Third person's pov
Meera looked at Elijah in shock. Of anything she didn't think he will ask her that. Elijah was looking expectantly at her, his vulnerability was clawing at her heart. Such a strong person was a broken heart. But she can't forget what she has gone through although her heart wants to say yes. Can she really marry him willingly?
"No, Eli. You don't understand. I am sorry"
"No! Don't say no. You promised to stay with me. You can't. No! No! No!"
Elijah stood up panicking hearing her rejection. What is he gonna do without her? He will be heartbroken again. He doesn't want to feel that again. Meera looked at him in alarm. Standing, she approached him cautiously. Keeping a careful hand on his shoulder, Meera tried to make him see her perspective,
"Eli, our start was not ideal. Remember the things you made me go through. Even if I want to I just can't shake them off as if nothing happened. And you suddenly asking me to marry you jeopardizes my feelings. It's uneasy. Please, Eli, understand me"
Suddenly turning around Elijah engulfed her in a tight hug, startling her. Burying his nose in her neck, Elijah demanded like a baby,
"I know what I did to you. I promise that I will give you all the happiness in the world. No more hurt, pain. Stay with me. Say yes"
Struggling to be let free, Meera spoke in a soft voice as if coaxing a child. Elijah tightened his hold on her halting her protest too afraid to let her go. His heart was beating fast and loud, Meera can clearly feel and hear it. He was nervous and afraid.
"Did I say I am leaving you? I am not"
Are you really? Asked her subconscious in retort reminding her of the plan she has behind his back ultimately in an attempt to leave him behind forever. Her heart sank. His arms around her felt like ropes holding her down. No! She doesn't want to leave him. I will forget about the plan, she wondered. She can't betray him like Angelina. God! It's complicated. What about her feelings? She has already decided to give them a chance, it's time to be sincere about it.
Elijah was clinging to her like a koala like she was a lifeline to his life. And it tugged her heart. Kissing his temple, Meera murmured,
"I am here, baby, I am here"
Elijah started to calm down, his heartbeat slowed a little. Meera tried again to pull him off her but he again hugged her tightly to him.
"Hey, Eli, listen to me. Baby hear me out?"
reluctantly and finally Elijah pulled back, but still kept his hands around her waist. Looking at his puffy, slightly red eyes, Meera couldn't control herself and instinctively kissed his both eyes.
"Let's get out of here, this place, from everyone. Spend some time with me?"
asked Meera, kissing his nose affectionately. He is such a baby. Pecking her lips, Elijah nodded,
"Gladly, doe. I want you to be with me forever. Say yes"
Meera rolled her eyes at his persistence. Is it going to be like this now?
"Eli, I don't know myself what I want. Give me time, will you?"
Meera asked him, gently, she doesn't want him to feel that she is downright rejecting him. Which was not the case. She truly wants to feel to be with him forever. To feel love for him. To feel the urge to spend her life with him.
"I understand, doe. Just so you know I will do anything to make you say yes"
firmly said Elijah looking into her eyes, she can see the fire and determination in his eyes. Sighing, she accepted her fate again. Elijah didn't change, still the dominating, commanding man. At least he agreed with her, it was something.
...........
The next morning Meera found herself perched on a plush couch on the luxurious yacht of Elijah who was chatting with a tall blonde guy. She didn't mean Elijah to bring her here himself when she asked him to go away with her. It was her, not him to suggest that but he won't listen and dragged her here. Meera saw him coming to her with a final stern nod at the blond guy who disappeared downstairs. Frowning, Meera kissed him back, when Elijah bent down and kissed her fondly. Stroking her face, he gently asked,
"Are you getting accustomed finely to the boat, doe?"
"Boat? You call this a boat!"
"Yes?"
Elijah replied to her exasperation, chuckling. Messing with her hair, he sat beside her on the couch on the balcony of his three-storied yacht. Shaking her head in disbelief, Meera leaned into his arms. Elijah wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hair.
"What's your plan?"
asked Meera breaking the peaceful silence. Peeking down at her through his sunglasses, he told her,
"Three days in the ocean with my doe"
Meera stayed silent. Ocean. Oh, how she loved it. Sadness crashed through her like the wave beneath the white and gold yacht she was in. Before her marriage, she was crazy about it, but now it only reminded her of the misery of the past five months. Was she really ready to forget it all? Forgive him?
Sensing her mood, Elijah pulled her in his lap sideways, gently kissing her soft lips, he said against it,
"I want my doe to love the oceans again. She made me fall in love with it, the place where I met the angel of my life"
His words melted her heart into a puddle of fluff. Blush coated her cheeks. What he said is heartwarming. Just like that, her heart flew slowly into happiness. The yacht started sailing.
"Who is handling the yacht? I mean there's only us here"
pecking her cute nose, Elijah nuzzled his nose to hers, cooing internally at her. Dressed in a yellow plain sundress she looked like a burst of literal sunshine brightening his world.
"Shawn. He is in charge of this yacht and the rest"
"There are more?"
She couldn't hide the surprise in the tone she felt. Really, how rich he is. Right, he is the richest. It still feels surreal to know that she is married to the richest man in the world.
"Why are you surprised my doe? All my wealth is yours too"
Elijah told her affectionately looking at her, with the love he feels. He can lay the world at her feet. Just a word from her mouth, he will give her anything.
"No! It's yours. You earned it. God! Just hearing it my heart started beating fast!"
Chuckling, Elijah said nothing, well for now. He wondered in amusement when she will get to know that he has already signed half of his all wealth in her name and what she is going to do. He can only imagine.
"What's so funny? Never mind who was that blonde guy?"
"He is Shawn Joseph, the one in charge"
Elijah told, frowning, not liking her attention shifting to another guy. Meera noticed it. Rolling her eyes at his ridiculous possessiveness she kissed his cheek saying,
"There. You are the only man I have my eyes set on. Don't get jealous and ease your hands on me"
"It better be. I will remove anyone from your life if I feel they're trying to take you away from me, doe"
said Elijah darkly with sardonic eyes. Meera knew he will do it remorselessly. Evelyn's face came into her mind thinking about what Elijah will do to his little sister if he knew she was trying to get Meera away from him.
"Come on, let me show you the yacht"
Elijah pulled her behind him, inside the grand, luxurious yacht. Meera followed wordlessly, mind filled with Evelyn and her plan.