Chapter - 10

"So our people we sent to tail Atticus is dead?"

Nicolas asked again to confirm what he heard was right.

"Yes."

Elena said frustrated. Everyone was still present in Nicolas's mansion. They were discussing about what to do next.

"It's getting late. We should leave."

Alessandro said.

"Are you not going to see Elio?"

Nicolas asked them.

"He needs time, we'll see him when he's ready."

Elena says with a sad smile. When the Giovanni family left Nicolas went to his bar cabinet and opened one of his favourite whiskey bottle. He was exhausted and the current problem with Elio's stalker is also making him frustrated. The longer they take to find who is stalking Elio, the more Elio's life will be in danger. Nicolas closed his eyes finally letting the tiredness take over him.

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The next morning Nicolas was eating his breakfast as usual. He finished eating and was about to leave for work. He had to postpone many of his meetings because he had to meet with Elena and decide what to do next.

"Take Elio's food to his room."

He told Carla.

"Master Elio said he doesn't want food."

Nicolas frowned at that. Was this Elio's way to rebel? Nicolas took the plate of food and walked towards Elio's room. He heard some noises, which were of course those threes. He knocked and let himself in. The moment Elio saw Nicolas his bubbly smile faded.

"Heard you didn't ate breakfast, so i brought you a plate."

Nicolas said placing the plate on Elio's plate.

"Not hungry."

Elio said pushing the plate away. Nicolas felt his anger rising up.

"Don't be stubborn. Be a good boy and finish this."

Nicolas said with a tight smile. Something flashed through Elio's eyes when he heard this.

"I said i don't want it. If i said i don't want it then that's it. Now nobody can tell me what to do. Not dad, not you not anyone."

Elio shouted. He was panting at the end. Nicolas surged forward taking the plate in his hands. He held Elio's jaw in a painful grip resulting him to open his mouth. He grabbed a spoonful of the food and pushed it into Elio's mouth.

"You won't eat and wanna act like a brat? Then get ready to be treated as one."

Nicolas shouted. Tyler, Simon and Jay were shocked at the scene in front of them. Tyler wanted to do something but he couldn't since this was his boss. Elio had tears run down his face. He was scared and wanted to escape from this nightmare. A sob left Elio's mouth making Nicolas to stop pushing the food. He looked at Elio's face, which was tear stricken and puffy and his hands which was gripping Elio's jaw. Elio looked scared of him. The realisation of what he did and that he is the reason Elio's scared hit him like a train. He removed his hand and took a step back. Elio moved back and that action made Nicolas sad for some reason. Nicolas with a swift wave of his hand, signalled for the three to get out. He sat on the bed with his head in his hands. Only Elio's sniffling and quiet whimpers could be heard. He lift his head up and moved towards Elio. Elio flinched at the movement. Nicolas reached out his hand to touch Elio's cheek. Elio shut his eyes because of fear. He opened his eyes when he felt gentle caress on his face. He saw Nicolas looking at him with guilt in his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Nicolas said and Elio covered his mouth with his hand trying to muffle his sobs. Nicolas was once again in a dilemma on how to calm him down. He slowly moved towards Elio and wrapped his arms around him. Elio put his head on his shoulder and continued crying. He caressed his head and Elio's cries quieted down. Elio pulled away and Nicolas felt like smacking his own head by seeing Elio's state. He completely look heartbroken. Nicolas wiped away the tears with his thumb.

"I'm sorry, i shouldn't have done that. The pressure of not finding Atticus really got to me."

Elio looked at Nicolas in question expecting to explain who Atticus was. Shit! He can't tell Elio about the whole stalker thing.

"I shouldn't have said that. You were not supposed to know about that."

Nicolas said rubbing his face with his hands. Elio pushed Nicolas's chest in a smacking manner.

"Stop hiding things from me! First it was dad now you. I thought you guys would stop hiding things from me."

Elio said, tears quickly filling his eyes. Nicolas felt bad again seeing Elio cry again. He sighed tiredly. Everything is out in the end might as well tell him about this also. It's fair and he has the right to know since it involves him. So Nicolas explained everything to Elio. And by the end he was expecting Elio to be anxious and scared. But he was calm and had a stoic face.

"You know, if you guys told me about this matter early you could've ask me questions that would help you with this. Like if i doubt someone?"

Elio looked at Nicolas like he was a fool. Right. They could've made things easier.

"We'll talk after i get back home. Now i have a meeting with Elena."

Nicolas said.

"I'm sorry again for behaving like that."

"Well if you want to make it up to me, feed me."

Elio said folding his arms. Elio was expecting Nicolas to make some excuse and walk away but he took the food in the spoon and brought it to his mouth. Nicolas looked confused when Elio didn't open his mouth.

"What don't say you're not going to eat."

Nicolas said. Elio quickly opened his mouth and ate the food. Nicolas let out a satisfied smile. Nicolas continued feeding Elio.

"So why did you decide to not eat any food?"

Nicolas asked Elio curiously.

"Well my whole life my family told lies and stuff hidden from me. I guess i was angry, more like hurt? So the only way to hurt or rebel is to starve myself."

Elio said shrugging. Nicolas was looking at Elio with sad eyes and he felt bad for him too. He had the spoon halfway stuck in the air, so Elio grabbed his wrist and brought the spoon to his mouth.

"But you gain nothing from this right?"

Nicolas asked making Elio confused.

"I mean it's your way to rebel, but at the end you lose your health."

Nicolas said trying to reason with Elio.

"Well my dad may care because he loves me and you i don't know. Wait who am i kidding you wouldn't care."

Elio said in deep thoughts. Like he just realized that. Nicolas leaned forward and wiped Elio's mouth corner.

"Who said i wouldn't care?"

Nicolas asked in a deep voice. They looked at each other and Nicolas's eyes dropped down to Elio's plump lips. Elio's face reddened and he looked away shy. Nicolas suddenly stood up and adjusted his tie.

"I'm leaving. Text me no call me if you need something."

With that Nicolas left the room. The moment Nicolas left the three rushed inside.

"Are you okay?"

"Did he hurt you?"

"Why are you red?"

Elio blushed more and threw the pillow over Jay's face. Elio fell down and covered his face with his hand.

"What is happening to me?!?!?!"

Elio shouted making those three to look at each other.