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Chapter 9
Date de publication:
2026-10-09 04:50:24
Dernier chapitre
The asking; Elias you didn't take what I did not give. 35- “I believe you were asking for an award.”
MARAThe journey back to Kaoma Estate is unusually quiet.Not because Elias has nothing to say, but because I have spent most of it stealing glances at him.He is sitting opposite me, one arm resting casually against the side of the carriage. His expression is as composed as ever, as though he hadn't just turned an entire gathering upside down because someone dared to question my worth.I look down at my hands.I still cannot believe what happened.He defended me.Not quietly. Not discreetly.He stood before those influential men and women and made it clear that he wasn't ashamed of me.And Margaret…I almost smile.I wonder what expression she wore after we left.“What are you smiling about?”I immediately look up.“Nothing.”“Nothing?”“Yes.”He studies me for a moment before returning his attention to the window.I look at him again.This man is impossible. By the time we arrive at the estate, the sun has begun its descent.Elias steps out first and offers me his hand.I take it.H
The asking; Elias you didn't take what I did not give. 34- Elias, you're making a mistake
ELIASThe meeting is nearing its end when Margaret decides to make her move.Most of the gentlemen have already concluded their discussions. A few are gathering their papers while others remain seated, exchanging remarks about the proposed arrangements.Mara is beside me, quietly listening as Mr. Chanda discusses the final figures.Her fingers rest near mine on the table.Occasionally, they brush against each other.I have become rather accustomed to these small gestures.Perhaps too accustomed.“Before everyone leaves,” Margaret announces.My attention shifts towards her.She is standing near the opposite end of the table, holding a small collection of papers.“What is it?” one of the gentlemen asks.Margaret offers him a polite smile.“There is something I believe everyone here ought to know.”I lean back in my chair.“Then speak.”Her eyes briefly meet mine.There is something almost triumphant in her expression.She places the papers on the table.Among them are several newspaper
The asking; Elias you didn't take what I did not give. 33- “Do you think she knows something about me?”
ELIASThe journey to the district is relatively quiet.Mara sits beside me in the carriage, occasionally glancing out of the window. Her hand rests in mine, although she seems more interested in watching the passing scenery than acknowledging the fact that I have been holding it for the better part of the journey.I don't mind.In fact, I rather enjoy it.When we finally arrive at the residence where the meeting is being held, I step out first before offering her my hand.She takes it, allowing me to help her down.We stand before the entrance for a moment.“Before we go in,” she says.I turn towards her.“Yes?”“What exactly am I supposed to be in there?”I study her face.“What do you mean?”She gestures towards the house.“These important people you're meeting. What am I introduced as? Your guest? Your companion? Someone you happened to bring along?”I don't even have to think about it.“My woman.”Her eyebrows shoot up.I place my hand around her waist and draw her closer.“Is the
The asking; Elias you didn't take what I did not give. 32- the side of Elias only she gets to see
MARAThe first thing I notice when I wake up is the sunlight.The second is the time.Or rather, the amount of sunlight suggests that I have slept far longer than I intended.I slowly open my eyes, blinking against the brightness filtering through the curtains. My body feels strangely heavy, and when I attempt to move, a small groan escapes my lips.Oh.My.Goodness.My legs.I try moving them again, only to discover that they feel like jelly. Every muscle seems to have collectively decided that functioning is no longer part of its responsibilities.I fall back against the pillows.Thirty days under Elias Kaoma's roof, and somehow, the thirty-first has left me unable to walk properly.I bury my face in the pillow.Perhaps I should never leave this bed again.A quiet rustle draws my attention.Turning my head, I find Elias standing near the wardrobe, already dressed. His shirt is neatly tucked into his trousers, his waistcoat perfectly fitted, and his hair looks as though he has spent
The asking; Elias you didn't take what I did not give. Chapter 31
Elias Door opens.I lift my head.Mara stands in the doorway, barefoot.For a moment, I forget what I was doing.She looks at me, then at the paper in my hand.“I'm not paying,” she says. “I'm not the note. I'm not your month of patience paying out.”I put the paper down.“Then what are you doing in my doorway, Mara?”“Ask me.”I say nothing.“Ask me what I want, and I'll tell you, and it won't be a debt.”I look at her for a long moment.There are many things I could say. I could remind her that she owes me nothing. I could tell her that the note has never been the reason I brought her here.But she has finally come to me without hiding behind the debt.I will not ruin that moment by speaking for her.I place the note facedown on the desk and stand.“Then I'll ask you once.”My voice is lower than I intend.“What do you want, Mara?”“You. Not freedom. Not the paper. You. I want it to be mine, not owed. I want to give it to you and have you take it, and I want never to be able to ca
The asking; Elias you didn't take what I did not give. Chapter 30
ELIASThirty days.Thirty days under my roof, and I have not touched Mara.Not her hand at dinner. Not her waist when she passes me on the stairs. Not even when she stands close enough for me to catch the faint scent of her hair.I have opened doors, pulled out chairs, and watched her walk past me without allowing my hands to follow.It has been the longest thirty days of my life.She thinks I am patient.Perhaps I am. But patience has never felt this much like punishment.The note remains in the second drawer of my desk. White paper, her father's ruin written in numbers, and her signature beneath them. I remember the first time I placed it before her.So you know what you're worth.I have regretted those words more times than I care to count.Not because they were untrue, but because I watched what they did to her. She has spent every day since trying to understand what I intend to take from her.And I have spent every day trying not to give her a reason to fear me.Kaoma House has r
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