Elliot leaves Jonah on the bed still vibrating and reeling from their experience, he walks into the bathroom. He returns with a towel and cleans Jonah up before tucking him into bed. He goes back to the bathroom cleans himself up and returns. Slipping into bed right next to Jonah. He pulls Jonah into a cuddle. Looking down at his face, and smug smile. Elliot said, "I hope I was able to take care of your stress." Jonah half asleep chuckles and nodded. Elliot shakes his head with a smile on his face and falls asleep with Jonah too exhausted.
***
Jonah stirred slowly awake the next morning. His body reminding him of the events of last night. He feels around for Elliot with his eyes still closed but the other side of the bed is cold. Jonah opened his eyes to see Elliot was long gone. Stretching awake he reaches for his phone. He sees a text from Elliot.
Elliot:
Hi J, I stepped out early to handle some business. I will definitely call you later in the day. I love you. Xoxo.
Jonah grinned while reading the message. He got out of bed limping to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
*****
Clara walked into Elliot's office at the Sinclair Industries. Her heels clacking on the floor as she walked in. Elliot raised his head from the documents on his desk. Upon seeing Clara he smiled and stood up to greet her.
"Clara! Pleasant surprise!" Elliot exclaimed giving her a hug.
"Elliot." She says back
"What brings you here?" Elliot asked
"Is it a crime to come check on my fiance? My own husband to be?" Clara asked back.
Elliot tensed and looked at her confused. Suddenly she burst into laughter.
"I am just kidding." She said laughing
Elliot frowned, "Not funny Clara."
"It definitely was. Should have seen the look on your face." Clara retorted.
Elliot shook his head disappointed, "Anyways have a seat." He told her. While pulling out a seat for her.
"Again, I ask what brings you here?" Elliot asks her.
"Well I just came to check on you. The last time we spoke you were really burdened with a lot of things." Clara said
"Oh Clara you know it hasn't been easy." Elliot began sighing.
"With each day counting down to the wedding the pressure mounts. I do not know how to tell Jonah that the wedding might actually happen because I could not come clean." Elliot explains.
Clara slid her hand over the table to take Elliot's hand in hers. "I understand what you are going through. Trust me, I do. It is not easy on any of us but we still have the hope that everything is going to turn out fine." Clara said.
Elliot nodded taking in Clara's comforting words.
"Elliot, is everything okay? You still seem distracted." Clara asked.
"Yes it is. It is just that Jonah has been stressed lately, going out at odds hours and he says it's work. I have told him multiple times to quit that I could take care of him but he refused." Elliot explains.
Clara bursts into laughter again. Elliot looks up with an annoyed look on his face, "What's funny Clara? I just told you something serious and you are laughing." Elliot scolds her
Slightly heaving and trying to control herself, "Pardon me please, it is just the fact that the situation sounds so funny. But I want you to know that Jonah is first a man before anything else. Before becoming your lover. A lot of men pride themselves in working and earning a living and when the opportunity is presented to them to do nothing and get money. It makes them uncomfortable." Clara lectured.
Elliot nodded carefully listening.
"Now if you want to help Jonah reduce work stress I think it's best you invite him to come work for your company." "Then he will pride himself on not receiving hand outs from a billionaire." Clara ended.
Elliot nodded, "I see, maybe I would try this."
"Pardon me for talking all about me Clara. How are you? How are things at home?" Elliot asked, his voice dropping a bit lower at the last question. Clara knew what he meant.
"Mom and dad are always doing the most, and Lila can't seem to stop trying to convince me that you are gay." Clara replied.
"What did Lila do this time?" Elliot asked Clara
"Nothing much, it is just that I have noticed her snooping around the house, around and my phone." Clara replied
"She also never fails to remind me that you are gay and I am making a grave mistake and putting the family's reputation in danger by getting married to you." Clara continued.
"Well as long as she does not find anything we are safe. Please try to secure your property especially your phone so she does not get access to this information." Elliot told Clara.
Clara nodded. She stood up and Elliot stood up to give her a hug.
"I want to thank you for being by my side always no matter what happens. I want you to know that it would soon be over." Elliot said rubbing her back as they still hugged.
"It's nothing Elliot. I care about you a lot and anything that concerns your happiness." Clara replied.
"Well I have to go now. Don't forget mum and dad organized a barbecue sit out on Sunday at the house. See you there." Clara said bidding Elliot farewell.
Elliot nodded, "I will not forget." "Let me walk you out." Elliot added as he placed his hand on her lower back and led her out of his office.
As he stepped into the main office hall he pulled her hurriedly to his chest whispering against her lips, "It's just for show please." Clara nodded slightly and Elliot captured her mouth in a kiss.
"Oooohhss" and "Ahhhhhhs" filled the office floor. With workers gossiping with each other as Clara left.
Elliot turns back, "Get to work everyone, nothing to see here." He says and walks back into his office.
******
The phone ringing jolted Lila out of her thoughts. Without looking at the name she picked up the call. The smooth cool voice of Victor floating out of the phone speakers. "Hi Lila long time no see."