chapter seventeen

                                    

                                          
.Meira's POV.
    Austin's jaw has been ticking the whole time Elijah and I chat at the bar.
    He offered to buy me a drink but Austin turned that down rudely, definitely not on my behalf.
    I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my 'non-alcoholic drink' before suppressing the sigh that was to let out.
    Austin has officially been the one and only man who has let me get through every single emotion that is to describe.
    He's been standing behind me, leaning his elbow on top of the bar island. Feeling his body warmth buzzing on the skin of my back, it was safe to say—this man was really, really close to me.
    I can smell his scent and feel his breathing change from time to time.
    His sighs. His huffs. His low frustrated groans in annoyance every time Elijah says something funny to me and I laugh.
    I'm pretty sure I imagined one or two eye rolls from Austin in the past fifteen minutes.
    "I would say, it was an amazing memory to keep in. That trip was so worth it." Elijah grins.
    I softly laugh, "I do remember most of your friends that you mentioned. But this Micheal..." I trailed down leaving Elijah to fill in.
    He finishes his drink, "Oh, yes, you don't know him. Remember I mentioned someone who went on a backpacking trip to Costa Rica?"
    I pushed my brain to recall the information. Elijah mentioned so many people when we were together... I've met the majority of them which was another fact.
    "Give me more clues, please," I blinked, tilting my head to the side a little. Elijah chuckled.
    "Wait." Elijah took out his phone and started to unlock it. Few more types and he pulls out a picture.
    "Oh my god, him?!" I gasped.
    "Yeah." He lowly laughed.
    I laughed. 
    "I think, it's time for your departure." And just like that, my laugh died down hearing my bodyguard's voice.
    He's currently standing beside me; way too close, looking all intimidating. 
    I face him, "How about you don't butt in my matters?" 
    "How about you act responsible for once?" Austin fires back. 
     I glared at him. His eyes stayed hard but not glaring. 
     "It's the weekdays. You have classes." He warns. Then he looks at Elijah, "I think that's enough for tonight."
    I gasped at Austin's audacity. This mothe—
    "I get it man," Elijah gave his charming smile at Austin and then he looked at me. "How about we decide our next meeting over a call? You still have my number right?"
    I nod because Elijah's smile is something that always made my inside melt into goo. It was mesmerizing.
    "Okay, then." Elijah kisses my cheek, lingering his lips on them. He whispers so only I can hear, "There is something going on between you and Austin, right?" 
    My eyes widen. He pulls back with a grin. 
    "Eli—"    
    "Talk to you soon, baby." He winks and walks away, getting lost in the crowd. 
    I gulped. Oh god, he noticed. Of course, he did. It's Elijah. That man's eyes are like a hawk. His senses are like a predator. 
    "Meira," Austin called, sternly. I looked at him. "What did he say?"