Devon swore out loud again and almost threw his glass on the wall. He was currently in his office, looking down at Elijah who was smiling at the customers, oblivious to the fact that those fuckers are flirting with him. Is he doing it on purpose? Pretending to be innocent just so he can hook rich assholes?
That didn't sit well with Devon.
When a customer slid his hand towards Elijah, Devon blew his top off. That fucker did not just do that. As of the moment, there's only one customer around and Mina was out of sight.
Where the heck did that woman go? She was supposed to guard Elijah.
As you should, a part of Devon nagged.
So many ways of torture swimmed in Devon's mind as he rushed downstairs. When Devon noticed how terrified Elijah was, but still forcing himself to smile, Devon felt indescribable anger. No one has the right to force themselves on other people.
"Come on, cutie. Instead of working here, you can work for me, if you know what I mean," the customer sized Elijah up and down like he was his last piece of meal and Elijah froze.
Elijah was horrified. The man's eyes were a bit red, and he looked like he's about to devour Elijah. His body trembled and bad memories came pouring in. Elijah shook his head and took a step back, and glanced around the room. No one was around, except Elijah, the bad guy, and the bouncers.
Mina was not around because Georgie needed help in the kitchen. When Elijah glanced at the bouncers a few meters away from him, he felt hope, but the man's words crushed it so easily.
"Are you sure about that? My family is very influential." The man stood up on his seat, the only barrier shielding Elijah from the evil man was the counter. "If you tattle, boy, I will make sure that this bar will burn to the ground," he threatened and Elijah shook like a leaf.
Elijah's heartbeat was racing, close to exploding, as his eyes darted around for any exit. If he asked for help, Stefan could get in trouble. Georgie, Mina, and the others will lose their jobs. Elijah wanted to scream out but fear took over, rendering him speechless.
"N-No... stop. Get away f-from me..." Elijah pleaded in a shaky voice but the evil smirk of the man stretched wider. But before the man could even step closer towards Elijah, he was thrown to the floor by Devon.
"John! Patrick! What the fuck were you doing?!" Devon's angry and thunderous voice reverberated, as he struck the pervert in the chest. The bouncers widened their eyes when they saw their boss apprehending someone.
Mina and the other staff went out of their stations and audible gasps filled the air. Elijah's tears stopped and a sense of calm washed over him when he heard the stranger's loud voice. It was deep, rich, and dangerous, but that's all Elijah needs to steady his racing heartbeat.
Devon is so close to exploding. He kicked the jerk's gut a few times before he glared at John and Patrick. "The usual. Bring him there. Make sure that I will be satisfied or I will slit both of your throats," Devon threatened in a low voice and the two blanched and nodded.
They dragged the man out, weak and limp, after receiving a light beating from Devon. Devon is mad. He is raging. He is furious. He can feel his skin prickle and his knuckles itch. Devon was itching to beat someone to pulp, but when he heard a commotion and shuffling behind him, his heart dropped when he saw Elijah in the corner, making himself smaller, and trembling like a leaf.
Devon swore internally. He was supposed to be Elijah's guard but he couldn't even protect the boy from the maniac. Elijah's tear-filled eyes locked with Devon's and before Devon knew it, Elijah ran to him and the boy's small arms were wrapped around Devon's waist.
"Thank you again for saving me, mister. Thank you so much," Elijah mumbled with a shaky voice against the man's frozen upper torso. Elijah's trembling body started to relax, and the intoxicating perfume of the stranger was making Elijah heady.
Elijah can't help but bask in the safety and comfort he felt inside the man's arms, but based on the man's stiff posture, Elijah assumed that the man is not fond of getting embraced.
Devon was rooted in place with Elijah's arms around him. Devon's breathing hitched from that short contact, and when Elijah was about to withdraw his arms, Devon's arms automatically pushed Elijah's head against his chest. Devon was so confused by his actions but he likes it; hugging Elijah, that is.
"My name is Devon Slane. Stop calling me mister," Devon said in a cold and neutral tone, but the way he brushed Elijah's hair and massaged the boy's nape for comfort was so gentle, as if Devon was handling a precious and fragile object.
Elijah blinked, still inside Devon's arms. Devon? Is he perhaps the broken-hearted friend Stefan was talking about? That would truly be an amazing coincidence.
Elijah leaned back for a bit and stared at the poker-faced man. Stefan said that his friend is a bit grumpy because he was hurt. Check. He loves cookies. Check. Elijah saw how Devon chomped the plate of cookies with a blank expression. His name is Devon. Check.
"Are you Stefan's friend?" Elijah tone was tentative and unsure, as he waited for Devon's reply. The broken-hearted one, Elijah wanted to add but Ryzel taught him to be sensitive to other people's feelings. Asking Devon personal questions is rude. Elijah is not rude.
The only change in Devon's expression was the subtle lift of his brow. Other than that, Devon looks like a stone. Devon straightened his back and nodded. "Yes. You call your boss by his first name?" Elijah nodded and smiled coyly.
Devon was curious. Why would Stefan let Elijah be informal with him? Did Stefan like Elijah? Stefan? His friend who just got out of a relationship? What did Elijah do to charm Stefan?
Devon grounded his teeth and glared at Elijah, turned his back to leave, but not without uttering the words,
"Sei mio." (You are mine.)
**
"Eli! I'm so sorry! I should've been with you. I'm so sorry!" Mina apologized to Elijah persistently, incredibly guilty for letting Elijah experience such horror. She won't be able to forgive herself if something happened to Elijah.
Elijah shakily placed the glass on the table and shook his head. Mina assisted Elijah to take a seat at one of the tables inside the club, which has been closed for the night because of the incident.
"I'm alright, Mina. Devon came to my rescue. It was scary, but Devon was there. He saved me," Elijah answered with a small smile.
Elijah was still shaken. His mind kept on wondering about what could happen if Devon was not around to rescue him. Elijah's hands trembled and he closed his eyes, trying to block the horrific scene earlier. Even the bad guy's scary voice was causing Elijah to shake in his seat, which alarmed Mina.
Mina cursed internally and glanced around. She saw another agent outside of the club, probably under the orders of their Boss, Devon. She went beside Elijah and pulled the boy closer for a comforting hug.
Even if Elijah did not admit it, that was a very terrifying experience. Mina encountered individuals experiencing panic and anxiety attacks following a traumatic event, and based on Elijah's reactions, something must have happened in the past to get him so rattled like this.
It was disturbing for Mina, and she got scared when she heard heaving gasps and Elijah's body getting colder. Mina immediately pressed her earpiece. "Code Red! Prepare the car! Hurry!"
Mina pushed Elijah for a bit to examine him and Mina felt fear when she saw Elijah's pale face and felt his weakening pulse. With a nervous thump against her ribs, Mina fluidly lifted Elijah and cursed herself inwardly. She was part of Elijah's security. She should have been able to prevent that kind of situation if she stayed by his side.
One of the agents opened the car door and Mina gingerly deposited Elijah on the backseat. She sat beside him and ordered the driver to take them to Trevor's hospital.
"Eli, hang on. Please. Oh my god. Why are you so cold?" Mina was panicking. She leaned over Elijah's chest and heard his heartbeat slowing down by the second. "Hurry! I don't care if you violate any traffic rules! This is an emergency!"
Elijah felt so weak and cold. It feels like he is being dragged somewhere dark, deep, and cold. It feels like he was being pulled into the deepest part of the ocean, drowning, and with no one to hold onto.
It was then that Elijah realized how lonely he truly was. Elijah wanted none other than to have someone who will love him endlessly. Elijah wants someone who will take care of him, protect him, and will treat him preciously.
Elijah was not surprised when Devon's blank face flashed in his mind. There was something about Devon that made Elijah feel safe. Despite the coldness and emptiness in Devon's deep brown eyes, Elijah felt comfort.
At the very least, I found someone I can crush on, Elijah thought giddily, despite his shallow pants and tight chest. Contrary to an outsider's perspective, Elijah knows about love and crushes.
Ryzel made sure that Elijah understands the difference between like and love. Ryzel drilled the topic to the innocent boy until Elijah understood because Ryzel was worried that Elijah would be caught by manipulative freaks. In order to equip Elijah with a fighting chance, Ryzel did what he could.
Now, Elijah is crushing on someone, inside a car with Mina screaming at the driver, as he desperately catches his breath. Feeling a prick on his chest again, Elijah parted his lips for a mouthful of air, but nothing was happening.
It was just so cold and painful.
Mina was alarmed when Elijah became limp and almost lifeless inside her arms.
"Eli!"
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