Chapter 7: Morgan Ellis (1)
"Since the elections are close, and I don't get out during this week, my assistant will join us for dinner," Chris said, offering his arm to May. "Is it a problem?"
"As long as I'm not dragged into weird conversations, I don't mind," she replied. She was still in a cryptic mood, so Chris didn't add anything.
He had confirmed that things were all roses and cheers in the Prime Minister's family. He seemed not to value his granddaughter much, and she clearly didn't like him one bit. The two had interacted so little in front of him, almost like strangers. He couldn't see if things had changed when they were alone, but he had the suspicion that it wasn't much better.
While May leaned on him to walk, he realised that they had touched each other more often and intensely than had May with her grandfather. Leo Thorne hadn't even held her hand or caressed her face to comfort her. It had been such a cold exchange that it would have hurt Chris if only he didn't see the opportunity: if May wasn't too involved with her family, he could... Do what?
His polite smile hid his thoughts. His imagination was running wild after a couple of days with that woman in his house. He would have turned crazy soon... What was it that charmed him so much?
Maybe the fact that she was unattainable. Even if he could win her heart, how was he supposed to get her family's permission to date her? They were enemies, and public opinion would have been in the way from the start.
Once reached the dining room, May sat at what she had started considering her place. She didn't want to think too much of it, but the simple fact that she had grown used to things was scary. That man had helped her during the night, sacrificing his sleep for her sake. He would help her eat and drink, walk... He even carried her when her legs wouldn't move.
He was so much comfortable that she wished to stay there a little longer. He was dangerous, wasn't he? With his long eyelashes and that dependable face, he had convinced her he was harmless while she knew he was in fact a wolf. Ready to eat her alive if she lowered her guard too much.
She stared at her empty place while trying to figure out those feelings. Comfort was something she hadn't gotten so often in her life, so it was always new when it happened. Other than her mother and sister, no one else could make her feel at ease. Not even her elder brother whom she loved with her whole heart.
She was lost in her thoughts, her brain working and working in search of an explanation when she noticed someone had sat in front of her. A young man her age, with a pair of round glasses and short brown hair.
She recognised him immediately, even though years had passed since the last time they had talked. The world wasn't that big of a place, and everyone seemed to gravitate around Chris Lindt, lately.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"That's my line," Morgan Ellis replied. He analysed May's features, trying to find out whether she was doing well.
Since she was having dinner at Chris Lindt's table, there was no way she was doing well.
"I knew you started to work soon after graduating early, but I wouldn't have imagined you went to work with the competition!" she added.
Chris raised one eyebrow at that scene. May had been so silent that he thought she had no interest in whoever person. But, with Morgan, she was so chatty. They were friends, that was obvious. However, how close were they?
"I did. I left my father's shadow and came to work here. What about you, though? How did you end up here?"
May realised that she couldn't just tell the truth. How much had Chris already told his assistant? Nothing, because Morgan was still curious.
She turned to Chris, in search of support. What was she doing in his house?
The senator didn't waste the chance to look good in front of her. She was asking for his help, and that simple fact made him happy. If only he could turn it into a habit...
"You two know each other," he noted, shifting the topic of the conversation. Little by little, Morgan would forget about his initial question and May would be grateful for the help.
"We were in the same class in high school, Senator Lindt," Morgan said. "And our families are close, always been. One could say we grew up together."
"So, if you were in the same class, you were born in the same year, right?"
"Right," Morgan confirmed, nodding his head.
May felt Chris's tone, and she felt offended even though she didn't know why. Not yet.
But the incredulity with which he said those words hurt.
"Wait, Mayrose, you're already twenty-two?"
She curled her lips in a pout but tried hiding her feelings.
"What is so surprising?" she scoffed. She didn't cross her arms because that would have been too much, but she wished to. "Do I look younger, by any chance?"
Chris felt the oddity in her tone and didn't confirm her suspicions so easily. He felt the trap laid for him, and he avoided it just in time.
It looked like May was sensitive about her age and how young she looked. Maybe she had trouble because of that. It was better not to put salt in her wounds but retreat at that very moment.
"Not at all," he said.
At that very moment, all the tension disappeared. May relaxed and reached out to the closest place, selecting some food for herself. Her mood was better, and not even the trembling of her fingers troubled her anymore.
So, he was right. She was sensitive about age. But was it a good thing?
Chris was seven years older. Maybe, for her, that was a huge gap. Even though he had witnessed many couples with that kind of gap work just fine.
"But Morgan does look younger," he added.
She nodded, and Chris hid a grin. She was so fast at saying to others what she didn't want to hear said to her.
"That's right," she commented before taking the first bite. "He has a child's face."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone