𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝑶𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

All the lies

The night sky was mesmerizing to say the least; the stars twinkle and scattered around the sky with the full moon adding more beauty to them. The sky is clearer in the countryside, and I've always loved them better than the city. Mama and Papa used to bring us to our country estate all the time during summer vacation. 

"What's on your mind, Starlight?" Eli's voice vibrates on my skin as we cuddle on the couch in balcony. 

"Admiring the beauty of stars" I say. 

"Don't lie, baby. Your eyes might enjoy the night but your mind is else where" he pulls me more closer to his body and I let myself absorb his warmth. 

I stay quiet not answering him. My hands play with his shirt buttons as I keep playing the conversation I had with Ashton in my mind. 

There is something that's not matching our version of the past. I knew for sure that Mama asked Papa to stop bothering Adam years back. According to Ashton the bullying never stopped and resulted in his mother's death. Something is not adding up because Papa would never defy Mama's wishes. He always puts Mama's needs first. His ultimate goal is to protect her, love her, care for her and support her. Just like Eli does for me. 

I look up at the man who has held my heart in his palm even before I knew what it meant. There has not been a day in my life where I've not thought about living my rest of the life with him. The moon light hits his face making it look sharper. His chiseled jawline, stormy grey eyes and midnight black hair does funny things to me. 

"Eli..." 

"Yes, starlight"

"I never got to thank you for destroying the confession tapes or for supporting me when I was low. When I was struggling with alcohol problem you held my hand and pushed me to do better. You saved me from going down on a rabbit hole"

He turns his head to look at me. 

"You don't have to thank me. That's my duty"

He presses my head to his shoulder. 

"Your duty?" I question. 

"Yes. I think you were my responsibility since the day you were born. Or I was born to protect you, cherish you and love you, starlight. However you want to take it" 

"Why do you think so?" I ask curious. 

"Because I always had this instinct to be around you.  I never liked Lan calling you beautiful or barbie. I never liked you that had a close relationship with my brother. But I never understood why. Then you grew up and started following me like a puppy which made me withdraw. I had to stay in my lane" 

"Only for few years though. Until you grew up and pulled me into your orbit once again" he added further. 

"You never liked Lan calling me beautiful?" 

"Never. I wanted him 'gone' for calling you that when I was seven. I kissed you the day you were born" 

I giggled. 

"I know. I've heard about this story from my grandmother a lot of times. It made me feel giddy whenever gran would say 'Oh that boy went straight for your mouth calling you pretty. He was in total awe with you'..." 

"You were pretty then, you are pretty now" he flicks my nose. 

"Your Papa wasn't happy about it. Threatened to break my legs" he adds. 

"Neither am I happy now, boy" Papa's voice breaks through our cocoon. 

I turn to see Papa and Uncle Aiden standing on the doorway, Papa looking pissed while Uncle stands smirking behind him. He even winked at Eli raising his thumps at him.