Eliana spent the next day avoiding Rafael at all cost and thinking about what happened.
They kissed, that's good, right? No. What is she saying? This can't be good.
He said he doesn't want kids. Or a wife. She would enjoy a small, temporary romance if she wasn't fucking pregnant right now.
Eliana was snapped from her thoughts by Remi who just finished eating breakfast, he got up earlier than usual and his shirt wasn't wrinkled. That was new.
"Finch says I can switch to professional boxing," Remi said.
"We already had this conversation and my answer is no"
"But-"
"Surely you're not trying to argue with me" Rafael interrupted his younger sibling in a calm voice as he was enjoying his food. A stranger would think he's perfectly calm and probably wouldn't notice an underlying threat behind those words.
"You enrolled me yourself just to block my potential when I can do something with my skills?!" Remi was pissed off.
"You will speak to me in a lower tone" Rafael replied, calmly again. Eliana shivered.
Remi closed his eyes and took a deep breath "Please. At least one fight"
"I thought I was clear when I said that you will never receive my permission to be repeatedly hit in the head for money. You're not going to change my mind so I suggest you to cut it off" Rafael replied in displeasure.
"I will do whatever the fuck I want" Remi muttered and stood up from his seat to leave the kitchen.
The only problem was that Rafael stood up too and now two brothers have been facing each other in close proximity. Rafael was taller and bigger so that added to his intimidation factor but the most work was doing his eyes. It was truly terrifying when he was looking at them like that.
"Remi, listen to me carefully. I have a problem with violence only if it's for unnecessary entertainment but if I hear you undermining my authority it will end badly for you. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Remi said quietly. After that, he left the kitchen quietly.
ððð
"Giovanni told me you haven't eaten anything since lunch"
"You had to ask him?" Eliana asked irritated.
"Did you have to skip your meal again?" Rafael asked, clearly unhappy that I was answering him this way. I lowered my head in embarrassment. "You're gonna eat that fucking sandwich now."
"I'm not hungry"
He just looked at her clearly annoyed now.
She took a small piece to my mouth under the watchful eye of Rafael and unfortunately she instantly felt a wave of nausea.
Oh great just fucking fantastic. Eliana found herself in the bathroom vomiting and cursing her life.
She could hear Giovanni saying to his boss:
"She fainted at work on Monday"
Where did he come from? Did he just appear out of nowhere to make her life difficult? Oh, that's just perfect.
"What?" Rafael asked quietly and I could feel that he is indeed very pissed off right now. "Why wasn't I informed about this?" Raphael's voice grew dangerously low.
"Sorry boss I should have reported it"
Eliana was in the process of washing her face and getting herself mentally ready for the confrontation.
"It's not his fault. I told him to not tell you anything" Eliana said as she walked out of the bathroom to face Rafael.
"He's working for me not for you last time I checked," Rafael said dryly. "We will talk later," Rafael said to my bodyguard and dismissed him. "And you" he pointed at Eliana "I'm taking you to the doctor"
I've already been to a doctor, I have mild anaemia it's nothing serious. Please don't be angry at Giovanni. It's my fault he didn't tell you anything"
"I would've fired him already if I didn't know what your reaction would be. I don't care what you asked him to do. He knew perfectly well that he is obliged to inform me about anything regarding your safety and he didn't"
"Rafael...."
"What?" He asked looking at her with an angry gaze.
"Don't be mad" she pleaded and grabbed his hand into hers. It's rare for me to initiate any physical contact with him and I could tell that he was surprised even if his expression was unreadable.
"I'm worried about you," he said quietly and stroked her cheek. "Are you feeling better now?" Eliana nodded her head wordlesly. "Excellent, then we're going to a doctor"
"But I told you-"
"It won't hurt to double-check"
"I want to go to the same doctor that did my previous tests"
"It would be better to have a different opinion if clearly, he didn't help"
"I want the one I already know, please" luckily Rafael was not immune to her pleas.
He sighed.
"What's the address?"
***
"Please come in"
I was invited in and Rafael followed Eliana like a shadow. Shit. She sent him questioning look and then he leaned closer to me and said "You forgot to mention you're sick, Eliana. How can I trust you?"
"Good morning, Eli, do you wish your partner to stay during the visit?" The doctor said warmly and looked at Rafael, who was looking menacing over me.
"Eli?" Rafael repeated in a voice freezing cold.
"Rafael, this is Alex. Eva's boyfriend"
"Ah yes, I remember. He was at the reception" it didn't seem to lift Rafael's sour mood.
"It's good to see you again"
"Likewise" he said in a formal voice.
"Do you want your husband to stay?"
"No, I want him to leave"
But Rafael obviously did not listen. Eliana looked at him and we had a staring contest that she of course lost.
"Sir, I would like to ask you to leave," Alex said in a gentle voice, addressing Rafael.
"Thank you, I will stay" Rafael replied.
"I'll call security" Alex threatened.
"By all means," Eliana's husband replied with amusement.
She bit my lip. Not. It won't end well.
"I changed my mind. He can stay" Eliana said quickly.
"Are you sure?" Alex looked uncomfortable. Welcome to the club.
"Yes, after all, it's just anaemia," Eliana said looking at Alex whose confusion was quickly replaced by understanding.
"She was vomiting this morning. And has no appetite for several days "
"I will prescribe something for nausea" Alex replied awkwardly.
"I assume you are excellent in your profession since my wife insisted on taking her here," Rafael said smoothly, his statement sounding more like a threat. Oh my God.
"Oh ... yes," Dr. Brown said nervously.
"But please tell me why are you prescribing to my wife medication without carrying out detailed tests? Are you sure you are a doctor?"
"Stop it," Eliana pleaded.
"I will make more detailed tests," Alex said looking properly terrified right now.
"You see? More tests. Satisfied?" I asked, annoyed.
"I will be satisfied when I know you're fine" Rafael responded sharply.
Alex was forced to draw her blood once again.
"Thank you, Alex and I'm really sorry for the trouble"
"It's fine"
"It was nice to meet you dr. Brown" Rafael said.
Surely, it was not so nice for Alex.