Ellison Taylor

"Care to join us, tonight?" A guy stepped forward and I instinctively stepped behind. Ian noticed my sudden move and stood in front of me. His body blocking me from the view in front of me.

"You guys better step out of the apartment right now before I call the cops on you for trespassing." Ian warned.

"Who is this?" I heard Marilyn, but I couldn't see her as I was standing behind Ian.

"Who are you?" Ian snapped. "What are you guys doing over here?"

"We are having a party." Marilyn said. "It's my cousin's place."

"I see." Ian paused. "I don't think she allowed you to throw a party over here."

"She should loosen up a bit." Marilyn said suggestively and I can hear her heels clicking as she walked towards Ian. "You are hot."

"Get out of this place in 5 seconds or I'm calling the cops. Party is over." Ian announced.

"Who are you to call it off?" I heard the door to the room open and it was Edith.

"I'm your cousin's boyfriend." He fumed with anger. "I'm calling the cops now." He said as he went for his pocket.

"Relax." I heard a guy said. "We are leaving." Ian took my hand and pulled me close to him as people started leaving the place. There were about 10 of them and all were strangers to me.

"Do you even know them?" He spat angrily at my two cousins who was gawking at him hungrily.

"We are friends." Marilyn said licking her lip.

"I'm sure you guys are." He said. "I suggest you guys refrain from calling strangers to this place. You don't even know them well."

"Are you concerned for us?" Edith smirked.

"I don't care about you two but I'm concerned about Ellison's privacy and safety." He glared at them.

"She needs to relax." Marilyn said as he looked at me. "So uptight."

"You better watch your mouth." Ian snapped. "If I was you I would have asked you to leave this place with those people."

"Although you are so cranky, you are hot." Marilyn flirted. "I like that."

"I don't know whether to cringe or feel nauseous about that." He said. "You guys better fix these messes up and refrain from calling strangers back to this apartment and I mean it. Ellison will stay with me tonight." Oh.. that's news to me.

"What problem do you have? She is not even saying anything." Edith pointed out.

"I already spoke to you this morning about inviting strangers and I said it is off limit." I whispered.

"Things happened." Edith said.

"That's not an excuse." Ian snapped. "I'll be sending staffs to disinfect all the areas in this place. I don't even want to know what filthy things happened here." He scrunched his nose. "I'll be asking securities for keep an eye on this apartment." He warned them.

"That's privacy concerning."

"Well, then you should have made better choices." He snapped at them as he took out his phone and pressed some numbers.

"Collins, I want ID checked and record in a book for Bricks. Which apartment they are going and who they are looking for all recorded. Notify all the tenants and renters of the new changes in the policy." He listened to the other side of the phone and then said, "Yes, okay good." And just like that he ended the call.

"Keep the apartment lock and secure." Ian said. "I'm not concerned about you two. I don't want strangers hiding in this apartment." He said with disgust. "Come Ellison." He said in a much gentle voice as he took my hand and walked me towards the elevator.

I was too tired and too shaken up to bother about anything else. He put his arm on my shoulder and kiss my head gently and sighed.

"I will get everything fix." Don't worry.

I did not say anything and turned to the side to hug him tight. He smelled of mint and Ian and I think it's one of the most comforting smell ever. He hugged me tighter and played with my hair.

When the door opened to the ground floor. I took in a sharp breath before stepping out. Kayla was not there but Paul was and he was frowning as he questions few of the people that was in my apartment. I moved closely to Ian.

"Who allowed you in?" Paul asked.

"The guy working before you." One of the woman with bright hair said with a shrug.

"Screw it." Paul was annoyed. Before I could say anything else... Ian pulled me towards his car. He called up someone in the car.

"I want cleaning and disinfectant staffs in Bricks as soon as possible.Apartment number 55, apartment under the name of Ellison Taylor." He paused most likely listening to the speaker. "Yes.. disinfectant staffs as well." He glared straight ahead. "By tomorrow afternoon. Okay good." And just like that he ended the call.

"You could at least say bye..." I said.

He sighed in relief. "Ellison. I was scared..you didn't talk much after that.." he pulled me for a hug.

"I'm okay." I said in a smaller voice. My heart skipped a beat when he said he was scared for me.

"I'm glad you're okay." He said and he pulled away. "Come, we'll go home."

His car turned to a rich neighbourhood that I have never seen before.. I don't recall visiting his house before.

"Do you live with your parents?" I asked.

"No." He chuckled. "I moved out when I was 19." He sighed.

"Is it different?"

"My parents were never around in the first place so it didn't make any difference." He shrugged.

We pulled to an ivory closed gate. The door opened as soon as he was close the gate and my mouth dropped open. He have a big mansion. It was a modern home with mostly glasses surrounding the home, but I couldn't see anything from outside. There were few stairs that you need to climb to access the entrance and there was a water fall on the front of the building flowing down on the open swimming pool. White lights shone all around the house. I wonder how much he spend on electricity.Two men in black uniform approached the car when he parked near the stairs.

"Good evening, Mr.Collins." Both of them greeted and looked at me curiously.

Ian handed the key to one of them and said, "Let Linda know that Ms.Taylor is staying over. No peanuts or any kind of nuts should be cooked or to be seen around.

He remembers and my heart felt warm. "Thank you." I said with appreciation.

"Your safety is always my priority." He said as he took my hand. "Let's go."

His house was as beautiful as outside. The design was very modern. It was covered with glasses. When we entered the house, there was a large living room with dark couches surrounding a table. The different sizes of decorative light bulbs above the table made the room shine brighter. At the two end of the room there was spiral staircases leading upstairs. On the left side of the room was the open kitchen made with marbles and expensive materials. The bar chairs stood proudly with the marble counter. There was a large long table with chairs on the opposite side of the kitchen. The house was pure beautiful. There was even a fireplace above the TV.

"You have a beautiful home." I said.

"Thanks." He said. "Would you like some drink?"

"Just water, please." I asked and he nodded his head before walking to the kitchen and opened the fridge and passed me a bottle of water.

"Uh.." he started awkwardly. "I'll show you your room." He said. "I'll get you some of my clothes."

"Thanks." I said. He lead me upstairs and there were many doors. He opened a white door and in I see the most beautiful room ever. The room was white and sky blue. All the furnitures matched perfectly with the room. There was a queen-size bed in the middle of the room. The room had very limited decorations. Only one painting behind the bed's wall.

I believe it's a guest bedroom which is why it look so empty like no human contacts.

"I'm in the room next door." He said. "You can call me if you need anything. I'll bring you some fresh clothes of mine. Just give me a moment please."

I went to the washroom. It's bigger than mine. The washroom was white and the floor was marbled with perfection. I found a drawer with body shower, shampoos and other toiletries already stored for use. There was no towels though. I looked at the clean and shiny mirror and there, staring right back at me was a tired looking woman who I couldn't even recognize anymore.Her face was puffy and her eyes was swollen. I look so awful right now that I had to look down at the sink. I turned on the tap to wash my face.

I pulled out a wipe from the drawer to wipe my face with that when I heard Ian calling out my name.

"I'm in the washroom." I said as I stepped out.

He was holding a pile of neatly folded clothes and he awkwardly explained to me about where to find towels while putting his clothes on the bed.

"It should be in the cabinet in the washroom."

"Thank you." I said. "I'll look into it."

"Okay.. I'm going to get ready for bed too." He said.

"Have a good night, Ian." I said with a small smile.

"Good night Ellison." He smiled back and retrieve hesitantly back to his room. I sighed as I took the pile of clothes from the bed.

I took a long shower thinking of all the things that had happen and I shake my head. I had a good day, it's just one part of the day went differently but I'm okay. I said to myself as I changed into his clothes that mostly smelled like fresh laundry.

When I came out I noticed a teapot and cup on the small round table in the corner of the room with few caffeine free tea bags and a note that says, "Hope this makes you feel better." And I couldn't help but smile as I opened the peppermint tea bag. The smell of the peppermint instantly soothes my body and I took a sip while sitting on the wing chair. I wanted to go see Ian but I changed my mind. I rinse the cup in the washroom before putting it back on the glass table and then went to brush my teeth. I switched off the lights but instantly the lamp on both side of the bed turned on- I adjusted the brightness putting it in the lowest and covered myself in the thick warm blankets.

I know I was going to have a hard time falling asleep. I can't sleep unless it's my own bed. It takes me a while to adjust to new places and new beds and it's awful.

I tossed and turned on the bed, I played with my phone trying to distract myself to sleep. My phone buzzed and I finally get a text from Brent! He didn't reply since I texted him on Saturday morning that Marilyn and Edith was here.

"No way!" He replies back. "I'll come by at around 1 pm."

"Edith took your room." I replied to him.

He sent the 'rolling the eyes' emoji followed by a text of, "have to crash on the couch now."

At least we have the sofa bed. I told him when we were buying furnitures it will be very useful.

"Okay." I said. I didn't mention to him where I was because I know he will be worried and if I tell him who I'm with..he won't be happy.

"See you Brent, Have a good night."

"Night Night Ellison, don't let them stress you out!!!"

I chuckled at his text.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this book, please give this chapter a Vote and a share. Thank you for reading my books. Next update will be in the evening.