EpisodeTwo
1211 Words
What He Left Behind
Earlier in the week — Navarro Estate, Edisto Island
Elijah’s dad didn’t have to shout; his words were enough. A glance at the long marble dining table was enough to show what was happening.
"You’re making us look bad," Victor Navarro said, as if he was just cutting his steak.
Elijah straightened his back and placed his hands under the table.
He said, "I ended things with Vivian because it was over." “It’s been some time since we broke up.”
Adele, his mom, kept watching her wine glass. “It’s not only about emotions, Elijah.” “It’s all about status.” “The Navarro and Black names have been around for three generations.”
“It’s about building a relationship, not just making a deal.” “It’s both of those things,” Victor replied. “Your little drama could cause everything to fall apart.” Adele looked up at last. “Vivian is feeling hurt and angry.” “That’s a dangerous combination.” Elijah got up, making a loud scraping sound with his chair on the tile. “Allow her to feel her anger.” “I’m not going to marry someone I don’t love just to please you.” Victor’s voice became quieter. “Do you really believe that love is what will hold our family together?” “I believe lies won’t.” There was a long period of silence. Adele placed her glass on the table. “Give yourself a moment to calm down,” she said calmly. “However, when you return, we want this behavior to end.” He was unable to speak, so he didn’t say anything. He got up and walked away.
Now, parked outside a run-down motel near Charleston, Elijah looked up at the ceiling.
He only had a few things with him: some clothes and a laptop. He had never driven a car, had no assistant and no one ever gave him a headline.
Elijah was deep in thought, remembering the last time he saw Vivian. It was as if he was listening to a song he couldn’t get out of his head. He noticed her eyes which were both strong and open which was what first attracted him to her.
“You’re not going anywhere,” she whispered, her voice soothing yet a little too much.
“I have already done so,” Elijah said, trying to remain calm and avoid the impact of what she said.
She came closer, almost touching him. “You can’t leave me, Elijah,” she said, her voice showing both hope and certainty that they were meant to be together.
“I’m not yours, Vivian,” he said, feeling both angry and sad. She believed she had a right to him, but he wanted to get away from any unseen bonds. It was a time they would remember for a long time after they parted.
She then hit him with her hand.
It hurt, but he didn’t flinch. He simply walked over to the door.
“You’ll be sorry for what you’re doing,” she whispered. They will always prefer their own.”
“ Not on my account.”
He shut the door as he left.
He let out a sigh and opened the car door.
The lobby of the motel was tiny, dark and very humid. A TV mounted high up was showing local news without sound. He could make out the sound of live music in the hallway, with a guitar and people laughing and talking.
The woman behind the desk was mostly focused on her phone. “Is the room still comfortable for you?”
“Yes,” he said.
She gave him a new keycard. “The ice machine isn’t working, but the bar is still open.”
“I’m good.”
A group of people passed by, laughing and holding their drinks, looking tanned from their trip. Elijah moved aside and lowered his head.
He walked by the bright sign for Blue Palms Bar & Lounge without even glancing at the stage.
The music grew louder for a short time—then became quieter as he turned the corner.
He returned to his room, closed and locked the door and sat down on the bed’s edge.
He heard his phone vibrate.
Marcus was the one.
He let the phone ring for a moment, then a second time.
He picked it on the third try.
“I thought you were going to stop using the internet,” Marcus said.
“You’re not human.”
“It’s lucky for you that I like you.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“You okay?”
“Nope.”
Silence.
Marcus added, “She’s already making headlines in the media.” I just wanted to mention this.”
“Vivian?”
“She’s not giving up without a fight. The place is already full of board members, family friends and reporters. Everyone.”
Elijah sat back in his chair. “Allow them to express their thoughts.”
“You’re not immune to harm, man.”
“Never was.”
More silence.
Then Marcus, in a low voice: “If you’re going to disappear, do it properly.”
“Don’t let yourself be distracted.”
“I am not involved with her.”
“Not yet.”
Elijah ended the call.
He looked up at the ceiling for a while longer before getting his pen out of his bag and writing on the back of a gas receipt.
Lena Brooks.
He didn’t know what he was doing.
It didn’t seem like he was running.
For the first time in a while, he felt like he was getting somewhere.
When he walked into the motel room, he noticed a blend of dusty and lemon cleaner smells. The place looked clean, but the memories of previous guests were still present in the air.
He sat on the bed, feeling his eyelids begging him to sleep. Even though he was tired, his thoughts kept going over and over the same things.
Lena stood out—she didn’t try to be charming or talk about small things. She didn’t pay attention to his career or where he came from.
He sighed and looked at his phone, hoping for any news from someone who knew what was going on. He got no response from his mom, who sent him an unread text, so he decided to ignore it.
He put the phone aside, as if it was too heavy and closed his eyes, hoping to fall asleep, but it was hard. From his teenage years, he had trouble sleeping, as he was troubled by his past mistakes and the pressure to succeed.
However, tonight was not like the others. It was as if a spell had been cast and he drifted off into a peaceful sleep he hadn’t known since he was a child. The confusion in his mind was gone.
All of this was possible because of her—the girl who was always on his mind and in his dreams. In the dream, she smiled at him and her smile led him into a peaceful, enchanting place. He smiled back, enchanted by the dream’s strong appeal.
- Writer
