A Dance of Guilt and Danger

El lingered in the waiting area downstairs, her heart a quiet drumbeat of patience while Pip visited his father, with Carl by his side. Her restless steps drew her out of the waiting area and into the grand hall beyond, where the décor seemed to whisper secrets just out of earshot, enticing the eye to linger where it was meant to and overlook what was hidden.

Her gaze was irresistibly pulled upwards to the expansive double-height ceiling, which soared above her like the vault of a cathedral. The room was bathed in natural light, streaming through tall, arched windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. This golden glow washed over the polished hardwood floors, turning them into a warm, inviting sea of amber.

In the center of the waiting area, a grand staircase spiraled gracefully upwards. Its wrought-iron balustrades were adorned with intricate scrollwork, adding a touch of old-world elegance to the space. The stairs were carpeted in a rich, deep burgundy, a sumptuous complement to the warm tones of the wooden steps beneath.

The staircase seemed almost alive, beckoning with a silent invitation to ascend to the second floor. From her vantage point, El could glimpse the landing above, where the wrought-iron railing continued along the edge, offering a stunning view of the room below. The high ceiling allowed a magnificent chandelier to hang at its center. Its crystal pendants caught the light, casting a dazzling display of sparkles that danced across the walls.

This mesmerizing focal point camouflaged the other rooms on the lower floor, their grey walls fading into the background. The illusion was perfect, making it seem as though the staircase was the only path to take, an irresistible journey upwards into the unknown.

On the far wall of that area, almost seamlessly integrated with the surrounding decor, hung a piece of wall art that, at first glance, appeared to be a simple, muted painting. Its soft, earthy tones and abstract forms blended effortlessly with the grey walls, making it easy to overlook amid the grandeur of the room. El was naturally drawn to things that didn't demand much attention.

However, as she drew closer, the true artistry of the piece began to reveal itself. The painting depicted a delicate dance of natural elements—whispering reeds swaying in a gentle breeze, their slender forms captured with masterful strokes that suggested both movement and tranquillity. The colours, though subdued, were layered with subtle variations that added depth and complexity to the scene.

A closer inspection unveiled intricate details: the faint shimmer of gold leaf accenting the tips of the reeds, catching the light just so, and creating a fleeting sparkle as if sunlight was playing on their surfaces. Tiny, almost invisible brushstrokes formed the delicate patterns of ripples in water, suggesting a quiet pond hidden within the landscape. El marvelled at how the painting, in its quiet subtlety, held a world of its own, waiting to be discovered by those who took the time to look beyond the surface.

While observing the tasteful art piece adorning the grey wall, highlighted by discreet, recessed lighting that added to the sophisticated ambiance, El heard the sound of footsteps drawing near. She turned, her right hand still clasping her left wrist behind her, to see the approaching figure. To her surprise, it was a woman, likely around her own age, dressed in a black shirt and black trousers. El had never heard Pip or Carl mention a sister. This woman didn't look like a maid either. Questions swirled in El's mind: Who was this woman, and how did she fit into a household with three men?

The woman's greeting snapped El back to the present.

"Hello! Would you like a drink?" Her words were plain and devoid of tone, almost mechanical. It didn't even sound like a question.

El forced a smile. "Tea," she said, swallowing before adding, "please."

"How about you get seated over there," the woman suggested, pointing to a sitting area where plush, antique armchairs and a richly upholstered settee were arranged around a low, glass-topped coffee table that held a vase of fresh flowers.

Again, it wasn't a question but more of an order. El quietly followed her to the sitting area and sat on one of the armchairs. As soon as the woman was out of sight, El let out a sigh. "God, she is intimidating," she thought, her mind racing with curiosity about this mysterious new presence in the house.

Carl descended the stairs, his voice breaking the silence. "Sorry to keep you waiting." El noticed him a moment later, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to mid-arm, complementing his broad shoulders. Paired with black trousers, his attire had a formal air. The sunlight streamed through the windows, reflecting off his shirt and making it almost see-through, accentuating his handsomeness.

"It's alright. Is everything okay up there? It's only been five minutes," El asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Carl smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, I just showed him the room and gave them some privacy." He couldn't help but stare at El, his eyes warm. "You look pretty casual today—as in, pretty in your casuals." He chuckled at his own pun.

"Gee, thanks. I'll take that as a compliment." El smiled back, feeling a bit more at ease.

"I should be the one thanking you," Carl said earnestly. "Thank you so much for thinking of this plan to bring him here. I don't think Pip would have done it if it weren't for you."

"I just hope they're getting along, even if they aren't back on good terms," El said, a trace of worry in her voice. But even as she spoke, her words seemed to tempt fate. She saw Pip storming out of the room, his footsteps heavy as he ran down the stairs.

Pip's long legs were striding fast as he approached El. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet. "We are leaving," he announced, his tone brooking no argument.

El noticed Pip looked pale. Though he was clearly angry, his complexion suggested something more than anger—less fear and more outright horror. He offered no explanation when El asked what had happened, instead dragging her out of the house without a second thought. El sensed that something had gone terribly wrong and chose not to press him further, following him in silence until they reached the end of the street.

"Wait, Pip, one minute," El panted, coming to a halt to catch her breath. She looked up at Pip, who still hadn't recovered from whatever had transpired in that room. Her words didn't seem to reach him; he was staring into the abyss, lost in his thoughts.

Gently, El placed her palm on his cheek and called his name once more, her voice calm and soothing. "Pip."

The sound of her voice seemed to calm him, cooling the fire burning beneath his skin. His eyes finally met hers, filled with a turmoil she could almost touch. El searched his expression, hoping to find some clue to what had shaken him so deeply. Her hand on his cheek anchored him, bringing him back to the present, where her concern and calm presence offered a lifeline.

"What happened, Pip?" she asked softly, her eyes full of concern and understanding.

He took El's hands from his cheeks and held them tightly, his gaze intense with concern. "Promise me that you won't involve yourself in this mess, or with this family, again," he pleaded, his voice heavy with a weight she could feel in her bones. "It's dangerous, El. I beg you, please."

El could see the turmoil in his eyes, the depth of his worry evident in every line of his face. It was clear that he was more concerned for her safety than anything else. In that moment, all she could do was agree, and so she did, promising to stay away from whatever darkness lurked in his family's affairs.

They walked in silence after that, each lost in their own thoughts. El couldn't shake the feeling that her attempts to help Pip had only added to his burden. When they stopped near a bubble tea shop, El saw it as an opportunity to cool him down and perhaps find out more about what had happened. It wasn't until they stood in front of the shop that she realized he was still holding her hand. A bright red blush spread across her cheeks at the realization, sending a tingling sensation through her. His grip was tight, and she gently loosened it, calling his name and discreetly pointing to their entwined hands with her eyes.

Pip, too, realized the situation, his face turning a shade of red to match a ripe tomato. He released her hand with lightning speed, his embarrassment palpable. El hurriedly went inside the shop, hoping to spare him further embarrassment, and he followed quietly after composing himself.

Inside, El purchased drinks for both of them and found a table. It felt entirely new to her, sitting casually with Pip, but it didn't feel wrong. She didn't know how to broach the subject of what had happened earlier, and she certainly didn't want to dwell on the hand-holding incident. So they sat in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts, sipping bubble tea as if it were a lifeline in the midst of uncertainty.

"You know, he didn't have surgery because of health reasons," Pip began, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken worries. It was as if he could sense El's thoughts. "He was attacked—shot by another group," he continued, his words heavy with implications. "I want you to stay away from them. I want you to be safe." With that, he fell silent, taking refuge in the mundane act of sipping his peach-flavoured bubble tea.

El was taken aback by this revelation. Carl hadn't mentioned the true nature of what had happened either. If she had known, she never would have orchestrated that meeting. She felt a heavy weight settle on her shoulders, a mix of guilt and worry for Pip, understanding now why he harboured such resentment toward his family.

"Sorry," she muttered, the weight of her actions pressing down on her.

"You didn't know. Your intentions were good. It's my fault; I should have been more careful, protected you," Pip reassured her, his words tinged with regret. But El knew deep down that it wasn't entirely true. He had warned her several times before, and she had chosen not to listen.

They sat in silence for a while, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Despite Pip's assurances, El couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility weighing heavily on her conscience. She vowed to herself to be more cautious in the future, to heed Pip's warnings and protect herself as best she could. But she also knew that as long as Pip was involved, she wouldn't be able to stay away completely. Their fates were entwined now, bound together by a web of danger and uncertainty.

As El grappled with her guilt, Pip found himself replaying the conversation he had had with his father, or rather, the one-sided conversation imposed upon him.

"Pip, I want you to come and live with me," his father had stated, his tone carrying a weight of authority.

"No," Pip had responded before his father could even finish his sentence, a wall of resistance already erected between them.

"Listen," his father continued, undeterred by Pip's defiance. "I was shot by our rivals. There's a big fight brewing, and they're waiting for the perfect moment to strike. So far, they don't know about you, but the only way I can protect you is to keep you close, to keep you safe."

His father's intentions were clear, but they fell on deaf ears. Pip couldn't bring himself to accept his father's offer, couldn't allow himself to be pulled back into that world of danger and deceit.

"If you won't listen, I'm afraid I'll have to use other means to bring you here again," his father warned, his words sharp as a knife poised to strike. Pip feared what might come next, prayed silently that his father wouldn't follow through on his threats.

Then, in a sickening turn, his father changed the subject with a casualness that sent shivers down Pip's spine. "I heard you like some girl. How is she?" he asked, his smile tinged with a sinister edge that made Pip's blood run cold.

The memory left a bitter taste in Pip's mouth. He knew his father's intentions were far from genuine. He was merely using El as a pawn in his twisted game, a means to manipulate Pip into compliance. The thought made his blood boil with anger and frustration. He vowed to himself to protect El at all costs, to shield her from the dangers lurking in his family's shadow.

*****