Crash Into Me

Chapter Twelve: Alli

Our week in Australia flew by so fast. It's crazy to think that we are already back in Dallas. We filled our blissful days with long sunbathing sessions at the beach, early morning runs along the sand, nighttime dancing, touring the rain forest, and trying just about every restaurant we saw. It was like a dream that was over just as soon as it was beginning.

Eli sets down a heavy box by his marble counter top in the kitchen. "That's the last of it," he says, with a huff. The moving men who were helping shuttle things by way of the penthouse elevator wipe away their sweat, thoroughly fatigued. "Thank you, gentlemen." He reaches into his wallet and gives them each a tip. They nod their heads, obviously spent, before heading back to the elevator to leave.

All of his belongings were being housed in a storage unit for the past week while he found a new apartment to rent uptown. He hired some moving men to haul his things from his old apartment that he was sharing with Jannine while we were away in Australia. He scoots the brown moving box against the base of the bar area with his hip and rests his arm against the counter top, smiling at me.

The new apartment is atypically lavish and modern, with brilliant marble floors and a massive fireplace lining the center of the living room. Brand new stainless steel appliances line the colossal kitchen with a stylish tile back splash sitting between the counter tops and the dark wooden cabinets.

"So what's next?" I ask, sitting down on one of the tall bar stools next to him.

"I have to get ready for work, but while I'm gone, you can start unpacking my things for your first job assignment." For once, I'm actually excited about a job. He's paying me triple my hourly wage from the bookstore. I tried to politely decline the ludicrous wage, but he insisted on it.

"Ok, sounds good."

"Thanks again for agreeing to the job." He smiles and leans over to kiss me. That never gets old. He pulls away and tenderly hugs my cheek with the palm of his hand.

"Thanks for giving me an excuse to quit my other job." I still get the same giddy feeling when he looks at me as I did when we first met.

"I'm glad I could be of assistance, Miss Smith," he smiles.

"Go get ready for work!" I shoo him off with a wave of my hand.

He walks over to the magnificent staircase and jogs up the stone stairs to the master bedroom. I shake my head in amazement at the idea of getting to spend my entire day here. This is honestly the most wondrous apartment I have ever seen in my entire life. He did let it slip at this bar in Aussie that his father is some prestigious cardiovascular surgeon who paid for all of Eli's medical school expenses. It sounds like he was born into old money, which is probably another reason he is able to afford a place like this, in addition to being a freakin' doctor.

His mother helps his father manage their estate and is also a major decision-maker when it comes to how they allocate their wealth. The idea of meeting her is extremely intimidating. I know that she is probably way nicer than I'm imagining, but it's still a daunting thought. We are supposed to meet this Saturday for dinner at his parent's literal mansion. I genuinely hope she likes me.

I shake myself back to reality and begin to cut open the first big box with a pair of scissors. There's old medical school books piled high in a neat column. I start unpacking the hardcover books one by one and lug them over to the stained wooden floor-to-ceiling bookshelf before returning for more items.

At the very bottom of the box is a bulky parcel wrapped up in brown wrapping paper and tied up tightly with some straw string. Reaching down, I pick up the object. It's much heavier than I anticipated. I tug on one of the strings and the package unfolds itself, revealing a black chest with silver metal lining. I tug on the thick padlock at the front of the chest. Locked. What could possibly be inside? Private pictures of ghosts of girlfriends past? Classified files from his secret job as an FBI agent? Or maybe some hidden decaying body parts from his serial killer days, like Jeffrey Dahmer? I knew he was a serial killer...

My thought spiral is cut short when I here Eli jogging back down the stairs. He's dressed in these pale blue scrubs with a lab coat, looking extremely sexy. I just realized I've never seen him in his work clothes.

"You look good," I smirk.

"Really?" he laughs. "I spend more time in scrubs than in normal people clothes." He glides his hands along the golden staircase railings and makes his way toward me.

"I wouldn't mind seeing you in them more often."

"I wouldn't mind seeing you out of your clothes more often," he winks, slyly, crouching down next to me, kissing me again. I'm absorbed in the moment as he gradually pulls away. He gets up to leave. The idea of the chest is still swirling around in the back of my brain and I can't help myself from asking.

"Hey, Eli?" He spins around to face me.

"What's this?" I reach down into the deep box and lift the heavy object, holding it up to his line of vision. I'm almost certain that a brief look of dread passed over his eyes, but it's immediately replaced by a smile.

"Oh! I forgot about that. It's just got some of my documents. You know, passport, birth certificate, social security. Boring stuff," he waves his hand passively. "You can slide it under my bed when you get a chance." He looks like his wheels are spinning. "Actually, here, I'll put it away." He jogs back over to me and grabs it from my hands, taking it back up to his room. What the hell? He seems overly possessive of this chest that is supposedly "boring."

He comes back down the stairs as I pretend to be absorbed in unpacking some of his high-priced fine china. I carefully unwrap an exquisite dark blue and white teacup and gently set it down on the dining room table.

"I should be done by ten tonight! You can stay here tonight if you want," he says, flashing his all too familiar million-dollar grin, as if nothing is wrong.

"Okay, I might do that," I smile back timidly, faking obliviousness.

He turns to the elevator and pushes the clear button. "I'll see you tonight then?" he looks back and smiles again, waiting for the big elevator doors to open.

"Yeah, I should be here."

"Great!" The elevator light flashes and a bing sound echoes through the still empty living room as he steps inside. He pulls his brown leather bag over his shoulder and waves goodbye. I wave back and the doors pull themselves shut, taking Eli with them.

I wait until I'm certain that he's gone before standing up and walking to the staircase. I wonder. I make my way up the stairs, one by one. The massive dark wood doors to the bedroom tower above me. My hand extends forward to the door knob and I turn it slowly. Pushing the mighty doors open, I walk over to the California king bed at the center of the large barren room. I take a deep breath before carefully placing my hands and knees on the frigid bare marble floor. I'm sure he put the chest where he asked me to put it. It probably contains exactly what he said it would. I'm overplaying its contents, I know it. I let myself down onto the ground and peak my head underneath the bed. Empty. Shit.

A horrid feeling of curiosity and distrust overwhelms me. What could be so important that it's worth hiding from me. Maybe my big secret isn't as bad as whatever is hiding in that chest...