FLASHBACK (2)

*FLASHBACK CONTINUES

The girls' ears seemed to become pregnant because of this alluring voice. Everyone's gaze trailed to the entrance of the alley. And again another part of the girls seemed to become pregnant once more. Their eyes.

The man in front of them was ethereal. You couldn't even compare his beauty with that of the artistes of the country. The girls ended up being dazed for a while however his cold magnetic voice had them snapping back to reality as he said, "You don't want me to come get them myself, do you?".

The gangsters sneered mockingly. "Look kid, it's better you mind your own business", one gangster said calmly. A strange smile formed on the man's lips. "Don't regret it then", he said as he stepped forward.

He cracked his knuckles and fisted them in front of him. The gangsters stared at him as if they were looking at a complete fool however they did not expect what happened next. The man, upon getting closer, threw a punch into a gangster's gut making him–the gangster – do a double take.

Everyone's eyes circled wide in shock and surprise. He looked like a pretty boy, unexpectedly he was so experienced with fighting skills. The girls were suddenly hit with waves of awe as they watched the scene unfolding in front of them.

The gangsters then ganged up on him nevertheless, he still defeated them all with relative ease.

"Too easy", he sighed in disappointment. He shook his head as he stared at their figures curled up on the cold floor.

"Scramble!", he said with an agressive growl.

And as if by some sort of magic, they suddenly got the strength to get up and run, obviously with their tails between their legs.

The girls cheered, clapped, wooped and raised their hands in the air in awe. They were super impressed. The man turned his attention to them and his cold gaze softened considerably.

"You alright?" He asked. His cello, gravelly deep voice made the ears of the girls perk up. Minutes went by with no response and the guy raised one of his elegantly shaped brows with a quizzing look in his eyes.

"Yeah, we're alright", Elena spoke softly.

The man slid his hand into his pocket and took out a card.

"If you ever need help, I'm one phone call away", he said as he handed Elena the card.

"I'm Cameron Whitlock by the way", he said calmly.

"Elena Santiago", said Elena, stretching out her hands for the handshake.

....

*PRESENT DAY

A knock came from Elena's door, breaking through her reverie. She hesitated but when another knock came, she sighed and went over to open it. And outside stood Perry.

"Madam, Master requests your presence at the dining hall for breakfast", said Perry respectfully.

Though Elena didn't want to, she knew she had to so she nodded in agreement. Perry bowed before leaving her to get ready.

Elena changed into a simple topaz blue dress that complimented her sapphire blue eyes. She then went down for the breakfast she didn't want. The moment she entered the dining hall, she saw him.

Roderick looked strange, something about his aura was different. Almost miserable even but she didn't say or do anything. She walked towards him with a cold glint in her eyes while he stared at her with his intense grey eyes.

The moment she got to the table, she sat on the chair farthest from him. Roderick stared and when she looked at him again he still stared. He didn't stop and it made Elena feel uncomfortable in her seat.

Slowly he got up and went to her. He said nothing as he sat on the seat right beside her. With a snap of his fingers, breakfast was served. He was silent. Way too quiet for her liking.

"Look Elena", he suddenly spoke making her jump in her seat. Elena turned to glare at him.

"You scared me", she said with a huffed.

"How did I scare you?" Roderick was truly perplexed.

"You talked so suddenly. God, my heart almost died back there", she said as she unknowingly relaxed with him.

"You are just being melodramatic", said Roderick with a shake of his head.

Elena stared at him and caught her lower lip between her teeth. Roderick who had noticed her stare raised his head to meet her gaze. Seeing how dazed she looked, he couldn't help but smile.

His cold gaze softened as he probed his head up with his arm. Roderick just couldn't help the way his heart seem to soften as he stared at her incredibly beautiful face.

Suddenly she snapped back with a sharp bob of her head.

"Erm, we should eat before the food turns cold", Elena said as she lowered her head to eat.

Roderick chuckled lightly and dug into his food. As they ate, Roderick noticed how her seemed to change when she placed a waffle in her mouth–which was delicious by the way.

She paused before starting to chew as she lowered her head even more to hide the tears that were suddenly welling up in her eyes. The smile on Roderick's face faded slowly and his brows creased with worry when she sniffled softly.

"Elena–", Roderick said.

"I'm sorry. I just.... I'm sorry", Elena said in a broken voice that held waves of agony. She put the fork down beside the plate and spoke once more, "I'm sorry but can I have something else. I can't.... I'm so sorry".

Roderick raised his hand and tangled his fingers in his thick moderate length black hair in deep thought. He seen to have realized something. He realized that Elena had it worse than him.

He still clearly remembered the stages he went through before he could finally get over Camilla. Camilla. That name still made him feel so broken. He could live without her now but he....just didn't want to. He missed her every single moment of every single day even though she had ruthlessly broken his heart.

Roderick first went through denial, at that time he had really lost all his self-esteem. He has begged, cried, held Camilla tight. At that time he had been so scared, scared of losing her, of being alone. Again. That he had acted like a lovestruck fool. It had taken him four months to get over it. Remembering those memories made him cringe.