ELINNAWhen Lizzy told me about this party. She should have told me that she knew a lot of people and it was going to be like a party. Every step we took, there was always someone who wanted to say hi, or compliment her dress or say how much it meant to that that she was hosting this fundraiser. My heels were killing me since al I did was stand behind her while she talked and laughed with all the guests. Eventually, we were alone and I whispered to her. “My toes are about to fall off. I need to go chamge my shoes. Will you be fine without me?”She turned around and looked at me. “I should be asking you that. Will you find your way? Take one of the guards with you.”“What about you? Aren't you yurd of standing? Your feet must hurt.” She amiles. “I’m used to it. I wear heels every day of my life so its nothing. Just go change your shoes and hurry back.” My extra shoes were in the car. We didn't want to bring them out here since it might ruin the red carpet pictures. Outside was
ELINNALizzy cleared her throat. The whole hall was silent, listening to the story of the brave woman she was talking about.The brave women who was in the room, wearing a party mask with tears in her eyes and a heavy heart.“This friend of mine suffered emotional abuse and physical abuse. She became a subject or ridicule and her father who should have protected her, let it all happen. He let his wife turn his daughter into a slave, into a cook, into a janitor, into a gardener. He let his step daughter insult, beat her, rob her of every good thing that she deserved. And of course, he let her boyfriend leave her and cling unto his daughter just because of material things. My friend felt alone, betrayed and she cried her eyes out. And then as if that was not enough, her father married her off as a sacrificial lamb for his own gain.”The fact that she was saying all of this on national TV meant a lot because there was absolutely no way that they wouldn't see it.My father, Gina and Carli
ELINNAOn the drive home, I just kept thinking to myself.Was I ready for them to know that I was alive again?Did I want them to see me and know that I was back?Just as Lily had said earlier, they didn't know that I was here. They didn't know what had happened to me after my marriage.After all, now I had the money and the fame and they couldn't do anything to me.Speaking of my family, I don't know if I should call them that. They hadn't behaved like a family did.But something that Lily had said earlier crossed my mind.“What happened to them? My father, I mean. Lily mentioned getting back at you for something. What is it?”She sighed and looked up from her phone.“That isn't my fault. Your father was pining for a business deal that was supposedly meant to bring his business back on its feet. But then I came into the picture and I took it. The investors liked my pitch more and it really affected his business. Somehow, they think that's my fault.”Well, I guess that means that Lizz
ELINNAIt didn't matter to me that there was a huge chance that Carlisle might know that I was back.Infact, I was glad that he did.Asking people to follow Lizzy around was too psychopath behavior and you needed to deal with it accordingly.That night, I stayed up late and thought about how much things could go sideways if I brought myself out into the public.Of course, I know that there would be great pandemonium and then of course, those people who call themselves my family would want to reach out and ask questions.Right now, the only family I had was my son, Lizzy and my mother. Yes, after I left Lizzy took full custody of my mother's care.And even now that I'm back, I couldn't go see her because I just had a feeling that they may be watching her to see the day that I would come visiting.I didn't want to risk it so Lizzy went to see her on my behalf.“So have you decided if you want to do this?” Lizzy asked me at dinner the next morning.I'd forgotten I'd said yesterday that I
ELINNAI stayed quiet through out the time Lizzy took me up to the first floor.She told me the names and department of all the employees that passed and I watched as they greeted her with a good smile.It showed that she was a good boss.”I hope I didn't make you miss your meeting. It's past nine am.”She looked at her watch.“I told them I was having breakfast with the CEO so we moved it.”The elevator opened and we stepped out into our floor.She pointed across the hall way.“That’s your office. This is mine on this side. Do you want to see your office?”Looking at it from afar, I did want to go in it buy on second thought, I could wait.“Let’s go to yours.”A young girl greeted her as we passed and I figured that was the receptionist for this floor.“Welcome go my office. Have a seat anywhere you want. Because you will be doing a lot of work today. There's a new I vestor in the market. i hear he's rich. I'm not talking new money, those people have too little. I'm talking, old mone
ELINNAI'm sure they were wondering why the hell an assistant was sitting at the table during a very important meeting.More times than I could count, I caught employees staring at me and it did make me a tad uncomfortable.“I don't understand this presentation. What makes this particular supplier different from the others who have messed with this particular product? We are a manufacturing company and when quality is not in the questions, our integrity is thrown out the door. You want to sell this?! Outrageous! What do you think the Boss will say when she sees this rubbish?”Basically, the last supplier had been cutting costs by getting cheap materials and we just found out recently so we had to have thousands of products recalled before any scandals could happen.We could not risk our reputation being damaged because of another person's mistakes.“Should we go to court?” Lizzy asked me because I was the one who had found the supplier and was in direct contact with him.“No, there's
ELINNAIt was the weekend, which meant no work.I woke up late that morning because we'd come back late last night. The car rolled into the compound at 1am. The traffic was that bad.The fact that Stephanie was still up surprised me because I thought she would have been gone or she would be asleep.“Gosh, thank you so much for everything. The traffic was terrible.”She waved it off.“Oh, it's okay, Mrs E. I like being here. Chase slept a few hours ago because he said he wanted to see you but he couldn't make it.”Oh, my baby boy.“Thank you so much, Stephanie. This is your payment and you remember your room right? I can't let you go home at this time. I don't know what's out there.”When she left, I turned to see Lizzy sleeping on the couch still in her heels.“Lizzy!” She jolted away and I laughed “Get up, let's go upstairs.”I finally managed to pull her up from the chair, kiss Chase goodbye and then go to my room.I was left to sleep in that weekend and I was so happy no one bother
ELINNAThe hospital was in the far end of town.It was a hospital that was very popular and was often visited but with money, you can make things go your way.They kept her in a very private room, away from every other patient and only special doctors and nurses were assigned to her. They were made to sign a contract that if they ever spoke a word about who was in the ward or anything of that sort, they could be liable to prison time.I knew it was a lot but I had to keep my mother away from those evil people. Lizzy had already called the security guard outside beforehand that I would be coming over so when I came, they just asked for my ID and let me enter.Once inside, reality hit me.My mother was a few feet away from me on a bed just as she had been the last time I saw her. She was sleeping, I could hear her squeaky snore.She looked better than the last time I'd been here. She has been so thin and sickly that it made me wonder if my mother was going to be alive by the time I got
ELINNAThe urge to see my father had been lingering in my mind for a week and that day, I decided to give into it. Helen had told me that he was here but I didn't have the time to go there or even see him. I'd been so swamped with work. I rounded up my work for that day and walked out of the company. When I arrived at the hospital, I rushed to the ICU unit where my father was being kept. I saw him lying in the bed, hooked up to machines and tubes. He was in a coma, and I could see the way the doctors and nurses surrounded him, talking in hushed voices. Who would I blame this on? Myself? I didn't owe him anything but at the end of the day, I was his only daughter. No one else will take care of him. The doctor came over to me and introduced himself."I'm Dr. Smith, your father's doctor," he said. "I'm afraid the news isn't good."My heart dropped to my stomach. "What is it? You can tell me anything doctor.”"Your father has lung cancer. It's advanced, and we're not sure how much
I walked into the house, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. It had been a long day, but I was finally home, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with my mum. I found her sitting in the living room, watching TV, and I smiled as I approached her."Mum, I'm so happy to see you're feeling better," I said, giving her a warm hug.My mum smiled back at me, her eyes shining with love. "I'm feeling much better, sweetie," she said. "Thanks for taking care of the best care."I sat down next to her, feeling a sense of happiness wash over me. "I'm so glad to hear that, Mum," I said. "I've been worried sick about you."My mum smiled and took my hand. "I know, sweetie, and I appreciate all that you've done for me. But I'm feeling much better now, and that's all that matters."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "I'm just happy to see you smiling again, Mum," I said. "You deserve all the happiness in the world."My mum squeezed my hand. "You're a good daughter, Elinna," she said. "I'm so
CarlisleI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. The fluorescent lights above, humming softly, cast an artificial glow over the office. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of the mysterious person behind the email and the reporter's terrified expression.Just as I was starting to get lost in my thoughts, my phone rang, shrill and insistent. I picked it up, expecting it to be one of my associates. But instead, it was Elinna."Hey, Carlisle," she said, her voice warm and friendly. "I was thinking we should meet up and talk."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's on your mind?" I asked, trying to sound casual."I just wanted to discuss some things with you," she said. "Maybe we could grab coffee or something?"I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Sure, that sounds good," I said. "When were you thinking?""How about now?" she asked. "I'm free if you are."I glanced at my watch, calculating the time. "I'm good," I said. "Where do you want to meet?"
ELINNAI walked into the house, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. It had been a long day, but I was finally home, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with my mum. I found her sitting in the living room, watching TV, and I smiled as I approached her."Mum, I'm so happy to see you're feeling better," I said, giving her a warm hug.My mum smiled back at me, her eyes shining with love. "I'm feeling much better, sweetie," she said. "Thanks for taking care of the best care."I sat down next to her, feeling a sense of happiness wash over me. "I'm so glad to hear that, Mum," I said. "I've been worried sick about you."My mum smiled and took my hand. "I know, sweetie, and I appreciate all that you've done for me. But I'm feeling much better now, and that's all that matters."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "I'm just happy to see you smiling again, Mum," I said. "You deserve all the happiness in the world."My mum squeezed my hand. "You're a good daughter, Elinna," she said. "
CARLISLEI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. The fluorescent lights above hummed softly, casting an artificial glow over the office. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of the mysterious person behind the email and the reporter's terrified expression.Just as I was starting to get lost in my thoughts, my phone rang, shrill and insistent. I picked it up, expecting it to be one of my associates. But instead, it was the president's assistant."Carlisle, the president needs to see you in his office," she said, her voice crisp and professional.I groaned inwardly, feeling a sense of trepidation. I didn't want to go to the office, not now when I was in the middle of something important. But I knew I couldn't avoid it. The president's summons was not a request, it was a command."Okay, I'll be right there," I said, reluctantly.As I walked to the office, I couldn't help but wonder what the president wanted to see me about. Was it about the plot that was un
ELINNAI was sitting at home, watching TV and enjoying a quiet evening, when my phone rang. I answered it, expecting it to be a friend or family member calling to catch up. But instead, it was a call from the hospital."Hello?" I said, my voice calm."Elinna, this is the hospital. We've had your father brought in and we'd like you to come down to see him," the nurse said.My heart sank as I heard the words. "What's wrong?" I asked, feeling a sense of panic rising up inside me."He's in critical condition," the nurse replied. "We need you to come down to the hospital as soon as possible to see him."I quickly got up and grabbed my keys. "I'm on my way," I said, already heading out the door.As I drove to the hospital, my mind was racing with thoughts of my father. What had happened to him? Was he okay?When I arrived at the hospital, I rushed to the ICU unit where my father was being kept. I saw him lying in the bed, hooked up to machines and tubes. He was in a coma, and I could see th
CARLISLEI stared at the reporter, my eyes cold and calculating. "So, you're the one who's been spreading rumors about my company," I said, my voice firm.The reporter nodded, looking nervous. "I-I didn't know who sent me the information, sir," he stammered.I raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know?" I repeated, my voice incredulous. "How convenient."I nodded to my men, who stepped forward and started beating the reporter. He cried out in pain as they punched and kicked him. I watched, my expression unyielding.After a few minutes, I signaled for my men to stop. The reporter was gasping for breath, his face bruised and battered."Now, let's try this again," I said, my voice cold. "Who sent you the information?"The reporter shook his head, looking like he was about to pass out. "I-I don't know, sir," he whispered.I sighed, nodding to my men again. They continued the beating, stopping and starting several times. Each time, I would ask the reporter if he was ready to talk, and each time,
CARLISLEI stepped out of the shower, feeling relieved after a long work out. As I reached for the towel, I heard my phone ringing. I wrapped the towel around my waist and walked over to the phone. "Hello?" I answered, expecting it to be Elinna since I was still waiting for her text concerning my next date with Chase."Hey, boss," my tech guy, Alex, said on the other end. "I've got some bad news."I frowned. "What is it?" I asked, drying myself off with a towel."I couldn't trace the email," Alex said "No matter what I tried, I couldn't find any leads."Why were things going this way? It was just a damn email. Why was it so hard to find? "What do you mean you couldn't trace it? Everything can be traced. It's just a matter of how hard you try.""I know, boss," Alex said, sounding defensive. "But this email is different. It's like it came out of thin air. I've tried everything, but I couldn't find any digital footprint."I clenched my fist, feeling a wave of frustration wash over m
ELINNA. I sat at my desk, typing away on my computer as I tried to understand the points for our latest project.Lunch had passed and I missed it because I was too busy and I didn't even remember that I hadn't eaten . My mind was focused on the task at hand, but my fingers flew across the keyboard with a practiced ease.Just as I was getting so absorbed with everything, Lizzy poked her head into my office. "Elinna, we have a situation," she said, her voice low and serious. I looked up, sensing a hint of unease in her tone. "What is it? Did those damn reporters release another bomb?” She snorted before shaking her head "A few members from the board are here, and they want to see you," Lizzy replied. Well, that was odd. I didn't call for a meeting. What could they want to see me about? I wondered if it was related to the recent merger discussions or perhaps some issue with the company's finances. I also had things to say so.i guess this worked for both of us. I stood up, sm