Zak POV

"She seems nice." My mom says from beside me making me jump.

"Jeeze! When did you learn to sneak up on people?"

She smiles looking at Elle's car disappears from view. "When I learned you had a new girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend."

I know I've said the wrong thing when my mom shoots me a glare. But how can she be my girlfriend when we haven't had the chat, what if Elle is happy being whatever we are?

"Then why was she in your house? I saw you two kissing."

"And you saw all that from the back room?" I question, looking down the hallway for added effect.

"Hush." She says, swatting my arm before walking across the lounge and standing at the doors leading to the back garden. "I worry about you.."

I want to tell her that I know. I know she is concerned with what I am doing and that she is worried that I have yet to settle down. But that wasn't me, I didn't want the suburban lifestyle. I didn't have a suburban job to begin with.

"You don't need to."

"Don't I?" She asks looking over her shoulder. "You are too flighty. Too quick to throw a woman away, when they could be really good for you."

"Mom-"

"No. You will listen." She says turning back to the garden. "I understand your job is... Different. I have accepted that, I accepted it a long time ago. I could see your passion and stepped aside, letting you do what you wanted. But I have to ask, when will you think about your personal life?"

"I am. I do."

"From the string of women I have passed over the years, I don't think you do."

My jaw ticks in annoyance but I don't say anything. You don't kick a cage of a tiger..

"The state of some of them." She shakes her head. "Barely a stitch of clothes and I know what you are going to say."   Her finger comes up in warning. "It's Vegas. What happens in Vegas staying in Vegas. But you live here Zak. We all live here."

I fold my arms listening to her, because in the past I have walked away, closed down the conversation not interested in hearing it, but I felt like I owed it to my mom to stand here. To let her get this off her chest once and for all. Hell I wish I had gotten that measuring tape..

"That woman is completely different than the rest." She says turning to eye me carefully. "Polite, well spoken, well dressed-"

"Go on." I interrupt. "Say it.... Full figured. Bigger than the woman that have come through here."

I was getting really fed up with people judging Elle before they had even gotten a chance to know her. First Billy, now my own mom.

She tilts her chin up. "She is a real woman from what I can see. Gracie clearly adores her. You clearly like her."

"And you're not a fan already?"

"Did I say that?" She bites. "I don't recall saying it. I am just saying that she is different and I hope that you appreciate it takes an special person to accept you for you."

"Gee, thanks."

"You know full well what I mean... Does she know what you do?"

"That I'm a male prostitute?"

"Zak." She warns.

"Yes, in fact that is what we did last night. We investigated at the museum. I have told her about the show, the museum and you know what? She isn't interested." I tell my mom who narrows her eyes slightly. "Yeah, I know. Weird right? I have told her things and she takes it aboard and moves straight on. Elle isn't like the others, mom."

"I know. Which is why I am telling you, trying to tell you, not to be so quick to throw her away."

"Really? Because it feels as if you're going to put a hit out on her."

She gives me a sour look. "You have a terrible sense of humour."

"I think Elle likes that about me." I reply, looking at the wood carving, remembering her laugh.

"Well I hope you think before you act and appreciate her."

"Yes mother."

"And also keep to one woman. Don't think I don't hear about your antics..." She says lifting her warning finger at me again.

I know her source is from Helen. It has happened a few times now, when Helen has returned Gracie, a woman will be leaving, sheepish and coy. Definitely not how they had acted the night before...

"I will take your advice on board, and act accordingly.. Is there anything else?"

"Yes."  She says.

I take a breath, preparing for what else she has to say.

"Where is that measuring tape?"

**********

Elle POV

After a filling breakfast, the last thing I wanted to do was have lunch, but I decided to take the bull by the horns and get it over and done with.
Not the lunch, but the intervention I was about to receive from Mia and Sophie.

The location was perfect. A small outdoor cafe in Vegas, meaning they would be able to see me coming and of course they did... But not before I saw them both whispering together.

When I sat down at the table, I could feel the tension and kept the smile on my face knowing it would only be a matter of time before one of them broke. I put my money on Sophie who was perusing the menu.. Why Sophie?

Because the menu was upside down.

When the waiter comes over, we all order food and make small talk, from work to the weather, to the guy across the street wearing lycra. Service is quick here and it's not long before we have our drinks and food set out in front of us.

"So, how are we?" I ask looking up from my food, to see them both looking at me.

"Good." Mia nods.

"I'm great. What about you?" Sophie asks, looking down at my watch quickly. Remember I mentioned about micromanaging?

"Yeah, I'm wonderful. You two been up to much?"

I know what you're thinking... Why am I making conversation? Asking questions that could be turned. Because I am desperate to get this out the way.

Mia opens her mouth to answer, when Sophie snaps. "Oh for heavens sake, cut the BS. Tell me what happened at the museum."

It's Mia who shoots Sophie a glare for dropping her in it, now I know how much Mia has told her.

"I along with Zak investigated his museum using the equipment he has for the show."

"And?"

"And it's definitely haunted. We had a few voices come through, growls, something was thrown and the alarm went off."

Sophie is slightly wide eyed but nods "Okay... Definitely a creep show."

"Yeah, it was good though. To see the world through his eyes, even if it was only last night."

"Did he drop you home?" Mia asks casually.

"No, I stayed at his."

Sophie gasps and looks down at her menu like a school girl whilst Mia looks at me. "You stayed at his house?"

I nod. "Left and came straight here."

"Right..." She says looking away from me and down to the menu.

I know she is thinking what to say next and I try to compile it in my mind, but it's smashed straight out of my mind when she says.

"I don't think he's the right guy for you."

Sophie's fork slips out of her hand but she quickly grabs it again and looks between myself and Mia.

"Why?" I ask setting my fork down and taking a sip of my drink.

"He isn't what you need right now." Mia says. "I care about you Elle, I really do. But please, think about this, him."

"I am, and I think he is a great guy-"

"I think what Mia is trying to say is not to put your eggs in one basket.." Sophie says before looking at Mia quickly.
"Right , Mia?"

"No, what I think, is that he is no good for you. It doesn't take a genius to drag up his past habits and find out what he is really like."

"You've turned into a private investigator now?"

"I do what I have to. It has turned up a lot."

"A lot of crap, no doubt." I reply stabbing the chicken in my salad with a little more force than necessary.
"Everyone has a past, Mia. Everyone."

"Not as colourful as his..." She sings quietly.

I don't want to bite. I really don't... But I do.

"What is that suppose to mean? What is he? Half man, half beast? Is he part of the mob? A drug smuggler from Columbia? Perhaps he is the kingpin of Vegas?"

She glares at me. "Mock me all you want, but it is in your best interests that you avoid the man."

"Why? Tell me."

"Mia.." Sophie says shaking her head.

"No Sophie." I say. "Don't play good cop and bad cop because it's not going to wash with me. I know Zak and from what I know, he is a good man."

"You've barely known him 5 minutes." Mia snipes.

"And you know him from looking him up online, do you?"

"Yes." Mia seethes. "I think I know a little more than you do right now. You're completely blinded as to what that man is really like, blinded by his status and looks no doubt."

I scoff. "Really?"

"The man is charlatan. He has clearly dressed himself up to be this perfect gentleman when he clearly isn't!" She snaps reaching down into her bag and slapping a small stack of papers between us.

"What the hell is all that?"

"Everything about him. Every sordid little thing. Go on. Read it."

I shake my head "What has happened to you?"

"Me? I'm trying to protect you, Elle. This man is worse than Cole. Cole is a fucking prince compared to this man and look how Cole left you!"

"Keep your voice down." I growl at her looking at the stack in disgust. "I don't want to read anything because I am one of a few people who refuse to believe everything they see online."

"Or because you are scared to know the truth. He's a womanizer, compulsive liar and a serial cheat. He is a joke in the paranormal world and he has no credibility for his own show, which by the way will tank eventually and then what? The museum? The haunted museum? It's nothing but a fair ground fun house."

I stare at Mia, with anger and confusion as to why she has turned like this and so fast. What has he ever done to her for her to go after him so vividly, so possessively?

"Mia, I am not nor will I ever be your child. I can look after myself."

"Can you?" She says looking down at my watch.

It's like a slap in the face, a very fucking hard slap in the face.

"Mia. That was uncalled for." Sophie frowns.

"Wow.. And how is using my condition against me helping? It's not showing that you are concerned. It is showing how bitter you are and I don't know why. You have Henry."

"This isn't about Henry."

"No, it's about Zak and him being the Devil reincarnated. He has been nothing but a gentleman to me! But you're not willing to give him a chance are you?"

"Hello, Elle, Mia, Sophie." A voice says making me tear my eyes off of Mia and to one person I really didn't want to see.

Ed...

I look back at Sophie who has gone extremely pale whilst Mia watches me, trying to judge how I am going to act.  The set up couldn't be any clearer. He may as well have walked over here buck ass naked with a sign saying for 'Elle to ride'. This poor bastard was a pawn in Mia's weird fucked up matchmaking game, much like I was.

Old me would have let her take over, avoided big bad Zak and greeted Ed with a beaming smile.

New me? New me is very different.

New me, wants to set the fucking world on fire.

"Oh, what a coincidence." I say looking at Mia. "Ed, join us."

"Really? You don't mind?" He asks taking the seat beside me.

"Not at all. I was just leaving." I shove my chair back and grab my purse off the floor, opening it up, I throw a few notes down to cover my food and drink.

"You did your best Mia, I give you that. Played a fucking blinder too." I say."But what I will not accept and let you do is use my condition against me. I love you both, I really do. But I can't stay here a minute longer and listen to this bullshit you are feeding me."

"It's the truth and I guess it hurts." Mia says, she stabs her finger against the paperwork. "Take it. See what your precious Zak is really like. Just remember, it will be me and Sophie picking you up off the ground again. And we will, every time."

"Don't go.." Sophie says looking between me and Mia. "I know this hasn't gone to plan-"

"No, it hasn't because you both thought I'd roll over like a puppy and accept Ed like some prize toy. No offence Ed."

"None taken." He murmurs.

"Zak is a good man and I refuse to judge someone based on someone else's run in with him from years ago."

"Not that long ago. Trust me."

"I don't care Mia." I tell her. "I really don't. So Zak may not be the one, maybe I am not the one for him either. But right now, we make each other happy and for me, that is all that matters. He, makes me happy and I thought you'd both be happy for me too. It's clear that I was mistaken."

"You're a damn fool Elle." Mia growls.

"I am, for believing you had my best interest at heart and for considering you a friend." I get out of my seat and leave them at the table.

Storming through the cafe's tables and chairs, trying not to let the anger that is burning inside me to turn into tears.

They will not see me cry. They will not see me shed a single fucking tear.

I was mad, seething, burning hot with rage as I got back to the car and slammed the door. A scream left me as I shook behind the wheel.

I didn't want to set the world on fire anymore. I want to scorch the fucking universe!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/n: 😳 Daaaaaayum Elle is mad. I haven't wrote an authors note for a while, so I'm kinda lost for what to say. So let's talk about the story.

What's your thoughts? Was Mia's approach uncalled for? Justified?

Will people stop judging them?

Are we happy with the story so far? Do you need more? What am I lacking?

I know it's a bit late now, but do we like Elle as a character? It's a challenge writing about a medical condition, but I'm trying to do it fairly, I have also read countless pages about epilepsy, just for this story. (Ya girl is a researcher too)

*whispers quietly "please give me feedback.*

Anyway,  Happy Star Wars day! May the fourth be with you!

Stay safe guys & happy reading xx