Chapter 5
1070 Words
Halle stepped into the mansion and looked around in awe. Paula had met her at the door and welcomed her in.
“I can never get used to how big this place is.”
“Oh, you will. Just a matter of time. You’ll get used to the place,” Paula chuckled as she replied.
“I’ll take you up to Elijah's room. His classes would be held in his study.”
Halle noticed a giant statue of two figures entwined to form a big love shape. She hadn’t noticed it the day before. Following closely behind Paula, she discovered there was no single picture on the walls, not of Elijah or his mother or any family picture at all. Only framed artworks meant to decorate the building were available. A lot of them. Climbing up the stairs, she ran her palm across the oak handle of the stairs, it ran smoothly and felt cool. She giggled childishly.
“I’ve always had that feeling whenever I do that. Makes me feel like a youngling once more.” Paula smiled.
Smiling back, Halle felt her cheeks warm up in embarrassment. They stopped outside a door and Paula knocked once before pushing the door open. Perched on the floor playing Legos was Elijah. He looked vulnerable as he bit his lower lip while concentrating. Halle couldn’t stop herself from breaking into a smile, Elijah looked up and frowned deeply, Halle’s smile dropped immediately. She gathered cold feet and felt discouraged.
“Eli, Ms. Halle is here again. I'll leave you guys now. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.” Paula gave an encouraging smile to Halle and rubbed her arms softly.
“Thank you, Paula.”
“Don’t just stand there. Let’s go to my study. I’ll show you all the books I have. I can study them alone without anyone assisting me,” the little boy said, making air quotes when he said anyone.
“Really? Even the arithmetic?”
“Yes. It’s nothing YouTube can’t fix.”
“It’s good to know you take academics seriously. But you don’t like school?”
“Does anyone?” He snapped.
The room was brightly lit with simple interior decors. Lots of books were scattered around giving Halle the impression that Elijah was definitely a reader. Elijah placed his palm on the wall and it opened.
“Wow. What is that?”
“You wouldn’t know until you see for yourself, would you?”
Halle made a mental note to correct Elijah's snappy comments, and enforce greetings too. She followed him into the cozy, dim-lit study. The study smelt of wood and books. She longed to hold the hardcovers and press them close to her chest so she could perceive the smell of paper.
“This is nice. Paula told me we would hold classes here. How do you feel about that?”
He just shrugged as he perched on one of the available chairs. The table and chair was placed right in the midst of the bookshelves. She could picture Elijah falling asleep while hugging a book close to himself. She really fell in love with the whole settings.
“I sleep here most times,” the little boy replied as if reading her thoughts.
She settled across him. Halle noticed Elijah couldn’t help twisting his fingers and shaking his legs. In excitement? she thought while he gave her a stare down and refused to stop as he relaxed deep into the chair.
“What are we starting with?”
“I’m really glad you are interested in learning. Today, we’ll get to know you.”
“And after that?”
“Oh, that will be all, dear. You.”
Elijah looked at her quizzically then continued, “Strange... Elijah Gray. That’s me.”
“I think I’ll be needing more than that. Let me help you out. I am Halle Anderson. Mother of ten. I love apple pies and lily flowers. My favorite colour is white. Your turn?”
He squinted at her suspiciously. “Elijah Gray. You don’t have ten kids. I do not have a favourite food or colour but blue is cool.”
“You're right, I don’t. How did that feel? Nice, right? Now let’s dig deeper.”
“I read magical books. Anything magic. I try to read the big books in here, I take them a page a day, at times I go far, at times not. Maybe when I’m ten, I would be able to complete them. And I love blueberries.”
“I love me a reader. We could read together? Take a book and we’ll focus on it. Only after everyday studies. How about that?”
“No,” Elijah retorted, grabbed the little book beside him and continued reading.
What a difficult child, Halle thought. She really thought they were beginning to settle down. How laughable.
Every effort Halle tried to make Elijah cooperate fell on deaf ears. He ignored her and continued reading. Halle felt lost and kept watching him. From time to time, he would sneak peeks.
Fifteen minutes after, Halle got to her feet to step outside the room.
“Goodbye,” Eli said.
Halle shook her head and went in search of Paula. She should be of help to her, she longed to discuss with the woman since she had been in charge of Elijah for a while.
After going round the hall for a while, Halle realized she was lost. She stood alone in the big hallway that echoed with each step taken.
“I get that you are lost. Trust me, this happened a lot growing up here.”
Halle turned on her heels to find a good looking man in front of her. He had golden hair that shone too bright, maybe from grease. He looked noticing like Elijah. At first, she thought it could be a family member but then she realized Elijah could resemble his mum instead.
“Mr. Gray? So nice to finally meet you. I am Halle.”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to share the same name as Lachlan? I am Jake. Lachlan Gray's friend and Elijah's godfather.”
“Oh wow. I thought Mr. Gray would at least be interested in getting to know who he’s entrusting his child with.”
“Yes. That’s why I am here. Like I said, I’m the godfather.”
- Writer
