Episode 59
“Thanks, but no. I can go back alone,” Elizabeth countered, her tone sharp and unyielding as she turned away from him. Hearing this, Elijah held back from pressing the matter. He slightly tilted his head and softly called out, “Oliver.” Oliver immediately caught on and darted to the roadside to flag down a taxi. Turning his gaze to Elizabeth, Elijah spoke with a hint of insistence.
“I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow. Get my number off your blacklist, will you?” Elizabeth, resolute and unwavering, quickly responded, “No need. An ex should stay out of sight and out of mind. If there’s anything urgent, Mr. James, you can pass it through Oliver via email.” A chuckle escaped Elijah as he regarded her with a mixture of amusement and frustration.
“Elizabeth, must you always talk to me with such sharpness? Doesn’t this constant bickering weary you?” But before she could retort, Elijah made a swift move and snatched her phone from her grasp. Jolted by his action, Elizabeth lunged forward in an attempt to retrieve it. Elijah, a slight smirk playing on his lips, raised his arm high, the phone just out of reach.
He easily bypassed her security, using his birthday—a code she’d forgotten to update. Elizabeth cursed herself silently for the oversight. She stretched repeatedly on her toes, reaching for the phone, but their height difference thwarted her efforts every time. Like a doll being maneuvered by Elijah’s antics, she finally ceased her futile attempts and stood quietly beside him, her resolve fading. Elijah didn’t just remove his number from the blacklist. He also took the liberty of adding himself back as a contact in her WhatsApp before handing back the phone.
Considering she might need to contact him the following day, Elizabeth hesitated for a moment but then decided against blocking him again. She pocketed her phone and walked towards the roadside, her mind a tumult of thoughts. As Oliver hailed a taxi and swung open the rear door, he gestured gracefully. “Mrs. James, please get in.” Elizabeth exchanged a brief, unreadable look with Elijah, silently stepped towards the vehicle, and gracefully lowered herself into the back seat.
“Mrs. James, your flowers.” Oliver’s voice broke the brief silence just as Elizabeth settled in. Before she could politely decline, Oliver was already placing the extravagant bouquet of roses next to her. He shut the door with a soft thud and instructed the driver, “You can go ahead now.” Resigned, Elizabeth turned her head to gaze out the window, the conversation outside fading away. The cityscape passed by in a blur as she lost herself in thought, only to be pulled back to reality by the sight of the roses beside her. These were the first flowers Elijah had ever given her. Yet, the gesture failed to kindle the warmth she might have hoped for. It was akin to those long-anticipated moments that lose their luster when they finally unfold, leaving no room for surprise. The following day, just past three in the afternoon, Elizabeth was adjusting her outfit when her phone buzzed—a call from Elijah. She paused, her thoughts a whirlwind, before suggesting a casual meeting spot in a nearby neighborhood. About ten minutes later, a message from Elijah popped up. “Come down.
