Page 44 of Ruling Scar
The glazed expression hardens. I smirk goodbye, all the while knowing I should’ve gone with Plan A. Because Leopold Stuart doesn’t find me frightening like most level-headed people do. He sees a challenge and I’ll be damned if he comes out of this on the other side living.
CHAPTER 11
Lennie
Monday’s are normally dreary affairs, but this morning I’m a livewire of stressed-out energy.
Sunday passed in a blur of messages from Elijah. I find it helps to think of him as a pen pal rather than a fake boyfriend. So much so that I changed his name in my phone. I might’ve been partially motivated by Adeline trying to steal it to see who kept texting me.
She barged into my room first thing Sunday morning, bouncing on the bed. I told her the date went well but she kept pressing for details. Mom asked once how it went, but she lingered in the kitchen when Adeline hounded me again.
They don't realize I keep checking my phone because Elijah’s pretending to be my knight in shining armor and not because it’s Leopold texting.
I cuddled in bed, feigning the desire to read. It didn’t put out any alarm bells considering it’s how I spend most of my time. They never saw me nervously checking out the window as if Leopold would stupidly try to break in.
I thought about asking Ferdinand to drive me to work this morning. But that’s stupid. If I want my freedom back like Isolde said, then I’ve got to take it back. So I crammed myselfonto a train, one of thousands of miserable Monday morning commuters.
Ferdinand is beside me. Most look at his suit and take him for a finance guy instead of a bodyguard.
I’m glad he’s here but my eyes dart side to side, eyeing my surroundings.
I don’t take Leopold for the kidnapping type, but how did he imagine this going down? Is he planning on going through the proper channels and striking up a marriage proposal?
I keep reminding myself this is what he wanted—to get under my skin.
Shoving my AirPods into my ears I blast my favorite early 2000s pop playlist and deal with payroll deadlines. Work is tedious, but if I can’t read then I need to distract myself another way.
Christina Aguilera is interrupted by a text notification.
Pen Pal: Morning Leonora. How are you today?
Lennie: I’m working. Leave me alone.
Pen Pal: You send me the sweetest texts.
I roll my stiff shoulders, swiveling around to look out the window in my office.
I never knew what I wanted to do with my life but I always knew I wanted to work. It’s an important value to the Akatovs and while I can’t see myself picking up the family trade, I want to make my own way.
HR is boring, but I like the company I work for, and receiving a paycheck I earn myself.
Still, I find myself turning to look out my window throughout the day. The sky’s a hazy blue today, matching my feelings.
A story appears on Elijah’s Instagram feed. He’s posted a photo of our text exchange. There’s no indication who sent it, just text bubbles but it takes me a second to mull over how I feel. It’s kinda cute, but the natural wallflower in me wants to skitter back.
Lennie: Did you really put a guard on me?
I kept discreetly trying to check for any lurking Russians this morning but didn’t notice anyone.
Pen Pal: Tell me of a time I lied to you.
Elijah’s the king of twisted truths so nothing comes to mind.
A photo appears. Elijah holds up his phone, capturing him and another skinny guy. Both wear baseball caps and they’re on the patio of my favorite coffee shop across the street.
Lennie: Are you seriously on a stakeout in front of my office?
Pen Pal: Not anymore. I have a meeting. I’ll text you when I’m out.
