A week passed, and Elliot is still giving me the cold shoulder. Bearly eye contact. No dinner talk. I eat alone (sometimes with John). He comes home late. No good morning. No goodnight. Ten seconds of conversation, sometimes less, sometimes none. John didn’t like Elliot’s manners. He knows what he is like. ”leave him be; he’ll get over it.” He says. Do I care? No (yes) Do I regret what I said? No. If he’s giving me the silent treatment, I will do the same.

Unfortunately, I ended up not fighting him. Which is today, Saturday. John took the opportunity instead. (in the S.O) Today is the final exam, and I must pass it; There is no ‘going easy on me.’ “Emily, I hope you know I am going to use a real knife this time; I want you to show me what you got.” “So...We are going to kill each other now?” “No...Maybe? Anyways, I challenge you to take this knife from me. And stab me with it, not really, but you know.” “Bring in on.” without hesitation, he starts throwing fists. “Whoa! that fast?” I would’ve been knocked out if I didn’t duck fast enough. “You want to kill me this bad?” “I would if you were my enemy.”

He hit the butt of the blade on my forehead. “Fuck!” I fell backward. “Getting distracted, thinking about Boss, perhaps?” Asshole. I wrap my arm around his neck, locking my legs around his waist. “I’m NOT thinking about him,” I whispered behind his ear. “Yeah...sure.” He headbutted me from behind; I fell directly on my back. It was more painful than the head butt; that didn’t stop me from standing. “Not giving up?” he grinned, enjoying my suffering. I touched my nose, Fuck; I’m bleeding. John started circling around me; I did the same, holding my arms for protection. “Why would I?” “Maybe because I’m too strong for you.” “I’m not. Weak.” I punched his jaw, then kneed him. He swore under his breath; his blade fell on the floor; I ran towards it, which was stupid because I got kicked in the stomach; I stumbled around; I was about to knee him again when he slashed my thigh with his knife. I let out a cry, not expecting him to scratch me. “I told you I’m not going easy on you.” “Yeah...I know...and I’m not stopping.” Before he came closer, I kicked him on the abdomen with my other foot, pushing his inkle until he fell on the ground; I hurriedly took his blade, moving it close to his neck. “You’re done,” I said, still panting. John couldn’t move; his blue eyes went wide. “I can’t believe this.” “Believe it or not, I won.” “Congratulations, Emily Allen, you passed the test.” I froze. When- When did he come? Elliot was watching all along while leaning on the doorframe. “When-How did you-” “I have access to this entire building; I can come and go whatever I want.” “Shit, Boss, didn’t see you there,” John said, smiling like Elliot appearing out of nowhere is an everyday thing. I just stood there. Dumbfounded. My bloody nose and still bleeding thigh were long forgotten. “You saw...Everything?” “Yes, I gotta say, It was quite the show.” “I told you she’s a beast.” I glanced back at John; he probably planned this. “I’m impressed, Emily.” How long has it been since he called my name? It feels weird hearing it again. “Thanks? I mean, thank you, sir.”

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John looked like he was about to burst into laughter. Elliot made his way toward me, not taking his eyes off me. “félicitation, you’re officially a fourth-grade member.” (congratulation) “Already? Now?” I questioned, puzzled by the sudden decision. “John, I would like to talk to Emily in private; would you mind?” “Of course.” John mouthed ‘good luck’ to me before he left. Awesome. We are alone. “I have seen everything from the beginning. The way you fight, the way you concentrate. Perfecting every move in a short amount of time, hell, you would’ve killed John if he wasn’t your trainer.” He held both of my shoulders not too tightly. “I have never seen a member like you.” Should I take that as praise, or should I be frightened? “Don’t call me sir; You are not allowed to call me that.” his voice is low and deep; he tightened his grip. “What is that supposed to mean?” I questioned, looking at his adam apples instead of his face. “An average S.O. member takes more than a month to become a fourth grader; You only took two weeks. You are the first one to achieve that.” Elliot caressed both of my cheeks. “I knew you were stronger than you look after that punch.” “Elliot-” “Tell me to stop, and I will.” His breathy voice made me shiver. Before he got any closer, I stopped him. “Stop. I want you to stop. Whatever you’re trying to do, I don’t want it; you said it yourself, you want our relationship to be professional. Let’s keep it that way.” I should be proud of myself; for saying all of that without stuttering and not looking at him. “Your body says otherwise. Your face is flushed, and your heart is beating fast, especially when I am around. You keep shaking your leg, but you are right. Let’s keep it that way.” Fuck! Why is he always like this? He is smirking; he is fucking smirking. “Is that what you do? Humiliate people?” “It depends on the situation.” He said, still grinning. “Well. Let me clear up something, I don’t like you, I don’t love you if you think I have...Feelings for you, then you are mistaken. You might be my boss, but I will not let you treat me like that.” He chuckled dark and low while rubbing his cheek. “Only time will tell.”

He reads me like I’m an open book; he knows me, I don’t know him; he is like an unsolved puzzle, an incomplete picture. “Only time will tell.”

《 TO BE CONTINUED... 》

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• Emily's Theme Song: Bad Girl by Lana Del Rey.•

Elliott's Theme Song: La leçon particulière (BOF La leçon particulière)•

The Theme Song of FOR THE LAST TIME:050: The Great Gig In the Sky.

Thank you for reading.