“Yeah… well, we were at the usual bar when Emily called Niall,” Louis explains. “Niall heard her sounding strange. She mentioned some magic chocolate muffins, and Niall realized she was being drugged.
I ignore Emily and focus. “They should’ve called me earlier when they realized she was being drugged,” I growl.
“Yeah, well, whatever. But we were late, and a guy offered Emily a…”
“Don’t get off topic.,” he growled. Louis frowned.
“Alright, as I was saying… I went to stop Emily from getting high, but he failed. I came because Niall asked me to drive the car, and Elijah came because… well, he loves parties,” he shrugged. “Besides, if anyone knows about drugs, intoxication, detox, and all that, it’s Elijah,” he said. “Seriously, it’s a night to remember.” Louis laughed, and I shook my head.
“Nina doesn’t stop talking to Elijah and holding his hand,” I said, snorting. Louis laughed.
“Because Elijah told her that his best friend was the magic rabbit, the only one he trusted in Wonderland,” she laughed. I opened my eyes wide. “And before you ask, Nina asked Elijah if he was a rabbit or a hare, and if he was in another dimension,” she said, bursting out laughing.
“I would’ve liked to answer that I’m the playboy bunny, but she probably wouldn’t have gotten it in her state. I like people to laugh at my jokes, not get confused,” Elijah said simply.
“They should’ve called me as soon as they found out she was on drugs,” I growled. Louis frowned.
“We did! Hundreds of times!” he exclaimed, offended. I frowned.
“Right, I forgot about that…”
“Yes…” I murmured. Louis looked at me suspiciously.
“Did you break your phone again?” he asked. I snorted and nodded.
“Don’t tell me it was because of that…”
“Elijah?” Nina’s sleepy voice called out, and I quickly stood by her side. “Are we almost there with Alex?” she asked, frowning.
“Almost there, darling. But now you have to trust me again. The trip’s not over yet. This country is huge, and Alex’s on the other side,” he answered.
“It’s so far away,” she huffed, resting her face on his chest. “I don’t think I can take it anymore. Robbie’s trap almost got me. I knew he was trying to trick me into thinking it was Alex, so I pretended to think Alex was with Racheal because he loves her. The fool believed it all.” She laughed innocently, and I stopped myself from feeling relieved by her confession.
Her eyes were still closed, but they opened from time to time to glance at Elijah.
Why doesn’t she look at me? Why isn’t it me carrying her and taking care of her? Of course, because this is my fault.
“You did well. You broke that monster’s heart,” Elijah laughed, and I hit the back of his head.
Nina smiled proudly, then suddenly looked confused.
“Oh no, the reactions again,” she said.
Elijah managed to get her down before she started vomiting. I rushed to her, holding her hair back, caressing her back, and kissing her shoulder as she gagged slightly.
“Everything’s going to be okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s here,” I whispered, and Nina began sobbing again. I hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.
“Come on, Elijah. We’re pretty close,” Nina smiled slightly. We were just a few steps from my car, so I got in the back and handed my keys to Elijah, who started driving toward my house.
“Thank you,” I whispered, stroking her hair. “For taking care of Nina.”
“Relax, man. I know what it’s like to be on LSD,” he shrugged and frowned. “It’s horrible. Plus, I like her. She’s a good girl, and she tamed the motherfucker.” He laughed, and I just smiled. And boy, did I do it.
“Are we on a boat?” Nina asked out of nowhere, trying to get up, but I kept caressing her hair, and she let herself fall back into me.
“Yes, we’re sailing through the chilling sea. It’s better you stay lying down, and as soon as we reach our destination, I recommend you brush your teeth,” Elijah said. Nina frowned.
“Why?” she asked.
“Well, because your breath smells like…”
“Don’t you dare,” he growled.
“Well, because there are dinosaurs that eat little girls like you who haven’t brushed their teeth,” Elijah said quickly. Nina’s eyes went wide.
“I brushed my teeth before coming here,” she frowned.
“But your breath has to smell like toothpaste, or they’ll eat you,” he complained. Nina nodded, scared, and after a few minutes, she sighed.
“Alex’s going to be so proud of me when I get there. It was a long trip. I still can’t believe I’m going to rescue him from the evil witch,” she said excitedly. I smiled at her tenderness, stroking her face. Damned stupid witch Racheal. If she thinks I’m going to let Alex go with her, she’s wrong. She shook her head. “She may be a witch, but if she gets close to my boyfriend, I could be the worst nightmare.” She laughed evilly.
A few minutes later, she stared at a fixed point again.
“When are you going to tell her the truth?” Elijah asked, parking his car in my garage. I gulped.
“When necessary,” I whispered. Elijah sighed.
“You won’t be able to hide it forever, Alex,” he said, shaking his head. “I helped you get Racheal out of Ramsay for a few days because you asked me to, but Nina deserves to know where you were,” he murmured. I felt my muscles tense at the memory of those days.
We both got out of the car and walked to the entrance.
“Thanks for everything, Elijah,” I murmured as I opened the door. He looked at me, disappointed.
“Are we there?” Nina asked, looking up at me.
“We’re here, little one,” Elijah nodded. Nina smiled and looked at me.
“You’re Alex,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. I smiled and nodded.
“You’re my boyfriend,” she laughed happily, bringing her face closer to mine.
“Nina, the dinosaurs!” Elijah exclaimed. Nina screamed, terrified, threw herself to the ground, and crawled into the house.
“I can’t let you lose her, Alex. I see the way you look at her, and I know you love her. Don’t make a mistake you’ll regret for the rest of your life,” he whispered. I gulped.
“So you leave me no other option. Either you tell her the truth, or I will,” he said.
I sighed and nodded.
“Take care of her,” Elijah murmured, leaving in my car. I’d pick it up later. Now, my priority was…
“Nina!” I called out, running to find her.
“Alex?” she asked, scared. I looked toward the stairs and saw her upstairs, but she was only in her underwear.
“It’s hot, Alex. I think the dinosaurs are dragons, and they’re breathing fire,” she pouted, and I smiled slightly.
A few minutes later, after reassuring Nina and thanking her for saving me from the “witch,” I took her for a quick shower. She kept telling me about her great feats to “save” me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so tender in my life.
“It was a crazy night, don’t you think?” Nina laughed, pressing her forehead to my chest. I laughed and nodded, hugging her.
“Your bed feels so good after all this adventure,” she sighed.
“Nina,” I called, and she looked at me.
“You love me, right?” I asked, and she raised her eyebrows.
“I didn’t fight giant lizards, dinosaurs, dragons, evil bears, witches, and who knows what else for you to ask me if I love you!” she exclaimed, offended. I smiled and kissed her forehead.
“Of course I love you, idiot,” she snorted, rolling her eyes.
“I love you more than you love me,” I said confidently, and she burst out laughing.
“You want to fight? Because I beat rat Louis in the battle of words. I can be hurtful,” she said, raising her eyebrows proudly. I hugged her waist and pulled her toward me.
“You don’t know how much Daddy missed his princess. And you have no idea how much Daddy loves you.”
The truth is, she has no idea.