Im okay, she says, sounding more like shes reassuring herself rather than me.

As I walk out of her room, I cant help but feel as if Ive failed her.

Before I can drown in my guilt, my phone rings. Pulling it out of my pocket, I see the caller ID, and a smile forms on my face before I can stop it.

Elena

Hello, I answer, picking up the call. Hi, her calming voice replies.

Can we meet today? At the same place we usually do? She asks, I-Its okay if youre busy, she adds after a pause.

I never knew any sound could be so beautiful until I heard her voice

What the hell!

Hello?

Sorry, yeah. Im on my way right now, is that okay?

Oh yeah! See you then, she ends the call, and I quickly make my way downstairs towards my car.

Where are you going in such a hurry? Vincenzo blocks my way.

I have an important place to be, I say, trying to sidestep him.

Dads out for a meeting, so we have to meet the DaSilvas today in two hours, he informs me, causing me to freeze. Youre going soft, Xander. I hope you dont forget the oath we took, he whispers while walking away.

I stand frozen in my spot. The DaSilvas are important people, and dad left me in charge. I cant mess up. I pull out my phone to tell Elena I cant come, but as I open her contact, I see an unread message.

Thanks for making time. Means a lot! See ya :)

-----

I stand in front of the cafe where we usually meet. My phone rings again, probably Vincenzo. He has been calling me non-stop.

What, I yell, picking up the phone.

You seriously left, his grumpy voice replies.

I told you this was important.