Becoming a DeMarlo

36: "And how can I ever trust you?"

Chapter 36: "And how can I ever trust you?" 

I immediately got up from the seat to go and find Elijah.

"Lucky" for me, he was just entering the house, with a faint smile on his face.

Well, that was about to change real soon.

"Elijah. I need to talk to you," I announced, clutching the file tightly in my hand.

My eldest brother's gaze first fell on me, and then on the file. As I had guessed, his expression quickly soured. 

"What is that?" he asked, referring to the item in my hand.

"You tell me," I replied, finding just a little bit of rage come out. "It's details on my siblings. Did you order this?"

Elijah's jaw tightened as I spoke, only proving that my theory was right. Of course, he was behind this. 

Ignoring me, he turned to yell, "Greg!"

I watched as the bodyguard immediately ran out from somewhere in the house to appear in front of Elijah.

"Yes, Boss?" 

Elijah pointed to the file in my hand.

"Where the hell did she get that from?"

Greg looked to where he was gesturing, and then gained a nervous look on his face.

"I-I'm not sure, Boss."

This was not the right answer.

Elijah glared at him like he was ready to kill him. He took a step closer, his stature powerful and echoing authority.

I felt bad for Greg.

"When I gave you the files to shred," Elijah said quietly, "did you or did you not follow my orders?"
Greg went pale. "I did, Boss. I must have missed one."
Elijah stared at him for a long second. I had chills run up my spine from the murderous look Greg was receiving, and I wasn't even the one Elijah was looking at.  "Leave."

Greg didn't need to be told twice. Without sparing me a glance, he disappeared back to wherever in the house he had been posted. 

Elijah now turned back to look at me, and I, too, felt a little nervous from his expression.

But then I remembered the file and gained a bit of courage. I had the upper hand now, as for once, Elijah wasn't the only one holding secrets. 

"Come, little girl. Let's talk in my office," Elijah sighed, walking past me to go upstairs.

—

I arrogantly sat in front of Elijah now — who had removed his long, black coat and outerwear to sit across from me in an elegant suit. I was trying very hard to exude the amount of seriousness I felt this situation deserved. 

"Yes, Miss. Nosy. Tell me what you want to know about now," Elijah began, leaning back into his chair.

"It's not being nosy, Elijah. Of course I'm going to open the goddamn file if I see it," I fired, not liking his accusation. 

He dismissively waved his hand for me to move on. I huffed but continued.

"Why did you even want all this information on them?" 

"Because I'm just as curious as you are."

"This is not being curious, this is...this is being creepy," I argued.

Elijah shrugged at this. 

"That's subjective. I don't think there's anything creepy in wanting to know the full story. Isn't that what you want as well?"