Bathtub

Tristan's POV

Elona was quiet the entire drive back to her house. I was not going to pressure her into talking to me due to what had happened. She was determined to do modeling, and I have to do everything that I can to protect her. I have to do so for my friend too. He has put her in my care.

I followed after Elona up the steps, but her hands trembled as she tried to put the key into the lock, but it fell to the ground. I crouched, picking it up for her and stood up straight again. I looked at her with concern as her gaze fell on the keys in my hand.

"I can unlock," I said as she looked up. I gave her a reassuring nod before she stepped out of the way.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. David wouldn't be here, and I should be happy about it. I was excited the entire morning, but that had changed due to The Dakota Agency. What the hell was I going to do about it? I do know other agencies, but to have Elona be taken care of is a different case when it would come to that industry with little to no one to trust.

Elona had followed in after me and I closed the door behind her. She placed her backpack on the sofa and I moved closer to her, taking her hand in mine. I lead the way up the stairs, "Where are you taking me?" she asked. That was the first time she had spoken since we left the agency.

"I want you to relax and forget about today," I said as we walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the bathroom door. I looked at her, and she gave my hand a little squeeze. We entered the bathroom and I let go of her hand. I leaned over the bathtub and turned the faucet open. I stood up straight as my phone began to ring in my pants pocket.

I looked at Elona who was staring at the bath. "You will relax in the bath," I gave her a reassuring smile before looking down at my phone again. F^ck. Maggie just never stops. I ignored the call, I was not going to turn it silent because I do have a daughter out there who might need me in case anything happens. "It's nothing important," I smiled at her before shoving the phone into my pocket again.

I moved closer to her as I helped her get undressed. I was as gentle as I could be. This time, s^x was not on my mind, I wanted her to feel relaxed and hopefully forget about things. Once her top was off, she was left in her pink lace bra. She hugged herself now. I was being extra careful because this was the same position that she was in earlier. "Do you trust me?" I asked softly.

"Yes," she replied, which was barely above a whisper.

"I am going to take your skirt off. Just remember that it's me, okay?" I was handling her as if she was fragile, someone that was afraid.

"Okay," she replied with a heavy sigh.

I gently hooked my fingers into her skirt and I pulled it down along with her pink lace panties. They dropped at her feet and I hadn't noticed that she had taken her shoes off, it was probably while I checked my phone. I gently unclipped her bra and I slipped them off her arms, discarding it on the floor.

I moved past her, leaning over the bath again to turn the faucet off. When I turned back to her, I held my hand out, and she placed her hand in mine. She stepped into the bath and relaxed. I reached for the bubble bath in the bottom shelf of the vanity cabinet and I threw some into the bath, creating some bubbles.

My phone was ringing as crazy, and I continued to ignore it as I was focused on Elona. I wasn't going to join her in the bathtub, she sat up straight as she looked at me. "Are you not joining me?" I took off my jacket and placed it on the little bench in the corner, rolling up my white shirt sleeves to my elbows as I walked back to her.

"No. I want to take care of you." I said as I crouched on the other side of the bath. I took a sponge and I gently washed away the remnants of the day. "Just relax," I whispered and she complied as she exhaled a breath.

Once I was done, I helped her step out of the bath and I wrapped a towel around her. "You must be hungry," she said as she took over from me and dried herself. It seemed as if she was getting her confidence back.

"Well, I had lunch with Spooky so-"

"You did?" she was taken aback. She seemed much better now as the corners of her lips curled up.

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" I asked with confusion.

"Well, you hate him. So, why would you actually have lunch with him? Are you getting a soft spot for him?" she teased and I did not like that, but if it made her smile, then I would let her tease me.

"I don't have a soft spot for him. I am keeping him at arms length. Besides, he told me that he likes Cris," I shrugged.

"So, that is the reason why. That means that you are no longer worried that he might steal me away from you...which won't happen," she added.

"Maybe. But I do need more time to trust him more. Just don't push it," I warned her, and then I walked out of the bathroom as she followed after me. My phone is still ringing off the hook.

"I think you should answer that," She said, "I will get changed, I will meet you downstairs," I looked over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of her before she disappeared inside her bedroom.

I took my phone out of my pocket, it was Maggie yet again. I answered the phone "What the f^ck don't you understand when I made it clear that I have a girlfriend?" I hissed into the phone as I walked down the stairs.

"Firstly, do not talk to me like that. Second of all, David told me that you do not have a girlfriend, so who is lying?" she asked.

I let out a frustrated breath, "He doesn't know that I have a girlfriend and it is none of your business. I don't appreciate you calling me and demand these things of me. We will not be together as much as you try."

"You are missing out on something amazing," she carried on.

"No, I am living my life the way that I want with my girlfriend, and you don't come close to her. She is better than you will ever be, so back off and leave me the hell alone, or I will report you for continuous harassment," I hung up before she could say anything.

I blocked her immediately, something that I had not thought of doing before. That woman is obsessed. If she ever thinks that I will want her, she is mistaken.

"Who was that?" I turned around as Elona walked down the stairs in denim shorts and a normal t-shirt, this time with flip-flops.

"It was work," I lied.

"So, nothing about the hacking thing?" she asked as she walked to the kitchen and I followed after her. She took two glasses from the top cupboard and placed them on the kitchen counter as she turned to the fridge and took the juice out.

"It was a dead end, but we are not giving up. There is another company willing to invest in us so that whatever I lost can be restored," I said as I took a seat on the bar stool.

She poured juice into each glass, and she moved mine towards me. "Thank you," I said. "The art gallery will be reopened. The damage is sorted. The exhibition will be on Friday. You and your dad need to be there. The paintings of your mother will get the spotlight they deserve," I said.

Her eyes lit up as she now sat beside me. "That is wonderful. Thank you," she smiled as she looked over at me. I placed my hand on hers.

"I will always give anyone the spotlight that they deserve. Even if that means you want to model. But I will accompany you on it all."

"You cannot do that all the time. I will be okay. I just have to get used to it and I will. I was just taken aback by Mr Luca and Maxime," she looked down at her glass of juice.

"Well, what Mr Luca did was unacceptable. That shouldn't have happened," I said as I took a sip of my juice.

"I know. But I should be the one to handle all of this. It is my dream after all," she shrugged.

"I will also be accompanying the school on the camp that is coming up soon." she looked at me with huge eyes.

"You're what?"

"Yeah, the school asked me. That is why I was at school. I had to sign some papers too." I smiled.

"At least I won't be away from you," she replied.

"We still have to be careful."

"That is no problem for me, but is that going to be a problem for you?" she asked.

"It will be difficult, but I have to try," I smiled.

I was so glad to see her smile and be herself again. I kept the conversation going. I will be spending the night with her. I just have to spin another story when it comes to Cris. She cannot know that I will be spending the night with Elona. What story will there be for her? I hate to lie all the time, but we have to keep at this until Elona graduates.