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Description
It's 4:30 and Eli has just finished his work shift. Before he leaves, he wanted to let Cliona, his employer know that he’s done for the day and is about to head home. He does their secret knock, but he didn’t hear anything. He kockrd again and waited , but still he didn't hear his employeer’s voice. He checked to see if the door open, and it was so he let himself in. When he steps in the house he hears someone playing the piano and singing. Is that Cliona? He thought to himself.

He slowly makes his way to the living room and pops his head in. The voice he indeed heard was Cliona’s. Her back is to him and her slender fingers glide over the keys if the piano with unwavering fluidity.

Everybody's asking what the hell happened
Wonderin' why it all went wrong
Mama always said, "If you can't say something nice
Then don't say anything at all"
And I've got my side of the story and he's got his side, too
So I ain't gonna go and tell you what he did
But I'll tell you what he didn't do

Treat me right, put me first, be a man of his word
Stay home 'cause he wanted to
Always fight for my love, hold on tight like it's something
That he couldn't stand to lose
The devil's in the details, I won't tell the hell that he put me through
All I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do

Eli watched her. He was mesmerised by her singing. Her voice is so beautiful. As she continued Eli could’t help but hear a tone of sadness in her voice as if she were trying to hold back tears.

I'm already halfway over him and I ain't taking time to turn around
So I'ma take the high road, even though we both know
I could run him out of this town
That's just dirty laundry, I don't need to wear the truth
So I ain't gonna tell you everything he did
But I'll tell you what he didn't do
Treat me right, put me first, be a man of his word
Stay home 'cause he wanted to
Always fight for my love, hold on tight like it's something
That he couldn't stand to lose
The devil's in the details, I won't tell the hell that he put me through
All I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do

As Eli approached her, he realized that he had tears in bright green yes. His face fell a little seeing this pretty older woman crying. He gently put his hand on her back. She flinched slightly and craned her neck back at him and stopped playing. He gave her a warm smile and rubbed her back. “Keep going. You sound lovely.”

She gave him a faint smile and went back to her song.

I ain't met the right one yet but I know when I do
He'll treat me right, put me first, be a man of his word
Stay home 'cause he wanted to
Always fight for my love, hold on tight like it's something
That he can't stand to lose
The devil's in the details, I won't tell the hell that he put me through
All I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do
And all I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do

When she was done she kept her hands on the keys for a few moment then grabbed a tissue to dry her tears. She shifted on the bench so she could see Eli. “Are you leaving for the day?” She asked.

Eli nodded. “Yeah…I knocked twice but didn't hear you say come in so I...um…let myself in. I hope that was okay?”

Cliona smiled at him. “Of course Eli.”

“So…you have a very pretty voice. I didn't know you could sing like that.” Said Eli.

“Oh…yes, well thank you. That means a lot Eli.” She looked down at her lap.

“Are you, okay? I noticed you were crying when you were playing.”

Cliona didn't say anything for a moment. Eli sat down next to her on the bench. He noticed that more tears were pooling in her eyes. “Clinoa…what Is it?” He said softly. “You can tell me anything.” He reached out his hand and gently wiped the tears away from her eyes.

Cliona’s heart skipped at his touch. When she looked at him, his pale brown eyes were sincere. She took in a small breath. “It's my ex-husband.” Eli tilted his head. “The song I was singing…it was about my ex-husband.

“Oh…” Said Eli. “Do…you miss him?”

“Oh heavens no. He was horrible to me. Him and his daughters. That is why I divorced him seventeen years ago.” There was a coldness in her voice that Eli had never heard before. “I got a nasty letter from him in the mail today. I tore it up. Singing makes me feel better so…I guess I was venting through my song.”

“Well…you vent beautifully.” He said.

“Exactly now much did you hear?” Said Cliona raising an eyebrow.

”Oh not much…just practically the whole song.” He grinned at her.

She chuckled. “Well if anyone had to hear me belting about me feelings…I’m glad it was you.” She said smiling and resting her hand on his arm. Eli’s face flushed at her touch.

“How…what did he do to you?” Asked Eli. Cliona looked at him taken aback and unsure on what to say. “Oh! Well that's probably none of my business.”

Eli…I…it’s, that was a really dark time for me.” Eli looked down sorry he asked. “But…you said I can tell you anything. And I fell like I can actually do that.”

Eli looked at her. “Really?”

Cliona nodded. “Very much so.”

Eli moved closer to her. “Well that makes me feel good. Go ahead I’m listening.” He placed his hand over hers.

Something about this younger man put her so much at ease. The gentle touch of his hand comforted her. She took a deep breath and began. “His name was Maxwell Richard. He was visiting from England and I met him at a ball that was being hosted. A gentleman introduced us. We got on very well and I found myself smitten with him. Within a month we were married.”

“That was pretty fast.” Said Eli.

“I guess I fell hard. I…thiught we both did.” Said Cliona quietly. “But I guess that wasn’t true. But I decided to go with him back to England. When we got there I was surprised to find out that he had two daughters from his first marriage. They weren’t happy I was there. They treated me horrific. Maxwell seemed amused by it. But I kind of just dealt with it because I believe they were. I guess their mother had died. Anyway eventually, Maxwell changed he turned harsh and controlling. He never showed me attention. I don’t think he actually ever loved me. I think he never got over his first wife Darla. She said bitterly.”

Eli listened intently. Cliona’s voice wavered a bit and moved even closer to her until their bodies were just inches from each other. “It got worse. He started beating me. Eli, I had so many bruises. He even..” Cliona took a deep breath. “He…raped me.” She put cupped her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back tears.

Eli felt a jolt of hot anger shoot through his body. “How dare he!” He said rather loudly. Cliona’s green eye widened, shocked at Eli’s outburst. “That man…I could kill him. For what he did to you.”

“Eli…you…” She didn’t know what to say.

Eli’s face softened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get loud, it’s just. I care a lot about you, Cliona. You are so kind, and thoughtful and you are very beautiful. To know that someone hurt you like that. It burns me up.” Cliona sat there stunned. He had no idea that Eli felt this way about her. “I’m sorry, you can continue. Eli took her hand again.

”Eventually I couldn’t take it anymore. I was done and I served her with divorce papers. After it was finalised, I moved back to Paris. I finally had piece of mind again. Just that stupid note today…brought those memories back. He told me that he wished I was dead.” Cliona looked down at her lap, then she felt a hand caress her face. Eli gently turned her head so she was looking at him.

“Thank you for sharing that personal part of your life with me. You didn’t deserve any of that. Please know that to me, you will always be precious and I will never let anymore harm come to you. You are not only beautiful and stunning on the outside but you also have a beautiful soul.” He said softly.

Cliona searched his face as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. All she saw was sincerity, affection, and love. “Oh Eli…” Before she knew what she was doing she leaned forward and kissed the younger man who saw her for who she is. Made her feel wanted and important.

Eli stiffened but only for a couple seconds until she felt his strong arms around her, pulling her against him. He slid his hand down her back and around her hips, making her sigh against his mouth as his kiss turned passionate without being too rough. He was gentle and that made her want him even more. Their kiss lasted a few more seconds until she pulled away.

”I…I don’t know what came over me.” He face was flushed red and Eli’s was too, even through his rich brown skin. “It’s just you made me feel…”

He smiled and reached out to tuck a piece of loose hair behind her ear. “It’s okay. I’m kind of glad you kissed me.” He threw her a cheeky look. “I liked it…and I like you.”

Cliona looked at him then leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her. “I like you too.”

Description
It's 4:30 and Eli has just finished his work shift. Before he leaves, he wanted to let Cliona, his employer know that he’s done for the day and is about to head home. He does their secret knock, but he didn’t hear anything. He kockrd again and waited , but still he didn't hear his employeer’s voice. He checked to see if the door open, and it was so he let himself in. When he steps in the house he hears someone playing the piano and singing. Is that Cliona? He thought to himself.

He slowly makes his way to the living room and pops his head in. The voice he indeed heard was Cliona’s. Her back is to him and her slender fingers glide over the keys if the piano with unwavering fluidity.

Everybody's asking what the hell happened
Wonderin' why it all went wrong
Mama always said, "If you can't say something nice
Then don't say anything at all"
And I've got my side of the story and he's got his side, too
So I ain't gonna go and tell you what he did
But I'll tell you what he didn't do

Treat me right, put me first, be a man of his word
Stay home 'cause he wanted to
Always fight for my love, hold on tight like it's something
That he couldn't stand to lose
The devil's in the details, I won't tell the hell that he put me through
All I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do

Eli watched her. He was mesmerised by her singing. Her voice is so beautiful. As she continued Eli could’t help but hear a tone of sadness in her voice as if she were trying to hold back tears.

I'm already halfway over him and I ain't taking time to turn around
So I'ma take the high road, even though we both know
I could run him out of this town
That's just dirty laundry, I don't need to wear the truth
So I ain't gonna tell you everything he did
But I'll tell you what he didn't do
Treat me right, put me first, be a man of his word
Stay home 'cause he wanted to
Always fight for my love, hold on tight like it's something
That he couldn't stand to lose
The devil's in the details, I won't tell the hell that he put me through
All I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do

As Eli approached her, he realized that he had tears in bright green yes. His face fell a little seeing this pretty older woman crying. He gently put his hand on her back. She flinched slightly and craned her neck back at him and stopped playing. He gave her a warm smile and rubbed her back. “Keep going. You sound lovely.”

She gave him a faint smile and went back to her song.

I ain't met the right one yet but I know when I do
He'll treat me right, put me first, be a man of his word
Stay home 'cause he wanted to
Always fight for my love, hold on tight like it's something
That he can't stand to lose
The devil's in the details, I won't tell the hell that he put me through
All I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do
And all I know is in the end, it wasn't what he did
No, it was what he didn't do

When she was done she kept her hands on the keys for a few moment then grabbed a tissue to dry her tears. She shifted on the bench so she could see Eli. “Are you leaving for the day?” She asked.

Eli nodded. “Yeah…I knocked twice but didn't hear you say come in so I...um…let myself in. I hope that was okay?”

Cliona smiled at him. “Of course Eli.”

“So…you have a very pretty voice. I didn't know you could sing like that.” Said Eli.

“Oh…yes, well thank you. That means a lot Eli.” She looked down at her lap.

“Are you, okay? I noticed you were crying when you were playing.”

Cliona didn't say anything for a moment. Eli sat down next to her on the bench. He noticed that more tears were pooling in her eyes. “Clinoa…what Is it?” He said softly. “You can tell me anything.” He reached out his hand and gently wiped the tears away from her eyes.

Cliona’s heart skipped at his touch. When she looked at him, his pale brown eyes were sincere. She took in a small breath. “It's my ex-husband.” Eli tilted his head. “The song I was singing…it was about my ex-husband.

“Oh…” Said Eli. “Do…you miss him?”

“Oh heavens no. He was horrible to me. Him and his daughters. That is why I divorced him seventeen years ago.” There was a coldness in her voice that Eli had never heard before. “I got a nasty letter from him in the mail today. I tore it up. Singing makes me feel better so…I guess I was venting through my song.”

“Well…you vent beautifully.” He said.

“Exactly now much did you hear?” Said Cliona raising an eyebrow.

”Oh not much…just practically the whole song.” He grinned at her.

She chuckled. “Well if anyone had to hear me belting about me feelings…I’m glad it was you.” She said smiling and resting her hand on his arm. Eli’s face flushed at her touch.

“How…what did he do to you?” Asked Eli. Cliona looked at him taken aback and unsure on what to say. “Oh! Well that's probably none of my business.”

Eli…I…it’s, that was a really dark time for me.” Eli looked down sorry he asked. “But…you said I can tell you anything. And I fell like I can actually do that.”

Eli looked at her. “Really?”

Cliona nodded. “Very much so.”

Eli moved closer to her. “Well that makes me feel good. Go ahead I’m listening.” He placed his hand over hers.

Something about this younger man put her so much at ease. The gentle touch of his hand comforted her. She took a deep breath and began. “His name was Maxwell Richard. He was visiting from England and I met him at a ball that was being hosted. A gentleman introduced us. We got on very well and I found myself smitten with him. Within a month we were married.”

“That was pretty fast.” Said Eli.

“I guess I fell hard. I…thiught we both did.” Said Cliona quietly. “But I guess that wasn’t true. But I decided to go with him back to England. When we got there I was surprised to find out that he had two daughters from his first marriage. They weren’t happy I was there. They treated me horrific. Maxwell seemed amused by it. But I kind of just dealt with it because I believe they were. I guess their mother had died. Anyway eventually, Maxwell changed he turned harsh and controlling. He never showed me attention. I don’t think he actually ever loved me. I think he never got over his first wife Darla. She said bitterly.”

Eli listened intently. Cliona’s voice wavered a bit and moved even closer to her until their bodies were just inches from each other. “It got worse. He started beating me. Eli, I had so many bruises. He even..” Cliona took a deep breath. “He…raped me.” She put cupped her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back tears.

Eli felt a jolt of hot anger shoot through his body. “How dare he!” He said rather loudly. Cliona’s green eye widened, shocked at Eli’s outburst. “That man…I could kill him. For what he did to you.”

“Eli…you…” She didn’t know what to say.

Eli’s face softened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get loud, it’s just. I care a lot about you, Cliona. You are so kind, and thoughtful and you are very beautiful. To know that someone hurt you like that. It burns me up.” Cliona sat there stunned. He had no idea that Eli felt this way about her. “I’m sorry, you can continue. Eli took her hand again.

”Eventually I couldn’t take it anymore. I was done and I served her with divorce papers. After it was finalised, I moved back to Paris. I finally had piece of mind again. Just that stupid note today…brought those memories back. He told me that he wished I was dead.” Cliona looked down at her lap, then she felt a hand caress her face. Eli gently turned her head so she was looking at him.

“Thank you for sharing that personal part of your life with me. You didn’t deserve any of that. Please know that to me, you will always be precious and I will never let anymore harm come to you. You are not only beautiful and stunning on the outside but you also have a beautiful soul.” He said softly.

Cliona searched his face as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. All she saw was sincerity, affection, and love. “Oh Eli…” Before she knew what she was doing she leaned forward and kissed the younger man who saw her for who she is. Made her feel wanted and important.

Eli stiffened but only for a couple seconds until she felt his strong arms around her, pulling her against him. He slid his hand down her back and around her hips, making her sigh against his mouth as his kiss turned passionate without being too rough. He was gentle and that made her want him even more. Their kiss lasted a few more seconds until she pulled away.

”I…I don’t know what came over me.” He face was flushed red and Eli’s was too, even through his rich brown skin. “It’s just you made me feel…”

He smiled and reached out to tuck a piece of loose hair behind her ear. “It’s okay. I’m kind of glad you kissed me.” He threw her a cheeky look. “I liked it…and I like you.”

Cliona looked at him then leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her. “I like you too.”