Chapter 23

"I'm here, you'll be fine!" James hugged Eli tightly, gently stroking Eli's long hair. Eli just remained silent in James' arms, he just sobbed, clear drops came out of his eyes.

Eli has to be strong, so from now on he won't be alone. There is James, an angel figure who will always be by his side. Giving him strength he never had before, yes... this story is just about to begin.

This morning Eli was dressed neatly, his long hair was in two braids complete with a pink ribbon. Eli wore a white blouse with lace on the sleeves and collar and a very pretty pink knee-length skirt, of course Eli didn't wear all this alone. There were Aunt Elisa and Aunt Morgana who helped her.

At first it was very difficult for them to control Eli, Eli was still afraid of everyone in this house apart from James of course. Eli always ran away every time someone came into his room, he ran here and there screaming or hid under his bed while crying, or when pressed he would attack them by throwing pillows or flower vases that were lying on the table. Eli is a very timid and stubborn girl.

Eli walked alongside Aunt Morgana towards the dining room, Eli holding the braid in her hair which felt strange to him. 

"Good morning Eli? Wow... you're so beautiful." James said with a sweet smile, Eli felt happy that he was being praised, of course this was the first time he had been praised, let alone said to be beautiful, by a man.

Eli looked down embarrassed, he couldn't show the expression he should. But in his heart he really felt happy.

"Come on... please sit down, this is the first time we have eaten together since you lived in this house." James said, James asked Aunt Elisa to serve food on Eli's plate and gave the girl a spoon and fork to use.

Delicious food and complete cutlery were available in front of him, Eli just remained silent and didn't move. He didn't know how to use cutlery, all he remembered was that he had to throw the food first on the floor or in the trash, after which he would eat it with his hands.

"Why are you silent ? You must be confused, right?" James smiled, he understood that Eli must not be used to all this.

Eli nodded flatly, his expression very innocent. She looks the same as a little girl who is just starting to learn new things in life, very innocent and innocent.

“Okay, I will teach you how to eat well. From today onwards you can practice it, you understand," said James softly, Eli just looked down and was silent but in his mind he agreed with everything James said. Eli begins to trust James, as the only person who accepts him.

James moved his chair right next to Eli, his hands began to gently hold Eli's hand and move it according to his wishes. James taught Eli how to use a spoon and fork and eat the food he was supposed to eat, not the junk food he threw in the trash.

"How ? isn't it difficult? If you want, you can do it!” James gives praise every time Eli learns something even though it's not easy to teach a girl like Eli, a girl who is blind to everything, a girl who is used to abuse and violence. James' kindness made Eli awkward, he didn't reject him, he was just not used to receiving good treatment from other people.

Eli spilled the bowl of soup next to him, the spilled soup scattered all over the table. Eli was shocked, he made a mistake that he didn't mean to. He immediately took the action he usually did whenever he made a mistake.

"Bruukkk..." Eli immediately prostrated himself on the floor, he sobbed and asked for forgiveness for the mistake he had made. His voice was so choked up that James didn't know what he was actually saying.

"Eli?" James immediately put his arm around Eli, trying to calm the poor girl. James tried to gently pull Eli's body to stop kowtowing, because he didn't make such a big mistake that he put his head on the floor.

"Huhu..." Eli cried, his body shaking and sweating, but he kept his voice from coming out.

"Eli... everything is fine, don't be afraid!" said James with a gentle smile. Yes, his smile was so gentle and warm, Eli felt something vibrate in his chest, to be precise, in a very deep place.

James touched Eli's back and rubbed it gently to calm Eli. Eli lifted his face which was wet with tears. Eli looked at James's face who continued to smile at him as if there was no hatred that radiated on his gentle face, little by little Eli began to believe in James' figure. In his heart, the belief arose that James was not the same as his parents before, James was not a bad person, in fact he was like a figure. a savior angel sent by God to help Eli.

“Nothing happened, right? I won't scold or hurt you, you'll be fine here with me, hm..?” James smiled again, Eli was stunned and continued to look at James, he looked so sparkling in his eyes, just like the angel that other people said.

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