11 CHAPTER:11

Elara is relaxing at the balcony, her eyes closed as she feels the cold wind rustling through her hair. The doorbell rings, causing her to open her eyes, and she strides towards the door. Expecting to greet Marshall. But when she opens the door, she's met with.. no one? No one, but a huge box. A brown box, beautifully tied with a red ribbon. And deep within, she already knows who sent it.

Elara's blood runs cold as she starts to feel dizzy. She looks around the hallway, it's impossible to leave a box and disappear already. Where's the person who delivered this box? Something in her, feels sick to its core. Elara doesn't like this. She brings the box in, and closes the door. Making sure to double lock it, just in case. She takes the box and goes into her new room.

Her hands are shaking due to fear. How did he find her? How did he know already? Should she open the box? What is inside of it?

Elara sits in daze, unable to form any thoughts. Her mind completely blank as she wonders what her next step should be.

Who knows how much time has passed, Elara continues to stare at the box from afar. She feels her phone vibrating on the bed, she blinks a few times, trying to snap out of her daze..

She picks up the phone and its Marshall. He sounds furious.

"Are you home?" -he simply asks, his voice giving off the impression he's fuming.

"Yeah, yeah... why?"

"OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." -He screams as he cuts the call.

Elara hurries downstairs and unlocks the door. As she opens the door, Marshall scoffs under his breath, ignoring her as he walks in.

"Why on earth did you lock the door? Do you realize how long I've been standing outside for?"

"Right, right. Sorry. I kind of was.. uhm.. lost in my thoughts I guess." -she replies, shaking her head trying to snap out of it.

He turns around to look at her properly; "Is everything okay Elara?"

"Huh? Yeah, yeah. I'm fine..."

"You don't look fine." -he says as he brings his palm towards her forehead. Checking if she has a fever or not.

Elara pulls herself away, "I'm fine." -she looks away, flustered by his sudden movement.

"You don't seem to have a fever. Did something happen?" -Marshall asks, concern etched on his face. He looks at Elara, as she continues to stand there. Unable to say anything. Elara feels dizzy and nauseous. She doesn't know how to react or feel.

"Come on, let's get you to bed." -He says, his hand slowly reaching her back. As he holds her softly, making sure he's careful with her. He doesn't want to hurt her.

Elara lets him hold her. She doesn't have the energy to say anything. She feels too sickly right now.

Marshall helps her up the stairs and unto her bedroom. He helps her get to bed.

"What's wrong? Do you need anything?" -he asks, his voice filled with worry.

Elara is surprised at his genuine kindness and worry, but she doesn't have the energy to say anything. But his reassuring presence puts her at ease. She can't help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort. A feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time. He leaves the room, but soon returns and stays by her side.

Bringing her water and checking her temperature once again.

"You're not sick. Then what is it?" -he asks as he puts the glass down.

Not knowing what else to say, Elara points to the box sitting on the desk. Marshall turns his attention to it, he's puzzled.

"I'm sorry, is there a secret invisible object only you can see? Because I clearly do not know what you're pointing at." -he says.

Elara rolls her eyes. This man is being sarcastic right now. "The box. I'm pointing to the box."

"Very well, I guess it's not invisible after all. What about the box?" -he asks.

"I still haven't opened it.."

"And you're fussing over a box you haven't even opened?" -he asks, clearly amused by how she's losing her sanity over a box.

"You.. you don't understand.." -she says, her voice soft and low.

"Well then. Why don't you help me understand?"

"Its... This is.. I'm sure this is from the person who's been stalking me.."

She avoids his eyes. Feeling ashamed? Sad? Scared?

Marshall nods quietly. "The same person who your uncle was talking about, the day of engagement?"

Elara nods. "Definitely the same person."

"And how do you know that? You haven't even opened the box yet."

Elara sighs. How will she make him understand all these things?

"Should I open the box for you? Do you want me to help you with it?" -he asks, kindly. He's trying to comfort her, put ease to her mind.

Elara nods, she doesn't want to do it alone. So she nods silently.

Marshall gets up and retrieves the box from the desk. And sits next to her in the bed. He begins taking off the ribbon and slowly peeling the tapes off.

Elara holds her breath, wanting to be wrong. Wanting to believe that it isn't her stalker who sent this box.

Marshall doesn't seem to hesitate. He opens the box fearlessly. He doesn't fuss over it at all. As Elara continues t hold her breath in, preparing for the worst.

He opens the box and finds collections of pictures of Elara from various points of her everyday life. And a letter, bind with another red ribbon.

He takes the letter out and reads it out loudly;

'My dearest Elara.

What have you done? Words cannot express how disappointed I am in you. Seeing you with your new husband breaks my heart. But it also feels me with endless adrenaline, due to the fact that it'll make it even more fun to claim you mine in front of him. So, here I am, consider this a warning. And I must warn you darling, to be careful. Your husband has no right to touch what is mine. He's not welcome in our special bond, and I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to keep you all to myself. Trust me when I say that I am always watching you, watching over you. And I will take action if necessary. Please don't make me do something out of line. Because I will not hesitate, I'll do whatever it takes to make you mine.'

Marshall balls up the letter in his fists.He seems upset about it. Not scared, just upset. He turns his attention to the rest of the items inside the box.

It contains various pictures of Elara... and Marshall?

The pictures contain Marshall going on about his day, with his daily activities. And it also contains... his house keys..

"What the fuck." -he mutters under his breath as he takes out the keys from the box. "This person was stalking me today? I. can't believe he even stole my keys."

Throughout all this Elara remains silent. Her mind is too fuzzy to wrap around all this. She cannot even think clearly.

How?... Why?...

Why's this person doing this to her? And now she's dragged Marshall in this too..

How will she get out of this situation?

Elara feels her throat closing up. Her vision seems to get blurry. She feels sick to her stomach. Her breathing gets heavier.

She's panicking, her breath gets heavier, as she tries her best to breathe. She seems to be hyperventilating. Fear, anxiety and panic fill her mind as if clouding her completely.

Marshall notices her breathing getting heavier. He throws the box aside, and turns his attention to her completely. Upon seeing Elara's panicked face, he instinctively gathers her into his arms and pulls her close. He carefully places a hand on the back of Elara's head, running his fingers through her hair to soothe her. His other other rubbing her back.

Marshall shakes her lightly; "Look at me, Elara. Look at me. Take deep breath. Deep breath. Let's count to ten together, okay? Can you do that?"

Elara seems to unresponsive. She cannot seem to hear anything he's saying.

Unable to think of ways to calm her down,

Marshall swiftly pulls her closer to him. Softly placing his lips on top of hers, promptly kissing her gently and sweetly on the lips.

At first, Elara is surprised by the sudden kiss, but then she feels herself start to relax. Her heart rate slows down, and she feels more centered and grounded. She wraps her arms around Marshall's neck, and kisses him back, pulling him even closer, closing the little distance between the two of them. She feels a sense of trust and comfort in his embrace.

In her mind, a thought pops up, and it speaks to her;

'I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to keep you all to myself.'

. . .