The Surreptitious Mr. Wolfe

Part 16- The Move

THIS IS IN VICTOR'S POINT OF VIEW.

VICTOR WOLFE

"You want to what?" Christine the wrench scandalously asks Ella as I lean on the frame of Ella's bedroom door with folded arms. I intently stare at Ella, her breathing seems uneasily heavy and she's at a loss for words. Ella made it clear that I stay out of the conversation, but how can? Christine and Eric's glares are deadly and to top things off, they're making my Ella uncomfortable.

"I want to live in Constantia and attend school there." Ella whispers, avoiding eye contact with them.

"You want to live in student dorms? It's crazy. Students party and pull silly pranks. You'll never have enough quiet time to study." Eric chimes in. My insides briefly spasm at his words, in what world is the Wolfe School of Business rowdy? I decide to remain quiet, for Ella.

"I'm going to stay with--" She falters, I hate seeing her so tense. My apologies, dearest Ella but-

"She is staying with me where she'll receive enough privacy, a vast allowance and easy access to the school." I say, my stance is now upright, but I keep my arms folded. Eric threateningly squints his eyes at me.

"I should've known you were cunning enough to borough a hole in her head and fill it with all sorts of fantasies. What is she to you, a way to get the media on your side again, Mr. Wolfe?" Christine vindictively spats. I quickly glance at Ella, she seems confuse by Christine's words.

"No, but I know true potential when I see it. Ella is so academically skilled that I can even see her running my empire one day. If she lives with me and studies under my wing, I could teach her all the tricks of the trade. She'd have first-hand experience in business, can you even fathom how much she'll learn?" I defend, eloquence is the number one trait in businesspeople after all.

Ella seems astonished by my words. Does she not know what she's capable of? I wish I was being one hundred percent honest though. Truthfully, I only want her close to me, she wouldn't even have to work.

"Ella, is this what you want?" Christine asks, looking hopeful, as if she sees Ella flipping me off and jetting off with them. To her demise, Ella nods. Christine makes wastes no time in grabbing her handbag off the bed and commanding Eric to trail behind her.

Once they leave, I notice Ella facing the window, motionless. She must be distraught, telling someone off does not seem to be her forte. I walk towards her with my arms extended.

"Are you alright, Ella?" I ask, mustering up my most consoling tone, she lets out a drawn out breath, but still doesn't turn around. I make my way in front of her and her facial expression stuns me. She's smiling, a soft, relieved smile.

"I never realized how much I didn't want to move in with the Harrisons until now!" She rejoices and prances around her room like a deer. The grave feeling in my chest fizzles away as I watch her sway to imaginary music and silent hums.

Suddenly, what was actually a thirty second joyful jig, morphed into an entire minute's worth of slow motion Ella-exclusive. She stuns me by grabbing my hands, jumping about and attempting to get me to join. Her smaller than average hands leaves a burning sensation on my skin.

I chuckle as she tries to get me to join in her silly dances. She retires by collapsing on her bed in a giggling mess. After a short while, the laughter dies down. I plant myself on the edge of her bed, she is staring at the ceiling with messy curls sprawled about.

The sight leaves me to wonder, will I be experiencing raw, beautiful moments like these all the time when she moves in with me?

"I can't wait." She whispers ever so faintly and shuts her eyes with an angelic smile