Paint Me Red

3. Prove Your Worth

ELLARIA'S POV:

"Come on Ebenezer, hurry up baby. I have to go to work afterwards." I shout from the living room.

He comes running down the stairs a little while later in his white shorts and green shirt which had 'AVENGERS' printed on it.

"Careful on those, buddy." I say pointing at the stairs.

"Let's go, Zoe." he says and holds my hand dragging me out to door.

I nod at the guards and settle him in the car seat at the back.

Turning on the engine, I reverse the car out of my driveway, the guards rushing to open the huge iron gates.

"Zoe." he calls.

"Yes baby." I hum.

"When will I be able to sit in the front seat with you?" he asks innocently.

"Baby, you've asked this question a gazillion times now. I told you, when you turn eight, I'll remove the car seat and when you turn twelve, you can sit right next to me. Okay?" I reply.

I might sound paranoid but it's for his own safety plus he's a very clumsy kid. Always getting in trouble.

A sad expression takes over his soft features but he refrains from further argument.

I love him so much, he's my baby. My family. My everything.

"You know I love you, right?" I coo looking in the back mirror.

He grins and bobs his head up and down.

"I love you too." he replies.

For a two and a half years old kid, his speech and senses are really good.

He observes a lot and learns pretty quickly. He has a sharp mind, he's even memorized mine and Braylon's numbers.

We arrive at the park, and I unbuckle his seat, picking him up before unlocking the door.

As we enter the park, I see a lot of kids playing and running with their parents or friends.

I settle him on the ground and he runs in the direction of the small pond located at the far right corner of the park.

That's our spot.

Ebenezer doesn't have a lot of friends at school. Only two actually, one boy and one girl.

I'm okay with it as long as he's happy and they are all good with each other.

He passes me the football and I start running in the direction opposite to him.

He chases after me and even though I'm great at football, I let him get to me and take the ball away, scoring a goal.

A huge, old oak tree is our goal.

Funny, I know.

When he turns five, I promised to sign him up for a football training camp.

I pout and fake disappointment earning me the sweetest melody of his giggle.

"Okay, your turn." I say and start chasing after him.

He screams and run. I pretend as if it's a real struggle to catch up to him.

We go like that for a while before I finally take the ball with ease and score a goal.

He high five me and I turn around when I hear a violent honking of the car on the roadside.

The traffic starts moving and I sigh. I absolutely hate it when someone honks unnecessarily.

It causes noise pollution and it's nasty.
We stay there for another hour before I drop him home.

His nanny, Lola, is an eighteen year old and comes around four in the afternoon.

Honestly, I am not really satisfied with her because she can be careless at times but she needed the money and there was no one else available at the moment so it was a win win situation for both parties.

Giving her the usual daily dose of instructions, I drive towards my archery club.

I loved archery ever since childhood. I saw people around me getting trained all the time since my father was a part of the mafia.

He was the second in command hence why I took interest in crossbows and guns. Plus my aim was perfect.

I am going to get my degree officially next week on Monday. While I was in highschool, I worked at a cafe as a pastry chef for two years. The money was good since the cafe was famous and well liked.

My cooking skills are good. My parents made me take piano, violin and swimming classes but I only took interest in piano lessons. Never liked violin and have bathophobia.

When I was in my Junior year, I started giving piano lessons on weekends. And let me tell you, here in Rome, tutors charge a lot.

I was saving money for four years. My parents were filthy rich, my monthly transfer of payment was made exactly on the first of every month but I never used it completely.

I kept saving it and then bought a car for myself.

After the first year of my college, I resumed my job as a tutor, saved some more, invested in a restaurant here and today I own eighty-five percent of the shares there.

Two and a half years go, Ebenezer was born. I tried to keep working but eventually gave up after a year.

Bringing him up was hard but it was one of the few beautiful experiences I've ever been through.

Braylon was always there to support me. He even stayed up at nights with Ebenezer when I was absolutely drained.

I can't be enough thankful for him. I love him so much.

I reach the club and walk towards the field, today is Friday. The club remains close on Thursdays and Fridays because I have to spend time with Ebenezer.

However, I see Marriane there trying to practice but failing miserably at every shot.

Finally, she pauses for a while, looks around. She doesn't see me because I'm standing at the right corner, leaning against a tree.

She picks up the crossbow again and aim more accurately than before.
The arrow shoots through the hair and hit the bullseye.

I start to clap loudly for her and she turns around, startled to see me.

"Took you long enough, Marianne." I comment keeping a straight, blank face.

I know I make her uncomfortable at times but that's how it is.

She will never learn if she's too comfortable around me.

"You know," I say and start walking towards her "It took me years to be where I am today. I'm not being self centered but I shoot perfectly because I have a clear mind. I pull my big girl panties up and get my shit together before stepping out in this clearing." I now stand in front of her with a clenched jaw.

"I'm sorry." she gulps.

"I don't care." I shrug displaying zero emotions.

This is who I am when I'm not around Braylon or Ebenezer.

Cold. Void. Emotionless. Impassive. Immune.

Taking the crossbow from her, I pull an arrow out from the quiver, draw it, aim and release.

Bullseye.

"You have a month to master crossbows. We'll be moving to airbows afterwards. If you fail, you're out for good." I tell her and her eyes pop out of their sockets.

She opens get mouth and I shake my head.

"You know my family history. Because of father, we face his enemies every second day. I know you like it when we sometimes go together as a team to sort shit out. If you want to be a part of it, prove your worth." I say and walk out.