The Marvelous Elijah's Return novel Chapter 38

Five thousand 

A look of fear sparked in Martha‘s eyes as she helped Dean tie his tie around his neck, and when she got done, she whispered, “Honey, our daughter has suffered a lot.” 

“What is that supposed to mean?!” Dean said, sounding quite annoyed at the sudden turn in the conversation. 

Lowering her voice, even more, Martha continued, “Grace hit our daughter when she went to the motel yesterday. Melinda was quite devastated when she came to see me yesterday.” At his wife‘s words, Dean‘s brows knitted together into a tight frown as he uttered coldly, “Is that so!?” 

“I know Melina did wrong by marrying that man, but Grace doesn‘t have the right to discipline our daughter when you, her own father, have never raised a hand against her.” Martha said, looking up at him with watery eyes as she cried, “Do you understand what I‘m trying to say?” “I know what you are saying... Grace should worry about training her daughter and not mine. But since she has crossed the line, then I wouldn‘t have to hold back to teach Peach manners when the time comes. We all know that that child needs some manly discipline to make her behave like a lady.” Smiling softly, Martha gently brushed her palms against her husband‘s coat and mumbled,” Thank you, honey, for understanding... You‘re a good man.” A small frown crossed Butler Grey‘s face when he opened the front door because of a knock and saw Josh standing outside, looking at him with crazy eyes. “Good morning, sir Josh.” Butler Grey greeted him politely while trying to be mindful of him, because, like his sister, he had a very unruly temper. Walking past the old man, Josh stepped into the hallway, frowning slightly as he asked,” Where‘s my grandmother?!” “Well, Madam Jewel is having breakfast inside the dining room.” Butler Grey replied, closing the front door behind himself. Without uttering another word to the old man, Josh marched down the hallway and barged into the dining room. “Mom, dad, grandma!” Josh blurted out as he stared at Martha, Dean, and Madam Jewel seated at the table. “Good morning,” “Ahha, Josh, you are here. How are you, grandson?” Madam Jewel greeted him with a smile on her face. 

“I am great,” Josh explained excitedly, sitting down next to her. 

“It‘s good that you are going with me to ‘Paz motel‘ honestly. It‘s been years since I have seen those two, and the last time Alfred was taking his wife and daughter out of this house, Grace couldn‘t stop calling me names...” “Grandma,” 

“I can‘t believe she said that I was a witch and I ruined her husband and her daughter‘s 

livelihood... Haha... Did she think she is the only one with a motherly heart? My children and grandchildren come first then anyone, and I would do anything to give them the best of life...” 

Seeing how his mother clutched the glass of juice, Dean cleared his throat and said, “And we appreciate all the sacrifices that you have done for us to have this life, and we will do everything in our power to return the favor one day.” 

“That one day is now because we can not allow Peach to slip out of our grip or it would be the end of this family!” Madam Jewel declared with a deep tone, staring at her grandson before lowering her gaze onto her son. The dining table immediately fell silent after that and only the sound of their breathing could be heard in the atmosphere. “James, I‘m glad you didn‘t burn something today!” Matt teased, slapping James on the shoulder, who was chuckled. 

Frowning, James narrowed his eyes and said, “Shut up, Matt! Especially when you cleared your plate!” 

“Well, it wasn‘t burned, so...” Matt replied, laughing harder. 

Rookie and Ryan joined in on the laughter and James shook his head, rolling his eyes playfully. 

“You three are dicks, and tomorrow you guys are going to have an empty plate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!” James informed with a deadly serious expression. 

That only made Matt and the others laugh louder, but soon, Rookie elbowed Ryan in the side as he whispered, “The boss is here.” 

Immediately, the motel lobby grew deathly quiet once again as they stared at Elijah walking into the room. 

“Rookie,” Elijah called out, his expression neutral. 

“Yes!!” Rookie said as he jumped to his feet. 

“Walk with me.” 

“Yes!” 

As Elijah turned to walk away, he stopped, seeing Peach approaching him from the opposite direction. 

When she stopped right in front of him, she met his eyes and smiled, nodding her head politely and murmuring, “Any plans for today?” “Why?.You got one?” Elijah teased, raising an eyebrow as his smirk appeared once again. 

Shaking her head, Peach bit her lower lip slightly before whispering, “No...” 

“Well, I don‘t have one either,” Elijah confessed, running a hand through his hair. 

Looking sideways, at Ryan, Matt, James, and Rookie, Peach hesitated, feeling sheepish and unsure whether to ask or not. After a few seconds, Peach took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and blurted out, “Well, last night you said you don‘t know Syldavia that well, so...” “You want to be my tour guide?” Elijah teased, his lips curving upwards. 

Blushing furiously, Peach stammered, “Well, um... I mean yes... if you want me to be, I mean...” “Well, I have a month of freedom, so why not?” Elijah told her, smiling widely. Peach‘s cheeks were redder than ever now, and she muttered, “Okay,” Allured by her adorable blush, Elijalı gave her a gentle pat on the head before turning to walk away with Rookie, following closely behind. 

Sighing happily, Peach leaned back against the wall as she let out a giggle, which sounded more like a squeal when Elijah‘s back had faded down the hallway along with Rookie. 

Suddenly, her expression turned serious when James showed up in front of her and pushed his face closer to hers. 

“Hey... What do you think you are doing?” James asked in a soft voice. 

Peach blushed madly under his gaze as she stuttered, “I… Um... Nothing? Why?” 

““Because it looks like you are shooting your shot with Elijah,” James said in a low voice, causing Peach to freeze in surprise. 

“Huh..? Shoot my shot... What are you talking about? I‘m not flirting with him!” “Hmmm, why do I not buy it, and why does your face turn so red every time you mention him? 

Pouting, Peach pulled away from the wall and said, “Stop interrogating me, James.” Then she ran off, not noticing that James looked very amused as he watched her walk off faster. 

“I think you owe me twenty bucks,” Ryan whispered as he eyed Matt. 

“Come on. The bet was that he falls for her, not her falling for him.” Matt pointed out, shaking his head slightly. 

“You think the boss doesn‘t like Peach.” 

“No, but liking someone is different from loving them. And I don‘t think he loves her.” 

“How do you know that?” 

“He‘s indecisive. He wants to put her in the friend zone for some reason... I‘m not blind, and it shows… He‘s only hesitating so he won‘t hurt her feelings.” Frowning, Ryan lowered his gaze, scratching the nape of his neck as he mumbled, “Maybe you are right.” 

“I know that I am right, and I think you would be the one to hand over fifty bucks to me in the end,” Matt told him with a mischievous smile on his face. 

“Nope, not happening.” Ryan denied it, crossing his arms over his chest and raising one of his eyebrows. 

Meeting Ryan‘s eyes, Matt faintly smirked as he said, “Well, then how about we double the bet. Two thousand dollars says, ‘Boss and Peach will end up as nothing more than friends.” 

A look of reluctance flashed across Ryan‘s features but he finally sighed, giving in, and reluctantly nodded his head, “Alright... Five thousand says he will fall for her.” 

Matt‘s smirk turned wider as he laughed and commented sarcastically, “Sure.” Standing in Elijah‘s room, Rookie kept his hands sloved inside his coat pocket while staring at his boss, waiting for him to start speaking. 

“I need you and Ryan on the assignment...” Elijah stated in his usual cold, indifferent way. 

“Boss, I can handle the assignment, I promise,” Rookie assured him. Elijah remained still as he stared at Rookie before saying, “It isn‘t just about your abilities, Rookie. I trust you, but Ryan is a detective and two heads are better than one... I have put enough thought into this, and I think it‘s best for you two to work together.” “Well, if you think it‘s for the best, I‘ll agree with you, boss.” Rookie said after thinking it over carefully for a few minutes. “Since that‘s the case, you should get Ryan in here.” “Yes, boss.” 

Watching Rookie walk out of the room, Elijah sighed, and when the door closed behind him, that‘s when he allowed himself to think about Peach’s offer to him. 

“What am I going to do with you,” He muttered to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose.