---- Book 1 Chapter 18 Book 1 Chapter 18 Chapter 18 I walked to the train station, finding a cab. I realized I had left my suitcase in their car. I caught a cab home. Unlocking the door to the house, I rushed to my room, dumping my things and grabbing my towel before rushing to the bathroom. Addie, is that you? my mother called out from Mayas room. Yeah, Ma, its just me, having a shower, I called back before walking and closing the door. I needed to clean myself up before she started asking questions. My entire life was falling apart, and I didnt know how to fix it or what to do. The worst part was that I couldn't tell anyone without the worry of being sued. I didnt want to go back to them; the thought scared me. I was in the shower for a while, lost in my thoughts. My mother knocked on the door. Adeline, is everything alright? You have been in there a while, 1/6 ---- Book 1 Chapter 18 she asked. I shut the taps off, grabbing my towel. Yes, everything is fine. My back is sore, is all, I told her, not wanting to open the door while she was on the other side. My mother had this ability to read me like an open book and would instantly know something was up. Are you sure you're alright? she asked again. I wasn't alright. I was far from alright, and now I had to go back to them and endure them again tomorrow. Yep, everything is great, I lied, glad she couldn't see me. Getting up in the morning, I got dressed. My mother was still feeling sick with the flu, so she said she would drop Maya off at school for me. The doorbell rang as I walked downstairs, grabbing my handbag. I heard my mothers startled voice as she answered the door, my heart skipping a beat when I walked down the hall to see Eli standing there. T'm her boss, Eli explained with his eyes going to me, walking toward him. My mother turned around to look at me, her nose red and eyes puffy as she motioned toward him. 2/6 ---- Book 1 Chapter 18 Your boss is here, honey, she said. I nodded, wondering why the hell he was here; they started after me usually. My mother sent him a smile, and I walked past her, closing the door behind me. I looked down the driveway and didn't see his car. Why are you here? I asked, walking toward my car and hitting the button to unlock it. My headlights flashed, signaling it was now unlocked. I climbed into the driver's seat. Cyrus dropped me off here on his way. I wanted to make sure you weren't going to try and skip town, he said, opening the passenger door. He stopped, looking down the side of my car at the huge scrape. Should I be worried about getting in a car with you? he asked, a silly grin on his face before he got in. No, my car had a fight with a bollard in your parking lot, I told him. What did the bollard do to you? he asked with a smile on his lips, and I realized that was the first time Thad seen him actually smile. 3/6 ---- Book 1 Chapter 18 Tt got in my way when I was running late, I told him, backing out of my driveway. I pulled onto the street, driving toward work. Traffic was painfully slow, and I saw Eli fiddling with his phone. He looked squished sitting in the front of my little car. The seat goes further back. There is a lever under the seat, I told him. He looked down and pulled it, adjusting the seat, giving himself more room. Coffee? I asked as I pulled up at the café I stopped at every morning on the way to work. Eli nodded, and I got out, expecting him to wait when he got out of the car, too, following me inside. I ordered coftee, knowing already what he drank, considering I was their coffee bitch in the office. I went to hand him some cash when Eli handed the man his card and ordered Cyrus one. We waited for my name to be called. You over your tantrum? Eli asked, typing away on his screen. Don't think someone having their house held as ransom and being upset over it could be classed as a tantrum, I told him. Regardless, it's in the past. You just need to come around to the idea of being ours, Eli said, putting 4/6 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!