Song: 'Build it Better' by Aron Wright
You can still see where the water was
In a line at the top of the chimney bricks
Sometimes, something so broken can never be fixed
So we saved a few things that were spared
And brought it to the ground
'Cause you always build it better the second time around
I drove past the place where we use to live
Where you said you never wanted kids
Sometimes, something so broken can never be fixed
I'm sleeping more and eating again
I'm starting over like a factory town
And you always build it better the second time around
You always build it better the second time around
You always build it better the second time around
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ELIJAH'S POV
Waking up the next morning, I freshened up and left early for the office.
My mind instantly went back to the events of last night, replaying them
I knew Ethan will not be a problem to deal with as he hardly ever dwell so much into problems, he out of all of us is really the free spirited in the family, he's the most soft hearted amongst us after mom.
Elena and I are very alike, regardless of them being twins, therefore she's the one I'll have to worry about.
We, siblings, have always been very close to each other, more than we are to our parents, and I being the eldest for some reason always have been very over protective of them, I've always tried to be their safety shield.
They were two years old when I was kidnapped by a mafia gang, the things I saw then are still to this day very terrorizing if I think about them from the perspective of an eight years old. I remember we all were traumatized for months that came after that, especially mom, and more so for Ethan and Elena as they were just toddlers.
Back then we weren't as stable financially, those were are struggling days, business had just started and therefore we didn't had so many resources for our protection as we have now.
At that tender age, I pledged to myself that I will let no harm to come their way. With dad's hard work and genius, business was soon up and running and by the time they were old enough to be by themselves we were already in a very secure position, extremely secure position might I add. They haven't known a life of struggle like my parents and I have seen. And I intend to keep it that way.
There's no need for them to get involved in this nonsensical mess of mine.
As for Elena, she'll be okay too, I'll talk to her soon in person. She'll understand.
Again, just like last night before falling asleep, another image came to my mind.
Image of her stiffening up in my arms, the look of disbelieve in her eyes, the tremor I felt in her when I kissed her.
She's damn good at what she does, acting all innocent. I don't get it why is she still pretending? After all, she got what she wanted.
In office she's another story. She's a competent person and very smart, too. Much to my surprise she's actually good at whatever she does, even if she hasn't done something before, she's a quick learner.
Still I never leave a chance to insult her, to tell her how incompetent she is.
Do I ever feel bad about doing so?
No.
She deserves this and much more. This is a very small price to pay.
And I'm not the one to be deceived so easily, I know who she actually is.
Despite her acting all naïve.
Though she does loose it more than often, she has the audacity to answer me back once in a while.
I wonder whether her asking me to stay the night was a suggestive of something or just slip of tongue? She did look embarrassed though.
Also, it was quiet comical too, to see her blabbering.
Anyways, we have to be more careful. She's right, we do need to sit together to get our facts straight.
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After attending a morning meeting with a client I came back to my own office.
My 'assistant' doesn't go with me, simply because, I don't take her along. I don't have to bear her for long than it's absolutely necessary.
Am I ruining her career by not letting her work and misleading her?
No, because I know she doesn't want to work, she just wants to be the rich girl who knows nothing but enjoys being a boss. If she actually wanted a career, she won't have gone the route she did.
When I opened the door to my room, I saw someone sitting in there.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I closed the door behind me.
"Waiting for you, of course" came an answer with an eye role.
"When did you come back?" I questioned as I sat on my chair.
"Just last night" same monotone as before.
"Okay." Getting back to work I picked up a file I was working on.
A few minutes passed until we both stayed quiet.
"So, what new in life?" since when is h...
We were interrupted by a knock, the door opened and came a voice.
"It's lunch time so I'm here as dec..." she paused mid-sentence and the screamed, "OH MY GOD, ANDY!!!!!"
She moved towards him, that too very fast and they both indulged in a hug.
HUH?? How do they know each other? Andrew is my best friend so I know most of the people he's associated with.
"It's so good to see you, it's been so long" she said with uncontained excitement.
"I know, little one, I was missing you too." He laughed back with the same energy and ruffled her hair lovingly.
"How do you two know each other?" I intruded their happy reunion.
"We have a screamy kind of relationship, don't we, Hannah." Said Andy, making her blush in the process. What?
I realized my eyebrow raised on its own and my fists clenched unintentionally.
"Umm, we... I mean he..." she started but he stopped her.
"You know what, I've got it," he put his hand on her shoulder, "do you mind giving us a moment, I'll meet you in a while, okay." Andy asked her politely and she look at me for confirmation. I gave her a slight to non-existent nod. She left.
It's my office, she's my wife, and she can't go without my dismissal.
Wait, wife did you say?
I mean employee, in office she's under obligation to take my permission.
"You're an asshole, do you know that?" Looking straight into my eyes, Andrew said to me in all seriousness, gone was his happy self from moments ago.
"Yeah, I know" I picked up the file and pen to resume my work.
"So much has happened and you didn't think it was important to tell me?" he complaint.
"What has happened? I asked nonchalantly.
"You getting married is what happened." My pen stopped midway and I looked up to him. His eye were unflinching and demanding answers.
"How do you know?" I asked unfazed
"Seriously, this is what you have to say for yourself?"
"Andy, how do you know" I repeated. The interaction from a while ago makes sense now.
"How do you think, Elijah? Because clearly you weren't the one to tell me" He sneered.
"That fucking bitch!" I said under my breath but it was audible, "I told her not to say a word." I got up from my chair and go to her office. She's dead meat.
"She didn't tell me!" he said immediately knowing my intentions. I can tell he can see the rage in my eyes.
"Don't you fucking lie to me, Andy."
"I'm not. I just happened to drop by the next day you had your dream wedding." I sat back on my chair, "The poor girl was sleeping on the couch, still in her wedding dress because she didn't know where her room or belongings were, shit scared by seeing a stranger in your house. Fuck, she thought it's my house because apparently the man she married left her on the doorstep and disappeared the same night." he paused for a few moments then continued again.
"I, being your best friend, or as I like to think I am, refused to believe her, accused Ethan who she had no idea exists because I knew you wouldn't do anything like this, at least not without my knowledge. Gave you a call to expose her but guess who got exposed instead. So between the two of us, I'm not the one who lied."
"She didn't tell me all this"
"Because I told her not to."
"And being my wife, she listened to you over my words?" I accused.
"For fuck's sake, Elijah. Are you not listening to me or have you lost all human tendencies? I visited her twice after that but she had zero idea where on earth you were. Why would you marry her just to abandon her all alone like that? Do you have any guilt conscience left?"
"No." I answered in all honesty, "Anyways, what else did she tell you?" I asked with a passive face yet feeling more agitated.
"Nothing, and seeing the way you've just reacted I now know why. And secondly, because I didn't ask her, it's not her tale to tell. So now do you plan to tell me anything or I have to beat it out of you?"
So I told him everything, start to finish. It's the first time I've talked to anyone about. I can't deny I feel a little lighter.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I can go through the contract, I mean not to brag but I am a lawyer, and not any lawyer, your legal lawyer?"
"I did get it checked just not by you. The contract was curated by dad's lawyer, you think there would've been any loopholes." I stated facts.
"Though I still feel offended, still very angry that you kept in the dark for so long, and not as your lawyer, but what are you going to do?" we both are much calmer now.
I get that he's angry, more like hurt, but I've never been big on sharing, contrary to him who's very vocal with his emotions. We've been best friends since high school, I know he'll come around, he always does.
"What's there to done?" I questioned.
"Are you serious, you're going to waste two years of your life like this?"
"What else would I do?" what's so hard in it that he isn't understanding?
"Give to a chance, you moron. I know how things happened wasn't right but maybe it was destined to happen this way. You have to move on, Elijah, I know you feel we keep repeating ourselves like broken record but that is the truth, you can't keep living like this. Besides, you're doing wrong by that poor girl."
"That poor girl is not so poor as you keep saying or just like dad you've also gone blind to see past her ploy? After telling you everything, you still can't see her real face. She's a gold digging slut."
"Mind your language, she's your wife! I think maybe it's only you who've turned a blind eye to her. I think you're judging her way more harshly without even giving her a chance. Talk to her at least."
"What's left to talk after she told me all of it by herself? And more importantly I don't feel the need to take it further. I can't stand her more than I have to. I hate her, she can be dead for all I care" I said what I was feeling, my resentment towards her could not have been clearer. I hope he'll shut up now.
"I know you're my best friend but I can't recognize the man in front of me," His voice turned softer, "You were never like this, Elijah. We all empathize with what happened in the past but you've become too toxic that we hardly recognize you anymore. Stop punishing yourself and others on something no one had a control over, stop push everyone away before no one's left. Turn back before it's too late."
I kept looking at him with a numbing feeling, his words made me uncomfortable but I deliberately didn't let them affect me.
"Are you done?" I asked with no emotions whatsoever.
He looked at me with hopelessness in his eyes, "I guess."
"Come on, let's get some lunch." Picking up my jacket I moved towards the door and he followed.
I know this isn't the end of this conversation, he doesn't back down that easy.
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Author's Note:
*Nothing much, just fangirling over Andy*
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Much Love â¥ï¸â¥ï¸â¥ï¸