The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 33: Take me home.

Alice

The past few months have been crazy.

Elijah has gotten an offer from the army. Apparently they've gotten wind of the fact that he's doing better, and he would only have to pass another psych eval to go back. We spent a whole evening talking about this chance, about what he wants to do with his life. And even though I insisted that he should think about the offer, he was very clear that he was done with it.

He fulfilled his duty, and he is not contractually obliged to return. To him, that means he can live his life in freedom now, that he can decide where he wants to go, even if he doesn't know that yet.

I can't deny that I'm glad. Of course I wanted him to stay, but I also didn't want to be the one who kept him from doing what he loves. I know what that's like, and I really don't want that for him.

I just want him to be happy.

"You make me happy, Alice. I'm happy with you, so that's all I need." Is what he said when I told him that, being the sappy man he can be sometimes.

I can't help but smile as I walk down the street, carrying my camera equipment back into my truck. I've had another photoshoot today, one for a burger commercial. Turns out people love that I'm a cook and know more about food than the normal photographer. Apparently that makes me the perfect candidate for food photography. Who would've thought that I'd ever end up combining the two things I love doing the most...

"Ah, look who it is!"

I'm just throwing my equipment in the truck when I hear his voice right behind me. Oh god, please, don't do this to me now...

"Miss Epione!" he says again, and I take another deep breath, gathering all the confidence I have before I turn around, facing him with a fake smile.

"Harrison." I nod my head, not really wanting to engage in any sort of conversation with him.

The young blonde woman on his arms looks utterly unimpressed as she twirls a strand of hair in her fingers, looking me up and down like I'm some sort of alien.

"Still trying to find your footing in the photography world, I see?" he asks, nodding at the equipment in my passenger seat. The smug grin on his face makes me want to slap it right off of him, but I keep my cool, not letting him provoke me as I cross my arms in front of my chest.

"Did you need anything in particular? I really need to get going." I hold his gaze as I answer, trying not to show how much his mere presence annoys me.

"Oh, no, I was just wondering... Is my son still living in that house with you? Or has he realized by now that you're only with him for his money?"

I can feel my blood boiling at his accusation. The fact that people could think that of me makes me feel uneasy, honestly. I know Elijah knows why I'm with him, and that I don't need his money. I make my own. It might not be much, but it's enough to live comfortably, and I surely don't want anyone to get the wrong picture here.

"I don't need to have this conversation with you, Mr. Howell. And I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of our lives. I think your son made that pretty clear the last time you saw him."

Thinking back to that day, to the way Elijah punched him right in the face for his disrespectful remarks, I actually have to suppress a smirk. I'm not a fan of violence, but considering the way Harrison treated his female employees somehow makes me believe that he deserved that. If not more.

"Ah, yes," he laughs, throwing his arm around the woman's shoulders. "I see you two found each other. Great! Let's see how long he'll stick to a lowlife like you, Miss Epione... I'm sure he'll want to follow in my footsteps sooner or later."