Page 1 of Citrine

1

Eli

Trigger warning: physical abuse on page in this chapter.

"You're far too pretty to spend all your time with us," Ms. Janis tells me. "And what's wrong with the boys if they haven't seen how sweet you are and made sure you stopped working yourself to the bone?"

I give her a big smile. "Now, now. Just because you have all the men wrapped around your little finger doesn't mean I have your skills."

She tilts her head back, her silver braids shifting and her dark eyes sparkling as she lets out one of her deep laughs. "My dear, you have every drop of the same charisma."

I snort out my disbelief. She's my favorite and I admit we spend longer than necessary getting her ready to start her day. I like hearing all her stories, getting updates on her great-grandchildren, and the gossip about the latest silver-haired fox she has panting at her door this week.

The movement on the screen pulls both of our attention back to the nature show she has on. "What do you know about that one, Eli?"

It's an adorable little fuzzball and I let what I know bubble out, pleased to not have to keep myself in check around her. "That's a jumping spider.Phidippus otiosus, maybe? People call them the cat spider because they'll stay on your hand."

She whacks me on the shoulder, her usual response to show me she's impressed, though it took me a few times to figure it out. "How do you do it?"

I know it's rhetorical, since she asks it every time, so I just give her another grin.

"Your parents must be so proud."

My heart falls, but I keep the smile on my face and change the subject. "What's Darian up to? And the girls?"

She tells me the same stories she told yesterday, unfortunately, so it doesn't distract me from the sudden pit in my stomach.

From comments I've received, most think my big smiles and willingness to listen means I've led a blessed life. People like me know that a shocking number of the kindest people come from the most pain. Because we went through hell and had to decide to become harder or softer.

I chose softer and sunnier as my armor.

I don't really think of myself as all that kind, but others see what I want them to see.

My pocket buzzes again, just like it's been doing since I clocked in and started my rounds. I didn't recognize the number as I left my grocery clerk job for this one, but I bet it's the same one. I go to wash my hands as she continues her story and take a quick peek.

Yes, the same person and I've missed fifteen calls. I'm about to turn off the phone completely when a text pops up.

Eliyana Smith. Stop ignoring me.

Only one person has the audacity to think I'm a Smith and not a Martinez.

"Diablos,"I mutter under my breath. "How did she get this number?"

My hands are shakily tapping the screen as my mind tries to remember how to block a number when another message comes through.

It's an emergency. I need you.

"Just ignore her, Eli. Block the damn number," I hiss out.

I finally remember how, but my finger just hovers over it. My whole body is shaking now, heart in my throat as it pounds, but I can't make myself do it.

Mypadreloved her once. Would he be disappointed in me if I ignored a call for help?

I snort. "She ignored all of yours."

"What's that, dear?" Ms. Janis asks from the other room.

"Oh, nothing, just hit my hand on something."