Sereia's POV
F O U RÂ D A Y SÂ L A T E R
My body shook violently as I forced myself to pack my suitcase.
The day he told me that we were going to New York I forced myself to stop taking the heroin.
It's not like I could travel to New York with drugs in my pocket, could I?
I had gone through withdrawal many times before, but they were never as bad as this.
I wish it was as easy to stop as it is to start.
I hadn't even been to work in four days because I'd gotten so sick.
However, I couldn't stay in bed any longer.
He was going to be here any minute now so that we could go to the airport together.
I threw my last pantsuit in there before zipping it up.
I fell back on my bed and closed my eyes.
That felt like a whole workout.
The doorbell rang and I groaned.
All I wanted was a minute.
I sighed as I forced myself up and pulled down my black, bodycon dress.
I then grabbed the handle of my suitcase before dragging it downstairs with me.
When I opened the door, he was there to greet me, dressed in his full black suit.
"Ready to go?" he asked as he took the suitcase from me.
My hand began to tremble and I immediately placed it behind my back.
If he were to ever find out I was on drugs, he'd fire me immediately.
I'd say goodbye to any glance of revenge.
I forced a smile. "Ready as I'll ever be."
He held the backseat door open for me and when I was seated inside, he carried my suitcase to the trunk.
His driver in front smiled at me with a wave. I did the same before Elliot came next to me.
The driver took off and for the first ten minutes, we didn't speak to each other.
Normally, I would have already taken advantage of the situation and tried to get closer to him but not today.
Today I wasn't in the mood to force myself to interact with him.
"My assistant said you were sick," he said as he looked out of the window. "Feelin' better?"
His Chicago accent was thicker than usual.
I looked out of my window. "Yeah, stomach bug got me."
I suddenly felt something soft on my lap.
When I looked down, it was a small brown teddy bear.
He looked at me. "He's supposed to help you feel better. I sleep with him whenever I'm sick or tired."
I turned to look at him as I furrowed my eyebrows.
Is he for real right now? Does he believe a teddy bear can cure illnesses?
"Don't worry," he said. "I washed and disinfected it. It's germ-free, I promise."
"Sir, is this a joke?" I asked.
"I really did disinfect it, twice actually," he defended himself and I shook my head.
"No, do you really think a teddy bear will make me feel better?"
"Of course I do," he said. "It might not make your sickness go away but at least you'll have something to hug while your body fights off your illness."
I watched him silently.
"Sleep with it tonight and tell me how it goes," he smiled slightly before returning his attention back to the window.
He smiles.
I looked in front and saw that the driver was trying to hold in his smile.
The rich really are crazy.
...
I filled my mouth with food in my section of the company's plane while Elliot sat in his section working.
How boring.
This was a work trip after all.
"You sure you don't want any?" I asked him.
"I'm good," he replied with his eyes glued to the screen.
Everytime I think I've gotten through to him, he pulls something like this.
I wiped my mouth before going to the bathroom to wash my hands.
When I was done, I began walking around.
I had originally thought that Elliot was going to make us ride in business class or maybe even first class.
But no, he had to catch me off guard by leading me into a private plane.
This was my first time on one of these things and I must say I'm very impressed.
Every detail, from the state-of-the-art entertainment system to the well-stocked bar, was designed to enhance my sense of relaxation and exclusivity.
I felt jealous that he got to fly in it whenever he wanted.
"Can I get you anything?" the flight attendant asked as she stood behind the bar.
I immediately shook my head.
I was never a fan of alcohol. The bitterness and the burn in my throat just didn't suit me.
On the other hand, it seemed to suit my father perfectly.
There was a portrait placed on the wall depicting Elliot, another guy, and his parents.
They are good people from what I heard.
However, you never know.
Everyone thinks Olivia and her parents are good people too. If that were true I wouldn't be working here and my sister would still be alive.
"You can pour me bourbon," his low voice said to the flight attendant before sitting down next to me. "With rocks."
She nodded and got started on his drink.
"Your mother and father are beautiful," I told him. "I don't know what happened with you."
He sent me a vicious look and I laughed.
"I see that you're well enough to insult your boss," he said.
"Maybe it was the power of your magic teddy bear," I teased him.
He rolled his eyes. "You know what, I'm going to take him back. You don't deserve him."
I subconsciously grabbed his arm. "No, don't!"
I felt a strong pulse through his arm and we both looked down at it.
He quickly pulled it away as he grabbed the glass the flight attendant had placed in front of him.
"I still have to test out your theory tonight," I said as he took of a mouthful of his drink.
"Do you like bourbon?" he randomly asked as he swirled the glass in his hand.
"No."
He turned to look at me. His brown eyes staring into my green ones.
"Have you ever had bourbon?"
"No."
"So how can you say you don't like it?"
"Because I don't like alcohol," I explained.
"Try it," he said as he brought the glass to my mouth. "It's my favorite. I wouldn't give you anything that's bad."
I watched him, ready to say no but I didn't. "Okay."
He smiled as he brought the glass to my slightly parted lips.
As the small amount of bourbon entered my mouth, it had confirmed my earlier statement about not liking it.
However, I swallowed it down as he watched me.
He began to move away the cup but I held his hand and made him throw more in my mouth.
He watched me seeming a bit impressed when the glass became empty.
My throat and chest burned so bad.
"So I'm guessing you like it?" he smiled as he reached over the counter and grabbed the bottle to refill his cup.
I licked my button lip. "Believe what you want, Elliot."
He looked on me angrily when I called his name.
I smiled as I got up. "Enjoy the rest of your drink, sir."
I continued on with the rest of my pour, leaving him to ponder over me.
I'm changing my strategy. I'll let him come to me.