chapter 22

Living in the Matthews household was an experience Arjun could never have anticipated. The air was always filled with life, from Lucas’s jokes to Grace’s gentle scolding, to the muted sound of Elias’s deep voice giving instructions to his team over the phone. It was chaos, but it was comforting chaos, unlike anything he’d ever experienced growing up.

Mornings began with breakfast in the sunlit dining room, the table laid out with precision. Grace ensured everyone ate a proper meal, no matter how busy their day would be.

"Arjun, you barely touched the scrambled eggs yesterday. Do you not like them? I can make something else," Grace asked one morning, her tone brimming with concern.

"No, no, Mrs. Matthews," Arjun replied quickly, almost choking on his tea. "It’s perfect. I was just—uh—rushing yesterday."

Elias, seated across from him, smirked faintly behind his coffee cup. "You’re not going to win, Arjun. My mother doesn’t believe in ‘not hungry.’ Just eat."

Arjun’s cheeks heated under the weight of Elias’s gaze, though he focused on Lucas, who grinned at him. "She even made me eat oatmeal once because I had a cold. And trust me, no one escapes her."

It wasn’t just breakfast. The Matthews family dined together whenever possible, filling the room with teasing and laughter. It was far from the quiet, solitary dinners Arjun had grown used to back in his cramped apartment. Lucas often recounted his day at university, Sophia shared snippets from her department, and Grace kept everyone grounded with her maternal touch.

Elias, on the other hand, remained more reserved. He contributed to conversations when necessary but spent most of the time observing. Still, Arjun could feel his presence—always steady, always watching.

---

The car rides to the hospital were another adjustment for Arjun. Elias had insisted on driving him every day, dismissing Arjun’s protests with a wave of his hand.

One morning, during their drive to the hospital, Arjun couldn’t help but break the silence. “You don’t have to drive me every day, you know. I can manage.”

Elias glanced at him briefly before returning his focus to the road. “I don’t do things I don’t want to, Arjun. Let that be clear.”

Arjun fell silent, unsure how to respond,the  confined space of the car only amplified his awareness of Elias. The scent of Elias’s cologne filled the vehicle—a warm, earthy blend that Arjun found annoyingly distracting.

"Thank you," Arjun mumbled  as Elias pulled into the hospital parking lot.

Elias didn’t glance at him, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "No need to thank me. You’re part of the family now."

The words caught Arjun off guard. Family. The word felt foreign, almost too good to be true.

---

At work, Arjun began to see two versions of Elias Matthews. To the staff, Elias was the epitome of authority—calm, composed, and ruthlessly efficient. He walked through the corridors like he owned the place, which, technically, he did. Staff members would straighten up at the mere sound of his footsteps, his name evoking a mix of respect and fear.

But with Arjun, Elias was different.

It was in the little things: how Elias’s voice softened when speaking to him, the way his gaze lingered just a second longer than necessary, and the way he always made sure Arjun was comfortable, even in subtle ways. Elias noticed everything—from the slight slump of Arjun’s shoulders after a long shift to the way he’d rub the back of his neck when he was stressed.

"Arjun, you forgot your water bottle in the car," Elias remarked one day, handing it to him in the break room.

Arjun blinked in surprise. "How did you—"

"You’ve been working for hours without a break. Stay hydrated," Elias cut him off, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Arjun’s heart raced, though he quickly looked away. It was frustrating—how Elias’s smallest gestures left him flustered, how his attention felt both overwhelming and addictive.

---

The rumors began subtly, whispers that grew louder with each passing day.

"Did you hear? Arjun’s living with the Matthews family now."

"Explains a lot, doesn’t it? No wonder he’s so successful here."

"Must be nice to have that kind of backing."

At first, Arjun ignored them. He told himself they were baseless, a reflection of people’s jealousy. But as the days went on, the words began to weigh on him.

One afternoon, he overheard a group of nurses in the corridor, their voices just loud enough to carry.

"It’s obvious, isn’t it? He’s probably cozying up to the family. No wonder he’s so favored."

Arjun froze, the blood draining from his face. He wanted to confront them, to defend himself, but his throat tightened, the words refusing to come.

Before he could react, a familiar voice rang out, sharp and authoritative.

"Is there a reason none of you are working?" Elias’s tone was sharp, his presence commanding. The nurses stiffened, quickly scattering under Elias’s steely gaze. Once they were gone, Elias turned to face the rest of the staff in the room, his expression unyielding.

He addressed the room at large, his voice calm but unyielding. "Let me be clear. Arjun Patel is here because he’s earned his place. Anyone who has an issue with that is welcome to discuss it with me—though I doubt you’ll like how that conversation ends."

The silence that followed was deafening. Arjun’s heart raced as he stood frozen, unsure whether to feel grateful or humiliated.

Elias’s gaze softened as it briefly met Arjun’s before he turned and walked away, leaving the room in stunned silence.

---

That evening, as Arjun sat in his room, his mind replayed the events of the day. Elias’s defense had been unexpected, yet it left a warmth blooming in his chest.

Still, the complexity of their relationship left Arjun confused. Elias’s possessiveness was overwhelming at times, but it also filled a void in Arjun’s heart that he hadn’t realized was there.

"Why does he have to make me feel like this ?" Arjun murmured to himself, staring up at the ceiling. His lips curled into a faint smile despite all the confusion and worries "am I falling for him " ,he questioned himself

Unbeknownst to him, Elias stood behind the hidden door leading into the room. He had come to check on Arjun but stopped when he heard the whispered words. A small, triumphant smile curved his lips.

"Good," Elias thought to himself. "Exactly where I want you."

With quiet steps, Elias retreated, his heart lighter than it had been in weeks.