Elijah stopped eating, then slowly turned to her, his eyes a little wide. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Mostly because he felt it too. The funny feeling he wasn't sure what to make of.
She burst into laughter, then shook her head. "I guess I am just so thankful to you. Because of you, it really feels like a lot of things fell into place."
He swallowed, his eyes roaming around her face, before he slokwy nodded, then leaned back. He found he had no appetite anymore, and he would rather just wait it out.
"Did I make you uncomfortable?" She asked when she noticed he wasn't eating.
He immediately shook his head. "No, it just...I ate enough. Eat more. I am not so sure you had breakfast."
"You won't attend the ceremony?"
He looked down at his watch. "It should sta rt by 12. We still have a few hours."
She suddenly stood up, then went in front of him, and twirled a little. "Do you think this is okay? Do I look okay?"
He swallowed. "You look beautiful."
There was a sincerity in his voice, and it made her blush hard, her head slowly lowering. "Not a lot of people have called me that before. I don't know, some do but...nobody as respectable as you. It feels good hearing it from you."
He stood up slowly, knowinh none of them had any interesr in the food anymore. Without a word, he let his hand go to her waist, gently pulling her closer to him.
He heard as she sucked in a sharp breath, and then looked up to him. Her eyes only drove him, and he slowly leaned forward, then placed a small kiss on the corner of her lips.
Her eyes closed, her hand coming up to his shoulder, her hair falling behind her.
It wasn't really proper, but it felt like a couple fireworks set off in her stomach, sending her to a delirious edge.
He slowly stood up, but she stayed there, her eyes closed, her knees weak. He slowly let her go, and she almost wobbled. He caught her just in time, a small laugh escaping his lips.
She looked up to him, then laughed too, her eyes lowering.
"I am sorry, I just..."
"It's okay. You don't have to apologize."
She slowly nodded, feeling her body go cold as he stepped a way from her, making sure she could stand on her own. She almost comtemplated falling again just so he could hold her up again.
She walked in front of him as they went to the car, and the driver immediately took off to the five star hotel.
Mariah drew on the hood, then sat ny the window side in the cafe, her eyes thin as she waited for the doctor. She had told him it was too sensitive to discuss in a doctor's office when the entire province knew who she was. Nurses could gossip and she didn't want to risk it.
"Mrs. Mariah?"
She looked up, then stretched her hand to the seat opposite her. He walked to it and then sat, drawing it back in. He leaned close to her, his fingers intertwined on the table.
"What is so sensitive?"
She said nothing, but pulled a diamond rong. It was in a small black box and she pushed it to him.
"This..."
"It is worth over five hundred thousand dollars. More expensive than any pill out there."
His eyes squinted as he slowly pulled it to himself. "What do you want in exchange?"
"I need you to give me a pill, and then say something. You need to do this for me when I call you."
The doctor slowly nodded. "Judging from how much you are paying, I am sure it is not legal. What if things go wrong?"
"I will take responsibility. Do exactly as I have told you."
He slowly nodded, then leaned away, putting the box into his pocket.
Elijah held Jennifer on his arm as he greeted some of the most influential men in the city. He was, of course part of them, and had no trouble mingling. Jennifer however, felt a little out of place, and she kept wondering if she looked good enough.
"Is this your new wife? I am so used to seeing Mariah with you." A man said, gesturing at Jennifer.
She immediately smiled, then stretched her hand. "Yes, I am."
"Her name is Jennifer. Beautiful, don't you think?" Elijah said, scanning her with his eyes.
"She is, but I can see how smitten you are too, Elijah. I have never seen you look at Mariah like that, and this is coming from a friend that has known you for years."
Elijah laughed, trying to downplay it, but he knew it was true. He had never even had a reason to look at Mariah like anything. She dangled on his arm, but wanted the publicity. She did things as the mayor's wife, and never as his wife.
Jennifer found the conversation quite pleasurable, even though they talked about the bones and the investigation.
Some suggested Elijah just leave it to the police, but he insisted on letting the Mayor's office head it. It would be much better, because then, he would be able to oversee everything himself.
By the time the event was done, Jennifer was almost falling asleep on her feet. They went back to the car, and no sooner had the car started than she leaned back, her eyes closing.
Elijah listened to her steady breath throughout the ride, a small smile playing on his lips. Suddenly, she stirred, then moved, resting her head on his shoulder.
He felt his breath stop in his throat as he turned to her. She was asleep, her lips slightly parted.
He swallowed, then gently adjusted her head on his shoulder. He brought his hand to move her hair away, catching a glimpse of her smooth skin, her lips.
He smiled again, turning away, the vague memories of the peck he'd left coming back to him in flashes. He smiled again, biting down on his lips.