Chapter 86: Chapter 81

Song: 'Sunday Morning' by Maroon 5

Yeah

Sunday morning, rain is falling

Steal some covers, share some skin (I like that)

Clouds are shrouding us in moments unforgettable

You twist to fit the mold that I am in

But things just get so crazy

Living life gets hard to do

And I would gladly hit the road, get up and go if I knew

That someday it would lead me back to you

That someday it would lead me back to you (oh, someday)

That may be all I need

In darkness, she is all I see (all I see)

Come and rest your bones with me

Driving slow on Sunday morning

And I never want to leave

........................................................................

HANNAH’S POV

“Wake up, bitch! I've been calling you since forever.” A warm voice greeted.

“Have you? Goodness me, I didn't notice,” I said groggily with my eyes still closed.

“Someone's getting some hot action! Come on, sister, spill the beans,” she said in a sing-along voice. "Though, I understand if you slept late last night, considering, you know..." She suggested enthusiastically.

“Miles, it’s,” opening one eye, I checked the time, “7:53 in the morning. It's too early to make up stories and then make riddles about them.” I answered disinterestedly, wanting nothing more but to get back to sleep immediately; the urge to hang up had never been this strong.

“Oh, shut up! See my dedication that from the small window of time that I have for myself, I'm calling you. I have a fashion show in a few hours, which you're not attending, by the way, and which I'll keep reminding you till the end of your days.” I can tell she's rolling her eyes. “But now that I know why you're skipping it, I might not be as mad as I'm trying to sound. So come on, give me the tea at least; I deserve to know.” She pressed further whining like a baby.

I already feel bad for not attending her first runway show; I don’t want to be guilty of hanging up on her too.

“What tea, Miles, that too this early in the day? It’s Sunday, for God’s sake."

“Of your very public rendezvous in LA. Instead of hearing it from you, I'm reading it in some lowlife tabloid.” She squealed happily.

“What rendev…” I fumbled, unable to pronounce the word; it was too early to use French anyway. “What tabloid?”

“Oh my God, you don't know, girl, then wake up! I have to go now, but I'm sending you the link. I need all the details later—oooh, scandalous! Love it, love you, byeeee.” She immediately cut the call without waiting for me to understand what was going on, let alone give her an answer.

After that very weird call ended, though by Mila's standards it's decently weird and nothing overboard, my cellphone started buzzing, indicating texts from her, one of which said, 'I couldn't be happier for you'.

Struggling to keep my eyes open, I lazily shook the sleep away and opened the link she had sent. It's safe to say there was not a speck of sleep left in me to sleep ever.

I sprinted out of bed not caring about how I look or what I’m wearing and made my way towards his bedroom in haste.

I knocked gently at first.

I paced outside, waiting ‘patiently’ for him to open the door.

Those bits of patience soon wore thin, and I knocked again on his door, but a little aggressively this time.

“Elijah.”

I waited a few seconds more before losing it again.

I’m so worried here, and this man chose to sleep today out of all days.

“Open up.” I grew more and more impatient.

“Urgh, Elijah," I growled, "Open up, open up, open up! I swear to G..." the door swung open.

I gasped at the sight.

No, no, scratch that.

I gawked at the sight.

He stood in front of me, holding the door, waiting for me to speak up, but I felt my tongue tied in knots. My eyes traveled from his head to toe in slow motion. I think the wind also started blowing just then, but from where?

The man freshly out of the shower is a sight to devour, a towel concealing his naked flesh from the waist down. The rest of his body on display is glistening as water beads travel south, disappearing in the lucky towel tied tightly around his torso, obscuring his gems. His wet hair is disheveled in every direction and dripping water, giving him a sultry look.

I gulped, taking in every inch of the view.

If he has taken a shower, why are you feeling wet?

His chest isn’t too hairy but has a decent amount of hair on it—nothing too shabby or bushy but rather sexy; his torso is flat, and the abs are prominent but aren’t too defined in a muscular way. His calves are thick and well-defined, indicating his leg days are strong. It’s nothing too much, and it’s nothing too little; it’s just perfect.

He’s perfect.

Of course, only physically.

“Wow,” I whispered unknowingly in a daze as my eyes refused to budge.

“Like what you’re seeing?” His eyes flashed with amusement.

“Oh, I do,” I answered sighing dreamily.

For some reason, he looked startled yet amused at my answer.

Wait, what did I say?

Too late to come to your senses; you’ve already boosted his ego, rightfully though.

“Reason for this intrusion?” leaving the door ajar, he went back to the bathroom, probably to dress up. Darn it.

Don’t be sad; you’ll get to see him naked again, without the towel, that is, if you play your cards right.

Urgh, what am I even thinking?

Subduing the blush, I entered his room and looked around while he was away.

Let me put it this way: his room was just like him: organized, proper, minimal and monotonous, and extremely sophisticated.

I caught my reflection in his bedroom mirror and realized I was in my pajamas; the oversized shirt had different bizarre poses of baby Yoda on it, and the shorts were, well, short. My hair was tangled in a distressing manner like I’d been in a hair-pulling fight all night. Now conscious of my appearance, I tried smoothening my jumbled hair to salvage as much as I could.

“What was so urgent that it couldn’t wait?” He came back in the room now wearing a white sweatshirt and black joggers.

Ignoring my presence in front of the mirror, he stood behind me unbothered, the sensual fragrance of his musky body wash disrupted my senses. He picked up the hairbrush to comb his damp hair like it’s a daily occurrence for us.

It felt so natural to be standing like this in his room.

Instead of answering him, my eyes raked on his reflection in the mirror, noticing his every action, the movement of his strong arm, the way he was focused on fixing his hair to the inch of its existence, and how his long eyelashes flickered when he blinked.

His every action is like a hypnotizing melody.

“You’re creeping me out, Hannah.” He looked at me through the mirror, “I feel violated.”

“Huh?” I said it absent-mindedly.

Finally understanding what I was doing, I looked at his face and sure enough, found him almost smirking.

Fuck, I was staring at him again.

Not staring, you were checking him out again. No, no, you were devouring him, AGAIN.

Hold on, is he making fun of me? Since when did he get a funny bone in him?

Oh, darling, he’s got bones that you have yet to discover.

My cheeks flushed at my heart’s own conjecture.

"Oh, please, women literally undress you with their eyes whenever you walk past them,” I countered confidently to validate my embarrassment.

“Is that what you are doing, undressing me with your eyes?” He turned back, deliberately brushing his arm with mine. Oh, for God’s sake, how did he turn it back on me?

“What, no… I, I mean... Oh shut up, you’re not funny,” I huffed, unable to hide the redness of my cheeks.

“I’m assuming that’s not why you’re here?” He reminded me once again as he sat on the sofa using his cell phone.

“Oh yeah,” I remembered, fright once again settling in the pit of my stomach. “We’re exposed!” I exclaimed dramatically.

“What?” He raised only an eyebrow in an unconcerned tone.

“Tabloids are writing things about us—how you can be so oblivious to it all, sitting here comfortably, showering, and whatnot.”

“So you have a problem with me sitting comfortably or showering?” His attention was still on his phone, and I was terrified here of what would happen.

“Gosh! Would you listen to me for once?” I sat across from him on the edge of his bed. “And put that damn phone down!” I ordered.

Surprisingly, he listened and put it aside.

Putting his elbows on each knee, he tucked his intervened hands under his chin and gave me his undivided attention. His eyes prompted me to speak, but it made me nervous instead.

“I’m listening,” his light brown eyes pierced deeper into my soul.

“I, umm… Ahem, ther… There’s an article about us on the internet." Damn him and damn these soulless eyes of his.

“And?”

“What and? Have you read it? God, you’re so annoying.” It’s too early in the morning for him to get on my nerves.

“No. Have you?” He asked in the same tone as before.

Why is he so calm, doesn't he understand the gravity of the situation?

“Of course, why do you think I’m sitting on your bed this early in the morning?” I lashed out.

“I can think of many reasons.” I can feel my cheeks burning pink. “But do go on; I’m assuming you’re here for neither of those.” Is he flirting with me?

No, he’s discussing elevations with you, idiot!

Ignoring him and the chimes of my erratic heart, I cleared my throat once again and opened the article Mila sent me.

I know he didn’t ask, but I read it out loud for him anyway. Maybe once he knows what’s written here, he’ll take it seriously.

“Has the Norman heir found his true love this time, or is it just another fling?

Elijah Alexander Norman, the heir and future CEO of Norman & Co., who tries to steer clear from the limelight, has once again caught the camera's eye, stirring up a controversy for himself yet again.

Has the billionaire found his match?

The soon-to-be 29-year-old billionaire was seen enjoying the company of a mysterious girl. They were seen walking together in the shopping heart of Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive.

Elijah Norman, who’s said to be in LA on a business trip regarding an upcoming project, was accompanied by a mystery woman. Both were seen enjoying each other’s company while shopping, followed by a lunch date. The camera has captured their stroll for you to judge. Check the attached photo.

Though these images aren’t an indication of a romance, they still evoke controversy as the ruthless billionaire, for the first time, was seen on a shopping spree with a girl that too in broad daylight ditching his signature Armani suit for casual attire (we are not complaining about seeing his bicep in a polo shirt). Is it an indication of a serious relationship that he’s ready to make public?

It is raising eyebrows that if this puts a stop to his elaborate dating history, breaking the hearts of his million admirers, women and men both.

On another instance on Friday night, the heartthrob billionaire was spotted outside his exclusive club in intimate proximity with a woman. See the picture below.

Their faces aren’t clear due to the absence of light and the image being highly zoomed in, but it can be assumed by the body language that it’s the enigmatic Norman himself. Judging by his history, it could be two different women, one for the night and another for the day. But considering their Saturday stroll, it could be the same girl.

It is also being reported that he caused quite a commotion inside the club, and these images are a result of the aftermath. Though we don’t have the information regarding what caused the dispute but we’re certainly curious to get the details.

What makes this girl more special than the rest of his dates? Let's see if she's lucky enough to be seen with him again or if it's just another one-night stand.

He has previously dated famous actresses and supermodels...

I didn’t read further as it was a long list of names alongside the picture of them with him at various locations, outside different hotels and apartments that is.

When I was done reading, I looked at him again and saw him as unaffected as he was before.

“Would you say something?” I probed.

“No.”

“Huh, don’t you know what they are saying about you, about us? Don’t you care?” I stood up in my place.

What is this man? How can he be so calm about it?

“I know about them, Hannah; I just don’t read them; I stopped a long time ago. This isn’t the first article, and I’m sure it’s not the last either.” He said it nonchalantly.

"But this isn’t about you only; it has my pictures, Elijah, don’t you get it?” I pressed further, irritated by his aloof response, “I’m not like you; I don’t want this attention on me, and neither can I act emotionless like you. You might be okay with this, but I’m not,” I explained.

“This is the price you pay for being married to me, Hannah. Did you think it would be easy? In a few months, the merger will be announced. What are you planning to do then? This is just the beginning; once the press gets to know about this marriage, they will be up to your neck to the point of suffocating you. You just have to learn to ignore them, it’s better if you get used to it now than later,” I dropped down on his bed with a thud.

All that he said came crashing down on me like a tsunami. I guess he’s right. I never thought about it like this. How can I forget that he’s not an ordinary person? He’s Elijah fucking Norman.

I don’t know how to grow thick skin like him and be so ruthless in the face of the world that everything seems beneath him. I don’t know.

“But for now, it’s dealt with,” he stood up, catching my attention. “Don’t worry, the article has been taken down already. I don’t pay my team for nothing. I don't know how it even reached you in the first place,” he said, walking towards the door.

He doesn't know of Mila's power yet, my girl can dig up a grave if it means gossip.

“You could’ve told me this to begin with,” he shrugged his shoulder only by a centimeter. “Thank you,” I said, standing up behind him.

“Don’t forget what I’ve told you; the sooner you accept it, the better.”

I nodded incredulously, not knowing what else to say.

“I’m going downstairs. You want breakfast?” he asked from the door, catching my attention.

“You know I can’t cook,” I answered embarrassingly. Knowing it's Sunday, the staff won't be in unless called.

“I know, I can make it for you; come on.” He walked out when I called out from behind him.

“Umm, you go ahead. I'll... let me take a shower first.” I announced, looking down at my clothes.

“It’s okay; Yoda can join us too.” He said it without stopping or turning back.

This has to be the nth time I’m blushing today.

What's up with him today and what's up with me?

He led the way to the kitchen, and I followed suites.

“So, you’ve dated so many celebrities, huh?” I asked, ignoring the pangs of jealousy in my core.

“I don’t date, Hannah.” It took me a while to understand what he meant.

“Huh, what about that lis... Ohhhh.”

………………………………………………..……..

Author’s note:

Aren’t they getting cuter with each passing moment?

Who knew Elijah was capable of flirting and making suggestive remarks? Our girl out there is melting.

These interactions are very important for them to relax and get to know each other. I don’t know if you can tell, but I love writing them.

I won’t prolong this note today, so please drop your favorite moments in the comments.

Vote generously; it only takes a second.

Enjoy this lighthearted chapter.

PS: How do you like my trashy journalism skills?

Much love🥰