A Small Town Lie

༎Twelve༎

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I swallowed hard and nodded. This was a really huge step for me and I could tell it was the same for him also.

Elias cleared his throat and began; "Well as you know, my father left my mum while she was pregnant with me for a scholarship abroad. My mum was never the same again, she was depressed for ten years before she finally slept and never woke up." His voice felt tight.

I felt guilt for ever using his father against him, I reached for his hand giving him a light squeeze.

Elias played with my fingers as he continued. "My grandpa is long gone so my grandma took me in—"

"Your mum's mother?" I interrupted.

"Yeah. She was really nice to me until she passed away. Heart attack."

"I'm sorry."

"So I ran away. I just couldn't bare the thought of getting pitiful looks from everyone around. But honestly, leaving was really scaring and life was difficult. I couldn't feed, I slept on the streets... I was bullied. My life was just a whole load of crap, until the day I was involved in an accident."

"The woman who hit me happened to be a social worker so she decided to help my case when she learnt about my situation. Luckily for me, a family needed a thirteen year old boy for adoption and that was my saving grace."

I sighed at his sad story. "Why did you come back here?" I asked curiously. This town has obviously brought him nothing but pain, if I were in his shoes I would never step a foot here.

Elias smiled. "That's another question, sweetie. Enough sharing on my part, don't you think?"

I knew he was hiding something so I didn't stress it.

"Tell me about you. What is a young girl doing in a different town all alone?"

I sighed again and blurted out. "I ran away from home."

Elias shifted to give me a good glance. "Why? From what I've seen you must have lived quiet comfortable life."

I was surprised. "What makes you think so?"

He gripped my hands rubbing my palms. "Your palms are soft with no single hint of callousness. You have a really furnished room for a girl your age and it's very obvious that you don't belong to this little town. Alex and Steve keep calling you city girl, saying you've never worked in your life."

I frowned at his detailed explanation. "Yes, well, I didn't suffer from poverty but that doesn't mean I had it quite comfortable."

Elias hugged me closer. "I'm sorry."

I sighed wrapping my arms around him. "My grandfather is a well known man for his wealth and he has quite a number of women who bore and are still bearing him children. And they're all into the family business ..."

Should I say it? I struggled to form the words but they won't come out.

I decided to not say it. It was after all for his own good.

"My parents and I never had a good relationship. My dad...is a hard man, living with him was hell. He believed in coldness and lacked warmth and kept trying to drag me into the family business which I have no interest in."

"What about your mum?" Elias asked, his arms around me tightening. I felt so comfortable and free to share, I snuggled deeply into his warmth.

"She's...she's just weak." My voice tightened and I felt sad. "She doesn't have the guts to face my dad, never had. I remember one day, I went to a friend's house and came home late. My dad locked me in his cold basement for two days straight without food and water, his reason that I shouldn't have any weakness. If I am too close to people, I would have something that my opponents can always use against me."

Elias frowned perplexed. "Your father is like that to you?"

He probably couldn't understand. But I couldn't tell him the complexity of my identity.

"Yes. My mother couldn't say anything, she just watched from a distance as he dragged me into his basement."

I shivered still feeling the coldness from the dusty concrete floor, the metal chains around my hands and feet and the starving hunger I felt that day.

"It's okay now." Elias assured patting my back with his hand rhythmically.

I hummed. I hope so.

"So you ran from home."

"Yes. I couldn't do it anymore. I had no friends because kept shutting people out due to my upbringing. I was lonely and depressed."

I gave a bitter laugh. "I even tried ending everything ..."

"You..."

"Yes Elias, I tried to kill myself. Funny, isn't it?" I laughed sardonically once again.

Elias pulled me away from him, his hands on my shoulders. "Look at me." He ordered.

I reluctantly lifted up my gaze to his. A tear slipped when I saw the look in his eyes. There was no judgment, no reproach, no pity.

"You're good enough. I'm sorry but your father is a bastard for putting you through all that." He told me firmly.

I laughed and sniffed before nodding. He wiped my tears with his thumb then a smirk formed his lips.

"Maybe this is time to satisfy that other hunger of yours?" He teased. I knew he was trying to distract me from my depressing thoughts. And the distraction was very much welcomed.

"Sure." I replied pressing my lips against his.

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