Thank you to those who are following along and/or commenting! 💖

This chapter is a little bit full of Joél, sorry but I'm far from done with his influence on matters.Elia woke up to an empty house the next day. Billy had whisked Cecilia and Mariah off to Switzerland for a couple of days for a mini honeymoon at a residence there owned by the Dargas family so she busied herself with packing her belongings. Not too hard of a task since she'd only arrived with a couple of suitcases worth of luggage. Cecilia's Kenyan relatives were also leaving that day and she'd wandered over earlier that morning to say her goodbyes to them, they were a warm and loving people and she'd enjoyed meeting them. She was happy, excited to finally be leaving herself, she already had her job and now she'd have her apartment as well. It would feel like her new life here had well and truly begun.

"Hey, how was the wedding!" Joéls cheerful tone resonated down the phone, taking her by surprise. This was the first time she'd really spoken to him since arriving. She couldn't help but wonder what he wanted.
"Um, good! " She replied. "How are you? It's been a long time, where you been?"
"Oh busy with work." He informed her dismissively. "So did you meet the Queen of La Provence?"
"Huh?"
"I mean Catherine."
"Oh, yes I did. She's, quite..."
"A bitch? A snob?" He suggested.
"Authoritative."
"That's a benevolent way of putting it I suppose." He chuckled. "What about that son of hers, he isn't bothering you too much is he?"
'Now we come to it!' Elia thought.
"No, actually." She corrected. "He's being very nice, and helpful."
Joél scoffed.
"And what did he want in return?" He enquired
"Nothing."
"Oh, just, wait!"
"For what Joél?"
"For him to come around looking to collect back his favours!"
"You make him sound like a mobster."
"He might as well be!"
"You're far too dramatic."
"Don't be fooled, Elie! " Joél warned.
"Fooled how? All I'm seeing is a man who's made mistakes and is doing everything in his power to remedy them."
"And that's just what he wants you to see, an attractive young woman he just wants to win you over so he can use you like he has everyone else."
Elia let out an impatient sigh.
"Joél!" She began. "I'm sorry you're so hurt but hating him isn't going to bring your brother back."
"That's cold Elie!" He replied after a moments pause."
"I know!" She cried. "And I'm sorry but I don't know what else to say to you."
"I thought you were my friend."
"I am and want to be able to help but I can't unless you listen to reason."
"What, so you're saying I should kiss and make up to him, forgive him for all that he's done?"
"No, I mean.." She paused and racked her brain. "Just... Make your brother proud, honour his memory. Set up something in his name, support charities and things like that."
Silence came down the phone.
"Did he set you up to this?"
"What?"
"Did I stutter?"
"You're being ridiculous."
"He did, didn't he."
"No!" Elia insisted. "Why would he?"
"Do you believe that I 'm impressed by his, so-called charity work?"
"He does charity work?"
"Don't give me that!" Joél spat. "This has got his mark all over it. It's not impressive. I have to see him swagger around like he's some sort of saint when he's not! All he cares about is the appearances. That's what it's really about. To make sure he comes out smelling of roses. His, look at me I'm perfect, act! Like I said, I'm not impressed." Do you know this is the same man who was disowned by his own father? Because he couldn't stand seeing his son become a lost cause. He failed university too, did you know that?"
"Oh get a flamin grip on yourself. This obsession you seem to have over him is starting to sound plain creepy!"
"Well, I'm sorry that he made such a huge mess in my life, mine and everyone else around him. You know, I really thought you were on my side, that you actually understood me."
Elia let out a sigh.
"You'd make that a lot easier if you had not told me half-truths from day one."
"Half-truths?" He repeated. "So you're choosing to believe him over me?"
"Can you, just forget about him for one second!" Elia cried. "You've made a success of your life, and you have a family that loves you.."
"Family." He sneered. "What family? My parents barely acknowledge my existence anymore, they can't see past their own pain."
"What about your sister and nephew?" Elia insisted. "Your brother married and had a son, right?"
She was met with another pause.
"Maxine? She's become a religious zealot and has resolved to judging everyone who doesn't match her high standards of morality. Also. she's making sure that Antoine goes the same way!"
"But they're still family though."
"I've had enough of this." He went on. "It's obvious where your loyalty lies now, I suppose money can buy everything after all."
"Joél will you..." Elie heard the line go dead. Kissing her teeth she threw her phone down onto the bed in frustration, she was done with him, once and for all. She paced the room in an effort to calm herself down but was thoroughly relieved when Dóra came to pick her up to take her to what was to be her new home.
Maeva was there waiting, the pair had prepared a little welcoming lunch buffet and once she'd settled in they all sat out on the veranda and enjoyed the refreshments. It didn't seem to take long for the three girls to fall into a routine. The use of the bathroom each morning would go smoothly, the fact that Dóra was quite an early riser helped a lot. She would head to the shower as soon as she woke and It was usually Elia who went second. She'd often be sleeping quite lightly at that time in the morning and would awaken at the sound of Dóra discreetly emerging. Elia also appreciated the method of which they handled the grocery shopping and the food. Everyone chipped in equally and therefore all the food was considered to belong to all of them.
"We don't like the 'yours and mine' mentality." Dóra had admitted with a smile.
Elia agreed wholeheartedly. The cleaning duties worked well too, there was no schedule but everyone pulled their weight, so it didn't seem to be needed.
Rehearsals continued on, The finale of the show was quite an epic one, featuring a duet dance between Nyco and Elia. It was accompanied by Satomi, Rafael and Maeva's beautiful vocals which described their hopes and dreams upon leaving their homeland for freedom in America. It was an emotionally charged soft tropical ballad describing hope, and joy which conveyed in the dance. Then the mood and the lyrics altered, describing fear then panic and finally despair as the lyrics depicted them failing to complete their journey and losing their lives at sea. Elia found herself getting caught up in the feeling and emotion each time they went over it, all of which she threw into the dance. She found the story heartbreaking, it was true of so many who had tried and failed to make that journey. It made her wonder about the journey her grandparents made, had it also been that perilous? She wished she knew, but did not.
Elia felt quite drained when she got back to the apartment that day, it had taken a lot of both physical and emotional exertion and even though it was still early evening she didn't feel like going out. Instead, she crashed into the sofa and opened her laptop. Dóra was also resting in the bedroom and Maeva had gone out, so for a short while at least, she had the living room to herself. She absently looked over her Facebook feed, she didn't go on there too often, she much preferred Instagram and WhatsApp for keeping in touch and sharing things, still, Facebook had it's uses, particularly when it came to her photography. She noticed Joél had written up a post, tagging his location as 'Paris, France' and his mood as, 'triste' which Elia knew, like it Spanish, meant sad. Her brow furrowed as she translated it via her browser and began to read.
'Dear Friends' It read.
'Today has been tough. I have few people in my life who I can call true friends. I've been through a lot and it takes a lot for me to trust someone so when a person becomes my friend I am certain that they'll never let me down.
I've now been proved wrong. Someone, who I've considered a good friend has inexplicably turned their back on me. They made false accusations against me and have made cold and hurtful statements about my family. They have chosen a path that promises materialism over the friendship they had with me. It's a bitter pill to swallow, I never imagined this would happen, I believed in their sincerity which seemed so convincing.
I live and learn, and am determined to rise above it and remain positive.
Treasure those who are loyal and stand by you, they are a precious rarity!
Peace and love to all my Facebook Friends, you mean more to me than you know. X
Elia stared at the screen, stunned by what she'd just read. Numerous people had replied sympathetically, and he had responded to each of them, thanking them. The post was dated that past Sunday, the same day she'd moved, and had the argument with him. Anger began to rise up in her, she clenched her fists, resisting her urge to slam the laptop closed. She got up and paced the apartment. It was pretty clear he was referring to her, How dare he! ' You pathetic attention seeking, manipulative little cockroach.' She fumed silently.
Alexandre had been so right, she couldn't help him and now Joél was treating her like he'd treated Alexandre. Unlike him though, she was not bound by the responsibility of fame or that of being a role model. If Joél wanted a fight, she'd give him one.
She returned to her laptop and opened a reply box under his post and began furiously typing away.
'Ok joél!' She wrote in English.
'I can only assume that this is some pathetic attempt to use our argument to create your own pity party. But how about, shock horror - telling the truth?!
No? I didn't think so, I doubt you'd recognize 'truth' if it hit you in the face with a boxer's glove. Perhaps I should be the one who lets it out of the bag.
Joél you have tried to manipulate me from the first moment we

met. Telling me your 'sob story' which just happen to have HALF of the facts missing! Yes, you've been through a lot but you have also turned against everyone who has tried to help you. Heads up buddy boy, this is YOUR life, and you are an adult. Being an adult means taking RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN MISTAKES! Do you even know how to do that? I'm guessing no. Sadly, it seems all you've done since losing your brother is point the finger at others, never once looking at your own actions and asking yourself what you could do to make something better, or to fix a wrong. I've seen you twist the truth for your own convenience and vilify others who have TRIED to do the best for you.'
Elia paused and sat back for a moment, she wasn't finished yet but felt slightly calmer having gotten those words out. Her thoughts went back to Alexandre. She was in his shoes now, and it seemed ironic in a funny way even though she wasn't in the mood to feel amused by it, she did wonder though, he knew Joél much better than her. She wondered what he'd say about this, maybe he could even weigh in on it? She dismissed the idea, he was far too busy with his tour and she'd sworn to herself that she wouldn't contact him unless she really needed to.
Would it hurt though? Just five or ten minutes of his time to gain a little insight from his point of view, he'd been right all along after all and had also tried to warn her. Perhaps she could just let him know that Joél had messed up. It was possible that he'd expect him to, he had mentioned how Joél was not good at keeping friends. She let out a sigh, she wanted to vent to someone, and more often than not that was usually Jazmin. She'd always been her number one go to, but she barely knew Joél yet Alexandre on the other hand, did. Deciding to give it a try she reached out for her phone.
She felt a flurry of nerves as she heard the ringing tone started up, her nerves then increased when he picked up after only two rings.
"Ello!"
Elia smiled at hearing the way he answered. She didn't know what she'd expected but found the way he said it quite endearing, almost like, 'Ellou' in his French intonation.
"Hi." She began nervously. "Um, Alexandre?"
"Elia?"
"Yeah."
"Ah! Salut!" He exclaimed. Sounding surprised but also quite pleased. Elia's mind raced, now she had him on the phone she wasn't even sure what to say to him, she felt she could kick herself for her actions, and her nerves. What was she thinking ringing him out of the blue like this?
"Um." She stammered. " How are you? Oh! I hope this isn't a bad time, I don't want to cause problems."
"No," He assured her. I'm in Belgium, did a show last night, we're now at the airport waiting to fly back home to enjoy a brief bit of time off."
"That's good." She responded, then paused. "Are you eating?"
"Yes," He admitted sounding sheepish. "Just a waffle."
Elia chuckled. "Eating waffles in Belgium." She quipped.
He let out a small husky laugh. "They're delicious."
"I'll take your word for it."
"What? You've not had them?"
"Never," Elia admitted. "I do have a fondness for Pretzels though."
"Traitor."
Elia let out a giggle, she felt put at ease by their banter, enough so to bring up the purpose of her phone call.