Expectation vs Reality (2)

After Eldric made no move from where he was standing, Lia realized that she was still glaring at Eldric. She gave a stiff nod and tried to sit properly at the side of the bed.

Eldric took a seat from the chair on the side table. "How are you feeling? Are you hurt somewhere? Jeremiah is not with us at the moment so we might not get a proper checkup."

"I'm fine." Lia's words sounded clipped.

She stared at Eldric. He stared back. A moment passed between them, and he just nodded.

Lia breathed out. Reluctantly, she felt grateful for him for letting it go. They both knew that she was not okay, but she did not need sympathy or pity. She needed news.

"We haven't found your mother." Straight and honest, very much like Eldric. Even as she held back a choke, Lia appreciated the honesty, even if it stung.

"We went back to your house this morning. There were no signs of anyone coming back. We asked your neighbors, and they didn't know either. They heard the commotion, but they were too scared to come out last night."

Something about what he said nicked at Lia's brain. "How did you know where exactly I live?"

Lia remembered walking with Eldric to the outskirts of the city. They never reached her doorstep. Even if they somehow did, the houses around them were almost the same, especially in the dark. A horrible realization dawned on her.

She clutched the bedsheets. "How did you know what happened last night? How did you even know where I live?"

Eldric only stared at her, his face unreadable, but for Lia, it was clear as day.

"You had me monitored. You had me monitored!" She rose from the bed. "Did you send those men? Did you trick me the first time when you saved me from them?! You've captured me, so what now?!"

Thoughts swirled around Lia's head, and it was making her dizzy. Though it was nothing compared to the hit of betrayal she received. She did not realize how affected she would be by it. She even thought of this man as her friend! Or could be her friend, and this was how she was repaid?!

"Everything was a ruse! You tricked me." Lia fought back a sob, but everything came pouring out, like a dam bursting inside her. All the pain came rushing out, and she could not stop the tears from falling.

"Lia," Eldric took a step forward. Lia took a step back, but her leg hit the bed, and she fell back. With nothing to back on, she balled the sheets in her fist, ready to throw it at him.

Eldric watched her and sighed as he sat back on his heels so he was at eye level with her. "You might not trust me on this, but believe me when I say that I never lied to you."

A deep cackle from Lia despite her tears.

"That's the biggest lie you told me."

Eldric's face remained passive, but his fist clenched.

To be all too honest, angering the protagonist was not on Lia's bucket list. But at this point, she was beyond caring.

"I don't know what you or you don't do. So what did you find out? What secrets of-- of whoever's after us do I suppose to know?"

"I understand that you are upset. I'll be leaving now."

Lia threw a pillow at a closed door.

She slunk at a corner of her room, just staring at space. Her mind unwillingly played back to the events of last night. The sounds of the birds flying outside caught her attention. She needed to do something, to confirm her doubts.