FOUR: CONFLICTED

      Ellise opened her eyes, her head throbbing painfully. Sitting up, she noticed that her cut was wrapped in bandage. She frowned, staring at it in confusion. She didn't remember dressing the cut. Could it have been Cecilia?

She stood up, making a mental note to thank her later. She took a warm shower and got dressed in a yellow t-shirt and a pair of jeans trousers.

She walked out of her room and headed to the kitchen to help Cecilia in making breakfast. Cecilia noticed her injury and frowned.

"What happened to you?" She asked.

Ellise's brows were creased as she frowned, confused. How did Cecilia not know about the cut?

Who must have dressed her injury if it wasn't her?

Dmitri?

Dominic?

Mr Loides? Not a chance.

"I accidentally hurt myself with a piece of broken glass"

"Oh dear, does it hurt so bad?" She asked, giving her a concerned look.

"No, not so much"

Just then, Mr Loides sauntered in. He wore a black leather jacket, t-shirt, pants and boots. His ray-ban was positioned atop his head with his hair in a ponytail.

"Morning, Cecilia" he said with his voice, husky.

Ellise was convinced that he was a monster. To her, he was completely devoid of feelings. She had no idea how that was possible. How else could she explain how he'd reacted to her despite the fact that she'd been injured?

"Morning, sweetheart. Aren't you taking your breakfast before you leave?" Cecilia said to Mr Loides.

"No, I have to go"

"Are you feeling better now?"

Ellise's eyes went wide.

So, he was actually sick.

He clenched his jaw, his muscles tense.

"I'll be on my way"

And just like that, he left.

He's so rude! Ellise thought.

"Is he always like that?" She asked Cecilia.

"Not most of the time"

"Was he sick?"

She tensed up.

"Not really. He's just not in a great health status" she replied.

"Don't let him know that I said this. He's going to be mad. He doesn't think anyone should care for him" Cecilia said, setting breakfast on the table.

Ellise furrowed her brows as she lowered herself onto the chair.

Why would he think that?

Somehow, she suspected that there was more to it than Cecilia was willing to tell.

She gave her a tired smile and left the dinning room.

....

In the evening, Mr Loides returned home with a scowl on his face. Ellise tried everything she could, to avoid pissing him off. But, he still yelled at her anyway.

She was sitting on her bed, feeling miserable when she heard a knock on the door and he walked in, hands buried in his pockets.

"Get dressed" he ordered.

She stood up looking down at her large t-shirt and sweatpants.

"I-I- uh- could you please turn around?" She said.

He clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing into slits.

Nose flaring, he turned to face the wall. She quickly changed into a black fitting t-shirt and a pair of jeans trousers. Her cheeks were burning a bright pink. She was embarrassed, regardless of the fact that he didn't see her. It felt really weird to change in a room with Mr Loides present.

"Let's go" he said, grabbing her forearm roughly.

"Where are we going?" She asked, trying to keep up with his long legged pace.

"Don't ask questions" he growled, leading her towards the exit. He covered her eyes and all she could hear was a strange beeping.

He pushed her into a sleek black car before getting in and jamming the door shut.

The ride was uncomfortable.

Fear and anxiety squeezed Ellise's heart painfully. Suddenly, he stopped the car in front of a huge warehouse. He opened the door for her and shut it behind her.

'Such a gentleman' she scoffed inwardly. He grabbed her hand, leading her into the warehouse.

"Where are you taking me?!" She cried.

"Shut the fuck up if you want to remain alive" he growled.

She shivered, tears pricking her eyes. He led her to a discreet basement.

Why is he taking me to a basement? she thought, panic starting to set in.

She shivered when the cold air hit her. The basement was dusty and she began to cough. She turned to look at Mr Loides who remained standing at the entrance.

"Clean up the basement" he ordered before leaving her there, locking the door behind him.

She cried out, hitting the door with her fist.

"Open the door please!" She cried, hitting the door harder.

When he didn't reply, she slid down the wall, drawing her knees to her chest as she began to sob.

I am indeed gone for, she thought, tears crawling down her cheeks.

...

      Xandre sat on his seat with both Dominic and Dmitri flanking him. He was in the middle of a meeting with Andrei, another mafia boss. His expression was stoic as a tall man who was wearing a grey fedora, black shirt that was unbuttoned halfway, black pants and boots walked in with three men in black suits.

"Alexandre" the man drawled, a smirk on his face.

"What is it that I hear?"

"What do you want?" Xandre demanded, his eyes cold.

"Where is she?"

"Are you drunk?"

"Where is the girl? I heard that you have placed a girl under your protection because she had become Carlo's prey" the man with the fedora said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"What I do is none of your business, Carillo"

"You smart bastard. Have you been fucking her?"

Xandre rose to his feet, towering above Carillo.

"You really have the nerve to show up here and speak un carico di spazzatura (a load of rubbish)" he hissed, his eyes narrowed. Carillo's smile faded.

"Be careful, mio amico (my friend). She just might be your downfall. Word is spreading fast. I'll take my leave now" he said and left with his men.

Xandre was pissed and while his meeting with Andrei dragged on, he remembered that he'd left Ellise in the basement. He'd meant to hide her from people like Carillo and now, he'd left her there for the past five hours. Guilt ridden, he decided to postpone the meeting.

"I have to go. The meeting has been extended to tomorrow" he said, rising to my feet. "You're just as arrogant as always" Andrei said and Xandre ignored him. Andrei rose to his feet, tipped his hat slightly and walked away with his men. Xandre made his way out of the HQ building and opened the door to his car.

"What's with the rush?" Dmitri asked, clasping a hand on Xandre's shoulder.

"It's none of your business. Fuck off" he said, getting into his car.

"Okay, lover boy. Be careful" Dmitri said, grinning at him. He rolled his eyes and pulled out of the driveway.

"See you later, dick head" Dmitri called out.

"Whatever" Xandre mumbled, rolling his eyes at him.

As soon as he got to his destination, He switched off the ignition and hopped out of the car. He entered the warehouse and headed straight for the basement.

He knocked on the door, but didn't get a response.

"Ellise?!" He called out repeatedly. Worried, he took out the key from his belt holder before unlocking the door. His heart broke when he found her lying on the floor, deathly pale.

The place was partly clean but it was a bit dusty.

He knelt beside her unconcious form and scooped her into his arms, the dust starting to get to him because he was asthmatic.

By the time, he made it out of the basement, he was wheezing slightly. He took a few minutes to catch his breath, halting the asthma attack coming on.

He looked down at her. She looked so fragile.

"I'm so sorry, Ellise. I didn't mean to hurt you" he whispered, even though he knew that she couldn't hear him.

He carried her to the car and drove her home. Cecilia was alarmed. She began to bombard him with questions but he ignored her and took Ellise to her room.

He heated the room a bit, to warm her up. When color had returned to her cheeks, he breathed a sigh of relief. He watched her as she slept soundly, her chest rising and falling in a subtle manner.

He bit the inside of his cheek, realizing that he was staring at her for too long.

He was worried about the way his heart fluttered at  the mere sight of her.

He didn't want to hurt her. But it seemed like all he ever did was hurt her. He felt remorse for the first time in a very long time.

Ellise, what have you done to me? He thought.

He walked out of the room, his heart thudding madly against his chest. He sank into his bed, gripping the silky strands of his hair.

What is going on with me? he thought, frustrated.

"I can't take this. I need a fucking drink" he muttered and rose to his feet.

He desperately needed to clear his head.

       Blindly, he grabbed an expensive bottle of scotch. He didn't bother to grab a tumbler since he was drinking straight from the bottle.

What was so special about her?

Why did he suddenly have strong feelings for her?

He couldn't possibly be in love, right?

Why wouldn't she leave his mind?

These were the thoughts that tormented him.

If he decided to let her go, she would be falling right into Carlo's hands. For what it was worth, he couldn't put her in harm's way.

Soon, his head was pounding and he couldn't even see straight.

He didn't want to feel this way. The pain of loosing Liv had stolen his sanity from him. He couldn't afford to get too attached. But what if the damage had been done already?

He decided that he was well and truly fucked.

....

   Ellise felt light-headed as soon as she sat up on her bed, confused as to why she was suddenly in her room. The last thing she remembered was passing out on the cold floor of the basement. Her hatred for Mr Loides had grown and if she could, she would say it to his face.

She felt that he was so heartless and she hated him for it. She desperately wanted to get her freedom back and in order to do so, she might have to find a way to get rid of him.

She took her bath and got dressed. Pulling back her hair into a bun, she left the room.

As she moved past Mr Loides' bedroom, she could hear moaning and retching sounds. He sounded like he was in pain.

The door opened and Cecilia walked out looking very exhausted and worried.

"Morning, Cecilia" she said.

"Morning, Ellie. Thank goodness you're here. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine"

"Good. I want you to do me a favour"

Ellise furrowed her brows.

"And that would be?"

"Xan is really sick and I need to make him some soup. I need you to stay with him" she said giving her a pleading look.

Ellise clenched her jaw, her hands balled into fists.

"He hurt me, Cecilia. He's made my life miserable!"

Cecilia let out a tired sigh.

"I know... I know... it's just... he's not been his normal self lately. Please just do it for me even if you hate him so much"

She groaned.

"Please"

Ellise sighed in defeat and nodded.

"Thank you so much. You're a life saver" she said and embraced her before leaving the hallway.

Gritting her teeth, Ellise opened the door. There was no sign of him in the bedroom. So, she moved towards the bathroom and heard him puking his guts out.

Blowing out a shaky breath, she opened the door. He looked really sick. His eyes were bloodshot and his features screamed the fact that he was in pain. His body was shivering immensely. He looked deathly pale and he looked like he was going to pass out.

How the hell did he get so sick?

He groaned in discomfort, resting his head against the tiled walls. He closed his eyes, his chest heaving.

Oh well, this is going to be a long day, Ellise thought, letting out an exasperated sigh.