Chapter 24

James took Eli to his seat and asked Eli to continue eating. James taught Eli how to eat properly and forbade Eli to throw away his food before eating because it was a bad thing.

Starting today James will teach Eli many things he never knew, how to be a good girl, how to read, write, count, and most importantly James wants to make Eli learn how to respect himself and do the things he likes. James wants Eli to be a good human being and have a future.

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***Eli looked at the pile of books in front of him, this afternoon James took him to a large room containing cupboards full of books that just looking at them made Eli nauseous, of course this was not a suitable place for Eli, and he definitely wouldn't like this place.***

***Eli looked down, he was reluctant to look around. This place felt like it was spinning at incredible speed, Eli tried to hold back his nausea even though the contents of his stomach were already rising to the edge of his throat. Eli tapped his feet on the floor, his body shaking irregularly. He waited for James who was on the phone in the living room, James who asked him to wait a few minutes and promised to come back soon when his business was finished. Yes, Eli had no other choice but to wait for James in this terrible place.***

***Eli waited for 15 minutes, he didn't know how long 15 minutes was, he felt that time seemed so long if he was waiting for someone and it wasn't fun at all.*** 

***“Eli? are you still in there?" said James as he opened the door to the room where he had left Eli for 15 minutes.***

***Eli didn't answer, he was still sitting in the same place when James left 15 minutes ago and he didn't move from his place at all. The only thing he did was tap his shoes on the floor to make a sound amidst the silence.*** 

***James looked at Eli from behind the door, he didn't expect that Eli was a very obedient girl even though it was clear that she didn't like being in this place, but he still listened to the words of James, the only person he might trust. James smiled a little, looking at Eli playing with his fingers. He tried his best not to look around, the room was filled with large cupboards filled only with old books. Eli doesn't like books, Eli really doesn't like them. If there was one thing he didn't like the most, it was definitely books.***

***"Eli?" James called Eli as if he had just come into this room. Eli immediately turned around, his eyes were shining, showing that he was very happy that James was back.***

***"Sorry for making you wait, it must be very boring waiting for me in this place, right?" James asked in his soft voice, even though at first he felt bad because he had been told to wait, for some reason, every time he heard James' soft voice, Eli's heart melted, as if all his annoyance had disappeared, James was like an angel.***

***Eli shook his head slowly with his head lowered, but a small smile formed at the corner of his lips. Even though he couldn't say what he was supposed to say, words that should be easy for almost everyone to say were very difficult for Eli.***  

***"Do you know why I brought you to this room?" James asked, once again Eli shook his head because he didn't know why James had taken him to a place that seemed to him like book hell.***

***"I want to ask, how old are you now, Eli?"***

***Eli was silent, he couldn't answer because he didn't know how old he was now. Eli couldn't read or count, what's more, his parents never cared, plus there were almost never any birthday celebrations or anything like that at his house.*** 

***James could already guess that Eli himself didn't know how old he was now. James smiled slightly, his hand reaching for Eli's bowed head. James gently stroked Eli's hair, touching it lovingly. Eli was touched, his chest shook. He had never received treatment like this, gentle treatment from someone who cared about him. Eli had once seen a mother wiping the tears of her crying child and rubbing his head with lots of affection, Eli had really hoped for it. It was a small thing that for him was very difficult to achieve, but now there are people who want to do it for Eli.***

***Eli was silent, he raised his head slowly. His eyes met James' eyes, Eli looked at those pair of eyes without hesitation. His chest felt tight, as if it was filled with extraordinary things that previously seemed to him only dreams. James smiled gently, now he knew who he should give his attention and affection to. People he may have just met, but it feels like it's been a very long time.***

“From now on, believe me, I will not let anyone hurt you. You'll be safe with me!"

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