The Marvelous Elijah's Return novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31 

Whatever that was

The room was quiet for a while, and Elijah studied Bryan’s eyes, wondering if he was someone he wanted to risk the act of “mess around and find out” with at such a crucial moment in bis life 

“Understandable, and I respect your decision… But if I am not involved in some deep shit?” Bryan asked, arching a brow challengingly. Peeking at Matt again, Elijah hesitated, but when Matt twitched his brows slightly, he faced Bryan and said, “Then you got yourself a deal.” “Well, I can drink to that,” Bryan said with a small smile as he picked up Elijah’s glass and reached it out to him. 

But Matt tried to grab the glass and accidentally spilled it all over Elijah’s coat, and when he noticed that, he exclaimed, “Oh, fuck! Sorry, sir!” “It’s fine,” Elijah said, reaching over for a napkin, and patting down his shirt and pants, 

“I am sorry. I should have known better than to serve you a glass of wine that has been pulled without your presence.” Bryan apologized quickly, feeling glad that it was a clear wine and it didn’t leave a nasty stain on the jacket. 

Scowling at Bryan, Matt narrowed his eyes at him and said, “I am glad you know… I am sorry, but for security reasons, I can’t let you serve him anything not sealed or properly labeled, sir.” 

Knowing exactly what Matt was talking about, Bryan nodded, understanding that the fact he knew Elijah’s real identity made him a potential threat, and it was going to take time for that to change, and things to ease between them. 

That is why he didn’t want to be honest with Elijah at first because he feared that he would be less trusted. 

But that didn’t bother Bryan because he knew nothing satisfactory happens without effort, lots of sweat, tears, and blood, and that is why he had to be sincere. After all, in it all, trust is the most important element. 

“I should get home. I hate how I stink with the scent of alcohol.” Elijah mumbled after a few seconds of awkward silence. 

Then he stood from the leather couch and said, “Thank you for having me, Bryan. It’s somewhat a relief to know your reason for wanting to help me.” 

“Will this meeting be the last of its kind?” Bryan asked and leaned back in his seat, feeling worried. 

Meeting his eyes, Elijah paused for several long moments before nodding slowly, saying, “I hope it won’t be.” 

“Trust me. Neither do 1,” Bryan told him sincerely, before standing from his chair and extending his hand to Elijah, Without any hesitation, Elijah grabbed his hand and shook it, and said, “Goodbye for now.” With her head resting on the counter, Peach looked at the wall clock in the motel lobby and then sigh, mumbling, “What are you waiting for, huh, Peach?!” 

Pouting, she closed her eyes, trying to stop thinking about Elijah and how it was getting dark outside, but her mind was racing with thoughts of him, even though she waited for it to stop because it leads to feelings that felt so wrong and yet right at the same time, 

She had a crush on Elijah… A crushi… It started as a small and harmless one, but now it has 

grown bigger and stronger every single day. 

She couldn’t control it. It had taken a hold of her life, making her forget that he just got divorced… that he’s her cousin’s ex-husband, that it had just been days since they met. 

How such a feeling could exist was beyond her, and that is something that scared her. She was afraid of rejection. Her mother was right. Rushing into something would only leave her hurt, 

“How do I make my heart understand that though?” Peach whispered, covering her face with her hands. 

Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening got Peach’s attention, and she immediately raised her head to see Elijah and Matt, walking into the lobby. Standing to her feet, Peach wiped her hands on her pajama pants nervously and walked over to them, but then the smell of strong alcohol aroma on Elijah made her frown and furrowed her eyebrows as she thought, “He’s drunk?” “Hey, Peach,” Matt said, walking off, leaving the both of them alone. Pouting at Elijah, Peach hesitated before asking softly, “How much did you have to drink?” 

“None,” Elijah said with a weak smile. 

Then he walked off, leaving Peach pouting after him as she mumbled, “Liar.”