The Beautiful Monster

Alyssa breathed in deeply before nodding. She tore off the silver paper to reveal a jewelry box. She slid off the lid to reveal a silver necklace inside with a heart pendant.

"It's beautiful," she murmured as she admired it.

"I just wanted to do something sweet for you. You're my entire heart," Elias told her.

Alyssa gently set the box down as she looked up at him.

"So, nothing is happening?" she asked.

Elias gave her a confused look.

"No. Are you expecting something to happen?" he asked her.

Alyssa sighed as she sat up, knowing that she couldn't keep dodging around the topic. They had to have this talk now.

"I'm moving to New York in a few months," she told him.

Elias smiled faintly.

"I know that," he replied.

Alyssa put her hands together on the surface of the island as she lowered her eyes.

"I love you. I always want to be with you," she said before lifting her eyes. "But I have to make a decision about housing soon. I need to know where you stand about our future."

Elias nodded when he realized what was on her mind.

"I want to move to New York with you. I just have to figure a few things out first," he told her.

Alyssa's eyes widened slightly.

"Really? You want to come with me?" she asked, her voice sounding full of disbelief.

Elias took her hand and smiled.

"Of course. I love you," he said.

"I love you so much," Alyssa said, feeling relief flush through her. He did want to be with her.

She couldn't believe that she thought that he didn't want to have a future with her. She leaned across the island and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.

Elias kissed her back, cupping her cheek.

When they broke apart, Alyssa settled back in her seat and looked down at her plate, which was full of pasta and garlic bread.

"Thank you for doing all of this," she said sincerely. He was always so thoughtful.

"Of course," Elias replied before sipping on his wine.

"So, what do you have to take care of? We'll have to figure out where to live and stuff soon," Alyssa asked him.

She didn't want to pressure him, but finding a place to live took time, and they didn't have much of that left. She didn't want to be last minute with anything, or they would have to settle.

Elias shrugged as he poked around at his pasta.

"Just some family stuff," he said in a casual manner.

Alyssa frowned slightly. She wished that she knew more about his family. She could talk to him a little easier if she had more information.

"Would they be upset if you moved?" she asked him. She hoped that they wouldn't be, but he was an adult. He could do whatever he wanted to, whether they liked it or not.

Elias twirled some of his fettucine noodles around his fork.

"I'll have to see," he said before taking a bite.

Internally, Alyssa wanted to throw her hands up. He could be open and talkative, but he could also be quiet and vague.

She wished that he would just talk to her instead of giving her vague answers. She knew that his family business wasn't her business, but he had to give her something.

She had to know what she was working with. Should she expect an answer in a week or a month?

"How's your business proposal coming along?" Alyssa asked him, deciding to switch subjects and see how much he talked then.

"It's great. A lot of people are interested to see how it turns out," Elias said with a bright smile. "I'm hoping to get some sponsors eventually."

"That's amazing. You're going to be so successful," Alyssa told him warmly.

Elias smiled at her.

"You are too. You're going to save so many lives. I feel like I'm already with a hero," he said as he gazed at her adoringly.

Alyssa felt so conflicted. She was frustrated with him because he wouldn't give her a good answer to any of her important questions, but he was still so sweet and supportive of her.

He gave her so much motivation when it came to her studies. She wouldn't have done so well these past few years without his support.

"I'm just really excited for the future," she told him. "Our future."

"Everything is going to be perfect, baby. Don't worry," Elias said as he lifted his glass of wine to her.

Alyssa smiled, feeling more at peace. She clinked her glass against his before taking a sip. Actually, she took a few sips just to make sure that she was relaxed.

The days were growing more and more stressful, but at least some of the nights were good.

She wished that she could spend every night with him, but some nights he gently nudged her out to go back to her own place. She guessed that he liked his space.

"We should take graduation photos together," Alyssa commented. She wanted to take more pictures during these last few months. She wanted to remember as many moments and people as she possibly could.

She thought that if she got enough of those good moments in her head that they would drown out the bad ones.

Elias nodded as he twisted his fork around in his noodles.

"Just let me know when and what to wear," he replied cheekily. "No tank tops, right?"

Alyssa smirked and shook her head. She did like seeing him in a tank top, but she wanted them to wear nice clothes when they took pictures.

Maybe she could think of a nice theme or color pattern. Zoe would come in handy in that department.

"I like you in this blazer," she commented. "Maybe you can just wear that and nothing underneath."

"Dessert isn't until later, sugar," Elias told her as he clicked his tongue at her. "So bad."

A light laugh broke from Alyssa as she went back to eating. She couldn't help but tease him. He teased her just by looking as good as he did.

Even how good he smelled turned her on. Maybe it was her hormones, but she had a feeling it was because of him and his charm. He could get her worked up with a snap of his fingers.

"I do like my sugar," she murmured as she peered up at him.

Elias hummed beneath his breath as he smiled to himself.

"Some people eat dessert first," he replied as he looked up at her. "Are we some of those people?"

"Why not?" Alyssa pointed out as she raised her eyebrow at him. She wanted to taunt him, to work him up.

Then, he would know what it felt like to be her. It was quite torturous, but she had a feeling that he already knew. He could sense how frustrated she got.

Elias wiped his mouth with a napkin before standing up.

"Come on. Gotta satisfy that sweet tooth," he said as he extended his hand out to her.

Alyssa's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected to work him up that soon, but she wasn't complaining.

She hopped off the barstool and took his hand, letting him whisk her away to the bedroom and leaving dinner and her worries behind. For now.