REPUTATION

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Elijah

"You should know better by now, Elijah." Mummy's favourite words ring in my ear.

I sigh, rolling my eyes. "Mum. You honestly think I called the paps on myself?"

Mummy answers quickly with her other favourite words. "I wouldn't put it past you."

"Of course you wouldn't." I mutter underneath my breath, sneaking a glance out of the corner of my eye at Evelyn.

Her posture is ramrod straight, arms folded across her chest. The photographers took off, after taking some flattering photos of the two of us, thanks to her scowl and my bodyguard. Doesn't mean it won't be a trending headline soon enough, though. I should probably call Lorelei up before she finds out from someone else.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, a headache creeping on. From which it always does when my mum talks to me. It's always Why, Elijah? or You know better, darling. or Stay out of trouble. "I need to go, mum."

"Stay out of trouble, Elijah." Mum warns, her voice sounding weary.

I bite back a snarky comment. I've predicted every possible response she could come up with, by now.

I pull my phone away from my ear, pressing the end button.

Evelyn raises an eyebrow, and she looks every bit as gorgeous as she does in the pictures on the gossip blogs. Long blonde hair, ocean blue eyes. She could be mistaken for royalty if you just put a crown on her head.

Her words take me by surprise. "You are a prince?"

I run a hand through my dark brown hair, letting out a short laugh. "Didn't believe me, luv?"

The scowl falters.

"Wasn't enough prince for you?" I continue, making her blush. "I get that a lot."

"Sorry." She says, and if it wasn't eerily silent around us, I wouldn't have caught her apology.
She doesn't look apologetic in the least.

I wave it off with my hand. "You still want that ride?"

I exhale a breath, my eyes cutting to wear the black car waits. Ready to take me away.

Her mouth flattens into a thin line. "Why not?"

It seems she thinks she's doing me a favor.

What a snob.