Chapter 50 Daniel
DANIEL
Before leaving for the airport this morning, I had the brief misfortune of meeting Elliot’s brother, who, I might admit, was a dick. Sure, he was a kid, but I didn’t care. He’s a fucking asshole, and hopefully for him, he’d grow out of it.
Seeing where Elliot grew up, meeting his mom, and spending a night in his childhood room was incredible.
I wish we could have spent more time there, but currently, getting Elliot the help he needed was a higher priority.
Still, I had no doubt this visit was a first out of many.
Our plane hadn’t even taken off yet, and I was already eager to come back, and I was sure Elliot felt the same.
Speaking of Elliot, he’d seemed hesitant ever since we left home, and now, sitting in the seat next to me while we waited for takeoff, he was biting on the tips of his nails, shaking like a leaf.
“Would you like another drink?” the flight attendant asked with a smile, her eyes moving from Elliot to me. She probably thought he was scared of flying, but knowing the truth, this wasn’t the case, nor something a glass of scotch could solve.
I kindly refused, and after she left, I turned to Elliot.
“What’s going on in here?” I asked, tapping the side of his head.
“Are you sure Vito isn’t mad?” The words were out of his mouth in a heartbeat as he put his iPod aside.
My lips formed a small smile. “The answer hasn’t changed since you asked me that an hour ago.”
He sighed. “I know, I’m just—”
“Nervous?”
Pressing his lips together, he gave me a barely there nod.
“It’s normal to be nervous, as it’s your job, and you love it. But I assure you, Vito’s absolutely thrilled to see you doing better.” I caressed his arm.
“And what about your work? Are you really unemployed now?”
Poking the inside of my cheek, I thought of that word—unemployed.
“I guess I am.” I hummed. “Weird, isn’t it?”
Not finding the situation amusing, Elliot’s scowl deepened.
“What will you do, then? About work, money?”
“I guess we’ll have to cut our expenses––”
Grabbing my arm, he shook me, “I’m being serious, Daniel.”
“So am I,” I said, then coughed to hide my smile. “Listen.” I half turned in my seat to fully face him. “I have more than enough money saved up, along with some investment in the market that still brings me a decent profit. Not to mention, I already have plans—”
“You do?” His brows rose, making him look absolutely precious.
“I do.” I pinched his cheek. “And even if I didn’t, it’s still nothing you should worry about.”
He pushed my hand away, eyes determined. “Once I’m back at work, I want to pay, too.”
Knowing his independence meant a lot to him, I pushed aside my primitive instinct to provide for him and said, “Okay.”
Pleased, Elliot grabbed his iPod, then put his headphones back on. Thinking I’d put his concerns to rest, I picked up the new book I’d bought at the airport. Not even one page in, Elliot took off the headphones and asked—
“Can you tell me about the therapy center again?”
Putting the book aside, I shifted to him. “What would you like to know?”
I’d already told him everything there was to know about the treatment facility specializing in eating disorders that Vito’s friend had helped me find. Still, if hearing about it again would relax him, I would repeat it a hundred times over.
“I don’t know… where is it?”
“Sonoma Valley, California. It’s a beautiful place, full of vineyards and great sun. I think you’ll like it there.”
His brows drew close. “Is it near New York?”
I snorted. “Not at all. It’s on the West Coast. New York is on the East Coast.”
He pouted. “So how will I see you?”
I took his hand in mine, tangling our fingers together. “Like I explained earlier, the facility is closed to visitors during the week, but—”
“On the weekends, you’ll come and see me.” He completed my words, eyes pinned on our joined hands.
“Yes.”
“What if it’s not enough?”
“Then I’ll come more often.”
“And what if I don’t like it there?”
“Then we’ll find a different place or a method that works better for you.”
He turned quiet, but I knew he had more to ask, so I bumped my shoulder with his.
“Is there anything else that’s bothering you?”
He nodded.
“H-how long will I need to stay there?” His voice was weak, like that of a scared child.
It saddened me, but I knew this step was necessary.
“For as long as it will take you to heal.”
“And what if I never heal?”
Bringing his hand to my lips, I kissed it. “Don’t allow yourself to think negatively, my love. You will get better, and I’ll be there every step of the way.”
His lips formed a thin smile, his sapphire eyes shining in the most brilliant way possible.
“I’m scared,” he admitted in a whisper only I could hear.
It was this authenticity of his, which was so rare in the circles I’d grown up in, that was one of the reasons I fell for him.
“I was scared, too.” I brushed my finger over his unique beauty spot, a smile on my lips. “When we first met, the way I wanted to be with you scared me to death.”
“I remember.” He chuckled. “You were so scared you didn’t even want to go swimming with me.”
“Skinny-dipping,” I reminded him with a raised brow, making him laugh even louder, the warm sound going straight to my heart.
“I kept my underwear on in the end.”
“You did.” I smiled, remembering that day. “But what I’m trying to say is that I was terrified of how I felt for you, and as you remembered, it led me to make some foolish mistakes.”
He huffed. “Yeah. Like breaking my heart on my birthday. Asshole.”
“See?” I grinned. “Imagine if I’d submitted to my fears and allowed it all to end there? Wouldn’t that be a tragedy?”
Pouting, he side-eyed me. “You would have had a lot less great sex, that’s for sure.”
I laughed, cupped his face, and planted a big kiss on the side of his head. “That’s true. But my point is… don’t let anything, especially fear, stand in your way.”
Holding my stare, he smiled. “I won’t.”
Elliot was a hundred times more courageous than me or anyone else I knew, and with his kindness, honesty, and love, he was capable of changing the world.
Or, in my case, my life. If only he’d realized it himself.
But I assumed that, after all the things he’d taught me, it was my turn to show him what a one-of-a-kind human he was—without a doubt, the most beautiful soul I’d ever met.
One full of kindness and love. The type who ignored the drabness of the city and instead focused on the blueness of the sky, which wasn’t as closely remarkable as his eyes.
The Blue Gold of my existence.
In that moment, I promised both him and myself that for the rest of our lives, I would show him just how loved and adored he was.
More importantly, I would love him in the way he truly deserved—completely and unwaveringly.
With every bit of my being, and with my heart beating just for him, I would love my French prince until the day this world ceased to exist. And far, far, beyond that.