AUTHOR'S POV

Caden's apartment,
04:09 am

" Elly". Caden called more like whispered.

She opened her eyes only to see him all ready in blue jeans, a white t-shirt along with an unbuttoned blue shirt on it.

" Get ready fast. We are going". He said brushing her hair back from her face.

" Where?". She asked rubbing her eyes thinking it much be her doctor's appointment.

" To know you". He replied smiling at her.

She immediately sat up. " We are going out?". She asked excitedly.

" Yup". Caden nodded. " Now get up otherwise we'll miss the sunrise". He added.

Nodding her head she quickly got inside the washroom. Taking a quick shower she didn't wash her hair as it's so long and will take time to get dry.

Caden was killing the time by scrolling through social media but the click sound of the washroom door caught his attention. He followed her slim figure as she walked outside the bathroom and went inside the closet.

She was wearing blue shorts, a white t-shirt plus a blue unbuttoned shirt on it just like Caden. She quickly made a high ponytail and turned towards Caden who was already staring at her.

"I'm ready". She said walking towards Caden who gazed at her up to down only to chuckle. Her eyebrows crashed together. " What?". She asked.

Caden sat on his ankle and tied her white sneaker's lace properly. She got embarrassed because she haven't worn any shoes before.

He stood up and asked for her hand that she forwarded right away. Intertwining their finger they made their way outside silently.

Caden took her to a little outside of the city light in his car. It was a high place. Chilly and dark.

They both got off the car and rested their back on the car's hood looking at the open sky waiting for the sun to rise.

She closed her eyes hearing the chirping sounds of birds. Feeling the moment. " I'll take you outside". A deep whispering-like voice passed by her ear. She tried to focus on it, wanted to know who's that voice belonged to because that isn't Caden's. It's the voice she has been hearing now and then.

" Elly". She opened her eyes when she heard Caden's voice. " Look". He said pointing towards the sky.

Following his finger tip's direction, she saw the sun slowly peeking from between the far away mountains. Her smile was getting bigger and bigger as the sun was rising.

Caden stared at her grinning self. Her intertwined fingered palms were under her chin. Eyes were fixed on the scenery. Some loose hair strands were blowing with air.

" It's so beautiful. Thank you". She said making him realize that he was staring at her all this time and successfully has missed the sunrise view.

" Let's go". Caden said standing straight but she shook her head.

" I want to stay here for some more time". She whined.

" But we have so much to see more". Caden said opening the car door for her. She unwantedly sat inside securing herself with the seatbelt.

Caden took her to some different places like a nearby zoo, a couple's parks, and after a long day, they finally reached the Seaside. They had breakfast and lunch outside and it was already evening.

They did horse riding there, cycling, sat in a hot air balloon.

There were some mini stalls on gaming propose. In a shoot bubble game, she didn't miss an aim winning a big teddy bear that she handed to a little girl there. Caden was surprised to see how perfect she was to hold the gun and aim properly. Her horse riding skills were also professional.

She was shadowing her eyes all the time using her palm as the sunlight was hitting them. Caden noticed it and when they were passing by a shop he effortlessly stole a cowboy cap for her that she wore happily.

Suddenly she stopped. " What is this?". She asked looking at a man who was making colorful cotton candies.

" Haven't you seen it before?". Caden frowned looking at her head which was shaking in no.

" Is it edible?". She asked following a kid's tiny self as he was eating cotton candy.

" Pick a color". Caden said making her look up at him then at the shop.

" Pink". She decided.

" Now you know your favorite color". Saying that Caden purchased one cotton candy for her and made her sit on a nearby chair as there were many tables along with chairs arranged for people. Each one is under a patio umbrella for shadowing purposes.

" I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't go anywhere". Caden said gaining a nod from her in response.

She sighed smiling at the descendent sun. This felt like the happiest day of her entire life. The day was filled with freedom.

Her attention got pulled towards the loud cheering sound. She glanced at some young people sitting next to her table, playing truth and dare.

" Wanna join?". A girl asked making everyone turn towards Grace.

She hesitated at first but got agreed as Caden was taking so long.

She sat between them and kept on laughing hard looking at them giving each other crazy dares.

Caden came back to see the empty chair. His heart skipped a panicked beat but as she was sitting only a table away he found her quickly.

" Elly". He called standing next to her chair.

She looked up at Caden then again at the ones she was playing with. " Can he join too? ". She asked.

" Who is he?". A guy questioned.

" He's my boyfriend". She replied.

" Elly, look I'm not interested in all these". Caden said passing a tight lip smile to others.

" Caden, please it's so fun". She whined pulling Caden down by grabbing his hand making him sit next to her. Caden gave in and soon Elly got the twirling bottle's tip towards her.

" So Elly, truth or dare". A guy asked.

" Dare". Grace replied because there's nothing much she knows about herself.

" I dare you to-". That guy rolled his eyes up placing his index finger on his chin thinking of some good ideas. " Yeah". He said clapping once. " I dare you to kiss Caden". Grace choked on water coughing a little.

" She won't". Caden said in a serious tone making Grace turn her face towards him.

" Come on dude, you guys are in a relationship". That guy said but immediately realised something. " Wait... Don't tell me you both haven't shared a kiss?". He widened his eyes and suddenly everyone started cheering for them to kiss.

" We are quitting". Caden said standing up. He pulled out his wallet and threw some penalty cash on the table. " Let's go". Caden added grabbing Grace's wrist taking her with him towards his car.

He opened the car door for her and carefully closed it after she sat it before heading towards the driving seat.

Grace gazed at him as he didn't say anything on the ride back home.

As they entered the apartment she looked around in the dark living room as both the boys were sitting on a couch watching a movie while munching some snacks. " You guys are back". Elijah said passing a welcoming smile. She stopped nodding but Caden straight went inside the bedroom.

Excusing herself she too headed inside the bedroom. Caden was in there removing his shirt.

" Is everything alright?". She asked gaining his attention as he got silent after that stupid dare. He nodded simply in response.

" I'm sorry for-".

" Get fresh up. I'll be outside". With that, he left the room.

The dinner was more silent than usual which didn't go unnoticed by Elijah. He sensed that something is up between them so after the dinner he left the apartment and massaged Caden to meet him on the rooftop.

Caden obliged Elijah and went to the rooftop only to find him sitting on the edge of the rooftop. He was smoking while gazing at the time square with his legs freely floating in the air.

Caden sat beside him, silently looking at the crowd of busy people and moving vehicles. They were looking so tiny from the height they were sitting on.

" I lost her between this throng". Elijah breathed out. Caden turned his gaze towards Elijah as his tone was so weak.

Elijah brought his cigarette closer to his wrist where he had tattooed the name Vi. He pressed its tip on the superscript dot looking down at it emotionlessly.

Caden grabbed Elijah's hand and stopped him from doing that as his skin burn a little. He took the cigarette from him and started puffing.

" I won't stop until I find her". Caden said hearing a weak chuckle in response.

" I don't think so". Elijah's words brought a frown on Caden's face.

" What do you mea-".

" I did all this shit to approach Vi but I think I was so stupid to address you as that girl's boyfriend". Saying that Elijah faced Caden properly who was puzzled. " I wish I could erase her memories again and be able to introduce myself as her boyfriend". He added coldly.

" F*cker! Spit clearly what you want to say". Caden seethed crashing the ciggerate.

" In crystal clear words... Get a grip on your virgin ass. Stop running from that girl. Show some affections. Let her believe that you are her boyfriend, not a brother. Otherwise, she won't take much time to find the truth. She isn't an ordinary girl she belongs to the underworld". Elijah stated.

" What else do I have to do now?". Caden asked.

"The best way to keep any prisoner from escaping is to make sure they never know they are in prison". Elijah smirked. " Make her fall for you".

• Not everybody you want deserves you.

Chapter published on: 29 March 2022