𝟏𝟒

FENIX

My mind zoned out as I started at the floor, covered with blood.

"I'll call his parents." Kieran said and tapped my shoulder. The lifeless body of one of the workers was laid on the floor, in his own pool of blood.

He was shoot close to his heart and bleed out.

I just nodded at Kieran not being able to speak. I have seen many deaths but it always feels like the first time. Especially if it's one of my workers.

He was barely twenty-two. Kieran said that he started working here and was sent on this mission only a week ago.

Just when his life started to begin, it ended.

Being in charge of the family meant taking responsibility for whatever happened. And this young man lost his life because of me.

I was the one who had to take more action and establish more safety for my men.

They worked here to provide for their families. For their wives, parents, children. Their difficult situations in life brought them to this messed up world I lived in and slowly ruined them.

His name was Taylor. I don't meet and communicate with all of the guards and workers. Only if needed. That's mainly Kieran's job. But seeing him lifeless on the floor, made nauseousness rise in my throat.

I turned around and rubbed my face in frustration.

I don't know how grandpa and dad did it for so many years. It was life draining seeing things like this happen.

I was brought up to care and protect the people who worked for me. It was one of the first rules I learned. It felt like being stabbed in the chest when you fail to do so.

My breaths got shorter as I walked outside of the warehouse. The moonlight shone on the car and reflected the light on my face.

I looked down at my wrist watch, it was past midnight. The first time I haven't been home after 3pm since I got married. Elsie must be asleep now. It was late.

I saw Kieran approach me again. He was putting the phone in the pocket of his suit jacket.

"Did you call?" I asked.

"He only has his dad. He picked up the phone but didn't really seem to care, he was drunk. Taylor had a lot of burden on his shoulders. He was paying his dad's debt." I slowly nodded my head, not really knowing what to say to that.

"Pay for his funeral and pay off the debt."

"Sure." He walked past me and went to the warehouse where they were about to pick up Taylor's body.

I made my way to the driver's seat and opened the door. Without thinking, I drove off.

After about thirty minutes, I arrived in front of my house. Everything was quiet, only the guards outside. They bowed their heads in respect and I opened the door.

I stepped inside and let out a sigh. I took off my jacket and hung it on the hanger in the hallway.

Quietly, I made my way up the stairs. Only the tiny lights at the bottom of the railing were illuminating the place.

When I arrived at the bedroom door, I took hold of the knob and slowly started to open it, trying not to wake Elsie up.

I peeked my head inside but she was not on the bed. I stepped fully inside and my eyebrows creased upwards.

Then I heard movements in the bathroom. She must be there.

I marched towards the bed and sat on the edge of it. I leaned my elbows on my knees. The movements in the bathroom continued and after a minute, I heard Elsie start to open the door. She turned the lights in the bathroom off and fully stepped out.

Her eyes widened when she saw me and her hand flew to her chest. "Oh, you scared me. I didn't know you got home."

She was dressed in her pyjamas. These ones were green with blue stripes. They were shorts with a crop top that reached to the waistband of the pants. If I saw someone else wearing them I would have thought that they look ridiculous. Not on her though.

Her hair.

Her soft hair was down, wavy. She usually puts her hair up or straightens it. I liked her natural locks the best. It suited her delicate face perfectly.

"I was waiting for you and then decided to get ready for bed. I thought maybe you won't be coming back home tonight." She said and wrapped her hands around herself.

Her feet tapped on the floor as she stepped closer to me.

"There was food in the kitchen. I left it for you... if you're hungry."

"I'm not." I breathed out. I couldn't eat even if I wanted to. She whispered an okay and took another step towards me.

I tilted my head and looked up at her. Her eyes were filled with worry but nevertheless, she smiled at me.

Without thinking, I extended my hand and pulled her by her waist. When she stood in front of me, I leaned my forehead on her stomach. A deep sigh left my lips and I let my body relax.

Elsie's fingers ran through my hair in gentle motions. My jaw clenched and I folded my hands over her waist and buried my face in her covered stomach.

Every time I felt down, I use to go to grandmas house. It was where I felt safe. Now I had Elsie to go to. She was like a ray of sunshine, wrapping you up with her warmth and making you feel at peace.

No wonder I didn't think twice to ask her to marry me.

"Fenix? Are you okay?" She asked softly. Her sweet voice making my heart ease.

"Mhmm." I only hummed. I didn't want to worry her with my problems. She didn't push me to tell her and I was glad for that. I didn't want to relieve the past few hours again.

She continued to run her fingers through my hair and I closed my eyes shut. She didn't try to pull away and I gladly enjoyed having her like this.

We stayed still for couple of more minutes. Her hands going from my hair to my shoulders.

I pulled my forehead away from her and I arched my head back. My eyes were on the same level as her collarbone.

Her palms went to my face and she ran her fingers under my eyes.

All I wanted to do was pull her down and kiss her. But I didn't want to kiss her just to distract myself from my problems, she deserved better than that.

"I'll take a shower and then get to bed. You go to sleep, you must be tired." She sank her teeth into her lip and nodded her head.

I stood up to my full height and kissed her temple before going to the closet to grab new clothes.

After I did that, I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. The hot water poured down my body.

It felt good but all I wanted to do was get out and go to Elsie.

I dried my body and hair and put on the thin pyjama pants. I didn't bother to put any top on as I got out and noticed Elsie curled up on her side.

Her eyes were closed and I guess she fell asleep.

Walking towards the bed, I laid down and scooped her body close to mine. I nuzzled my face into her neck and felt the darkness consume my mind immediately.

A short update for today :)

🤍🤍🤍