Morrow

Chapter 2

ELLE’S POV

I was deeply surprised with the things uncovered right in front of me. It doesn’t fully answer the question my mind has formulated but to me, everything make sense now.

So, they had a conflict then?

Just one more thing I need to know, but I need to let that pass. It will only dig deeper through Reed’s pasts and I don’t know how it would hit him, I can see that it was just too deep. He has his own limitations too, I respect that, and it would really hurt me if I ever see him that way.

After that conversation, quietness took over our little space, letting ourselves drown in each of our world. But he’s my world so “our world” definitely fits with the situation… Just kidding.

I giggled as I imagined being in a world where no other humans exist, just me and Reed. I mean, do you think he would look at me the same way I look at him? You know like it’s possible yet impossible at the same time. It’s quite questionable why am I feeling this way, because he’s my brother.

I guess our relationship as siblings was just too deep enough, ended up making me develop this kind of feeling.

“Hey, this is no time for a good night sleep, slowpoke.”

“What?” I mouthed the words in exhaustion.

“It’s already morning.” He said calmly and fixed his things, as he put his shirt and shorts on. Geez! I totally forgot that we are only wearing our undergarments! I hope my clothes were already dry.

I immediately helped myself up from leaning on the tree, arranged my things; only to see that it’s still dark.

“Wow! So, this is your kind of morning?” I gasped sarcastically as I raised an eyebrow at him. He just looked at me as if he’s already tired exchanging arguments with me and let out a sigh.

“It is not ‘This is your kind of morning?’ Elle. It is ‘Almost five o’clock in the morning.’ Get it?” he phrased imitating the sound I made just a while ago, drawing his face closer and closer to me.

I felt that my face is turning red so instead of trying to resist his stare, I looked away rather than putting myself in an inescapable position which will lead him to discover what I actually feel for him.

“Even so, we don’t need to be this early Reed.” I uttered nervously, trying to hide my embarrassment. Sometimes, I really just can’t hold it in when he’s so close to me. That every time he does it, I can’t do anything but to stare at him so closely trying to memorize every detail of his facials, and I don’t want him to see me like that right now.

“Of course, we do.” And showed me his bonnet made in cotton fabric with size just enough to cover his slightly curled and messy hair, leather mask to completely cover the details of his facials, a leather jacket with lucid fabric equipped with lots of pockets, and leather jeans having the same detail with the leather jacket reaching down to his ankle, all in plain black color.

That immediately gave me a hint of what we are going to do today. A sigh was suddenly released through my gullet as I think it over. Now everyone would think we’re the antagonists when it’s definitely our story. I just hope nothing goes wrong later on, or else it’s going to be a dead end.

“Also, we have some things to take care of.” He continued and eminently directed his gaze to our possessions.

He’s right. We really need to have a place to stay. We can’t just hide from those Sherlock wannabes around the side roads of the city, bringing all of these with us everywhere we go. That would be a burden.

After I replaced my inside clothes, I instantly took the clothes Reed showed me to wear from my own load. The only different apparel that we had to wear was our pants. I had to wear a skin tight plain leggings with that same color, while he would just have his usual jeans.

Although our loads were totally dipped in the water during our escape, it’s a good thing that it is totally enclosed and also, it’s made with leather, which only caused to have little spots of water on our clothes and other goods inside it. Much more convenient, isn’t it?

The sun has not yet risen but the skies are starting to glow in shade of blue. Time allotted to prepare ourselves were just enough to start out our travels to totally vanishing ourselves from the lists of criminals, or if that’s what they call us. That one question in my mind is still a mystery to me.

I don’t know what’s the reason why we are running away from them.

We immediately departed the place after that moment of thinking. Reed escorted me to somehow similar to a village but this place seems like a ghost town. So quiet! There are some houses around this place, but the distance between them was just too far. Other than that, it is surrounded by trees and various kind of weeds.

There are also areas filled with flowers but most of it, especially the areas near the houses, were filled with Bermuda grass. At first, you would really think how unsightly it is too look at but when you reach the places in there, it will be difficult to even spot a hint of littering. I can say that they are totally disciplined with their hygiene.

But just before we were able to take a step and even touch the gate fenced around the villa, some big men around their 30’s and 20’s showed up in each of the room and aimed their armaments on us. Some of them carry pistols, while some carry shotguns, others had rifles and some of them from the highest floor carry snipers.

My eyes were filled with mixed emotions as I exchange glances to each of them and turned my gaze to Reed. As usual, he is just chill, so calm and collected. Like for him this is nothing like an ordinary day even if these people were equipped with dangerous things. I don’t know what’s inside your mind but why would you bring me here, Reed? This isn’t the kind of day that I expect to happen. I hope I can trust you this time.

I was just about to open my mouth to ask Reed about what’s happening but it was the exact time that suddenly some men were gushed out of the front door wearing the same attire and carrying the same firearms.

But instead of aiming it at us, they rushed on carrying them on their shoulders and lined up in each side which made a way between them and displayed a middle-aged man in his old-fashioned suit, caramelized tuxedo and slacks combined with necktie striped with maroon and dark blue, with height that could be around 6 feet tall, and accompanied by two girls on each of his side.

One clinging onto him in her red off shoulder skin tight dress from top to toe with small cut in between exposing the middle most part of her bosoms and another cut on the right side which displayed her right thigh down to her feet. While the other one was providing a shade for him with an umbrella wearing a dark blue suit, a coat painted red, paired with an eyeglasses as she brought some kind of document in a file with her, and a pencil skirt with a small cut on each side.

All of them had put on seriousness on their faces with full of authority, except for one, which is that one woman who’s lovingly clung to this man who’s now getting nearer and nearer to us.

We were meters away from the position where we first saw them, so it took time before they were able to finish their waltz through the gateway and step after step feels like a compilation of uneasiness lurking inside of me. Their steps bears the weight of their supremacy.

As they had finish, I didn’t realize I was just looking down. I can’t even raise my head and greet them for their arrival. I don’t know how do I interact with them and more than that, I don’t even know who are these people to give off this kind of presence to us, or is it just me?

“It’s good to see you once again, Reed Astraeus Morrow.” My eyes widened as I finally heard the man speak through his speaking voice. It’s so dark, so deep, and manly. It’s giving me chills.

I slowly turned my gaze on my right to check on Reed, but just before I could lay an eye on him, I suddenly felt a stare reaching through me. That scared the hell out of me! I may not see where or to whom that kind of stare came from, yet, there’s only one person I could think of who can make someone feel this way with just a look. It’s an intimidating, powerful, and unambiguous supremacy.

“So, this young lady?”

“Yes, Senior, she is the lady.”

I got even more confused when they continued. The way they speak and use their words, it seems like they are hiding something but exactly know what they talk about. I don’t know what do they mean by that, but I can tell that they are actually talking about me. What does Reed mean about me being that lady they talk about and why do they hold such gleaming look every time they speak of it?

Suddenly I felt fingers softly massaged my chin and lifted it with force, leaving me no choice but to face up the person who did it.

It is that man. I just gave him a glaring eyes as he inspects the details of my facials, as if he was looking for something. He’s making me feel uneasy the more I look at him. His face is too close and I don’t like it. So I tried to divert my gaze to somewhere else, yet, it caught the lady who’s wearing eyeglasses. The look in her eyes didn’t even change. She has that lukewarm expression that I’m not used to seeing, but I don’t sense any hostility, so, I don’t really mind if we stare at each other for a little while longer.

Then, there’s this Prima Donna.

“What are you looking at, huh?” she ranted in a sassy tone while her brows meet each other, after I took a couple of glances at her. I didn’t realize she was already staring right at me for a very long time. It felt awkward when I threw off my attention to her, ending up making some glances. As expected, it would really be such a big deal when someone looks at her in that manner. Well anyways, it’s not even my fault if she’s scary to look at.

“Elle.”

As the man was done on inspecting my details, he took some steps away from me. That’s the time I looked at him in unbelieving, widening, and confused eyes. He spoke out my name!

“How do you my name?” I whispered as I slowly shake my head off. I don’t remember meeting him or anyone like him before.

“I know you very well.” He declared in a clear voice, calm, and full of authority. “Electyro Morrow, it is nice to finally meet you personally.” My eyes widened even more as I hear him spelling out my full name, which made me stare at him, full of questions.

A moment of deafening silence took over our space, adding more tension. I don’t really get it but he gives me the feeling that he knows more things about me than I could he knew.

“Welcome to our Manor, the Mansion of Heri.”