Elisa hasn't felt genuine joy since she entered into the body of a stranger. But today, she was half smiling as if she's made the biggest accomplishment, as she took Mira back home..
"Once again, thank you for what you're doing for my son, Richard. It really means a lot to ms" Mira said, breaking the silence of the car..
"It's fine. It's no big deal" Elisa replied, turning to look at her for a micro second. "After his treatment, you can bring him as you stay with me."
Mira waved her hands quickly. "No, ma'am, thank you, but that would not be necessary. My folks are taking care of him just fine. I wouldn't want to be distracted while I work for you"
"It's not going to be a—"
"Ma'am, I insist. I'm good. You've already done more than enough" Mira said with a big smile on her face.
The rest of the ride back to the mansion was silent, but the air in the car felt nice..
Mira rolled Elisa back into the house, but just then, a black cyber truck rolled into the compound.. Mira paused, as she watched the car drive in..
"Why are you waiting?" Elisa asked, slightly irritated. The last thing she needed was being ignored by some dude that call himself her husband.
"I am sorry, I just_?—" and she resumed pushing the chair.
Ethan highlighted from the car, his expression stoic but he wondered where she had gone..
He took long strides to them, and took over the handles of the chair..
"Where are you coming from?" He asked. When she didn't give him a response, he added"the hospital?"
Elisa squinted her brows in confusion. Ethan, trying to make small talks with her? And even pushing her inside?
Strange..
But she casually responded "Just went out for some air"
He didn't press further, as Se pushed her in.
Mira walked clumsily behind, smiling sheepishly as she watched the 'affdction'.
As they got to the stairs, he stood in front of her. She widened her eyes as she realised he wanted to lift her. "Uh, don't worry,.I'll have my—"
Without listening to her, he put his arms around her and lifted her effortlessly..
Elisa swallowed. She had a personal bodyguard for that, so there was really no need for him to do that.. what was going on in his head?
"So,... Uh, how was…how was work?" She asked, trying to lighten to atmosphere.
"Good" he responded.
"Sure, back to making me feel like a pest" She muttered underneath her breath.
As he got to the room, Mira helped him moved the bedsheets so he could place her on the bed.
As he placed her, their eyes met and Elisa swallowed —hadd. She watched his jaws tighten a little and she didn't know why, but she found it utterly sexy. And that, she found utterly disturbing.
After placing her, he didn't leave.. instead, he awkwardly sat down on the bed, next to her. "Uh, what would you like to eat?"
Once again, Elisa squinted. 'Who is this guy and what did they do to the Ethan?' she wondered.
"I'm not hungry" Elisa replied.
"Did you…eat out?"
"No, I'm just not hungry"
There was silence afterwards. Elisa awkwardly stared at her fingers while silently waiting for him to leave.
"Tomorrow is the weekend," he said.
"Yes…" she chuckled awkwardly. "It is.."
"What are your plans for tomorrow?"
She smiled at him wondering where all these questions were coming from, but then she replied anyways "oh I don't really have plans. Uh… is there a problem?" she asked.
"no no, I was just. Do you ..uh. Nevermind. Goodnight " He said, stood up and left, just like that.
What could possibly be going on?
But Elisa was too tired to think about it, so she went to bed.
The next morning, her weekends went on as usual, except Ethan never went out, and that's not even the disturbing part. He was around her, had breakfast with her and was now sitting next to her as she typed on her iPad.
It was like she was being watched.
"Since your recovery, none of your friends have visited. Why is that?"
Absentmindedly, Elisa responded "Did I have friends before?"
The words had already rolled out of her mouth before she realised it and as she was about to rephrase and correct her statement, Ethan replied "No."
Elisa heaved an inward sigh of relief upon hearing his answer. "What about now? Any friends or people you talk to?"
Elisa put on a thinking face. "No" came her answer, afterwards. She put down her iPad and looked at him. He had an expressionless face, but she couldn't even get a hint to what was gmruniung through his mind .
"You don't have friends too?"
"Business partners and acquaintances " he interjexted.
"Mm" she nodded her head in undersranding.
Elisa was no longer comfortable with eurhan around her. She needed to set her plan in motion, text X and meet up.
"So, you don't have plans today?" Elisa asked.
"Not really" he responded and she nodded again.
"Well, I'd love to hang with you, but I'm going to go shopping. I need to renovate my room to my taste"
"You liked your room that way"
"Before. I need a … fresh start" Elisa explained.
Now, that wasn't a lie. She wanted to do some renovations in the room, since everything felt like they weren't hers — which they aren't, in some way. But that wasn't also the truth.
She needed to leave the house to meet X and what other excuse is there, than shopping?
"I'll take you" Ethan offered, steaming up.
"AHH," she exclaimed before she could stop herself. "There is really no need. It'll bore you out and …nahh" she waved it off, silently praying he doesn't insist.
Thankfully, he didn't.
Mira brought some clothes downstairs for her to change into and before she rolled out of the door, she stopped Mira.
"I need to tell you something " Elisa said, swallowing hard. Opening up to someone wasn't an easy task.
"I haven't been my self since the accident and… there are certain things I need to find out.."
Mira just listened. She didn't say a word.
"So, yes we'll go shopping, but that's not the only thing we'll be doing.."
Elisa took a deep breath. "I hired someone for something… I can't tell you what it is, but I felt like you needed to know this much"
Seeing that Elisa was done speaking, Mira smiled. "Thank you for trusting me"
....
The Mall was very huge people could get lost. Ethan insisted that guards followed me, as it isn't 'safe' out there?
Elisa couldn't help but wonder. Is he falling for her?? She shuddered at the thought.
No one wants that. In a way, she was thankful for the kind of relationship Ashley had with Ethan before she took over the body.
She imagined if they were some 'madly in love' couple. That would be super awkward.
As Mira wheeled her into the mall, someone walked past her and the hairs on her arm stood.
Bella!