His Little Flame

Chapter 29: Aïe

☽ MAEVE ☾

I'm sitting on the balcony of Elias's bedroom with my knees pulled to my chest and a book in my hands... well the same book for the 100th time again, Pride and Prejudice.

I brush my fingers over the inked words on the inside cover. I miss my parents, especially my father and sometimes... France. I don't want to go back. I don't think I ever want to go back... but I can't deny that I miss it.

I reach over to my side and pick the last strawberry from the bowl Blair—who's been looking especially somber lately—brought me earlier. For some odd reason, it feels like I'm being kept upstairs.

For example, when I went down the steps to get a snack, Blair stopped me and got me one instead—hence the strawberries. Also, I went to grab my phone because I left it in the sunroom, but Luca stopped me and told me he'd grab it for me.

I haven't even seen Elias today. The last time I saw him was when Gio and I fell asleep on the couch last night. When I woke up I was in Elias's bed but Elias wasn't there... it might have to do with the fact that I woke up sometime around the mid-afternoon.

I do feel super refreshed now so I'm not complaining.

I sigh, shutting the book and setting it on my lap. I turn over to the now-empty bowl, grabbing it as I stand and leave the balcony. Once I step out of Elias's room, into the hallway another maid comes up and carefully snatches the bowl from my hands, mutters an apology, then runs back down the steps.

Okay... I let the weird occurrence slip my mind.

Where's Elias? I miss him.

I rush over to the steps and slowly step down the steps one by one. Only three steps down I spot Elias speaking with a group of men, each of them hanging off of his every word.

One of the men of the group turns his head to me. His eyes widen and he nudges the man beside him, who has his back turned to me. The man turns, revealing a small face, framed in short hair. And that's also not a man... it's a woman... or a girl. She looks very young. She turns back to the previous man and whispers to him.

Elias turns his head and sees me, the corners of his lips quickly kicking up then quickly dropping back down into a firm line. Elias waves his hand, shooing the men and woman away from him before rushing over to the stairs.

I rush down, beaming a smile. "Eli!" Elias stops me by the waist, keeping me from completely descending the stairs.

"Piccolina, stay in my room for a while," he says, looking back over his shoulder. Once he notices that the group is still standing, staring at us, he takes a step up, blocking my view of them.

"Why?" I ask him, pushing my face into his chest, "I miss you."

Elias turns his head slightly and scratches his reddening ears, "I have a meeting with my men—,"

"And women," I add.

"And women," Elias continues. Elias cups my cheek with his giant hand, "stay upstairs, out of sight. I don't want you to be seen."

"W-why?" I begin to stutter, feeling a cry swell in my throat, "are- are you ash-shamed of me?" I blurt as my vision blurs.

Elias quickly whips his head back to his men—and woman. "fuori!" He barks at them, making them scramble out instantly. He wipes away a stray m tear and pulls my face closer to his. "Never say that again," Elias demands with authority in his voice.
(Italian- Out!)