Paint Me Red

18. Family Is Everything

ELLARIA'S POV:

I continued to watch his face for two whole minutes before I burst out laughing. His expressions were priceless.

"You, your face." I wheezed.

He scoffed and placed his cup on the counter before shaking his head, "That's not funny, you know." he spoke sternly.

I sobered up quickly but there were still remnants of smile on my face as I replied, "It was, you know. I should have recorded your expressions."

He rolled his eyes yet there was a small smile dancing on his lips and I got off the stool to collect his plate when his voice halted my movements, "Who is the real father of Ebenezer? If you don't mind me asking."

My eyes casted down for a second before I blinked up at him, "My father." I told quietly.

He chuckled and playfully glared at me, "Stop joking."

"I am not." I replied blankly.

He eyed me in confusion as he tried to process the information, "What?"

"Nobody knows. And nobody should." I warned him and continued, "Ebenezer doesn't know either. He thinks he is adopted. When my parents figured that parenting isn't their thing, they distanced themselves from me. But after a few months, I saw my mother crying while holding a pregnancy test in her hand. That day, I made her promise that they will not abort the child and I will raise him like he's mine. So I did." I explained.

He looked at me in disbelief before speaking, "That is sick. They are sick."

I stayed quiet and he tugged me towards him before seating me on the counter top, "I had no idea. He never said anything about having any child other than you. I am so sorry, baby." he whispered looking up at me.

Warmth erupted in my heart as I kept my gaze on his soft, hazel eyes making me smile at him. I grabbed his red tie and tugged him forward before smashing my lips against his.

He wasn't shocked, like he was expecting it already, and kissed me back immediately. I smile into the kiss and pulled away after a while.

"That was sexy." he teased.

I winked at him and pecked his lips one more time before pushing him away and jumping off the counter.

"Listen, I have to go now but I will tell Jeremy to look in that matter. We can interrogate them when we find them." he told.

"Yeah, sure. I'll see you soon." I replied running a hand down my jumper.

"Ellaria." he whispered my name.

I looked up at him and nodded my head to show him that I'm listening when he, all of a sudden, cupped my face with a soft look in his eyes and said, "Thank you for training Acacia. And for everything you have sacrificed and done for this family."

My breathing hitched at the back of my throat as he leaned in after saying those words and I gave him a soft smile, "You don't have to say." I replied and pecked his lips.

He smiled and pulled away before we both left the condo together. I had to get home soon since Bray was here and Ebenezer will be fussy if he doesn't find me home when he comes back from school since he hadn't seen me this morning either.

On my way to home, all I could think of was why did I tell Ignazio about my parents. There was just something about him that made it easy to talk to him or more like blurt out in my case. Maybe it was his eyes that assured that I can trust him and it scared me because they held a promise.