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ELSIE

I don't think I've ever been this happy.

Not when I got excepted in college and not even when I graduated.

This morning when I woke up, I was completely pressed close to Fenix and his lips were inches away from my forehead.

It has been few days since he got back home and he has been staying here. Spending his time with me and Ian and also resting his shoulder.

The bandages were taken off and I was glad he was not in pain anymore.

Ian had been better than ever now that Fenix is back. He wouldn't even let go of his hand.

I talked with him about meeting Sally. She called and asked if we could meet. We were going for a dinner tonight.

The door of the bathroom opened wide and Fenix stepped in.

He lazy walked over to me and rested his forehead on my shoulder.

"Where is Ian?" I asked and started applying sun screen on my face. Today Ian wanted to spend the day by the pool. Of course me and Fenix immediately agreed.

"In his room. He said that he wants to play football. He's getting ready." Fenix murmured and then started placing slow kisses down my neck and shoulder.

He was being extra affectionate and I loved it. I loved every second of it.

I never knew I would enjoy it this much.

"Wait you're tickling me." I squirmed and a throat laughed escaped my lips.

Fenix hooked his arm around my waist and pulled me flush to his strong torso. The muscles on his arms flexed and I felt my face get hot.

His lips didn't stop prepping kisses but I somehow managed to finish with applying the sum screen.

I quickly gathered my hair in a messy ponytail and placed my glasses on my nose. I haven't worn them in a while. I got use to wearing the contacts which sometimes irritated my eyes.

"Eli!" Ian's voice echoed through the bedroom and Fenix detached his plump lips from my burning skin.

"Let's go." Fenix said and we got out of the bathroom.

Ian had a ball in his hands and grinned at us.

"I'm ready." He threw the ball in the air and caught it while laughing.

⋆˚✿˖°

The sun warmed my skin while I observed Fenix and Ian with the biggest grin on my face. Fenix was teaching him how to score a goal.

I pushed my glasses up and rested my chin on my hand.

Fenix was dressed in a tight fitting t-shirt and shorts. Seeing him like this was definitely not good for my heart.

Seeing him with Ian made my stomach do weird things. Is this how butterflies in the stomach feel? The feeling that people usually described when someone was in love.

"Eli can you play with us?"

"Sure buddy." I stood up from the sun-lounger. I fixed my shorts and top.

I marched towards them and placed a hand above my eyes, shielding myself from the sun.

"I'll be at the goal." Ian ran towards the goal they placed with Fenix earlier when we got by the pool.

"I actually don't know how to play football." I confessed and leaned on one leg while placing my hands on my hips. Fenix chuckled and rested his foot on the black and white ball.

"It's not that hard. I'll teach you."

"Okay then."

"Well, take it from me." He pointed his gaze to the ball and I nodded. I extended my leg and tried to kick it but Fenix beat me to it and took the ball away from me with his other foot.

"Hey! That's not fair." I protested and tried to do it again.

He started moving closer to the goal and I groaned in frustration. I didn't like competitive games. Sally and Aiden always tried to remind me of how easily I was able to get angry at them.

Maybe it was because Fenix had longer legs and not because I didn't know how to play.

"Eli, noo! Not like that." Ian exclaimed while laughing and covered his face.

I grabbed Fenix by his bicep and tried to pull him away but nothing helped.

I stopped for a second and took a deep breath. Being active like this was definitely not for me. It felt like I ran a mile in this few short minutes.

Fenix smirked at me and waited for my move.

Maybe I can try something else and distract him. Maybe that could work.

"Look there." I pointed behind him and as soon as he turned his head around, I crouched down and snatched the ball in my hands.

I ran to where Ian with the little strength that was left in me.

To my luck, I didn't get far away because two strong hands circled around my waist. I was hoisted up in the air and Fenix spun me around.

"That's not how you play, princess."

"Let me at least score one goal." I tightened my hands around the ball.

"Okay." He chuckled and let me down slowly. I steadied myself on my legs and straightened my back. Okay then.

I placed the ball on the ground and Ian positioned himself in front of the goal.

Just before I was able to kick the ball, Fenix took it away from me.

Oh my God!

I was going to kill him.

"I decided that I actually don't like you at all." At my words, Fenix tilted his head back and laughed out loud. His Adam's apple bobbed as he placed his hand on his toned stomach.

Ian chuckled and while covering his mouth.

Fenix closed the distance between us and leaned his head close to me. His lips almost touching my ear.

"You look sexy when you're angry. If it weren't for Ian, I would have thrown you over my shoulder and took you to our room Mrs. Carolingian." His hot breath fanned my skin and I felt my face tingle with blush.

A smile reached my lips and I bit my lip to prevent a laugh.

"Well I guess you are not that lucky Mr. Carolingian." I said and stepped away with a grin. I turned around and went towards Ian.

⋆˚✿˖°

"When are we going to eat?" Ian asked and tapped his palms on his stomach.

"Sally will be here soon and then we'll order." I ran my hand over his back. We were at a restaurant for the dinner we agreed on with Sally.

Fenix was sat next to me and had his hand on my thigh. He was dressed more casually. With a black t-shirt and grey dress pants. His hair was messier than usual and he had his reading glasses on. His eyes were focused on the phone in his other hand.

"Do you want to go somewhere for the weekend? I'll be free." Fenix asked.

"I'll have to talk with Bridget. She invited us for lunch if we have time. Your dad is making a barbecue."

"Then we better be there because she's gonna bite my ears off if we don't."

"Are you gonna tell when that this," I pointed to us, "started off as a deal."

He let out a sigh and took off his glasses. "Don't know. I'll tell them eventually." I nodded. I didn't want to be any secrets anymore. They deserved to know.

I'm sure they'll understand.

I ran my palms over the skirt of the dress. Today I had a dark green body-con dress with thin straps. My hair was down and tied half up with a butterfly clip.

My eyes flew to the door opening.

It was Sally.

Her eyes wandered around and then settled on us. When she noticed us, a small smile formed on her lips.

She was dressed in dress pants and a blouse. Her hair was down and straightened. She looked even better than the last time we saw each other.

Finally she was getting her life back. She had the same glow on her face like the one when we were younger.

I noticed how her gaze softened as she looked at Ian.

When she was close enough, she crouched down next to him.

"Hello, Ian." She spoke.

Ian glanced my way and I nodded at him with a smile. He stood up from the chair and fell into her embrace when she extended her hands.

Sally kissed his hair and face and held him tighter.

"How are you?" She cupped his face and tears shimmered in her eyes.

"Good but I'm hungry." Ian's lip jutted out. Sally laughed and kissed his forehead for the last time. She turned to us and greeted Fenix before she hugged me.

"This is for you, Ian." She gave him a small gift bag.

"For me?" His eyes widened.

"Of course."

He immediately dug in. It was a couple of art supplies. His face lit up and he looked happy about the gift.

We all sat by the table and the waiter brought us the menus.

I skimmed through the pages and decided to order whatever Fenix was ordering. I didn't even understand half of the names.

Sally sat close to Ian and I was more than happy that he was comfortable enough and talked with her. She asked him about school and he answered everything with the tinniest little details.

"Did you start with your new work? I mean did you accept your boss's offer?" I pointed my question at Sally.

"Oh yes. I did. I'll be moving there in the following week." She seemed pleased enough with her decision.

"Fenix you know her boss actually. I forgot to tell you."

He arched his eyebrow and waited for me to continue.

"Ferreira. The man who was with you at the dinner when we met."

"Mhmm, I do."

"Sally will be working there as a maid." He looked surprised but nevertheless he nodded.

"Benicio must have been in a good mood to offer you that job."

"He is a moody man but I'm thankful that he was kind enough to do that." Her eyes lit up with gratefulness.

The waiter brought us the food and we quickly dug in. I was also hungry.

Ian began to talk again and Sally listened to every one of his words with so much attention. My heart beamed with content.

"Don't worry she'll be more safe in that house than anywhere else." Fenix spoke close to me and gave my thigh a squeeze in reassurance. I nodded.

I just hope he is right.

Things were going more than good and I hope that they will stay like this.

Let's see what will be revealed in the next chapter...👀

Are you a competitive person when it comes to group games?

I use to fight with my siblings for it all the time. I hated losing. Still do.😭

By the way check out my new book START OF TIME. 🫶🫶

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