Smoks and Cigarettes

15. Deal

' Hey, bro '

Rhys was looking at Victor with his intense gaze. This person, Elijah's father looked like a complicated person. He had heard his words before coming to the cabin. Like Evan being Elijah's foster sister and Alex being her actual brother, her neglecting Alex but obsessive towards Evan. Rhys didn't know about her past. He was naturally curious. But he would like to wait till Elijah share everything with him by herself. But something was off about her father.

Victor's gaze, his attitude and his way of talking, everything felt too strange. It was like he was dealing with a business proposal and his loss, profit will be determined the way his daughter react. He behaved like a gambler, gambling on people's emotion to gain his profit. And honestly to say, Rhys hated this type of narcissistic and hypocrite person. They're like robots who don't have emotions or doesn't care about that. They're the person who are emotionless not the people like Elijah who seems cold and distant but actually feels a lot of emotions.

Rhys wanted this person to stay far away from Elijah as she doesn't look comfortable around him but this person was determined not to give his daughter and Rhys an ounce of peace. At that, Rhys was thinking of other way to make him leave however he was startled at the sudden voice of a man. Victor was equally stunned too as neither of them expected anyone here. Rhys immediately looked at Elijah to see her reaction. But her reaction was normal. Her usual stoic face felt a little different. The sudden arrival of this man made him feel uncomfortable as Elijah's always gloomy eyes lit up with unknown emotions.

The person who came was a tall young man. His skin was slightly tanned and he was more than 6"1 but not that tall like Rhys. His body muscles were defined and his nose was sharp, just like Elijah. His eyes were light brown and his raven hair was swinging due to the pressure of wind. He didn't know but everything about this guy was very similar to Elijah. Like he is the male version of her and that made Rhys more than just angry. He and Elijah, who were about to get married didn't have this much similarities. Talking about similarities, they're like Artic and Antarctica. But this unknown guy is well matched with her. Literally match made in heaven.

' Fucking match made in heaven. ' Rhys thought.

' Huh, it's Sage '

Everybody was silent but Victor chose to speak first. He looked at Sage and gracefully called him. Sage looked at him and greeted him with a sweet smile too. Rhys frowned. It looks like beside him, the other two people present here know this person and they're well acquainted. Elijah's expression wasn't overly delighted but it was not the usual expression she had whenever she saw him. It was more like a special reaction that can only appear when the person is special. Rhys didn't know but he felt angry that she didn't give this special treatment when the person is him rather it was someone else.

' Who are you ? Who gave you the permission to get in here ? '

Rhys was angry and he felt jealousy bobbling up at his throat. He needed to let it out yet he didn't have any way. At the end he could only bear this overwhelming feeling and painstakingly ask the person who he was.

Sage, at the voice of an unknown person, startled and looked at him. He noticed him just now. Before he didn't mind him as his focus was on Victor and Elijah. He looked at Elijah and Rhys didn't know what she said by rolling her eyes, Sage immediately looked at him, extended his right hand to shake hands and said ' Hi, I'm Elijah's best friend Sage. You must be Dr. Brooks, right ? '

Rhys was quiet surprised. This person, how did he know he is a Brooks ? Did Elijah tell him ? Then she might have told him about their relationship too. Did she ? Rhys didn't know but he shakes hands with Sage and said ' Well, I'm. Nice meeting you. 'It seems weird but Elijah's so called friend was quiet happy to see him. He was only looking at him, smiling ear to ear as if he had won a lottery.

' Have to talk with him. ' Elijah stated, indicating Rhys and the other person to leave them alone. Seeing his daughter wanting him to leave, Victor didn't insist to stay rather he said before leaving ' Keep what you promised about our deal. 'Rhys knew he have to go as he cannot stay here whole day, throwing his responsibilities aside. However Victor's words were stuck at his mind and he couldn't shake them off.

Deal.... what is that ? What deal Elijah has made with her father ? And what kind of father is he ? Dealing his relationship with his daughter as if he's minding a business deal.However Rhys didn't stay at Elijah's cabin for long, very soon he left as he was scheduled to be on a operation. He had to leave, though he didn't want to leave Elijah alone with that guy who was smiling at him stupidly. The moment he left, Elijah's gaze turned cold, she looked at his best friend with her stern gaze, saying ' Don't look at him like that. He's an overthinker, might take your stupid grin wrong. '

Upon hearing his best friend, Sage immediately stop smiling. Then he handed the bag on which was the things Elijah has asked for. She unzipped the bag, taking out her laptop and mailing some important mails.' Reschedule models meeting for today and inform Matthew now. '

Elijah's words were straight and as usual short. Sage didn't have any difficulties to really understand what she wanted to mean. But he was troubled with her saying to reschedule meeting of new models when she is in this condition, stuck with canula and iv drip. He really don't know why she's doing all this, rescheduling meeting and calling attorney and what for!!' Schedule meeting ? Who's going to the the meeting ? You ? ' Sage asked.

Elijah looked at him for a second then again got busy in mailing. She said ' You're going in the meeting. Can't go, Rhys won't let. 'Sage felt relieve upon hearing her but he was stunned at her last words. She's saying that guy won't let her leave. Is there anyone who can force her except Helen ? He didn't know, but somehow felt good that someone is there for her.

' And why Matthew ? '

' Have decided ' Elijah uttered.

----

' Lend me your 1 hour '

It was 4 pm and Rhys just finished his round after getting out of the OT room. He felt exhausted and wanted to return back to his room but he still have night shift. Yet he hasn't got back to his apartment for nearly one week as he was busy attending operations everyday at day and shifts at night just to gain more experience. He just wanted to get back to his room and fell onto his bed, tightly holding his pillow.

However he didn't get what he wished for. Yet he wasn't sad cause he got Elijah's massage. This is the first time she ever massaged him that's also to ask for a favor. Rhys felt like he was willing to spend more than 1 hour for her. He immediately went for her cabin. He was little too surprise to see Elijah's sister, Evan sitting at the stool beside her bed. At the sound of door, Elijah and Evan both noticed him. Elijah hinted him to get in and sit on the couch. He did so, quietly sat on the couch.

Evan looked at Elijah. She just got her message ' Come now '. She didn't know what her sister called her for. Although she was always afraid of her, yet she managed to displease her yesterday so she should bear the punishment Elijah wants to give her. It's always like this, her offending Elijah and getting punishment as always. She is afraid but eager to receive her punishment if that can make Elijah to talk to her. She just doesn't like it when Elijah ignores her.

' You have always wanted freedom. '

To be continued...