Raelynn stepped into the grand entryway of the house, her fingers clutching a single stem of a vibrant red rose. She brought it to her nose, inhaling its delicate fragrance. The sweet, floral scent lingered in the air, reminding her of lunch with Axel. She smiled faintly, the mont pleasant in her mind, though she wasn't sure why she still held onto the flower so tightly.
As she moved further into the house, the faint sound of music greeted her—a soft classical tune playing from sowhere deeper inside. The wide living room stretched out in front of her and Elion was there, lounging on the dark leather couch, his tall figure relaxed but commanding. In his hand was a crystal glass filled with deep crimson liquid.
She arched a brow at the sight, her steps faltering slightly before she continued. "Really? Wine? It's afternoon."
Elion tilted his head toward her, his silver eyes glinting with amusent. With his hand stretched lazily over the couch, he looked completely at ease. "No one ever set a rule for drinking wine," he replied smoothly, swirling the liquid in his glass. With his hand stretched lazily over the couch, he looked completely at ease. "And even if they did," he added, his lips curving into a faint smirk, "I wouldn't follow it."
Raelynn let out a small huff, rolling her eyes as she shrugged off her coat. "Of course you wouldn't." She placed her coat on the armrest of a nearby chair, shifting the flower in her hand absentmindedly.
Elion's gaze flickered to the flowers, lingering for a mont before he leaned forward slightly, setting his glass down on the low table before him. "How was your lunch?" he asked casually, though the curiosity in his eyes gave him away.
"It went well," Raelynn said simply, stepping into the living room. She traced her fingers along the back of a chair, glancing briefly at Elion before moving to sit on the opposite end of the couch.
He shifted back with a grace that seed effortless. "And who," he asked, sounded calm, "were you having lunch with? You haven't told yet."
Raelynn hesitated for a mont, her grip on the rose stem tightening slightly. She recovered quickly, brushing off her hesitation with a casual shrug. "Is it really necessary for you to know?" she asked, tilting her head as she t his gaze.
"Of course," Elion said, the corner of his mouth twitching into the ghost of a smirk. "Not that I care, but you are the mother of my child. It's important for to be... inford." He spoke carefully, but there was a weight to his words that she felt in her chest.
She studied him for a mont, her brows furrowing slightly. Elion's face was neutral, but his eyes held a fire that made her stomach flutter. Deciding there was no point in lying—after all, why would she?—Raelynn sighed softly.
"Do you rember the man from the other night?" she started, trying to sound calm. "The one who helped at the Weston party?"
Elion's expression didn't change imdiately, but the faintest flicker of sothing—recognition, perhaps irritation—crossed his features. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Raelynn glanced down at the rose in her hand, the vibrant petals suddenly feeling heavier under his gaze. "We ran into each other again," she continued, her voice softer now. "And... that's how we ended up agreeing to have lunch."
For a mont, there was silence. Elion's gaze remained fixed on her, his sharp features unreadable as he processed her words. "So," he said finally, his voice dropping an octave, "you were having lunch with him?"
Raelynn nodded, glancing up to et his eyes. "Yeah," she said, offering a small smile. "His na's Axel. He's... kind. And funny."
There was a barely noticeable tightening in his jaw, though his expression didn't change. "The flower," he said abruptly, cutting her off. "Is it from him?"
Raelynn blinked in surprise, thrown off by the change in his voice. Her eyes dropped to the flowers in her hand, their colors vivid under the light. "Yeah," she said, smiling faintly. "Pretty, right?" She looked back at Elion, her smile widening slightly as she admired the flower.
Elion rose from his seat without warning, startling her slightly. He usually seed so composed, but now there was sothing off as he walked silently to the hallway.
"Elion?" Raelynn called after him, confusion thick in her voice.
He didn't answer, walking away quickly without even looking back. The quiet sound of the office door closing echoed in the otherwise quiet room.
Raelynn sat there, staring at the spot where he'd been monts ago. The flowers in her hand suddenly felt heavier, its once-bright petals seeming to dim in the absence of his presence.
"What's going on with him?" she asked herself, her eyebrows pulling together. She slumped against the couch with a sigh, her mind buzzing with questions.
Honestly, Elion should be happy—no, thrilled—because she got along with her savior—their savior. By extension, Axel had saved their baby, and wasn't that the thing Elion cared about most? Yet he didn't look remotely pleased. Not one bit.
"Maybe it wasn't about or Axel," she mumbled, frowning as she recalled his intense look. "Maybe sothing else soured his mood." Her gaze darted toward the wine glass he'd been nursing earlier.
"Seriously, who sips wine in the afternoon?" She rolled her eyes, chuckling at the absurdity.
In his office, Elion stopped just beyond the door, his hand resting against the door. He ground his teeth slightly, his mind spinning with things he couldn't say. He let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand through his hair and walking off with a blank, stormy look.
Raelynn toyed with the flowers, her mind drifting to the man who had just left the room. Yes, Elion.
She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but sothing about his reaction left a strange feeling she couldn't shake off.
Reviews
All reviews (0)