Dating Mr. CEO - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

FAY
The coffee wasn't too hot, but it was enough for me to start my day. I smiled at Melissa across the table. "You make a killer coffee." I complimented.
She grinned. "I know, my husband... God bless his soul, used to like it very much."
"It's really nice." I said.
She smiled warmly at me. "Thank you dear. How is Elroy by the way, I tried reaching him this morning but his number wasn't going through."
"Oh, uh... He's probably at work. You know with the pre merge program and everything, he has to prepare the designs."
"I understand. How are things between the both of you."
Hm. "I honestly don't know." I muttered. "But he's uh... Improving. I guess."
Melissa smiled. "You have to be patient with him. Elroy can be really difficult to handle, trust me."
I sighed. "I know that. But-- sometimes I don't understand him."
"Me and you both... But I try." Melissa said. "He used to be the easiest to handle, Cade was way worse than he is right now, but as time flew by, Cade stopped talking, and whenever he did, everyone would be slightly happy, Elroy started to draw farther away from everyone, became distant, rude and uncontrollable. He got me and his aunt worried. Damien was and still is the cool headed one amongst the three of them." Melissa sipped her coffee.
"What happened?" I asked. "What really happened to Elroy? Why did he change?" I asked, suddenly interested in that part of his past.
I never saw the need to ask before. He didn't matter to me before, but now- I was beginning to care about him. I was beginning to see him differently.
Melissa smiled sadly. "Elroy wasn't always like this... He was different, he was nice, cheerful, playful... He loved smiling, there was hardly a time you'd see Elroy frown... No matter how Cade or Damien pissed him off, he'd always smile and shake it off."
I raised my brows. "Are you kidding, Mel?"
She laughed. "I'm not, I know you find it difficult to believe."
"It is difficult to believe, or even picture Elroy as an happy child. I mean, this is Elroy we're talking about."
"I know. I wouldn't believe it either, that is if I didn't know him before. He was the sweetest child anyone could possibly ask for."
"So what happened?" I asked.
"He turned 14." Melissa said, her eyes went a bit dark. "Right after his parents death."
"Their death changed him?" I asked, feeling sad for him... It wasn't easy to lose a parent, it was the worst feeling.
"It changed everyone. But- Elroy never grew from it... It's almost like he's stuck in that age and time, not moving forward, not going anywhere. From that day, he stopped smiling. That bright boy was gone. He changed so much that he locked himself in doors all day, paid more attention to his books, ignored the presence of people, hated body contact, hated everything around him... He became rude, didn't care about people's feelings, he just acted without thinking. I knew it wasn't going to stop, that's why I brought you into his life." She smiled at me.
"I thought that maybe if he falls in love with someone, maybe he'd change or improve, or forget... But- it didn't work." She looked sad again. "I just pulled you into his life, I made him hurt you."
"No Melissa, Don't talk like that... This isn't your fault. Okay?"
"Okay. I just want to know if- if he's treating you okay."
"He is, he made a promise. I know he won't let you down. He loves you Melissa. I know that much." I reassured her.
Sighing, I tucked my hair behind my ears.
Elroy has been through a lot. If anything, this new information made me care about him the more. I knew they lost their parents at the age of 14, but I didn't know it was a major part of Elroy's cold behavior.
But why did it affect him the most? Why did he changed so badly? Why didn't he grow from it? Why does it feel like there's more to this story?
I had the insane urge to see him, and maybe tell him it was okay to grieve but- I couldn't do that... He'd probably be pissed that I knew so much about it... Or how it affected him.
"You know, their parents remembrance is coming soon." Melissa said.
"I'm aware." I said, snapping myself out of my thoughts.
"That's actually the reason I called to see you." She said.
I scrunched my brows. "Oh, okay... Do you need help with anything?"
"Yes... Elroy."
What?
"I don't understand." I stated.
"You have to make him attend it. He has never been to any of them. He makes excuses everytime. He can't keep doing that."
Excuses? I knew he always had business everytime it was around the corner. Were those excuses? Why would he want to avoid going?
"People are beginning to ask questions. I don't want him to miss this year's remembrance. Can you help me talk to him? He might listen to you."
"It's okay... I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you Fay, honestly."
"It's no problem."
What the hell did I just sign up for?
___
"Oh my God, these are beautiful." I grinned widely at the laptop screen, as I flipped through the shoot pictures of yesterday.
"I know right? I couldn't stop staring at them." Lucas smiled. "I'm going to upload them today. Thanks Fay." He said.
"Oh come on... Don't insult me. I'd do anything for you."
"I wish you could." He smiled sadly, exiting the pictures. "How are things by the way? Have you talked to your mom?"
"No. Not yet." I said.
"You know you should, right? She'd probably be worried about you."
"Yeah, that's why I haven't gotten a call or even a text from her since the brunch."
He chuckled. "You know how Catherine is. She can be really proud and stubborn, just like you."
My eyes widened as I laughed and hit his shoulder playfully. "Like me? I'm not proud... And most of all stubborn?"
"Okay, let's delete the proud out if it, you're pretty stubborn." He smiled boyishly.
"Oh come on... I'm not stubborn, I'm far from being stubborn. Honestly."
"My opinion remains the same." He said. "Still, jokes aside. You should give her a call."
"I know, I just need things to die down a little bit, maybe then I would. You know how she is."
"Yeah." He said. "How's the boss?" He asked.
"You can call him by his name, he doesn't bite." I teased.
"I know. But we can't be too sure." Lucas said.
I chuckled. "He's okay."
"Hm."
"I'm serious." I added.
"I know, it's just- it's all too sudden and weird, don't you think? All of a sudden he's acting really nice to you and all... Something just doesn't feel right."
"I used to think that... But I'm starting to trust him... He wants to change, and he is changing... I should at least give him the benefit of the doubt."
"I know- I just don't want him to hurt you. I won't be able to stand it."
I smiled. "I'll make sure I don't get hurt." I assured him. "I'm not ready to get hurt by him... I know he's capable of hurting me, that's why I'm going to protect myself... You don't have to worry about anything."
"I can't help but worry, Fay."
"Thanks Luke, I'm glad you care about me. But you don't have to."
"I know, but I want to."
I smiled. "Who am I to stop you?"
He smiled.
It wasn't my intention to hurt someone as kind as Lucas, but then, there's Elroy, the man who manages to confuse and enchant me at the same time.
My phone vibrated, noting me that I just got a text.
From Elroy.
My heart skipped a beat, bringing a gasp from me.
Thank God Lucas didn't notice.
El:
Whenever you're done with Lucas, I'll be waiting in the car.
Just now.
My eyes widened as they snapped to the door to see it slightly opened.
He had been standing there the whole time, hadn't he?
Shit.