The Beautiful Monster

"I'm free this weekend," she told him.

"I'll book our flights for then," Elias told her.

"So, we're taking a trip together," Alyssa said, feeling a little nervous about that. When she was alone with him, she tended to almost do things that she could later regret.

She had to control herself. It was just hard when there was still a dash of chemistry and so much history between them.

"Yep," Elias said with a warm smile. "Hopefully, we learn what we need to."

Alyssa breathed in deeply as she nodded, sharing that hope. She was ready to not be scared all the time.

She wanted to sleep well, to go to work, to live her life. She felt like she was losing time because she was spending so much time stressing out about not dying. She needed things to change soon.

"Thanks for coming to meet me and helping me. I really need this," she told him sincerely. Her expression then turned sheepish. "And sorry for being mean last time."

Elias waved his hand dismissively.

"I deserved it. I got in your way. I never want to do that when you're more than capable," he told her.

Alyssa smiled at him, feeling warmth bloom inside of her. He always said the best thing possible.

She believed that he truly believed in her, and she believed that he could help her if they worked together on this.

"Well, we're a team now. We're going to figure this out. We just have to," she told him. There was no other option. She couldn't just roll over, or she would be killed.

Elias nodded, looking determined. He reached out to take her hand.

"I'll be right there with you. I won't let them hurt you," he told her.

Alyssa met his gaze and nodded, hoping that they could look out for each other. There was no telling what they would find out or what was coming for them.

However, the only direction was forward, and Alyssa wasn't going to stop trying to put her life back on track.

**********

The taxi that picked Elias and Alyssa up from the airport slowly rolled to a stop at the end of a winding driveway.

Up ahead was a two-story brick house with a large lawn and wide windows with white trim. There was definitely a lot of money in that house.

"That's where your parents live?" Alyssa asked Elias as she gazed out of the back window of the taxi in awe.

It was a beautiful house, and now Elias had a nice place of his own too. Money flowed through that family.

Elias nodded before paying and thanking the driver. He got out of the taxi and grabbed their bags from the trunk, standing at the end of the driveway.

He gazed up at the house for a few seconds, taking the sight in.

"I haven't talked to my parents in a little while. Hopefully, there's some new information," he said to her.

Alyssa moved to stand at his side, drawing in a steadying breath. She hoped that this meeting went well.

She knew that she should've only been worried about getting information about Scott, but she was also worried about meeting his parents because she didn't want to make a bad impression. It was weird, but she couldn't help it.

"I think we'll learn at least one helpful thing. Maybe they've heard something from Scott's parents," Alyssa pointed out.

Someone in the family had to know something about him. He couldn't just be a ghost after so long.

Elias brushed his fingers through his hair before turning to her.

"Are you okay? How are you feeling?" he asked her, checking in with her.

Alyssa couldn't help but smirk a little, able to sense his nerves.

"I should be asking you that. They're your parents. Why are you so nervous?" she asked him, wondering why he was so uptight.

Elias shrugged.

"It's just weird being around family again. You know… I've always felt a bit out of place. I don't know," he said before shaking his head at himself, like he said something stupid.

Alyssa placed her hand on his arm, getting him to focus back on her.

"I get it. It's okay," she told him, knowing how he felt. She felt completely out of place with her own family, and she hadn't seen them in forever.

They didn't even act like family to her. They hardly took care of her. At least his parents seemed like decent people.

Elias nodded and gave her a thankful look.

"They'll be happy to see us, though," he said before motioning for her to follow him up the driveway toward the looming house.

Alyssa followed him closely, sticking right by his side. She had done that as much as possible lately.

She felt safer with him, and that was the feeling that she had sought after the most lately. Thankfully, things had been quiet so far, but she didn't know how long that was going to last for.

Elias stopped at the wooden front door and turned to look at her, like he was seeking encouragement.

"Ready?" he asked her.

Alyssa nodded, giving him a warm smile. She wanted to do this. They needed to do this. A lot was at stake, and if they could figure this out, maybe there was hope for them to get as close as they used to be.

Maybe their future could be bright if they casted out all of this darkness.

"I'm ready."

Elias nodded before turning back to the door and knocking.

A few moments later, the door swung open. An Asian woman who looked like she was in her thirties opened the door.

Her black hair fell against her thin shoulders, and her figure was petite beneath a black cardigan and floral dress.

"Oh, Elias, what a nice surprise," she said with a warm smile. Shen then looked at Alyssa. "You must be Alyssa."

Alyssa smiled and nodded, reaching her hand out for a polite handshake.

"It's nice to meet you," she said.

"I'm Yan Mei but call me Nora. Elias has told me so much about you. You're a doctor, right?" Nora asked, looking at Alyssa with an intrigued look.

"Yes, I'm in pediatrics," Alyssa said, feeling her face warm up slightly.. She was used to being praised for her job, but it meant a lot coming from Elias' mother, who she still wanted to impress for some reason.