Ella’s P. O. V.
I stepped out of the shower that night feeling productive. That day Daniel and I had discovered some interesting connections between the hospital and a few local funeral homes. I hoped this was an important new lead.
Wrapping a towel around my body, I wiped the steamy mirror and brushed my damp hair. I grabbed a robe from behind the bathroom door and put it on.
It was likely Cain’s seeing as it was nearly four sizes too big for me. Nonetheless, I tied the rope around my waist tightly and opened the bathroom door.
The sun had set a few hours earlier so the room was dark.
I walked over to the fireplace and lit a match to light a fire. The flame spread quickly and I added a log to the hearth. I watched as the fire grew and I was relieved the feel the heat that it provided.
I felt the need to remind Daniel and whomever else it concerned that it was the dead of winter. The temperature in Cain’s home was freezing which was why I lit a fire every night to keep myself warm.
I rubbed my hands up and down my arms and sighed.
“Cold?”
I gasped and turned around quickly. Cain stood less than four feet away and I nearly had a heart attack.
“Stop sneaking up on me!” I said, trying to catch my breath.
I looked at him warily.
“What are you doing in here?” I asked.
He shrugged. “It’s my room.”
I huffed. “Well, I’Il go find another one.”
I walked around him and he reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me.
“I’ll go Ella, I just came to apologize.”
I turned and looked at him.
“Apologize for what?”
He took a deep breath. “I was an ass the other night,” he said.
“You think?” I asked sarcastically.
“I shouldn’t have said that trying to kiss you was a mistake and I apologize for that.”
I bit my lip anxiously and backed away.
“You don’t have to apologize, you were right,” I said.
You’re such a liar, I told myself.
Saying that hurt… a lot.
Not only did I not believe the words that came out of my mouth, but I knew I was potentially letting him know that the invitation to kiss me was officially no longer extended.
“I was right?” He asked me, letting go of my arm.
I nodded.
“Y-Yeah,” I said nodding.
“I’m only here to find my grandfather.”
Cain nodded slowly.
“Well.” he said. “That was all I came to say.”
With that, he turned and left the room. I pulled my robe together tighter as he left and, as soon as the
bedroom door closed behind him, I sank down into the couch.
Why did I have to say that?
The next morning, I woke up early as I normally did.
I got dressed and went up to Cain’s office. However, as I walked up the stairs, I heard someone was already up there.
My heart leapt in my chest at the thought that it might have been Cain.
I walked up the stairs quickly only to be met by a petite woman who looked to be in her late thirties or early forties.
She turned to look at me as I walked in.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly.
She smiled brightly. “Do you know where Cain is?”
She asked, placing her hands on her hips. “I’ve been looking for him all morning.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t.”
She shrugged.
“Oh well, I’ll see him eventually.”
The woman turned back around and began to open the drawers in his desk.
“Don’t mind me,” she said, noticing that I was watching her. “I’m just being nosy.”
I nodded slowly and walked over to my desk, although I still kept watching her.
“So how do you know Cain?” She asked as she snooped through the top drawer of his desk.
“I’m just here helping him look for a few people,” I said.
“What about you?”
She laughed and sat back in the chair.
“Sweetheart, I’m his mother.”