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Elliott 'Eli' Miller is your average 24 year-old with an estranged father and a resentful mother. When he goes back to his hometown to make amends, he inadvertently gets dragged into the activities of an illicit crimina...
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I checked the house for any possible security threats one last time and made my way to the car, suited up for my meeting with Mr. Gray. My hair was disheveled and my appearance certainly wasn't up to my usual tidy standard, but I did my best to look presentable despite the visible lack of sleep caused by the preceding events.
Elliot was away at a shoot, with whom I'd sent some of my trusted personnel to ensure his security. The very thought of him being away from my watch made my heart wrench, wanting nothing more than to hold him in my arms and make him mine. However, the circumstances demanded it
A myriad of different thoughts kept my mind awake as I got in and started the car. It had been mere months since we met but I'd already developed such unshakeable feelings towards him.
Every action of his intrigued me, from the slight crinkling of his eyes when he genuinely laughed, to the way his face would turn red in embarrassment after insignificant acts of clumsiness. But he was still beautiful. Everything about him was.
I yearned for the gentleness of his touch, the melody of his mirth. The twinkle of his baby blue eyes seemed to me like the starry night sky on a clear winter's day, a mesmerizing sight I wished I could stare at all day.
And to think we almost kissed a few days ago. I could still feel his soft skin beneath my callous fingers. I visualized my hand running through his impossibly silky brown hair, tucking it behind his even more impossibly delicate ears. His lean frame melded perfectly into mine like a jigsaw puzzle, his fingers leaving a trail of burning desire as they traced my arms. I'd had plenty of innocent infatuations in the past but they paled in comparison to the affection I held for Elliott. He was the missing piece to my contentment.
That's where my dilemma arose. I had a duty; a role to play in this evidently secretive operation. Even a slight hiccup could compromise the whole thing and send us into hiding. A long time ago, I made a promise to myself and my father to carry out my obligations truly and faithfully; to be able to discern my feelings from my responsibilities. It was a promise that I couldn't possibly break.
I was never unclear about which course of action to assume when I was faced with such transparent options, so this unfamiliar indecisiveness irked me. My options we either to choose between what my heart bled for and what my duties necessitated me to uphold. It was near impossible to have both due to the clashing effect they would pose to one another, adding to my woes. Heck, I'd witnessed colleagues being sacked for involving their clients in their personal lives.
I pulled up to headquarters and parked the car in my spot. Quickly swiping my card and giving a curt wave to the friendly receptionist, I went straight up to Mr. Gray's office. He was there, as usual, filing through a binder of information. I approached the door and gave it a knock, garnering his attention.
"Marcel, you're here. Sit down, make yourself comfortable. You know where everything is, just ring up the front desk if you'd like refreshments."
"I'm good sir. Actually, I needed to talk to you about something personal so if I could have a few minutes of your time, it would be helpful."
"Of course son, you have my complete attention. If you'd like some privacy, I can arrange that."
"Mhm, thank you sir."
He put down the binder and walked up to shut the doors, whispering something to the guards. They complied and stalked away, as Mr. Gray latched the door.
"Tell me son, what's on your mind?"
"Umm... sir, I've been meaning to ask you a question. It's a little bit personal actually..."
I faltered, feeling embarrassed to say any further. However, he gestured for me to go on so I exhaled deeply and began.
"Sir, did your marriage to a coworker ever affect your job here? You've told me about being dismissed from your previous position but never got to the part after."
He let out a light chuckle before smiling.
"Madelaine was the best thing that ever happened to me despite our nuptials actually being arranged by the parents in advance. You were right, though. It was indeed due to the fact that she worked with me that got us both fired. However, needless to say, the years after were the most joyous ones of my life. I still miss her to this day, but I'm content with the fact that she found her place in heaven after all that suffering she was put through."
As he went on about Madelaine Gray, my mind was filled with images of Elliott. However, the words he uttered next brought me right back to reality.
"It's Elliott isn't it? Jennifer's son?"
My mouth went agape. What gave it away? I stammered and failed to form a coherent sentence.
He chuckled again and shook his head.
"You really think I didn't know? Come on son, give me a little credit. Your father left you in my care for a reason. Besides, the way you look at him says it all. I already had my suspicions when you insisted I showed him the archive; to convince him, you claimed."
My face instantly heated up. I was pretty sure I resembled a ripe tomato in the sunshine. A messy tomato at that.
"Yes sir, he's absolutely wonderful. That's what scares me."
"But why?"
"Sir, surely you're not asking that to tease me. You do remember what my father expected of me, what I promised to him?"
"I do. But if he was here, he would have only wanted you to be happy. You're his sweet little boy, so naturally, he didn't want you to get hurt. With that said, if Elliott truly makes you happy, your father would've trusted your judgement. In fact, I do too. I'm one-hundred percent confident that it won't distract you from your work so it's about time you found happiness son."
I slightly teared up at the memory of my late father but blinked my damp eyes dry and regained my composure. I got the validation I needed and it felt good to be reminded of my father's love. I decided to heed Mr. Gray's words. The only thing I had to do was confirm if Elliott felt the same way.
"Thank you sir. I really needed that."
"Don't thank me son, I'm just doing my job."
I gave a firm nod and rose to get up when suddenly, a siren went off. A bodyguard rushed in and said the very words that I dreaded since day one.
