Elara stares at the man seated beside her wondering what he could exactly be thinking. He's completely drawn to the book he's reading. Slowly, he looks up at her catching her completely red-handed.
"Why are you staring? Besides the fact that I'm good-looking, is there something on my face? If not did you know that staring is considered very rude," he says and she quickly averts her eyes staring down at her feet scolding herself internally. "How am I going to work with this?"
Elara plays with her fingers completely embarrassed. She wanted to tell him that she too never wanted this. She never wanted to be forced into this alliance but what could she do. Mr. Richards had done a lot for her. If not for him, maybe she wouldn't have a roof over her head and the luxuries of her life that she has now. She owes it all to him and even if she had to jump off a cliff to see him happy she would.
"Are you just going to sit there like that or are you at least going to say something?" He turns to her but she doesn't utter a single word. "You know, you aren't my exact type either but you're going to have to put up with me just like I am putting up with you. Why can't they understand this isn't the eleventh century where you get your children married to strangers...except I'm not a child and even if you almost look like one, you aren't one either."
He sighs. "Maybe we could start with introductions. I'm Aeneas Harrison. What's your name?"
Elara could feel him staring at her. Giving her his complete attention. She felt nervous under his gaze. 'Come on, Elara. It's just your name he's asking for. It's only fair enough since he told his,' she encouraged herself. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him and opened her mouth, "My name is Elara Crews."
Elara Crews. The name played in his head. The way she spoke. So sweet and soft in her soft small voice. He took the time to study her now that she was finally ready to talk to him. She had long ginger hair falling in thin curls to her waist and pearl blue eyes. Her full lips were a cherry pink. This time he was the one staring at her but he didn't look away like she did. Maybe he was just shameless.
"How old are you exactly, Elara?" He asked moving closer to her. The frightened Elara quickly got up from the seat. Aeneas stared up at her a chuckle escaping his lips before a smirk befell them. "Why did you run off? Do I perhaps look like some predator to you?"
Elara stared at the bookshelf behind him. "N-no, that's not it. I-I'm just not used or comfortable with people getting really close to me. I'm sorry if I may have offended you in any way." He doesn't reply and she starts scanning her head for an idea on how to escape the situation she's placed herself in. "I think my father is calling me. I must g-go!"
She hurries rushing towards the door when he grabs her hand. He pushes her straight onto the wall. Elara stares up at him startled. He towered over her with his six-foot-five height whereas she was just a five-foot-four. He leaned down closer so he could almost be face to face with her. But enough to make sure she was still standing on her toes.
"Are you planning on running off without telling me goodbye, Ms. Crews?" She stared up at him, A smile making its way to his face.
"No, I was just planning on c-checking-" The door swing open and his father stands in front of them but Aeneas doesn't seem to be ready to move an inch away.
"Aeneas, what in the world-" Mr. Harrison, his father begins but he quickly interrupts.
"I was catching up with her...getting to know Elara like you asked me to. So I decided to play a little game with her."
"That's not what I'm asking. You silly boy, just forget it. Elara dear." He says and Elara quickly sneaks away from under his arms thanking God. "It's getting late. There's a car waiting for you."
"But where's my father? He said he was going t-to head back with me."
"Oh, something came up and he said he wouldn't make it. So that's why you have to head home now before it gets late."
"Or you could just stay here in my room. Simple." Aeneas says and her face goes red.
"N-no, you're right. I should go now. Thank you for inviting me over Sir."
"Of course, Let me just show you out." The both off them head out but not before Mr. Harrison sends his son a glare. He just shrugs completely unfazed.