The next day, Elijah woke up early to deliver the good news to his grammie and grandpops. Also, his boss texted him that someone will help him move so he needed to prepare everything. Well, it's not as if he has so much.
Elijah only has one duffel bag containing five shirts, two pairs of pants, three pairs of socks, two boxers, Ryzel's jacket, and one faded pair of shoes. He also put the two picture frames in the bag along with his nanny's diary. He also stuffed his medicines inside. His medicines are a must. Something bad will happen to him if he forgot to drink it.
Elijah heaved a deep sigh and wistfully touched the rose medallion around his neck. It was given to him by his nanny before he escaped, along with the diary. It contained everything Elijah needed to know, and inserted in between the pages was the letter from Elijah's mom.
Elijah scanned his eyes around his small room and let out a small smile. At the very least, this run-down apartment was able to provide him shelter from heat, rain, and snow. He would always choose this apartment over the basement.
Elijah headed to the bathroom for his bath and was thankful that the water was running properly. Maybe, the apartment was being kind to him in his last minutes staying here.
After his bath, Elijah wore what he called his "going away" shirt because it was less faded than the others. It was a blue graphic shirt with a snoozing kitten drawn in front. He paired his shirt with his good pair of jeans. He slipped on his faded shoes and took a deep breath.
New place, new chapter.
One of the reasons why Elijah was hesitant to accept his boss's offer was because it was too good to be true. An apartment and an allowance to boot, on top of being hired? However, Elijah dismissed it. Stefan Alexandrei looks like a good man.
Maybe, it was one of the perks of being their employee. His boss also said that Elijah's application was approved, so Elijah accepted after some thought. It may be one of the reasons why many people were vying for the position he was applying for. Elijah was just grateful that his boss decided to give him a chance.
Elijah picked up the phone from his bed and smiled when it was only seven in the morning. Aside from his bag and his person, there was nothing else that Elijah would carry with him. After all, he was not able to buy any items because he had no money for them.
With his bag on his right, Elijah stepped outside his home and filled his lungs with air. He needs to work hard to continue his search for Ryzel. His brows furrowed when he saw the same muscled man from the club.
Is he lost? That's the only reason Elijah can find as he walks towards the giant man. The giant was dressed in all black, and Elijah can't help but question the man's fashion statement. Suddenly, Elijah's eyes widened when realization dawned on him.
"Mister Giant! Mister Giant!"
Grayson Andrews, one of the trusted security details of Stefan Alexandrei and head of security of Enchaines, turned to the little fella who was running towards him with a huge smile on his face.
"Mister Giant? What the f--" Grayson bit his bottom lip to stop himself from swearing.
His boss reminded him never to taint the boy's innocence with bad words. His mission was to safely transport Elijah Thompson back to the boy's new residence after Elijah bid his goodbyes to the old couple.
Stefan took it upon himself to have Grayson guard Elijah because of what Elijah texted him last night. Elijah felt like someone was staring at his back, but was gone immediately.
Grayson straightened his back and displayed a poker face. Elijah was panting when he got to him. "Mister Giant! I have a question," Elijah said in between pants.
Grayson deepened his frown when he examined the distance that caused Elijah to pant. From his estimate, it was only three meters. The bodyguard was perplexed. He doesn't know how to react. Does the boy have some underlying conditions his boss didn't tell him about?
After a moment, Grayson understood. It's the boy's short limbs, Grayson thought.
Finally able to chase his breaths, Elijah smoothened his shirt and grinned at the giant man. "Mister, I have one question."
Grayson nodded. "Fire away."
"First, what's your name? How did you get so big? Did you drink milk three times a day? I mean, if I could, I would. Is that your secret to being tall? Why are you in black? Are you one of them? You know, the men in black? Do you have that memory-eraser thingy? Do you have it with you? Did you see any aliens? Are they all gooey and sticky? Where did they come from? Mister, answer me!"
Elijah took a few deep breaths to inflate his depleted lungs and gazed at the giant man who had his mouth parted and staring down at him in bewilderment.
"That's one too many questions, boy," Grayson breathed out and reached for Elijah's bag. He opened the backseat and put the bag inside. When he turned around, Elijah was still looking at him expectantly. Grayson sighed defeatedly.
"My name is Grayson Andrews."
Elijah smiled. "My name is Elijah Thompson, seventeen. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Gray."
Grayson did not correct Elijah anymore because the boy was looking at him with those twinkling blues. "Likewise, Mr. Thompson. Now, get inside and buckle up. I'll answer your next questions after."
Elijah cheerfully bobbed his head and stepped inside the elegant car. He reached for the seatbelt and buckled himself, while Mr. Gray climbed on the driver's seat.
"Mr. Gray, where are we going? Can we pass by at grammie's place first? Please?" Elijah still needed to bid his farewell to the couple who showed nothing but kindness for someone not related to them.
"That's where we're going, Mr. Thompson." Mr. Gray simply said and Elijah thanked him.
Elijah was right. Even if Mr. Gray was a bit intimidating, he is kind. If it was any other person, they would immediately cut Elijah off for bombarding them a million questions, but Grayson was different.
Grayson was truly amused, deep inside. Elijah reminded Grayson of the little hamster he saw in a pet shop, so cheerful and full of energy. It makes Grayson want to pet Elijah.
"Hey, Mr. Gray! Can you answer my questions now? I already buckled up. See?" Elijah pointed to his seatbelt and Mr. Gray checked using the rearview mirror. Elijah really wants to know if Mr. Gray was truly part of the Men in Black.
Mr. Gray cleared his throat and started the engine. "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm going to shoot down your theory. I am not part of the Men in Black. I do not have the memory-eraser thingy, and no, I did not see any aliens either. I'm just a simple driver-bodyguard and this black suit is our uniform. Do they answer your questions?"
Elijah nodded, a bit disappointed. "That's alright, Mr. Gray. I understand. Okay, can you please answer my next question? I am so curious!"
Grayson hummed. "What was your next question again? Why did I become so tall and if drinking milk helped me? Am I correct?"
Elijah nodded and made sure that his full attention was on Mr. Gray. Elijah wishes to be tall. Like Anthony Davis kind of tall. Well, he doesn't know who that is, but from Ryzel's stories, Mr. Davis must also be a giant like Mr. Gray.
"I think it's genetics. Being tall runs in the family, and I am allergic to anything dairy. So, milk was out of the question."
"Oh." That was not a good "oh".
Grayson was alarmed when he heard Elijah's disappointed tone and remembered his boss' words. From the rearview mirror, he noticed Elijah's shoulders in a slump and how the boy's bubbly expression immediately deflated.
"Grayson, I'll leave Elijah to you. Make sure that the boy is safe and happy." Grayson was suddenly called by one of his bosses, Stefan Alexandrei, in the latter's office to discuss something important.
Grayson blinked and frowned. "May I ask why, boss?" It was rare that someone caught his boss's eyes.
His boss smirked and crossed his legs. "Let's just say that Elijah Thompson will be the one to drag our dear friend Devon back into the light."
Grayson understood. If it means not seeing his other boss, Devon Slane, drinking in the bar in broad daylight, Grayson was more than willing to help. He already saw the boy in question, and Grayson and his boss were confident that Elijah will bring back the old Devon Slane.
Grayson cleared his throat and tried to placate Elijah. It looks like he ruined the boy's dream of becoming taller, so he kinda feels bad.
"You know, there are people who actually drink a lot of milk and it helps them with their height."
Elijah's ears perked and in an instant, Mr. Gray had his full attention. Suddenly, he doesn't feel so down anymore.
Elijah was actually worried.
He couldn't drink milk every day, so he was worried that his growth was stunted because he was not fed well for almost seventeen years. If not for his nanny, Elijah would become undernourished.
It was through Lany's efforts that Elijah was able to eat at least twice a day. Lany would slip fruits and biscuits into the basement. Sometimes, when the couple is busy with their illegal trades, Lany would slip some fried chicken and a carton of milk for the poor boy. Elijah would always cry tears of joy when his nanny would deliver three pieces of chocolate chip cookies for him.
Elijah stared at the back of Mr. Gray's head and waited for him to continue. "Why do you want to grow taller, Mr. Thompson?"
"Um, Mr. Gray?"
"Yes?"
"You can call me Elijah. Mr. Thompson is very formal. Is it alright?"
Grayson glanced at the boy and he was met with Elijah's hopeful eyes. And Grayson is weak with hamsters so his resolve crumbled. Looks like his decision was correct because the boy's expression brightened.
"Sure, Elijah."
Elijah nodded and smiled, then proceeded to answer Mr. Gray's question. He scrunched his nose adorably and frowned a little. "I guess I want to be taller to scare the bad guys. When you're tall, they will have to think twice before hurting you. When you're tall, you can reach for the plate of leftovers they put on top of the cabinet on purpose; because they don't actually want to let you eat. When you're tall and have long limbs, you can escape faster and carry your important someone with you without worrying that the bad guys can chase you down and hurt you again."
A thick silence blanketed the car space and no one dared to break it until they reached the old couple's house. Only the faint sound of the car engine can be heard. Grayson decided to shut his mouth because he doesn't want to know where this conversation might go. He doesn't want to upset Elijah.
Elijah's mood lightened when he saw his grammie and grandpops bickering on the front porch of their house. He quickly unfastened his belt. He opened the car door and jumped out, catching the attention of the couple.
"Grammie! Grandpops! Good morning!"
Robert and Amanda stopped roasting each other and turned to the newcomer. Both of their faces brightened when they saw their precious boy.
"Eli!"
"Elijah!"
Robert and Amanda looked at each other and threw one another a sharp glare. Only one thought runs in their mind- the first one to hug Elijah will monopolize the boy's entire day.
For Amanda, he will spoil Elijah with sweets and anything the boy wants. She will pamper Eli so much and will tell him stories about her life. Amanda can already see it; Elijah's twinkling blues as the boy listens to her with rapt attention.
As for Robert, he wants to play with his boy and ask Elijah's help for the new crossword puzzle the boy gave him when they visited Elijah's place last night. Robert can already imagine the both of them enjoying the time of their lives; him writing down the answers, while Elijah tried to solve the puzzle. It will be a blast.
Overall, the stakes are high. No one wanted to yield.
The old couple's daydreams and plans were crushed into bits when they saw a familiar man behind Elijah. They did not even notice that Elijah came here in a car.
Grayson was surprised. He did not expect that the couple taking care of Elijah was these two. Even if the couple already laid low and stayed under the radar, the couple still holds incredible power and influence in their world.
Robert and Amanda looked at one another and subtly nodded; as if having a silent conversation. Robert turned to Elijah and smiled. "Good morning, my boy! How about some cookies and a glass of milk? You wouldn't want to grow shorter, right?"
Elijah gasped and shook his head furiously, then clung to his grandpop's arms, giggling and brimming with excitement.
"Grandpops, can I have three cookies?"
"Sure, my boy. Anything else?"
"Bacon, grandpops! I love bacon!"
Robert chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Of course. Anything for our boy."
Amanda looked at the two with a smile on her lips before he turned to the man in front of her who gave her a small bow.
"No, none of that, Andrews. We're just an ordinary couple now. Quit the formality. What brought you here? And why's Elijah with you?"
Grayson swallowed and could not deny the intimidation he felt from the person in front of him.
"Mr. Thompson applied in our bar yesterday, and he was hired. I'm just escorting him and helping him with his move," Grayson answered shortly.
Amanda wrinkled her forehead and sat on the bench. "By bar, you mean the boys' bar?"
"Yes, madam. You don't have to worry. Nothing will happen to Mr. Thompson. The security is tight, and Mr. Alexandrei won't let anything happen to him."
Amanda smiled and nodded. "Of course, I trust Stefan and the boys. How are they?"
Grayson scratched his brow and shifted uncomfortably. "Well, Boss Stefan is burying himself with work after what happened with his ex. As for Boss Devon, he's drowning himself in alcohol after his ex cheated on him. Boss Trevor is the opposite. He remained strong and in love with Jesse, his boyfriend."
Amanda nodded and thanked Grayson. It has been so long since he met the boys. Maybe, she can visit the three once in a while.
"By the way, you mentioned helping Elijah move? Where's he moving into?"
"Boss Stefan already prepared a fully furnished apartment in one of the luxurious subdivisions Boss Devon owns in Manhattan. Also, he will be receiving a monthly allowance from Boss Stefan, so you don't have to worry, Madam. We will take care of him."
Amanda can't help but sport a surprised expression. She did not expect that Elijah would actually accept the offer, considering that the boy was rejecting any help from them. However, knowing Stefan, he did not have any difficulty convincing the boy.
Now, to address the elephant in the room. Amanda lifted his brow and stared intently at Grayson who flinched a little from her intimidating gaze.
"What's the catch, Andrews?" She narrowed her eyes on the man who was now sweating profusely but was able to answer her question.
Grayson's chest thumped nervously when Amanda gave him a scrutinizing gaze. His boss will surely get an earful from Grayson. Stefan did not mention that he will be facing one of the heads of the influential families of their world.
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