01 || Come Back Home, Eli

Chapter One: Come Back Home, Eli.

Copyright © 2022 by Honeybeehive

All rights reserved.

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Eli's POV

“Yes, yes. Mom. I know. I will come back. But I am yet to finish up what I want to do.” I said, using my shoulders to hold my phone in place as I cut through the pink ribbon. I was going to be getting a contract of a particular wedding event and yet my mother won't let me rest.

“I know you will, but you have been deliberately ignoring your brother's call.” She said and I paused for a second at what she said. My brother. He…

Standing upright with my teeth grinding against each other, I swallowed down the lump of so many swear words, “Mother, Jace and I have nothing to talk about. Moreover, he is living his life and I am also doing the same. He was against my job and I am against his calls, you see. We are even.” I said, going back to the cutting the ribbon. I could hear her sigh and I knew she must be exhausted from trying to get me to talk to my elder brother but I don’t care. If he wants us to resolve what was between us, he has to tell the truth.

“Eli…”

“Mom, you know what? I am quite busy with a particular design preparation. I will call you later. I love you and good bye.” I said and before she could say anything, I disconnected the call. I heard a feminine snort behind me and I scoffed. The dummy was here already.

“Didn’t know you already arrived.” I said and my stupid best friend hissed out before dropping her bag on the desk.

“I came all the way from Crane city to this place and you say that? Wow, really good for being your best friend.” She said dramatically and I shook my head.

“How was your trip?” I asked.

“Fine.” She sighed.

“How are you now?” I asked, dropping what I was doing and turning to look at her. She understood what I meant and she shook her head, not wanting to talk about it.

“Really? You don’t want to talk about it? You are being ridiculous.” I snapped at her in anger.

How could she keep hiding the truth for him?

She kept protecting someone who was not worth protecting for.

“Ashley…”

“Elisa.” She cut me off as she forced smile.

“As I just arrived, let me forget about him for a while, okay?” she begged and her eyes blinked before I released a deep breath and looked away.

“we are talking about it whether you like it or not!” I said and she smiled before nodding her head.

Ashley and I have been best friends for over ten years, considering we grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same high school and we always kept in touch even after she relocated.

It has been two years she got engaged to her boyfriend and he won't stop hitting her. No matter how hard I try to figure out why she won't just leave him, I don’t get anything out of her.

“What about you close for today and take me on a tour?” she asked giddily.

I chuckled and packed my things. Turning to the rest of my workers, I pointed to them. “Nothing must go wrong with the preparation, once I am done taking Ash around, I will come to see what you all have done. You know what is required.” I said and they all nodded. I turned to Ash and we both stepped out. Getting into my car, I drove off.

Although everyone was against me going for this job, it has always been my passion to watch people tie knots and make vows under my arrangement. Make them smile and cry tears of joy on their one in a lifetime experience. I have helped lot of couples, both locals and the rich. Meeting your soul mate and knowing it is them is something divine and I wished I could feel it. I once did. I once felt it. Like he was the one. The one perfect for my puzzled life. But then I was wrong. So wrong. Not only was he the wrong one but the one who was determined to break me. And guess what, he succeeded.

I turned to look at Ashley, wasn't it better if she just leave him and deal with the heart break instead of staying with him, getting raped and beaten, then ended up getting divorced?

I know somewhere in her heart, she was praying to the Almighty to please change his heart. The fact that that was what she mainly pray about was something I know she can't let go. I hope the Almighty will give her the heart to leave him and don’t get killed her stupid boyfriend.

“Wow, this city is really pretty. Girl, you have been enjoying luxury.” She said and I grinned wide.

“What do you mean? I have lots of wealthy connections, so living in this part of the city should not be hard.” I retorted playfully and she scoffed.

“Yeah, yeah, my wedding planner.” She said and suddenly her face saddened as she looked away instantly. I had promised her when I wanted to start this business that I would be the one to plan her wedding and all but now… I doubt she will ever even have a ceremony. She slowly wiped the tears off her face and I looked away to let her have her moment.

“Can't I have a day without him being in it?” she asked and I knew she was not asking me but wondering. I bit my lips as I parked the car. I turned to look at her. “There is only one way to find out.” I said with wide grin. Carrying my bag, I stepped out of the car and she followed suite.

“Elisabeth Callaway, what the hell are you up to?” she asked, marching toward me. Carrying my twenty three years old body, I ran towards the amusement hall. She chased after me and I grinned wide.

**

After I was done trying to get Ash to play most of the games there, we left the place with ice creams in our hands. “Are you still going back to work?” she asked. I looked up at the weather and turned to look at her.

“Yes, the wedding I am preparing for is happening in two days, I can't bear to slack.” I said and she smiled.

She held me by my shoulders. “I am really proud of you.” She said and I could feel every bit of support in it.

“Thank you, after all you were the one only who believed I could do this.” I said.

“He also did.” She said all of sudden and my hands trembled, even the ice cream was about to fall off. She moved closer to me but I held my hand out to her, “No, I am not talking about him. Not now. Not ever.”

“But you are going home,” she said.

“I am going home. But not to him.” I said back.

“He is your home.” She said and before I could give a reply, she walked off and waved to a particular cab. While I stood here, dumbfounded at the memory.