Chapter 6: The medicine
966 Words
The house felt too quiet when we walked in.
“Mummy” Oscar shouted as he ran into her arms smiling
Olivia hugged him
“How is my darling son doing” she asked pulling his cheeks filled with marshmallows
Elias cleared his throat gaining tye attention of Olivia and Oscar
“Good evening little one” he said to Oscar
Oscar smiled, making Elias heart beat to accelerate, he touched oscar hair
He didn't know why he felt so drawn to this kid
“Babe” Rose's voice interrupted his thought
Se walked up to him kissed Elias on his lips
“Good evening babe, have you eaten?”
Olivia watched them in silence, her son staring at her
Her hand in his.
Her lips on his cheek.
His lips on hers.
It shouldn’t have hurt.
But it did.
What the f**k is wring with me?
“I will be in my room Rose” Olivia said as she carried her son heading to my her room, she felt eyes behind her, she looked back, chills ran down on her spine as she gaze Elias gaze, she swallowed hard as she walked into he room
Olivia shut the door gently behind me, my fingers trembling against the handle. The air felt thick, heavy
She settled down, changing into her night gown
She stared at her neck
Flash back
“Lily don't tell me you got a tatto on your shoulder” Adam asked squinting his silver eyes at Oliva who avoided his gaze.
“It's pretty though babe, see” Olivia said while trying to show adam the tatto
“O&A, see” Olivia said trying to convince Adam
“It's pretty, I like it O&A”
Adam smiled
Flash back ends
Olivia sighs, tears forming in her eyes but she refuse to let it fall down her cheeks
“Are you trying to test me Adam?”
She whispers
Olivia prepared her son for sleep
Tucking him in bed, Oscar stared at his mom
“Mama where is papa?” He asked, his eyes expecting an answer
Olivia was confused, she didn't know how to answer
I….I He will come back soon
Oscar stared at him mom, he eyes radiating disappointment
Olivia felt her heart ripping apart
“Am being bullied for not bringing my Dad to school” Oscar said but he eyes showed determination after
“But am certain he will be back someday like you said Mom” he smiled
Olivia didn't know what to feel
Happy or sad
“He will” she whispers, Her voice laxked will
Oscar fell asleep in his room
His tiny chest rising and falling peacefully.
Olivia sat beside him and brushed his curls away from his forehead.
“You’re safe,” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure if she was reassuring him or myself.
Olivia shook my head and stood, moving back out of his room, her thoughts were too loud. Sleep wasn’t coming tonight.
Downstairs – Late Night
The kitchen lights were dim when Olivia poured myself a drink at the mini bar. The glass trembled in her hand, and she had to steady it against the counter.
Pull yourself together, Olivia.
The door creaked behind me.
Tilted my head a bit to see who interrupted my silence. It was Elias
His presence gave Olivia a kind of warmth
Elias couldn't sleep
The migraine keeps occuring
He walked in quietly, as though he didn’t want to be seen.
He stopped when he saw Olivia, surprise flickering across his face.
“Can’t sleep?” he asked softly.
Olivia stared at him for a moment him tracing his full cherry lips with her eyes
She was half drunk at this point
She met his eyes and nodded, lifting the glass to her lips. “You too?”
He walked toward the fridge, his movements slow, almost careful. He looked tired no, exhausted.
Dark shadows rested beneath his eyes, like he had been carrying too many thoughts for too long.
“Are you okay” Olivia asked
Elias stopped in his track reminiscing what happened inside her
“Am fine Olivia” his deep voice said her name
Olivia stared at him, using all her willpower not to pull him close and hug him
He poured water, then hesitated.
She noticed the small bottle in his hand.
Pills.
Her gaze lingered on it.
“What are those for?” she asked, my voice gentle, but curious.
He froze, his jaw tightening. For a second, she thought he wouldn’t answer.
“It’s nothing,” he said finally, swallowing two pills quickly, as if he didn’t want to think about it.
“Nothing doesn’t usually come in prescription bottles,” she murmured.
He turned away from her, avoiding her eyes. Something in his posture felt… guarded. Like he was hiding something, even from himself.
“You should rest,” he said, his tone clipped. “We have work tomorrow.”
Olivia nodded, though she didn’t move.
Before he left, he paused.
“Good night, Olivia.”
Our eyes met.
Something passed between us something heavy, unspoken, dangerous.
Then he turned and walked away.
Dark brown eyes.
A soft laugh.
A face Elias couldn’t fully see.
Why is her face always blurry?
Elias leaned against the wall in my room, pressing my palm to my temple. My head throbbed like someone was tearing memories out of me and shoving others in.
Who is she?
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Her smile. Her eyes. Her voice calling my name.
But the name wasn’t Elias
It was something else.
I swallowed hard and sat on the bed, staring at the pill bottle in my hand.
The doctor said they would help.
My family insisted I needed them.
- Writer
