Paint Me Red

9. The Boss

ELLARIA'S POV:

Sunlight streamed through the patches of wood and directly on my face causing my head to turn to the right side.

I peeled my eyes open, blinking them rapidly to adjust to the bright yellow rays of light. The events of last night came flashing back to my mind causing the molten puddle of anger to bubble again inside of me.

My dress was creased and was spread lazily on my right side exposing my left leg completely. My neck hurt due to falling asleep in an awkward position.

I got up slowly and carefully, my hand cradling my neck. My clutch was placed beside me on the wooden floor. It took me a few seconds to steady my wobbly legs.

Suddenly I remembered that I promised Ebenezer to return back home early but after what had happened, I wanted to be anywhere but there. I needed to cool off.

My father was an A class bastard for doing what he did last night. He very well knew that I would never have agreed to take up his offer or follow his line of work so he made it public without my consent and knowledge. I cannot even say I am disappointed in him.

Grabbing my clutch and heels in one hand, I opened the door with the other and climbed down the five steps ladder. I turned around to take in my surroundings and a small smile graced my lips. On my right side was a cliff and you could see the massive amount of water running down in the small lake from the opposite direction.

To my left was a small, rocky path which led out of the forest. I looked up at the sky to see the sun now being swallowed by the clouds meaning that it was going to rain soon.

Standing here on the cold, dry, rocky and soiled surface barefoot, gave me an odd sense of satisfaction.

Opening my clutch, I grabbed my phone from inside and unlocked it. My eyes widened slightly as I saw thirty missed calls from Braylon and twelve from Marianne. I was about to tap on the screen when my phone went off flashing Braylon's caller ID on the screen.

I swiped to answer and kept the phone at a safe distance to prevent my ears from all the loud scolding he was going to do.

"ELLARIA ZOE AMBROSE! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? WE HAVE BEEN GOING CRAZY HERE ALL NIGHT." he shouted through the phone.

"Bray, I am sorry for not returning you calls but I am not sorry for running away." I calmly replied.

"Whatever, just come home." he sounded tired now.

"Be there in thirty." saying this, I hung up.

I sighed and closed my eyes listening to the chirping of birds and the sound of water which instantly calmed my nerves.

The tree house was located at the back of the forest. I built it when I was eighteen and it took me almost six months, a few cuts and scratches and a lot of hammers on my thumb. This area seemed to be abandoned since nobody ever came here. Even Braylon does not know about this place.

My car was parked near the big old tree that had been there for as long as I can remember. I walked towards it and got in igniting the engine.

The road that connected the forest with the main roads was a long stretched straight path between trees on its either sides. It was beautiful to say the least. I discovered this place once when I got lost on my way back to home almost five years ago and instantly fell in love with it.

Twenty minutes of more driving later, my house came in view. It was a fairly large two storeyed house with it's glass walls exposing the interior to every passerby in the daylight.