ELI
After the surprise Damir threw for me…God, it still feels like a dream. I can't even stop smiling. Every time I think about the way he looked at me when I screamed yes, the way the lights bounced off the silver board that read "Would you be my boyfriend, Eli?" it makes my chest explode with butterflies.
I don't think I've ever been this happy.
From that night on, I couldn't shut up. Every single moment I could squeeze it in, I was like: "My boyfriend said this" or "My boyfriend bought me that." Even my favorite maids tease me for how often I said it, but I didn't care. I was proud, ecstatic, actually to finally say it out loud.
My. Boyfriend. Damir.
Everywhere Damir went, I went. I held his hand even when we were just walking from the living room to the hallway. I clung to his arm when he read his newspapers, and I peppered his jaw and cheeks with kisses during his meetings, even the scary bodyguards started smiling at my antics. The house was so full of love, even the air felt lighter.
Every kiss I gave was a quiet thank you. Every time I curled up against him in bed, it was my way of showing him I wasn't just happy….I was whole. He made me feel safe. He made me feel adored.
But of course, nothing perfect stays undisturbed.
One afternoon, Damir sat me down on the edge of the bed, gently rubbing my thigh and avoiding my eyes like he was scared to tell me something. My stomach dropped immediately.
"I have to travel for business," he said softly. "Just two days. I'll be back before you even miss me."
Miss him? I already missed him and he hadn't even left yet.
I pouted dramatically, flopping backward onto the bed like my entire world had been shattered. "No! Nooo. Can't you just send someone else? Let Levi go! Let that bald man with the weird voice go!"
Damir laughed, and the sound made my heart flutter. "I would if I could, baby. But I have to seal the deal myself. It's important."
I huffed, crossing my arms, then peeked up at him from under my lashes. "Okay… but I need things. Lots of things."
"Of course you do," he chuckled, pulling out his phone. "Hit me."
I gave him a full list….ridiculously long. Stuff I didn't even need. Fur teddy shoes, more skincare products, perfumes I already had three bottles of, and rings. Lots of rings. All while he typed with one brow raised and an amused smile on his lips.
"Is this your shopping list or your way of keeping me longer?" he teased.
"Both," I whispered, crawling into his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck. I kissed the corner of his mouth, then trailed down his jaw slowly. "You'll miss me too, right?"
"Always," he said, breath catching.
The next day in the evening , the house was unusually quiet. The maids didn't make a fuss like usual. I stayed in Damir's robe, trailing him around as he got ready to leave. I refused to let go. Every time he reached for his suitcase, I clung harder.
He finally managed to untangle from me when his guards were loading the car.
"Eli," he said softly, cupping my face. "I'll be back in forty-eight hours. You'll be okay."
"I'll die. I'm serious," I sniffed.
He kissed me one last time, long and slow, and it left me dazed. Then he turned and walked away, his back looking heartbreakingly tall and cold as he moved toward the black car.
But I wasn't going to let him go that easily.
I waited until he was busy talking to the head guard, and then I slipped out through the kitchen door. My heart pounded in my chest as I ran, barefoot, to the sleek car parked outside the east wing. One of the lower guards spotted me, but I waved dramatically and blew him a kiss.
"I'm just saying goodbye!" I lied, smiling.
He looked away.
I darted to the back, opened the trunk with trembling fingers, and slid inside. It was dark and smelled like leather and old cologne. I quickly pulled the cover halfway over myself and tried to calm my racing heart.
He'd only be gone for two days. But for me, that was a lifetime.
And if sneaking into his trunk was the only way to stay close, then so be it. I just hoped I wouldn't get caught too soon.