Today, Tomorrow, Forever

Chapter 7: Troublemaker

Aria and Loraine - the twins' mother, were in the middle of a tea&biscuits soirée when they noticed that Elle had left. 

Aria stood up, heading towards the door but Loraine caught her sleeve.

"Don't worry about your sister. Let her cool off a bit. She'll find her way around here, whilst she's de-stressing."

Aria sat back down. She picked up her cup, her mom poured her some more tea, and the conversation resumed from where it was last left off. 

Just as this peaceful family idyll was taking part in the office, Elle was running down the stairs, panting and raging. 

She was unsure of what she wanted to do next. A thousand ideas crossed her mind and she tossed all of them aside. She had an impulsive nature and she was fully aware that at moments like this, her decisions were always adrenaline-driven. At the bottom of a staircase, she paused, looked at the door, and kicked it open with all the force she had in her. 

"Woah!" - she's heard from the other side of the door. - "Watch it!"

It was Gino - the guy from the estate with gardens. 

"Oh, it's you." - muttered Elle. - "The mushroom guy."

"Yeah. Gino is the name I go by but 'mushroom guy' will do too. For now." - he gave her a serious look. Elle shivered.

"Okay, Gino" - said Elle, emphasizing his name. - "So, what is there to do around here?"

"Plenty! Gym, swimming pool, school café... Take your pick!" - Gino's face lit up. 

"Can we go out?"

"Not anymore. Remember, I told you that the new principal..."

"Oh yeah, the new principal, also known as my mom, locked people in here and forbid them to go out. Definitely remember hearing that from you."

"Hold up! What?"

"I said we are not allowed to leave. I remember."

"No, I'm not going on about that. The principal is your mom?" - Gino made it sound like a rhetorical question but his eyes gave out that he was waiting for an answer and he was afraid to hear it as affirmative. 

"Imagine that... I don't want to talk about it though" - said Elle, rolling her eyes to the back of her head. - "Why? Does that bother you?"

"Not at all!" - it was obvious that he was lying. He jibbed back. 

"Good! So, we're all set then."

"To do what?"

"We are going out!"

Gino looked down at Elle questioningly. 

"Come on! Are you coming?" - Elle was so keen to get out of this place that she so longed for before, she didn't even glance up at Gino. - "If you're not coming, I'm going alone!"

A few minutes later, they were at the same gate where they've met. Andrew was still on the other side.

"Hey, Andrew!" - screamed Elle, suddenly acknowledging how essential Andrew's existence was to her right now - he was her ticket to freedom, which in her head defined as any place away from her mom. 

"Yes, Ms. Elle. I got locked out but I called Ms. Aria and she told me how to get inside. I'm about to enter the code to the door."

"Well, can you hurry? You can drop off our luggage in the nearby shed, the reception staff will take care of it."

"Yes, Ms. Elle. Are you sure you wouldn't want me to ensure that it's delivered to your rooms by bringing it there myself?"

"I'm sure! You're coming with us! I am going out with my new friend!"

As she said this, the big heavy-looking gate opened and Andrew, still serious-looking but heavy-breathing, appeared. He was still holding Aria's Louis Vuitton purse.  

"Start turning around! I'm kind of in a rush."

Clueless, Andrew turned around and started walking back to the car. The trolley with all the luggage except Aria's purse was already neatly parked there.

"Leave her purse too! She might look for it while we're out." - said Elle, getting annoyed at Andrew's serene behavior and slow, steady movements.

"I'm sorry Ms. Elle. Ms. Aria instructed specifically to have this purse on me at all times."

"Oh yeah? Why is that? Give it to me!" - she threw out her arm and gripped the purse. 

But Andrew was stronger.

"I'm sorry Ms. Elle. I will not let go of it."

"Why?" - she was getting angry now. 

"I'm employed by Ms. Aria and I will only answer in front of her. This is a matter of her privacy." - he didn't even blink as he said it.

"Of course it is!" - said Elle sarcastically. - "As if she trusts her driver more than me!" 

"Ms. Elle, I'm here at your services, as long as they do not concern your sister's confidentiality. Is there any way I can help you? Please, get in the car. I'm waiting for your instructions."

Gino and Elle got in the back of the car. Gino was clearly uncomfortable and didn't know how to act, or whether he should say something, but acting tough, he remained silent. He let Elle get in first and then, he followed her inside the Bentley, where he laid back and sighed. He was clearly very tensed up and feeling out of place, despite the act he put on. Elle looked over at him and laid her hand on top of his as a sign of reassurance. He didn't push it back.

"Relax." - said Elle, giggling. - "I know it all seems weird now. But you'll get used to it if you stick around." - she glanced at him meaningfully. 

Gino looked back at her with a rebellious, fiery spark in his eyes. He put another hand on top of hers and ran his fingers up and down her palm, which he's turned over. Then, he bent closer to her... - she felt his lips against her ear. She was hypnotized. 

He got even closer, bringing up his hand to her face, whilst still holding her by the fingers, touched her skin, and whispered:

 "I guess I'll stick around then." 

She pushed his hand away from her cheek. Her skin was hot. 

He let her hand drop, drawing himself back, and looked in her eyes. 

The time has stopped...

Her hand languished off the leather seat, whilst the other one was still resting on top of his. His free hand grabbed her chin, whilst his eyes were still focused on hers. He brushed his thumb against her lips. His eyes were piercing through her whole body, slowly and tormentingly. She waited...He moved his lips:

"It's nice to meet you, Elle."

The car took off.