Chapter 45
Elara decided to go to the beach with him.
It wasn’t that far. Julius had said ten minutes maybe. And honestly, what else was she going to do? Go back to the house and sit alone while Marcus worked?
She called the waiter over, and asked for the bill.
The waiter brought it. She pulled out Marcus’s black card to pay, of course it was Marcus card.
Julius grabbed her hand gently and smiled.
“Wait. What are you trying to do? Pay? When I’m here?”
He pulled out his own card. Handed it to the waiter before Elara could protest.
She was shocked but didn’t show it. She wasn’t about to let this guy know she wasn’t used to people paying for her. That this kind of thing didn’t happen in her normal life. She had to act like she knew what she was doing. Like she was used to this lifestyle. I mean, she looked like it now. Expensive dress earlier today. Designer bags in her shopping haul. The ring she’d hidden in her purse probably cost more than this entire meal.
Julius stood and held out his hand. Helped her up from her chair.
They were about to walk to the door when Elara remembered.
“Oh! I forgot this.” She pointed to the big shopping bag sitting by her chair..The Gucci scarf for Emeka and the charm bag for Mimi.
Julius walked over and picked it up for her. Like it weighed nothing.
“A little shopping?” He smiled.
“Yeah. Got something for my friends back home.”
“Where’s home?”
“New York.”
“Really? I have family in Connecticut. Not too far from New York. I visit sometimes.”
“Small world.”
They walked to his car. A gray Mercedes, not this normal one, just don’t know how to describe it. But sure as hell it’s expensive as shit. The kind of car that screamed money.
Juls opened the passenger door for her as he helped her in. He closed it gently. Opened the back door to
put her shopping bags on the seat. Then walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
The engine started.
This man was fine, oh. Eh, Really fine. Black American from what she could tell. Curly hair. Tattoos
Mon, May
Chapter 15
running down his left arm. Visible when his sleeve rode up as he shifted gears.
Damn.
But if she was being honest, Marcus was finer. Something about Marcus’s sharp edges. His cold exterior. The way he looked at her sometimes like he wanted to devour her.
She was a sucker for fine men. Always had been.
They got to the beach in less than ten minutes.
And honestly, it was even more beautiful than Julius had described. The water was blue and crystal clear. The sand is soft and white. The moon reflecting off the waves. A few lanterns set up along the shore giving everything a warm glow.
It would have pained her if she didn’t visit this place before leaving Santorini.
The staff at the beach welcomed Julius like he was someone important, and regularly visited there. Like someone with money. She should have known. The car. The confidence. The way he carried himself.
They settled into lounge chairs near the water.
Elara was wearing her short denim skirt so getting into the water wasn’t a big deal. She took off her sandals and walked to where the waves were lapping at the shore. Didn’t go too far. Just let the water touch her
feet.
She brought out her phone and made these low exposure videos, those type of aesthetically pleasing video that influencers post on Insta****.
She captured herself, the water, the surroundings and allowed Juls to appear towards the end of the video.
Julius stayed back. Just watching her. Smiling and relaxed.
She played in the water for a bit. Splashed around. Let herself enjoy the moment. The beauty. The freedom. The fact that for once she wasn’t thinking about contracts or secrets or anything complicated.
When she walked back, Julius was still watching her.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“Yeah. This place is amazing. Thank you for bringing me.”
“Anytime.”
They talked more. About absolutely nothing and about everything. Elara found herself teasing him. Flirting harder than she should. Knowing exactly what she was doing. Trying to make Marcus jealous even though he wasn’t here to see it. Even though this whole thing was petty and stupid.
But it felt good. Felt like she had control for once.
Julius matched her energy perfectly. Laughed at her jokes. Teased her back. Made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t felt in a while.
At one point he walked over to where she was sitting. He was extremely tall. Towering over her even when
14:44 Mon, May 11
Chapter 45
she was standing.
“How tall are you?” Elara asked. Then gave him that look. The one that said exactly what she was thinking. Keeping direct eye contact. “Do the carpets match the drapes?”
Julius smiled. Wide and amused. “I’m six-four. And yeah. The carpets match the drapes. Trust me.” He glanced down at his shorts. “Do you want to find out?”
They both laughed very loud. Real laughs that made her stomach hurt.
He honestly matched her energy. Didn’t get weird about it. Just played along.
When Elara checked the time again it was 11:05 PM.
Shit.
“I should probably head back,” she said.
“Already?”
“Yeah. It’s late.”
“Let me drive you.”
Of course. That was the plan anyway. She didn’t protest.
She described where the house was. The street. The general area. Julius nodded like he knew exactly where
she meant.
They drove back through the quiet streets. Windows down. Warm air blowing through the car. Music playing softly on the radio. This boy liked afro beats….The entire drive was like a mini concert.
When they pulled up to the house it was 11:25 PM.
Julius parked. Turned off the ignition but left the interior lights on.
Elara saw Marcus. He was standing outside the front door. Both arms crossed..
She didn’t flinch. Didn’t react at all.
Julius turned to her. “Can I get your contact? I’d like to do this again sometime.”
Elara smiled. Leaned close to his ear. From outside it probably looked like she was kissing him. Whispering something intimate.
“If you want to do this some other time, then you’ll have to find me.”
Julius pulled back and smiled wide. “I like a challenge.”
He got out of the car. Walked around to her side. Opened the door for her like a gentleman. Helped her out. Went to the back seat and grabbed her shopping bags. Handed them to her.
Elara stood there and watched him get back in the car. She waved at him as she watched him drive off..
Chapter 45
Then she turned toward the house.
Marcus was still standing there. It was like his body had gone into shock. His expression was dark and honestly unreadable.
She walked up the pathway. Slowly. Taking her time like she didn’t know the chaos that was about to happen.
When she got close enough to hear him, his voice cut through the silence.
“Elara. What the fuck?”
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
14:44 Mon, May 11 J
Chapter 46
