ELISE
I was sitting on the swing in the yard, replaying Noah's words over and over in my head.
"I'm not letting you go.And you'll realize that soon."
What does that even mean?What is he planning?
I sat there, lost in uncertainty… waiting for something, though I didn't even know what I was waiting for.
"Elise…"
Eva's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"I'm going to plant some flowers. Will you help me?"
"Of course," I said, a little too quickly—almost relieved.
"I'll bring the shovel and the seedlings. Wait here."
I nodded.
For a few minutes, I just looked at the flowers around me.
Then—Cold water suddenly splashed over me.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned around.
Noah.
Standing there with a hose… aiming straight at me.
"It's time to water the flowers," he said casually—and sprayed me again.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath. "Stop acting like a child."
"The only child here is you."
"Noah—what are you doing?" Eva returned, holding a shovel.
"Want some too?" he smirked.
"That's enough. Stop joking. Elise and I have work to do."
He finally turned off the water.But I was already completely soaked.
"You should change, or you'll catch a cold," Eva said.
"It's fine… it's really hot anyway. I'll dry off."
She handed me a small shovel and gardening gloves.I started digging small holes in the soil.
"You really love flowers, don't you?" I asked. "Did you plant all of these?"
"Noah's mother loved them," Eva said softly. "Most of these were hers. After she passed away… I continued."Her eyes filled with tears.
"She must have loved this place a lot…"
"Very much," Eva nodded. "She used to say flowers never get angry at people."
That stayed with me.
"Never get angry at people…" I repeated quietly.
We worked in silence for a while.
"I can tell you've done this before," Eva smiled.
"We had a tradition at the orphanage. Every month, we had to plant at least one seedling."
"You lived in an orphanage?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah…"
"Now everything makes sense," she murmured.
I didn't understand what she meant.
For some reason… it stung a little.
"How long were you there?"
I paused.
"A long time… long enough to call it home."
She didn't say anything. Just sat beside me.
"Was it hard?" she asked gently.
"Sometimes," I answered honestly. "But that's where I learned how to survive."
She nodded slowly.
"You're very strong, Elise."
I smiled faintly.We kept working.Then I spoke again.
"Is it always this quiet here?"
Eva smiled.
"No… when Noah is home, silence is rare."
I let out a small laugh.
"Is he always this… strict?"
Eva exhaled softly, choosing her words carefully.
"Noah… keeps a lot inside."
"Like what?"
She stuck the shovel into the ground and paused.
"More than you think."
I didn't ask anything else.But somehow… I didn't feel as alone anymore.
***
We spent a few hours planting flowers.It was… surprisingly peaceful.By the time we finished, my clothes had almost dried.It was already evening.
We went inside.I washed my hands.Noah was already in the dining room. The table was set.
"What took you so long? I'm starving."
After dinner, I went upstairs.I felt cold.
I took a shower, dried my hair, and changed into pajamas—shorts and a t-shirt.
Lay down on the bed.The weakness slowly crept back in.
I got up and went downstairs.
Eva was in the living room, watching TV.
"Eva…"
She turned immediately.
"Elise…" she stood up and walked toward me. "You don't look well."
She touched my forehead.
"You definitely have a fever."
"Can you give me a thermometer?"
"I'll get it."
She came back quickly.
"I told you—you should've changed. Go to your room. I'll make tea and bring medicine."
I nodded. And went back to the bedroom.
measured my temperature — it was 38.
I wrapped myself in the blanket. I was freezing.
A few minutes later, Noah walked in with a cup in his hand.
"What happened now?" he asked, handing me the medicine.
I sat up.
"This is your fault…" I muttered, though I wasn't even sure if I meant it.
"Why didn't you change?"
I didn't answer.He sat on the couch.
I took the medicine… then drank the tea.
I lay back down.
Still weak.
"Looks like I'll have to stay here. I had other plans," he said, walking closer.
"I'm fine. You can go."
"You don't look fine."
"I'm cold…" I whispered, pulling the blanket tighter.
And then—He got into the bed.Pulled my blanket over himself.And wrapped his arms around me.
I froze.
My heart started racing.My breathing became uneven.
I had never been this close to a man before.
My body tensed instinctively.
For a moment… I wanted to push him away.
But I didn't have the strength.
And worse—I could feel the warmth.The kind I shouldn't want.
"You take advantage of every situation… that's probably why you soaked me," I murmured weakly.
He laughed softly… and pulled me even closer.
"Damn…" he whispered. "Do you even realize what state you're in?"
"Just… be quiet," I said, closing my eyes.
Slowly… I warmed up.And fell asleep.
***
When I woke up, his arm was still around my waist.Carefully, I turned.Studied his face.
When he's asleep… and not saying terrible things—He's handsome.
Thick brows. Long lashes. Sharp features. Small nose. Full lips.
"I know you're staring," he said suddenly, a smirk in his voice.
His eyes opened.
I quickly tried to move away, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back down.
"You're not getting up without my permission."
"Do I need your permission for everything?"
"Of course," he chuckled.
I wish I had even half of his confidence.
We lay there in silence for a few minutes.
Then his phone rang.
"You're lucky," he said, letting go.
I immediately got up and went to the bathroom.It took me a few minutes to get ready.
When I came back—He was gone.