Chapter Five

A Threat From The Past

Eli stared down at the name flashing across his phone screen. It was his mother. He hissed. Today is Saturday, and he's supposed to be resting, and not to be disturbed. 

He didn’t need to answer to know what this was about. After all, a week had passed since the coffee date with Adrian. He was still thinking about the kiss. Sometimes, he would gently caress his lips. The memory makes him smile. But so did the unease that strange sense of being watched.

Still, this? He knew exactly what his parents wanted. And he wasn’t ready. He wished they could just leave him alone to live his life and find his own happiness. 

He let the call go to voicemail. Then came a text.

“Come home, Eli. I know you can see my call, but intentionally didn't want to answer. We need to talk. Don’t make me call again…Mom.”

A sigh escaped his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Megan, who was in his house working, noticed from across the room but didn’t say anything. She’d learned when to speak and when to disappear.

Then his phone rang again. This time, he answered. “Mother.”

“Eli,” she called, sounding angry. “Your father and I would like to see you this weekend.”

“I’m busy.”

“You’re always busy,” she replied. “You can make time for your family, can’t you?”

“I know why you’re calling.”

“And still, you refuse to come?” Her voice wavered but softly and strategically now. She knows how to get him to do whatever she wants. “Eli, your father… he worries. I worry. We don’t see you with anyone. We just want…”

“Please don’t do this.”

She sighed. “Fine. If you don’t care about your father, at least come for me. I miss my son.”

The manipulation was as gentle as it was infuriating.

Later that day, Eli decided to go; he didn't want his mother calling again to emotionally blackmail him. So he got dressed in causal and fitted wear.

*********************************

The Chamberlin estate was as big as ever. Ivy wrapped itself around the columns like a lover unwilling to let go. The polished stone steps reflected the midday sun. Maids scurried at the front door the moment they saw his Lamborghini pull in.

“Good afternoon, sir,” one said, bowing slightly.

He didn’t answer.

He walked inside. As he passed, his perfume followed him. He smells like old money. His mother descended the staircase with open arms like she hadn’t just emotionally blackmailed him a few minutes ago.

“There’s my beautiful boy,” she beamed, planting a kiss on his cheek.

He offered a tight smile.

From the sitting room, he heard voices. One unmistakably deep and commanding. his father’s. When he peeped, he saw his father’s friend and business partner, Mr. Robert Voss, and his daughter. Sabrina Voss. 

Eli stepped into the parlor.

His father, Richard Chamberlin, was dressed in a navy blue shirt, holding a whiskey tumbler and laughing with Robert Voss; they have been friends since he was little. He was seated between them, elegantly poised with her long legs crossed, was her ... my childhood friend. Sabrina Voss.

The only girl Eli had ever kissed…if that playground peck when they were ten even counted.

She smiled as soon as she saw him, she brushed her hair behind her ear in that deliberate, slow-motion way that made men weak.

“Eli,” she said softly. He forced a small smile and sat down across from her.

No one said anything at first. Then, his mother broke the silence.

“Eli, darling, we’ve brought you here because we have something important to discuss.”

He leaned back, tightening his jaw. “I figured.”

His father spoke next, in a stern voice. “You’re thirty-one, Eli. No wife. No children. You haven’t brought a single woman home. This is unacceptable for a Chamberlin.”

Eli’s mother chimed in quickly. “We thought… Maybe you’re shy. Or maybe work has taken too much of your time. So, we’ve decided to help.”

Eli’s brows arched.

His mother smiled sweetly. “You remember Sabrina.”

“I do,” he said, glancing at her.

“She’s back in the city. As you can see, she’s beautiful, successful, and she’s always adored you. We think it’s the perfect match. A union that would benefit both families. And maybe finally we’ll have grandchildren to spoil.”

The words hung in his ear like a musical sound. Without hesitation, Eli stood. “No.”

His father blinked. “What?”

“I’m not interested.” The silence that followed was deafening.

His mother’s smile faltered. His father’s face turned red. Sabrina’s eyes widened, parting her lips slightly in shock.

“You will marry her,” Richard thundered, rising to his feet. “Do you have any idea what this arrangement means to our family? To our business?!”

“I don’t care,” Eli said coldly.

Robert Voss looked mortified. “Richard..maybe we should…”

“No,” Richard snapped. “He’s out of line.”

Richard stepped away from the group with his daughter, heading for the door. But before he could leave, Sabrina rose and approached him. Her voice was calm, but her eyes burned.

“I’ve loved you since we were kids,” she said softly, her fingers grazing his arm. “That kiss meant something to me, Eli. It always did.”

He looked down at her hand and stepped back.

“You’re not going to get away from me this time,” she whispered, just for him to hear. “I’m not leaving. I’m here to stay.” With that, she turned on her heel and left with her father trailing behind.

Eli’s father was livid.

“You will not embarrass this family like this!” he shouted.

Eli spun on him. “Watch me.”

“Don’t you dare disgrace us.”

“I won’t marry someone I don’t love,” Eli said. “And that’s final.”

His mother clutched her pearls, with her eyes wide with fear, or was it realization?

“You’re being ridiculous,” Richard seethed. “You’re our only heir, and you’ll act like it.”

“I’d rather die poor and happy than rich and imprisoned,” Eli muttered. He turned to leave. His heart thumped in his ears.

As he reached the front hallway, his mother’s voice called after him. “Eli,” she said sharply.

He stopped.

“Are you…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Are you gay?” The world stopped moving. His hand

froze on the door. He didn’t turn around or didn't breathe.