HIS SCENT IS A MOON LIT LIE

Chapter Twenty Two

Elara's POV

It was just like before, my Grandfather's place.

Everywhere was still a mess, the torn curtains, the scattered glass pieces and the broken woods from the floorboard.

Something was different this time, my grandfather was there.

He stood by the fire place where Ginger's lifeless body laid close to him. His silhouette flickered in the dim glow.

I watched him move his lips but no sound came out. Every effort to run to him or scream his name felt trapped in one place, frozen by fear.

Then all of a sudden, his eyes met mine, there was a sense of urgency in them. He raised his hands up pointing at something behind me, Chills ran down my spine as my body jolted, turning sharply, when my eyes snapped open and reality dawned on me.

I panted heavily, chest rising and falling like a i had run a mile. The sheets tangled around my trembling legs, skin covered in sweat.

My eyes darted to the dim glow from my bedside clock. 4:15am.

Slowly sitting up, my fingers dug into my hair in frustration.

It was just a dream yet it felt more than that, it was more like a message.

I shuddered off the thought and decided to clear my mind off it by making a right turn to the kitchen.

A cold bottle of milk would definetly ease the heat i was feeling in my chest.

Stepping into the kitchen, I pulled open the freezer and took a leftover bottle of milk. Slow sips passed through my parted lips till a soft rustle broke the silence from behind.

I averted my gaze to the direction of the noise, Dad was sitting at the dinning table, still in his robe. His attention was fixated on the magazine clutched tight to his hands, his reading glasses carelessly hanging on the bridge of his nose.

"Up so early?" He asked without looking up.

"I could not sleep." I replied in a low tone barely above a whisper, Dropping the bottle of milk back into the freezer and slipping into the chair besides dad.

He finally raised his head up to gaze at me with his brows arched. "Nightmare?"

I nodded, biting my lower lip. "Dad....."

"Yes sweetheart?" He slowly closed the book, his look changing into one of concern.

There was a bit of hesitation from my end before the question slipped from my mouth "Dad, do you ever feel like mum is….. hiding something?"

If there was anyone who knew mum better, it had to be dad.

He looked taken aback by my sudden question and he did not answer right away, it seemed like he was giving it deep thoughts.

"I trust her." Dad finally said, his voice was laced with certainty. "And even if you think she is hiding something from us, it is probably because she believes she has to, for the sake of our safety."

Wow.

The certainty in his tone made everything inside me paus

Maybe he was right, maybe mum was not actually trying me shut me out, maybe she just could not say anything yet.

I felt soothed by dad's words and every form of suspicion I had for mum, disappeared.

"You are right." I mumbled and later on, Sleep finally came from the quiet comfort of a father's words.

*****************************************

The next morning, Ethan showed up at my place unannounced. His tone was off and demanding, something I could not place.

"Seriously. What is going on between you and that Jordan guy?"

"Are you not supposed to be at work or something?" I snapped at him. Since when had Ethan gotten all bossy around me?

He let out a hysteric laughter. "I am not going to let you run away from this conversation. Are you having a rocky relationship with that guy?" He blurted out.

I blinked, startled by his sudden interrogations. Gosh, he was sounding so much like Gabriel Cross now.

"Excuse me?"

"Do not lie to me Elara, he hugged you tightly yesterday. That hug did not mean nothing to you." He pressed further.

With my palm pressed firmly against my temple, frustration mounted with every passing second. Everyone's unhealthy obsession with I and Jordan's relationship became unbearable. Letting it all out on Ethan felt like the right thing to do at that moment.

"Ethan--"

"You are not even denying it Elara!" Ethan barked.

My voice rose, there was no fighting back the anger I was feeling inside of me. "Since when do you get to police who I talk to?

Why does everyone feel the need to have a say in my business." I groaned in frustration.

Ethan flinched, he was clearly surprised by my total outburst and so was I.

I was expressing the feelings i had been suppressing for the past few days.

"I just care about you, Elara."

"I did not ask for your protection!" The words flew out faster than I intended.

His face fell in defeat, hurt. "Fine."

He turned around and walked out.

The rest hours was spent in torture, my feelings were unusually all over the place and when the clock struck 8pm, the thought of cancelling my meeting with Jordan resurfaced but I knew I could not, not after my dream.

Whilst dressing up, the goal was to make sure everyone had gone to their rooms so I would sneak out of the house.

Mission accomplished, I creeped down the stairs with my heart racing extremely fast.

My eyes caught Jordan already standing outside, his figure was leaning against the street lamp with his arms crossed.

"You look like you are not in a talking mood." He said noticing my presence immediately.

I didn't respond and fortunately, he didn't push it.

We just walked, the silence was weirdly comforting.

When we arrived at my grandfather's place, I noticed Jordan's posture stiffen and his face expression turning cold.

"What?" I asked.

He halted in his steps and slowly murmured. "Someone is here." His nose flared up in irritation.

All of a sudden, a slow clap echoed from the shadows.

You shouldn’t have come back with him, Elara,” a voice drawled. “Now… it’s too late to leave.”