Chapter 3
Elisa saw how sure I was and nodded obediently like a puppy.
The next morning, Jeffrey got up early for work. I rolled out of bed and hurried to the kitchen to make breakfast for Elisa.
Elisa had been cooking for me these past few days, so today, I wanted to return the favor.
As I was about to start cooking, Elisa came rushing into the kitchen.
"Claire, what are you doing?" Elisa asked.
She looked adorable, even when she was all anxious.
"I'm making breakfast for you," I replied.
"I'll handle it. You go watch TV and wait for me to bring it out," Elisa said.
Elisa pushed me out of the kitchen. Still confused, I turned on the TV and started watching.
Before long, Elisa brought out a hot breakfast and set it in front of me.
I happily dug into the delicious food, and suddenly, a warm feeling spread through my chest.
Finally, I had a friend, someone to talk to, eat with, and watch TV with.
I hugged Elisa. "Elisa, it's great having you here with me."
Elisa stiffened for a moment and gently pushed me away. Her eyes darted away instinctively.
"What's wrong, Elisa?" I asked.
Something seemed off about her, so I couldn't help but ask.
Elisa smiled softly at me. "Nothing. The milk's getting cold. Hurry up and drink it."
She slid the milk over to me, and I wrapped my hands around it and took a sip.
Elisa watched me the whole time as I finished the milk.
Later that afternoon, I was determined to cook for Elisa myself.
Elisa couldn't resist my persistence and had no choice but to agree.
After grabbing some groceries at the market, I ran into a weird guy on my way back.
He stopped me and called out. "Claire, if you don't get out of here now, it'll be too late."
He looked so familiar, but I couldn't remember his name.
"Who the heck are you? How do you know my name?" I shot back.
He replied, "I'm Hank Foster. It's fine if you don't remember me, but listen. You need to stay away from Elisa and Jeffrey. They're..."
Before he could finish, I spotted Elisa heading my way. The man ducked his head and slipped away.
Before leaving, he leaned in and whispered to me, "Don't tell them I was here."
What a strange guy he was.
Elisa's face took on a strange look again.
"Who was that guy? What did he say to you?" Elisa pressed.
I was about to repeat what he said, but then I noticed Elisa's expression, which was eerily cold, almost unsettling.
She'd never looked at me like that before.
It seemed she only hurried over after spotting him, as if she wanted to prevent something.
"He asked me where I got the carrots from, so I told him," Claire replied.
For the first time, I was hiding something from Elisa.
"Really?" Elisa said, sounding skeptical.
"Yeah. What's wrong? You're acting so strange," I said.
When it came to lying, I was quite a master.
With the way I grew up, I learned to spin any story with a straight face and never flinch.
Seeing me stay cool as a cucumber, Elisa's suspicions were gone.
I linked arms with Elisa, and we walked home together.
When we got home, I saw Jeffrey sitting on the couch.
"Claire, I already talked to Jeffrey ahead of time, but he didn't agree," Elisa said.
She looked at me with a pitiful, pleading expression.
I didn't like that pitiful look on her face.
"Jeffrey, weren't we planning to rent out the extra room anyway?" I asked.
Jeffrey got up from the couch, shot a look at Elisa, then fixed his gaze on me.
"Claire, she said you'd been secretly letting her stay here for quite some time," Jeffrey said.
Suddenly, cold sweat started to trickle down my back.
Damn, why did Elisa have to tell him?
"Sorry, I didn't tell you earlier. That's on me, but it's fine for her to stay here now, right?" I said.
"I can agree to this, but you have to promise me, from now on, you have to trust me unconditionally," Jeffrey said.
He stared me down, pressuring me to say the words he wanted to hear.
"Okay, I promise," I replied.
My anger was burning inside, but I pushed it down hard.
Elisa was skipping around the room like a bird, all cheerful and lively.
"Yay, Claire. We'll always be together from now on," she squealed.
Together forever? What a lovely thought.
I used to want that more than anything.
"Elisa, why did you tell Jeffrey I was keeping you here?" I asked.
I kept smiling so Elisa wouldn't notice what I was feeling inside.
Elisa didn't catch on to how upset I was.
"Well, I told him, but it's no big deal since he's okay with it," she replied, unfazed.
Elisa was becoming more and more like her real self.
That night, after I took a shower, I was waiting for Jeffrey in bed.
After what felt like forever, Jeffrey finally climbed into bed.
Right at that moment, I got a call.
After hanging up, I quickly got dressed.
"Where are you going?" Jeffrey asked.
"I have to head out. One of the kids from the orphanage went missing, so I won't be home tonight," I replied.