Two steps ahead ; A Billionaire Romance Book 2 [Completed]

Chapter 23 Apology

Third person's pov

"Eli!"

Meera gazes at Evelyn tearing up at immediately seeing Elijah at her room's threshold. Meera was a little surprised at how fast Evelyn changed her expression and started acting. Meera turned around when she heard Elijah stepping inside. Their eyes met instantly, sadness and guilt filled in his eyes. Meera was strangely feeling bad. She didn't want to but can't help it seeing Elijah and to top it Evelyn was also deceiving him. Speaking of the eighteen-year-old who flung herself at him and hugged tightly and sobbed without giving anyone a chance to speak,

'Eli! How could you doubt sister-in-law, she truly likes you!"

"She told you?"

asks Elijah doubtfully looking at Meera and hugging Evelyn back. Meera doesn't know what to say. She averts her eyes to Evelyn who cries out,

"Yes! Sister-in-law was crying and ran into me in the hallway. I am hurt and angry with you Eli, I didn't think you would do that to her"

Elijah apologetically looks at both Meera and Evelyn. Sighing, he cups Evelyn's face and wipes her tears away thinking if she only knew what things he has done to his doe. Gently, he says in a soft voice to Evelyn,

"Forgive your brother Eve, I surely did a grave mistake which I regret"

Meera couldn't believe Elijah believed Evelyn without a single doubt. It only made her feel worse for him. Again, their eyes met and this time she didn't look away wondering how a powerful and dominating man like Elijah was being fooled by his own sister. Love does that to you, she thought. Evelyn holding Elijah's hand which brought his gaze from Meera to her, demanded,

"Apologize to sister-in-law Eli, just right now!"

Elijah smiled down at his sister, nodding. Meera saw Elijah approaching her, and with his every step, her heart started beating louder. It was bizarre. She looked up at him when he stood before her with a soft smile. She swallowed, not liking the feeling of being seen with admiration by Elijah. It felt wrong. Holding her hands gently in his hands, Elijah stated apologetically,

"I am so sorry doe for doubting you, please forgive me"

Meera silently stared at Elijah who in her eyes was pitiful knowing nothing about his deceiving sister and wife and being fooled by both of them. He was honest and sincere and Meera knew since she left their room how guilty he looked. Bringing his hands to her cheek when she said nothing, Elijah affectionately caressed it. From the back of them both, they heard Evelyn,

"My brother never said sorry sister-in-law, just already make up!"

Shaking his head, Elijah gazed at the conflicted face of his doe, her nose, and cheek were red, eyes puffy from crying. He felt his heart shrink. Softly pecking her forehead, Elijah again apologized,

"Please forgive me, doe. Give me this one last chance to make you happy, take all the hurt and pain I gave you away. Let me treat you with love and like the queen you are to the king I am"

Meera wanted to laugh at his silliness when he said to his king. He didn't forget to still show that she was his. She knows she has to forgive him for her plan. But her heart was all jittery since she got to know about Evelyn and her motive. She was feeling bad for Elijah unintentionally and felt she should apologize to him instead. She doesn't know what happened in the past but her heart didn't want him to suffer another heartbreak if Evelyn hinted right. It was all so conflicting. Meera was confused. And Elijah saw it on her face. Removing the frown lines from her face by rubbing his fingers on her forehead, he admits,

"I promise you, doe, I won't hurt you again"

But I am going to hurt you, she thought. Which didn't sit right with her. Shaking all the unwanted feelings aside, she concentrated on accomplishing her plan. Looking into Elijah's eyes, she spoke,

"I forgive you but on one condition"

"Anything, doe"

agreed Elijah without missing a beat. Meera smiled internally, as that's what she wanted. She stated,

"You have to prove yourself by revoking my job contract of debt and five-year working duration"

Elijah blankly stared at Meera. He was not expecting it. But understanding it as her protecting herself. After all, he has bound her to him through that contract at first, but now she is his wife and it is not useful anymore. Smiling, he gave in,

"Of course, doe"

"You are forgiven"

Meera smiled, she won her first round in the plan. A clapping sound filled the room. They both stared at Evelyn clapping happily, cheering,

"Yey! Now that's what I like. The only thing left is kiss and makeup, so kiss already!"

Elijah with no problem, joined their lips, kissing Meera sweetly. She kissed back feeling the emotions Elijah wanted her to feel through the kiss. Add to it, her stomach was fluttering. She wanted to avoid it but can't, her heart was beating loudly too. Elijah pulled back and hugged her tightly uttering in her ear,

"Thank you doe for giving me this chance"

Nodding, she hugged him back. A sweet warmth filled her chest being in his arms strangely. Today was weird for her, she was feeling too strange. Looking over his shoulder, she saw Evelyn smirking at her with a thumbs up mouthing "welcome partner". Right. At one moment she thought Elijah heard them both but thankfully Evelyn handled the situation, sensing he might not have heard them which proved right later. Exhaling exhausted, Meera relaxed in his weirdly comforting embrace thinking about how she was now partners with Evelyn, Elijah's so-called innocent sister.

Elijah was feeling happy. He snuggled in Meera's neck further inhaling her calming intoxicating scent. For a moment he was not sure if she will forgive him but he was surely not going to leave her. He was feeling guilty and sad when she ran out crying. Standing unmoving in their room back with shoulders heavy with regret, he didn't know if he should go after her or give her space. But he felt restlessness engulfing him in a tight grip thinking about her crying in pain. He can't tolerate that, him apart with his doe. So he was out of the room searching for his doe to clear the argument and air between them. Roaming in the hallway, he stumbled upon Evelyn's room he had in his mansion whenever she came to live with him. He saw Evelyn and his doe standing and looking at each other silently. Evelyn had tears stained on her cheeks. He for a second thought if his doe hurt her. He loves Evelyn so much. He wants to see her always happy after what happened in the past. He doesn't regret what he did, it was right for his oblivious sister who didn't know people's real faces and danger. Since then he is very protective of her and can do anything for her happiness. He was content with his life now. Everything was fine. He has his doe and family. They are all happy and going to celebrate Evelyn's birthday. Everything is perfect. Smiling he places a chaste kiss on Meera's neck and tightens his hold around her wanting to feel her more.