ELI
I don't think I had ever been this excited about anything in my entire life, not even Christmas when I was younger. I was literally bouncing on the balls of my feet, hopping from one end of the room to another like I had downed a bucket of sugar and three cans of energy drinks. My entire wardrobe was open, clothes flying onto the bed, jewelry boxes flipped open, everything sparkling in the morning light.
"I can't believe I'm going back to school!" I squealed, hugging my favorite lavender hoodie before flinging it across the bed and pulling out another one, a cropped white one with tiny pearl details on the edges. My shorts were scandalously short, the kind that made Damir growl under his breath when I wore them around the house. But hey, I liked them. My thighs looked amazing.
I twisted in front of the mirror, brushing some gloss over my lips and fluffing up my hair. My earrings sparkled, and my little silver chain with the tiny letter "E" sat perfectly against my collarbone. I was a whole vibe.
Then I heard it…the dreaded knock.
"Eli," Damir's voice came through the door, calm but firm. "Let me see what you're wearing."
My smile froze.
I opened the door slowly, trying to peek out with just my head. "I'm almost ready!"
He didn't buy it. His arm pushed the door wide open, and his eyes landed on me.
And oh, boy.
"No."
That was all he said.
But I knew what it meant. The full disapproval. The silent judgment. The looming dad-energy of a mafia man who didn't care for trends.
I huffed, crossing my arms and glaring at him. "What now?!"
He stepped in, eyes dragging slowly from my bare thighs to the hoodie crop top that barely skimmed my stomach.
"You're going to school, not a damn fashion shoot, Eli."
"It's just shorts and a hoodie crop top ," I whined, my bottom lip poking out in the most exaggerated pout I could muster. "And these are all I have! You literally buy all my clothes!"
Damir pinched the bridge of his nose, then looked up at the ceiling like he was praying for patience.
"You're not leaving this house dressed like that."
"Why not?" I stomped dramatically to the edge of the bed and flopped down. "It's not like I'm going to a convent! And besides, everyone dresses like this. Look…trendy hoodie, nice shorts, cute accessories! I'm a college boy fantasy!"
Damir narrowed his eyes at me.
I pouted harder.
He walked over, sat beside me, and placed a finger under my chin. "You want to pout?"
I nodded, eyes big and innocent.
He leaned in, kissed the corner of my lips, then the other, then gave a playful bite right in the middle.
I squealed and slapped his arm. "You're cheating!"
He smirked. "And you're trying to distract me with those legs. Not working."
"It worked yesterday," I teased.
He raised an eyebrow. "That was yesterday. Today, you're going to a prestigious school."
My brows furrowed. "Wait, what?"
He got up and adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. "Did you think I'd let you go to some regular school? This is me we're talking about. I made some calls. You start at Saint Emilia college."
My jaw dropped.
Saint Emilia? The school where kids of politicians, royalty, and billionaires studied? The one with marble staircases and imported trees on campus? Where the uniforms cost more than a car?
"You did what?!"
He looked at me smugly. "What? You wanted to go back to school. I got you into the best."
"Oh my God," I whispered, then frowned, "Wait. Uniforms?… who the fuck wears uniform in college this days"
"Language baby" He said nodding slowly, knowing exactly what that meant for my shorts-and-hoodie lifestyle.
"You mean I have to wear… like… pants?"
He chuckled. "Yes, Eli. Real pants. Ones that cover your legs."
I groaned and threw myself backward onto the bed. "Noooooooo. This is a tragedy my thighs are too pretty for thatttttt!!."
He leaned over me again, brushing his fingers across my stomach. "Stop being dramatic. You'll be the prettiest one there, even in full uniform."
I peeked up at him. "Will you still kiss me even when I look like a nun?"
"I'll kiss you especially then."
He kissed me again, slower this time. His hand rested on my cheek, and for a moment I forgot I had to leave at all. I could stay here forever, just being held and kissed like I was the most precious thing in the world.
But the clock was ticking. School started soon.
The ride to Saint Emilia was long, made longer by the fleet of black cars in front and behind us. Damir had insisted on full security, and I had argued until my voice cracked. I told him I didn't want to feel like a walking target. He told me that's exactly what I was.
I turned in the seat to face him. "I don't want them following me everywhere, Damir."
"You think I'm sending you out there alone after the trunk incident? Think again."
"But I look like a baby dictator with all these guards! What if people think I'm some snob?"
"You are a snob."
"Hey!"
He smirked, then reached over to hold my hand. "You'll be fine. They won't hover too close. But they'll be there if anything happens."
I stared at our hands, my fingers small in his.
"I just want to be normal."
His thumb stroked over my knuckles. "Normal doesn't exist for you anymore, Eli. You're mine. And that means you're protected. No matter where you go."
My chest tightened. I hated how safe that made me feel. Hated how much I wanted him with me even at school.
We pulled up to the gates of Saint Emilia, and I swear it felt like arriving at a palace. Everything was shiny, organized, perfect. I saw a few students walking around in navy blue and gold uniforms, their expressions polished and proud.
I gulped.
This was real.
Damir helped me out of the car, adjusting the collar of my blazer.
"You look handsome."
"Babeeee….i look like I'm going to court."
He laughed, kissed my forehead, and then gave me a little push forward. "Go on. Show them what a storm looks like when it's dressed in navy."
I couldn't help but grin.
As I walked toward the school entrance, my bag over one shoulder, the guards subtly disappearing into the background, I felt a strange mix of terror and thrill.
I was back at school.
But this time, I wasn't just Eli.
I was Damir's Eli.