One week later

Eli's POV

Life has been hard without Gia.

All I do is drink now to numb this loneliness.

So far I've received two letters from her that always seems to straighten me up a bit.

I also put money into my phone account, so I can receive calls from her which I'm looking forward to.

Julius has been blowing up my phone.

The nerve he has after everything he has done.

I texted Francia earlier asking her to meet me at some hideout we used to go to.

I'm currently waiting in my car for her arrival.

10 minutes later, She finally arrives heading into the hideout.

Getting out of the car shutting the door I make my way in.

"I'm so glad you came into your senses", Francia splutters putting her hands on my shoulders.

"Do not touch me!", I grit my teeth pushing her hands off of me.

"Why did you call me here for then?", she grunts crossing her arms across her chest.

"Why are you working for Julius?!", I hiss.

"W-what n-no I'm not.. what are you talking about?", she stutters her face turning pale.

"DON'T LIE TO ME I KNOW EVERYTHING!"

"H-how?"

"The day you got the love of my life locked up.. I followed you to the warehouse and heard everything!"

"I can't"

"FUCKING TELL ME NOW?!", I yell slamming her to the wall.

Francia winces in pain as her back hits the wall roughly.

"I told you I can't!", she snaps hitting my chest.

I quickly grab her by the throat as I slam her to the wall again.

"P-please", she begs struggling to breath.

"TELL ME OR I'LL KILL YOU RIGHT NOW"

Francia nods her head as she grips onto my hand trying to release her neck.

I let go of her neck and she falls to the ground gasping for air.

"SPEAK!"

"Julius approached me and forced me to work for him or else he would kill me"

"Why does he need you?"

"He wanted Gia out of the picture since you were slacking as well as changing"

"You meeting Veronica up to now was all planned?"

"Y-yes I'm so sorry I had no choice but to obey"

"I know Julius drugged me as well as you being part of it", I growl slamming my fist on the wall leaving a hole.

"Like I said I'm sorry it was either this or Julius killing Gia"

My eyes widen at what Francia just spilled out.

I felt my heart beating faster than usual.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't be so naive Eli you know Julius would do that within an instant without hesitation in order to keep you chained to him", Francia sighs shaking her head.

"HE'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME BEFORE EVER REACHING GIA!", I clench my fists.

"As of right now you'll be working for me or else I will slit your fucking throat open you got it?!", I hiss threatening her as I grab her by the throat again.

"B-but Julius will kill me if he finds out!", she says her dark brown eyes almost bulging out of their sockets.

"He won't you obviously fucking succeeded in getting Gia locked up for now, so it should be easy for you to inform me of his next moves"

I let go of Francia's neck pushing her down to the floor.

"Fine but if you work for him it'll make it easier for me to gather information", she mumbles as she coughs holding her throat.

As much as I don't want anything to do with Julius and his business anymore, she has a point.

I'll have to suck it up until my a plan comes together.

"Don't worry about that I'll handle it", I scoff.

I was about to head out the door when Francia opens her mouth.

"Eli"

"WHAT!", I scowl.

"Why wasn't I good enough for you? I loved you so much.. Still do", Francia huffs.

"You knew from the very beginning I wasn't looking for a commitment"

"I was nothing but a fling to you?"

"My bad"

A tear slips down Francia's cheek.

"What's so great about her that she has you being the perfect boyfriend?", She sneers as another tear slips down her cheek.

"Everything", I respond leaving out the door.

-
-

Once I arrived home I turned the TV on as I heated up some left over pizza.

I was in my second slice when my phone started to ring.

I quickly grabbed my phone from the dining table looking at the caller ID.

Incoming call... Private

I furrow my brows in confusion not knowing who it can possibly be.

However I answer the call.

Eli
Hello

"Hi"

I quickly recognized this voice almost immediately.

My heart began thumping fast.

Butterflies in my stomach quickly formed going crazy.

Eli
Babe I'm so glad it's you!

Gia
I received your letter earlier. Thank you for putting money in order for me to call you

Eli
Don't thank me baby it's the only way I can be there for you unfortunately

Gia
I miss you a lot

Eli
Same here princess. How's everything going in there?

Gia
I meet two friends so far Davina and Bianca other than that it's boring

Eli
That's good babe. Are you doing your schooling in there yet?

Gia
Yes I've been don't worry about that. How are you?

Eli
I'm alright I had better days I love you a lot Gia

Gia
Babe all this will be over soon okay. I love you too Elias too much for my own good

Eli
Hey!

Gia
Haha! 3 more weeks babe and I'll be all yours again

Eli
Horn dog

Gia
Omg! That's not what I meant

Eli
Babe there's nothing to be ashamed about. You have no idea how much Jr. misses you

Gia
Shut up before I hang up on you

Eli
Fine I'll stop.. Gia I want to ask you something

Gia
What?

Eli
I'm going to ask you something I should of asked when I had you here with me

Gia
Eli! Get to the point!

5 more minutes

Eli
Great I hate how our calls are timed

Gia
I know babe but soon we'll have unlimited talks I promise

Eli
Gia

Gia
Yeah

Eli
Will you marry me?

Gia
Whhhhat! Are you  serious?

Eli
I'm dead serious.. I know what I want babe and with this obstacle we're going through right now just makes me realize how much I want this forever

Gia
Babe I'm speechless right now

Eli
Answer me.. Will you marry me as soon as you turn 18?

Gia
Yes babe I would love too

Eli
You just made me the happiest man alive and don't worry baby I will propose to you in the traditional way

Gia
Then why ask me now?

Eli
So I can know your answer before so I won't get embarrassed in front of everyone if you were to say no

Gia
Haha! Babe you know how much you mean to me I would never say no to you never. I want to be with you for the rest of my life

Eli
Me too babe and I promise you we'll be together forever

One minute left

Gia
Alright I will let you go now

Eli
Call me everyday I love you princess

Gia
I will I love you too and Eli please stay out of trouble for me. Do good in school for me okay

Eli
I will

Gia
Talk to you soon goodnight

Eli
Goodnight baby

And just like that the phone call was cut by the stupid operator.

My whole mood changed by this phone call.

Hearing her voice, talking to her, and just knowing she's okay makes me calmer.

I couldn't tell Gia about me drinking uncontrollable.

She would be pissed at me and that's the last thing she needs right now.

As for me staying out of trouble I can't promise that.

I have unfinished business with Julius.