The Marvelous Elijah's Return

His parents are dead

The Subaru Forester sped through the huge open gate, and drove through the yard, into the garage, and then Melina hit the brake pedal hard. 

Her little interaction with Elijah had her in all her feelings, and her mood was a mess as she pushed the car door open and stepped out onto the concrete of the front walk. In front of her was a two-stories, enormous fancy mansion with glass panes and a white wraparound porch. Palm trees were lining the driveway and an immaculate flower bed along the side. 

The frown she had on didn’t leave her face even after she got to the front door of the mansion and hit the doorbell. 

As she was about to ring it for the second time, someone opened the door, and she was met by a tall man in his late sixties with graying hair that wore a light black three-piece suit with a tie that matched his neatly brushed hair perfectly. “Miss Melina, how lovely for you to visit… Good morning.” The butler spoke quietly, a smile plastered on his face. 

With a sour expression on her face, she pushed past him, entering the house as she asked,” Where is my grandmother?!” 

Butler Gary shook his head at her rudeness, even though it wasn’t the first of its kind, and he closed the door before facing her. 

“Madam Jewel is inside the living room, Miss Melina.” He replied politely. “And my parents?” Melinda raised her voice a bit at that last question. 

“Your father has left for work, I believe, and your mother… Well, I haven’t seen her this morning, to be honest.” 

“Well, take me to my grandmother!” 

Melina’s aggressive and demanding ways were nothing strange to Grey because he had served the Hayes family, long before Melina or any of the grandchildren were born… long before Mr. Hayes betrayed his wife. 

“Sure, Miss Melina. Please follow me.” Butler Gary responded calmly as he walked past her. 

It didn’t take long for them to get to the all-white, marble living room, and when Melina saw her grandmother, sitting on a chaise lounge in the middle of the room with one leg crossed over the other, a book in her lap, she rushed past Butler Grey. “Melina,” Madam Jewel looked up, eyes narrowed and mouth pressed into a thin line. 

She set down the book and stood from her seat, her eyes never left Melina’s figure as she asked, “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in the office… at work.” 

“Grey, leave us!” Melina ordered without looking away from her grandmother. After bowing slightly to Madam Jewel, Grey turned away from both of them and walked out of the living room. 

that she looked displeased with her, Melina stopped

several moments the two women stood there awkwardly, neither saying a word.

sat back down on the couch, and then she motioned for Melina to sit beside her.

next to her, she placed her hands in her lap and waited for whatever lecture Madam Jewel was going to give her. When she remained silent

grandmother’s gaze. 

that lowlife because of some stupid bet with Jessica that it was going to end badly, and yet here we are.” Madam Jewel said, shaking her

Melina feel uneasy, but she remained quiet

continued. “You’ve always been like this… stubbornly refusing everything I tell you to do. Is it because your

you are so

dollars bet. Of course, you didn’t expect me to not agree to marry that guy. And I’m sorry that it ended like this, but I don’t regret it.” Melina muttered, staring at her own hands in her lap.

her grandmother furrowed her brows, Melina pouted and said, “Also, Jessica’s father is the chairman of TMX incorporation… Their family is not just wealthy, they have an extremely high reputation. Of course, I

the situation had been getting recently, she knew Melina was right, and how important her granddaughter’s friendship with the Astors was for their

wouldn’t kill you, would it? To let this thing fade in the background. Did you have to

exclaimed, surprised by her

need that cockroach you married to still have his name attached to our family and keep

mother are hooked up on

madam Jewel stiffen, and her expression grew darker, her face growing

soon after, Melina heard Madam Jewel whisper, “Why are Grace and her daughter suddenly getting involved with this

again? 

to us or something else. But what I don’t understand is why choose my no-good ex-husband! Are they trying to join forces…” Melina paused, noticing that her Grandmother looked less than pleased and more troubled than she usually did “This your Ex, Elijah… Who is

“Huh?” 

air was thick with tension between them, and Melina

gave Melina the coldest glare as she asked,” Who is your ex-husband, Melina?! Like… What are his parents’ names? Where is he from? Who

about Elijah. She didn’t care to know. Marrying him and winning her money was the only thought on her mind. She never asked him in-depth about his life, or anything important about him… And she sure as hell wasn’t planning on ever asking about it.

with no backing and no future

said, remembering the one thing

he’s truly unknown. What makes you think he could be useful to Grace and