𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒊𝒓𝒆 » 𝐀. 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒

❝𝒙𝒙.❞

𝐞𝐬𝐭. 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧. 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟒

Reeling from the events of the past few days, Nora rendered herself almost mute. She couldn't get that night out of her head, her confession towards her feelings toward Alfie, Elliot's reasonable response to all of it, she could only feel guilt about her blatant honesty. Guilt and self-disgust.

Why am I like this? Why do I love him?

These thoughts plagued her mind and her heart alike as she did everything she could to avoid Alfie. Needless to say it was difficult to do, given the fact she was staying in his house, but she came to the conclusion that she had to leave. She packed her things and approached Alfie's study, knocking on the door lightly. She lets herself in and finds Alfie deep in papers, "Alfie."

"Ella," Alfie croaks, almost surprised to see her given her recent behavior, "What can I do for you, pet?" He's deep into his work, but lends both ears to listen to her.

"I-I have to go home." Alfie doesn't look up from his paperwork. Why am I so nervous around him, get it together Nora! "I can't stay here anymore. I am eternally grateful for you getting me out of prison and your hospitality, but my family needs me and I must stop hiding so...if you could have your driver take me home tonight, I won't ask for anything from you anymore."

Alfie flips through his papers once more, countenance almost unfazed by the words just spoken in his presence. Nora paces further into the room, "Alfie, did you hear what I said?" Alfie starts chuckling, which made Nora flush with anger. "What exactly is comical about that?"

"You must stop hiding, eh? As if your leaving here isn't the same as you hiding." "What are you talking about?" "You don't think I have noticed your avoidance ever since your twig of a fiancé came to play hero?" "My family needs my help, I am no help to anyone sitting here moping." "How many times will I have to tell you that Tommy doesn't want you-" "Fuck Tommy Shelby, that's my mother and brothers on the line!

Alfie sighs as he reclines on his chair, eyes glued to her, "If you want to leave Ella be my guest but don't sit there and disrespect me with a lie. You aren't tired of hiding, as a matter of fact, you're leaving to hide from me." "No-" "-because you can't stomach the fact that after everything you and I have been through, despite breaking that sorry twig's heart, you want to be here, because you love me." "No!" "No? I heard you tell him. He asked and you said yes, so did you lie then or are you lying now?"

Nora had nothing to say in response, which led to Alfie planting a smirk on his face and rising to his feet. "You don't have to answer, for I already know. I know you, Eleanora. I've studied you for years, because for whatever reason, you are the woman that I could never shake off. You know what that makes you?" He approaches her cautiously, "That makes you dangerous. It makes you a weak spot in my very fucked up world. But I find myself wanting to keep your stubborn arse close to me anyway. And if you'd stop being so stubborn you'd see that."

He dives into his pocket and takes out a wooden box and hands it to her. She hesitates but she takes it and opens it and finds her old engagement ring. She immediately shuts the box, pressing her lips inward. Her heart beats louder than it ever have before. "Still carrying that around, eh?" She asks softly, squeezing the box. Alfie chuckles, closing the space between them. "Stop being so stubborn, stop hiding. You're better than that." "Alfie-" "I know what I did the first time, and it won't happen again." He leans against her lips brushing them softly. "Marry me."

A rush rolls down her spine as squeezes the box again and sighs, "I cannot marry you while my family is in the state that it's in. Which is why I need to go home, call in every favor I have and help them, you must understand that." Alfie sighs, "I can understand it if it means we'll marry when your family is safe."