Can You Keep A Secret?

Chapter V

Hey guys! I know it's been a while since I've last updated. Sorry about that. My work load has been piling up after winter break was over so I have a lot to catch up on. This chapter may be a little short, I apologize for that, but I hope you guys can understand ^_^ and that you will like this part too
-Lea 💕
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We push open the front door and Eros is lying on the couch playing video games.
"Finally back eh?" He asks, without taking his eyes and hands off the screen and the controller. I roll my eyes, taking the bags of things Eli got me on the floor next to the stairs.
"Where did grandma go?"
"The kitchen. She's making pasta or something?" Eros replies, then switching off the tv. Eli nudges me in the arm.
"I'm staying for dinner. The food smells heavenly." He sighs, a pleasant look on his face.
"You'll have to ask my grandparents first." I mumble back, and he gives me a sweet look.

"Ask them for me?"
"No." I deadpan. He pouts and shrugs his shoulders.
"Fine." He walks into the kitchen and I can already hear him charming my grandparents with his flattery and words. I turn back to Eros and he's rummaging through the shopping bags. He pulls out one of the fluffy shawls, giving me an odd, yet knowing look.

"I see you've manipulated Eli into getting you these." He comments, throwing it back into the bag.
"I did not."
"You so did."
"Okay, I'm ending this conversation right now before this turns childish." Eros grins.
"But you are childish." He taunts. Wow. Just wow. There are no words... Just as I was thinking he's taking way too long in the kitchen, Eli walks back out with several plates and Eros beams.

"Hera forced you to get her those right?" He asks, pointing to the bag. Here we go again...
"She didn't. In fact, I forced her to accept them." He states clearly. Now that was unexpected. I thought he would've made a joke of it. Eros' jaw drops to the ground and I can't help myself. I laugh, covering my mouth with my palms. He stalks up the stairs, grumbling.

Eli walks to my side and brushes my hair behind my ear. Again. A habit of his now...
"I can stay." He exclaims, grinning widely. "Want to play 20 questions before dinner?" He adds. I nod my head and we both go to sit down on the couch.
"You first. Ask me a question." Eli says. And I'm pretty sure that right now, Eli can sense the cogs turning in my head as I try to come up with a good question, something I won't regret or want to take back for another later. Let's see... He gives me a very bored look.
"Any question." He tells me again.

"I'm thinking! Stop disrupting my thinking process."
"Jeez. Fine. I'll go first then. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?" Well that was certainly random.
"Chocolate chip or strawberry or mango or lemon." I reply. He face palms and shakes his head at me, groaning.
"Hera, I don't think you quite get the game. I will ask you a question, and you give me one solid answer. Vice versa. Get it?" He says slowly, as though he's speaking to a child. How dare he?

I let out a small growl before answering him with the same tone he used.
"Yes Eli. Of course I do."
"You are a pain."
"If I am a 'pain', then why would you willingly get me dresses and shawls?" His eyebrows rise, I think in amusement.
"Can't argue with that." He smiles a genuine smile.

"Come you two, the food is ready! Let's eat. And Eros, come down now or you're not getting any." Grandpa calls. Eli pushes himself up of the couch and holds his hand out to me.
"I guess we'll have to continue with this tomorrow then."
"What's happening tomorrow?" I question, confused.
"Lots of fun. With yours truly of course."
"Right..."

After dinner~
Boy am I stuffed. My stomach feels like it's about to explode- in a good way that is. Okay, maybe there is no good to this. I gobbled up my food double time and double my normal portions too. There are just somethings that are too good to cut down on. It's fine once in a while though. Now, we're just continuing with our 20 questions game. And it's Eli's turn.
"What's your favorite book?" I grin.
"Wuthering Heights." "My turn. Do you have any siblings?"

"Yep. A sister. If you rather live the rest of your life without pasta and Eros or live the rest of your life with pasta and without Eros." That's easy.
"Rest of my life with pasta. Duh." I answer, laughing together with him.

This game is pretty fun, to get to know one another.
"Just a random question, but have you finished unpacking yet? Since you've arrived?" Huh? Finished I've been out with him all day!
"Don't be ridiculous, of course not. Why would you need to know?" His lips curl into a smirk and he stands up from my bed, walking to my luggage bag.
"Don't unpack yet. Make sure to leave at least 4 days worth of things in this bag." Eli tells me.

And I think he's serious.
"Why though?"
"It's a secret." He puts a finger to his lips. "But please listen. For once in your life." Excuse me?
"'For once in my life'? You've only known me for a few days mister. I'd hardly count that as you knowing me well."
"I know enough. Trust me." He chuckles.

I pout and punch him in the arm. He fake winces and collapses into my bed.
"You've wounded me." He says accusingly. My lips can't help but pull itself up into a wide grin and I can't stop the laughs bubbling out of my mouth. Eli's hand shoots out and grabs my arm, pulling me back down onto the soft feather pillows too. I yelp and squealing uncontrollably when he snags my back against his front and starts tickling me.
"S-st-o-pp" my brain can hardly put together one word. Ahhh! I twist and turn but to no avail. He's stronger than me and I can hear his smile too, the way he's laughing in such a carefree mood. I think he soon takes mercy on my breathlessness though, as he releases me and leans back on his elbows. I quickly run one hand through my unkempt hair, giving Eli my warmest smile. I think the amount of fun I've had today out beat any type and any duration of fun I have had in the past or even with Analise. I'd always thought that I'll truly find happiness and feel as I do now when I meet my mate. But unfortunately, as my mom broke the news to me, I don't have a definite mate because I'm half human and it's rare that we can even be conceived so apparently me and Analise are one of the few lucky ones. At least now I know that even without that bond I could share with someone, my happiness and fun can still reach its maximum.

"Earth to Hera... Are you there?" Eli waves his hand in front of my face and I realize that I must've gone way too deep into thought.
"Yea, I'm here."
"I was just saying that I had to go. Get some rest for tomorrow. We won't be going out much though, you'll need some rest for what I have planned for tomorrow night. Remember, don't unpack." He reminds me.
"Are we going to sneak out?" That has to be the only reason right? My grandparents would kill me.

He raises his eyebrows but doesn't say a word.
"You'll see." He lets out after a few silent moments. He gives me a hug and hands me a box. Before I can open it though, he's out the door.
When he's left, I lift open the cover and find a torch light in it with alphabet silhouettes. What's this? I pick up a sheet of paper and fold it open.

Look out your window and wait for the light
-E

Okay then... I walk to the window that's right opposite his room, and almost immediately, I see a letter flash onto the floor in front of me. He's holding a torchlight in his hand. 'H'. This is so cool! We can send each other messages from our windows. I swear these are the coolest flashlights ever! 'I'. Haha. He said 'hi'. I'm going to play around with this so much!