Chapter 92: Secret agreement
ELIANA
TWO WEEKS LATER
“Come on Eli, you need to wake up,have you forgotten which day it is?” My mom’s soft voice cuts through the quiet air as she walks into the room.
A groan escapes my lips, “Give me five.” I complain, opening one eye to peek at her.
She walks to the bedside and plants a kiss on my forehead, “You know I love you so much but no, not today.” I make a throaty noise of disapproval.
“Okay…Let me freshen up first.” I drag the first word and she laughs wholeheartedly, “That's my sweet girl.” She compliments teasingly, giving me another kiss on the forehead then rises on her feet and walks out of the room.
Of course it's thanksgivings and there's no way I would forget about it because it's the first long holiday since schools resumed. Even if I suddenly develop dementia and forget what day it is, my mother would remind me about it because it's her favourite holiday after Christmas. She loves Thanksgiving so much because it brings families together.
It's our tradition to celebrate every single year and today's no different. The only difference is that…it's our first thanksgiving with Jackson and uncle Robert. And even though I don't want to admit it out loud, I love Thanksgiving because it gives me a chance to meet uncle James and only God knows how damn much I have missed him. The season has been busy and he hasn't had time to visit that often. We have only been talking over the phone and facetime.
A smile tugs on my lips when I give it a thought and cast away the blankets then I force myself out of the bed and head over to the bathroom to freshen up…
I change into a simple black and white floral dress, pull my hair into a ponytail. I know it's going to be a busy day and I can't have my hair getting in my face every second. When I’m done in my room, I head downstairs.
My eyes catch Jackson first when I enter the kitchen. He looks in my direction and we lock eyes. He's leaning on the kitchen counter gulping on a bottle of cold water. I nod at him and he nods back at me, exchanging silent words that no one knows about.
We don't need to talk about it all over again because we already did, a couple of days ago after the mind-blowing sex on the rooftop. I swallow when the memories flash in my mind. How wild the encounter was and the conversation we had after he carried me in my room, cleaned me up and we lay in my bed and talked about it, the rules and conditions.
The agreement.
“You're finally here!” My mom's voice pulls me back to the present and I turn my head to look in her direction. She's busy with everything and uncle Robert is helping out. This time as I look at them, I don't feel that overwhelming shame and guilt. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I’m proud of anything that is going on between Jax and I. I know it's wrong. Very wrong. However, I have found a way to cope up with it. Despite feeling that nagging guilt which won't go away, I have decided to look at the less guilty part of it.
The part where I know damn well that it's not meant to last forever and I have come to accept it even if…it stings a little whenever I give it a thought. I have learned to accept that it's not right. That I’m not the best daughter. That I am not someone who my parents raised me to be. And…the acceptance has made me feel a little better.
I push the thoughts at the back of my mind, “Yes, I will help you with that. Happy Thanksgiving mother. Happy Thanksgiving uncle Robert.” I say, managing a smile and walk on the island table to help sort out the grocery as my mother deals with the turkey.
“Happy thanksgiving Eli,” Uncle Robert respond in a happy voice, a big smile taking over his features. My mother wishes me a happy thanksgiving too as she moves around the kitchen, too busy.
“Jackson, don't forget about the drinks. You're in charge of the drinks. Make sure there's enough supply and it's cold.” My mother reminds Jackson as she places the potatoes on the island table.
“And you Eli, you’ll help in the kitchen. I need the potatoes peeled, I need the carrots diced. Heavens, I need everything to be ready and perfect before dinner.” My mother says, wiping sweat from her head using the back of her hand. There's no doubt she woke up very early in the morning to shop for fresh groceries like how she always does every thanksgiving. I can't help but imagine the commotions and the crowds in the grocery shops.
I give her a small warm smile to let her know that I have got her back. She's that kind of person who loves everything to be perfect and she's always anxious about everything.
“You don't need to worry mom, everything is going to be just fine.” I assure her and she smiles back at me. “ You're doing amazing my love, We're all here and we're going to help out.” Robert calms her down, kissing her in the hair and my mother calms down a little…
________
I’m busy peeling the potatoes when the doorbell rings, my mother who's busy at the stove turns to look at me.
“I’ll go to check out,” I say and she nods, turning her attention to the stove. I grab a dry kitchen towel, dry my hands and rush to the door to check who’s there…
“Zoe!” I almost scream and she gives me one of the widest smiles. She's carrying a box in her hands. She's wearing blue jeans and a pink shit, her black long hair pulled up into a burn and two strands framing her face, her green eyes sparkling.
“I came bearing gifts. Pumpkin pie for dessert. Happy Thanksgiving.” She hands me the box.
“Happy thanksgiving to you too,” I responded. I take the box, giving her a one arm hug while holding the pumpkin pie box in another.
Besides Zoe, it's Nikolai, “Happy thanksgiving to you too, Niko.” Please come on in.” I open the door wide and step aside for them to walk in.
“I’m not staying for that long. I need to take care of something.” Niko explains briefly, “Who even works on thanksgiving?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, apparently he is. Mr business.” Zoe says sarcastically and I can tell that she's not pleased with him. However, Niko doesn't say anything, he only lets out a low growl.
“How about you say hello to my mother before leaving?” I ask and he nods in agreement. I lead the way to the kitchen, carefully carrying the pumpkin in my hands because I know Zoe went through alot to get it even without asking.
“Aunt Vicky!” Zoe literally screams when she spots my mother in the kitchen and runs to her direction. It's a good thing the kitchen is spacious or else Zoe would have knocked a few things off the counter or the island table.
I watch with a smile as Zoe jumps into my mother's widely opened arms, embracing tightly like they haven't seen each other for years.
“I missed you aunt Vicky…” Zoe complains as her grip tightens around my mother, “I missed you more, Zoe.” My mother hugs her back tighter, rubbing small circles on her back.
Zoe always comes over every thanksgiving because she's like family.
She sniffles when she pulls back from my mother's embrace and I know what it means. I feel tears burn in my eyes but blink them away.
“Look at you, so grown up and very beautiful.” My mother compliments and she laughs lightly…
My mother turns her attention to Nikolai, they exchange greetings and she inquires if he would be staying for thanksgiving dinner but he tells her that he has something to do.
My mother and Zoe talk about random things as we both help in the kitchen while she's busy on the stove. I only chirp in if necessary, giving them time to catch up because I know they haven't had that much time to have long conversations. Zoe has visited my mom at the flower shop a few times and both times they didn't have lengthy conversations since she was from school. This is the first time that she has visited our home since we moved to stay with uncle Robert.
“Where is he? Please don't tell me he’s with a girl in his room doing heaven knows what while everyone is busy out here.” Zoe whispers and I internally grimace at her words, something inside me twisting.
Heavens, I shouldn't be feeling this way. Even though I know that it's just an agreement and that it's not meant to last forever, I can't bring myself to imagine Jackson with another girl. Kissing her intensely like he always does to me, touching her and making her feel all the wrong things that he always makes me feel.
“Eli?” Zoe whispers, my mind snapping back to the present, “No! I mean…I don't think he's with a girl.” I say, sounding too defensive and Zoe raises an eyebrow at me.
“Maybe he's somewhere out there or…maybe in here. My mother put him in charge of the drinks.” I explain with a shrug, pretending that Zoe's words didn't get to me earlier.
“Okay, who cares what he does anyway. As long as the drinks are enough in supply and cold.” Zoe shrugs, joking and I nod at her words.
Definitely me. I care. Maybe a little too much than I'm supposed to…