God. This breaches so many ethical codes it’s not even funny.
She raises a brow but doesn’t intrude further, clearly sensing my reluctance to give details.
“Has my first client arrived?” I ask Kayla, scanning the room for my patient.
“Oh, no. Lila cancelled last minute.”
Well, that gives me some time to check on all my emails and get caught up on the past week.
I quickly rush to get changed from the leather trousers and jacket Eli made me wear, and into my usual work outfit. He refused to let me on the bike without them but also refused to take his car or let me walk. Thankfully, I did manage to convince him that the jacket he got me with his name on—because of course he did—was not the appropriate attire for my workplace.
The morning flies by, and lunch sneaks up on me. I decide to eat at my desk, not wanting to give Gia any opportunities to find me by going outside.
I order a baguette to be delivered from the cafe down the road and shuffle through paperwork while I wait.
There’s a knock on my door. “Come in,” I call out, expecting the delivery man.
Kayla pokes her head in. “Hey, your old patient Eli is here. Said you had a lunchtime appointment.”
I barely contain my surprise. “Oh, right. Yes, of course. Send him in.”
A few moments later Eli is walking in, carrying a paper bag. He walks in as if this is all totally normal.
“Hi Angel,” he greets, exaggeratedly falling onto the sofa by my desk.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss.
I can’t have him showing up randomly. It sets me on edge. The risk of being caught is too great—and I’m not even really the one doing anything. It’shim. He kidnapped me. He forced me to live with him. Yet I feel guilty. It’s me that feels like I’m doing something wrong.
“I bought you lunch. Thought we could eat together,” he explains, shrugging nonchalantly and pulling out a panini from his bag.
“I already ordered something.”
Eli laughs. “I know, I cancelled it.”
I check my delivery app. Sure enough. Cancelled.
“How?” I ask through gritted teeth.
Eli rolls his eyes at me. “I bought the phone, Angel.”
Of course. I should have known that accepting a gift from him came with strings.
“You can have it back. I’ll buy one myself.”
Eli leans forward with predatory grace. “How else can I keep you safe, Angel? This is how I can track you.”
My fists clench at my sides. “You can’t control my life, Eli.”
His face takes on a far-off look as he speaks, eyes glazed over. “You think it’s about control,” his voice drops to a jagged rasp, “but it’s the opposite. I’m the one who doesn’t have control. The second you walk out the door, my lungs start to fail. I need the dot on the map. Watching you isn’t a choice I make. It’s the only way I can breathe.” He stares at me, unblinking. “It’s not about keeping you prisoner, Angel. I’m keeping you in existence.”
I’m stunned into silence. A cavern in my chest opens, breaking for the abandoned boy inside him.
But then he shakes his head, clearing away the past as he grins, placing the panini in front of me. Brie, bacon, caramelisedonion. My favourite.
I snatch it up, tearing into it angrily.
He just leans back against the sofa cushions, looking smug.