White Lies

Chapter 23

I slowly make my way upstairs, I didn't tell Mia that the guy she thought was my friend is the guy I was sold to because I knew she'd blame herself and feel guilty for it even though I would've forgiven her.

I step inside the room and lock it behind me. Elliot's back facing me, he's wearing a suit as always. I take a deep breath. "what are you doing here?" I ask calmly, my face and voice void of any emotion. He turns around, his dark stare, making me feel bare.

He steps closer to me. "who hit you?" his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. "n-no one hit me." I curse at myself for stuttering. "you can't lie to me, tesoro."

He leans in close and asks again. "who hit you, tesoro?" I start hiccupping. He rolls his eyes and grabs water from Mia's side table. He hands it to me. I drain the contents in it, but my hiccups dont stop. "hold your breath for 10 seconds." he says.

I do as he says and the hiccups stop. I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to do now. "I asked you something." he says somehow, still calm. "if I were you, I would lose my shit and scold me." I say honestly.

"was it your mom?"

"y-yeah."

"why did she hit you?"

"for getting into a relationship with someone I like, and for running away from your home." I answer truthfully, cuz I knew there was no use in lying to him, he'd find out one way or another.

"we're going to my condo." he says.

"you mean your mansion?" he shakes his head.

"I live in a condo, the only reason I ever come to the mansion is to check up on you and the people there."

"I dont wanna go anywhere, please."

He looks at me and sighs defeatedly. He grabs my shoulder and I immediately tense up. "don't worry, I promise, I'll let you go out, see your boyfriend and friends. I won't bother you, just for your safety, stay with me." he says it so softly, I find myself actually believing him. "what if you're lying? What if you're just doing all this to trap me?" I feared.

"okay, okay, I understand your concerns. What can I do to prove to you that I won't really go back on the promise I've made?" he questions.

"I dont know, I honestly don't. what can you do to prove yourself to me?" I question back.

He takes his gun, tucked under his waistband and keeps it in my hand. "kill me, if I don't do as you say." he stands with his hands in his pocket, I look for something something, fear? Tension? I dont know what but his demeanor remains calm.

I nod and keep the gun tucked under my jeans waistband. I was gonna say no but then why let this chance go, its not like I'm gonna really kill him, I'll headbutt him with the gun or something. "lets go then." I say, smiling wickedly.

I move to open the door but I'm pulled back by a large, warm hand on my wrist. "what the f-" he cuts me off. "you don't want everyone seeing the gun, do you?" he says, adjusting and tucking in the gun again and letting me go. I mutter a thanks and head downstairs.

I sit beside Mia, and she's talking to me, but all I can think about is his hand on my wrist, his touch burned me, in a good way and boy wasn't that bad. I look at my wrist, my gaze shifts to see Elliot sitting in the single couch, staring at me. My stomach does a flip, I move my gaze away.

Mia calls out for me. "gurl, where your head at?" I look at her.

"sorry, hehe. What were you saying?" this time I actually focus on what she's saying, we talk for a while and then I tell her.

"I have to go back, I can't stay here."

"to that asshole, Elliot's home?! Why, Lili? You've just got a sense of freedom."

"I can't stay here, Mimi. I'm not free here either, its way better over there, at least no one can hit me. I have to be alive to be free." her eyes fall to the wound on my lips, and start tearing up.

She hugs me. "go, if that place feels safe, then stay there." I smile and hug her back. "don't cry, Mimi. There are things we can't control."

She pulls back and nods. "who are you though?" she redirects herself and asks Elliot. My eyes widen, he briefly glances at Mia and answers. "Elliot." Mia laughs and looks at me. "how funny, he has the same name as the guy you were sold to-" her eyes widen as realization dawns on to her. She points at him while looking at me, asking through her eyes 'is it him?' I smile awkwardly and nod slowly.

"should I be sorry?" she asks.

"no, he would get to me one way or another anyway, no need to be sorry." I laugh and answer. She sighs in relief and goes back to being the bad bitch she is. "you don't annoy my friend, right? Or I'd have to teach you a lesson." she asks him, voice dead serious. Only I know how good of a actor she is, and this is one of her games, thats what made us best friends.

"isn't your bestie more of the annoying person?" he pointed out. She nods. "excuse me?! How dare you!" she just grins at me.

I can't believe Mia is actually cool with this guy. But then again, I kind of expect a call from her later. After some time, its time for me and Elliot to leave, I hug Mia and Cedric and leave.

***
Writer's note:
*sighs in content* finally a chapter with no cliffhanger. Thoughts on the chapter??

Have a great day!❤✨
Happy reading!