Chapter - 24

Two weeks. It's been weeks he had properly spoken with Elio. It's not like Elio avoids him or acts cold with him. Everything was going as usual. They have their breakfast with small talks and Elio comes to the office. But not with Nicolas. Elio comes to the office late, either one of the three drops him there. He looks tired and Nicolas was sure he saw a bruise on Elio's arm. But he didn't ask anything. Elio talks with him like nothing happened and it was making him go crazy. He wanted Elio to shout at him or do anything. But he did nothing. He thought Elio would does that and he could apologize. But that didn't happen. So he never got to apologise. And right now he was sitting in his office looking outside the window at the dark sky. He was alone since Elio wanted to go home early. He was feeling something but couldn't understand what emotion it was. He sighed and stood up to leave. He loosened his tie when he got inside the car. He dragged his tired legs when he reached home. He started unbuttoning his shirt once he got inside his room. His body froze when he heard a sound coming from Elio's room. He stood still hoping it isn't what he think it is.

"Mmm."

Nicolas turned towards Elio's room in a flash. He walked towards the door connecting his and Elio's room.

"Yes Eli just like that."

He heard a voice speak in excitement. Tyler?

"Mmm argh."

He heard some thumping noise also. What the fuck? Were they fucking? The thought made Nicolas fume with anger. How dare Tyler touch his Donna? Nicolas pushed open the door with such force that the sound of the door hitting the wall echoed throughout the whole floor. His eyes zeroed on Eli who had his leg froze in the air mid way and the pillow tied to the bedpost. Tyler was standing next to him and Simon and Jay was sitting on the couch. Everyone was looking at him shocked. Elio brings his leg down and stands straight.

"What the fuck is going on?"

Nicolas asked confused.

"Well we were training until you decided to interrupt us."

Elio said with his hands on his hips.

"Well i heard some noise."

Nicolas said trying to defend himself.

"Duh it's because i was kicking the pillow."

Elio said and rubbed his temple exhausted. Nicolas understood he was tired and decided not to talk anymore.

"I'm tired. We'll continue our training tomorrow."

Elio said to the three who left after hugging him, which irked Nicolas. Can't believe they are more close to Elio than him, his own husband. And what training were they talking about? He sighs and walks back to his room, to shower. He should definitely talk to Elio tomorrow no matter what.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elio got ready and was about to go out of his room for breakfast. He opened the door and froze when he saw Nicolas standing outside.

"What are you doing outside?"

Elio asked confused.

"We need to talk."

Nicolas spoke before entering Elio's room, and Elio followed him inside, folding his hands.

"Last night, you mentioned something about training to the bodyguards—"

"Friends. They're not just bodyguards, they're my friends,"

Elio corrected him.

"Okay, your friends. What did you mean by training?"

Nicolas asked.

"They agreed to train me."

Elio replied with a shrug.

"But why would you need training?"

Nicolas pressed, desperation creeping into his voice. Elio stared at Nicolas for a few seconds, as if he had grown a second head. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Well, you were the one who told me I was weak, so I decided to train and become strong so that I won't be a burden in the future."

Nicolas's heart sank, realizing he was the reason behind Elio's decision.

"But I didn't mean it. I—I was angry. I—"

"But you were right."

Elio said flatly. Nicolas had never realized how much his words would affect Elio. He feared that no matter how much he tried to reassure him, Elio wouldn't believe it or change his mindset about being weak. Elio's mind drifted back to the incident when Nicolas had shouted at him. Shaking his head, he mustered a smile.

"Let's go."

He started to walk past Nicolas but was halted by a firm grip on his wrist. Turning back, he raised an eyebrow in question. Nicolas pulled Elio closer, their faces inches apart. Elio's breath hitched at the sudden closeness.

"I'm sorry."

Nicolas said, his voice earnest. Elio looked shocked at the apology.

"I really am. I am an asshole for calling you weak."

"I-i don't think i can forget what you said that easily. It takes time."

"And i would grovel and apologise until you forgive me."

Nicolas said genuinely. Elio nodded and linked his arm through Nicolas.

"Shall we go?"

Nicolas gave a small smile before walking downstairs for breakfast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Can we take a break?"

Elio asked Nicolas, who was busy going through some files.

"You can take a break if you want."

Nicolas replied, not lifting his eyes from the papers.

"Well, I don't want to take a break alone, you should join me. You know, keep me company."

Elio insisted, staring intently at Nicolas. Nicolas met Elio's gaze, and they held a silent staring contest.

"Fine."

Nicolas finally conceded, closing the files and moving around the table to sit next to Elio on the couch. He loosened his tie as he settled in. Both of them reclined back, gazing at the ceiling.

"Did you catch the person who intruded the base?"

Elio asked, breaking the silence. Nicolas felt a surge of frustration at the thought.

"No. Luca and our team are still looking into it."

"Do you think someone inside the gang snitched or is helping someone?"

Elio probed.

"No. Every one of the gang members has a chip installed in their bodies, so we have them under surveillance 24/7."

Nicolas stated confidently.

"Then what if somebody planted something in one of our members without their knowledge? Or what if they implanted a chip inside our base?"

Elio asked playing with his shirt cuffs. Nicolas sits up straight and looks at Elio. Elio was saying anything that comes to his mind, but that something was actually possible to happen. Elio turns to look at Nicolas who was staring at him like he said something serious.

"Umm what?"

"That may be a possibility too."

Nicolas whispered and takes out his phone calling Luca. Maybe they will find something that will help them catch the culprit.