The Man at the Door

Elena’s POV

I nearly dropped my phone when I heard the dread in the maid's voice.

"Miss Elena, you need to come home now! Your mother just fainted!" The maid panicked, sending a chill down my spine.

"What?" I stood straight, ignoring the people and the passion, heart racing . ""What do you mean she fainted? How? She was fine earlier. We-we spoke this morning!”

"I don't know, miss. Please come quickly, I don't know what to do!" The maid kept panicking.

The line went dead before I could ask anything more.

I stood for a moment, shock. My mom? Fainting? Did not add up. Very fit. Jogged each morning, ate healthy food, avoided sugar. She was as fit as a horse.

But thought the maid's voice sounded real. What could have changed from the moment we spoke to now?

I grabbed my purse and started walking out. I heard people mumbling behind me. Ryan called out, sounding unsure.

"Elena, wait—"

I turned back to Ryan and Mia, who stood there looking guilty. I gave them a cold smile. ""Don't let me stop the party. I mean, I’m just a figure in your past, you two enjoy your future.”

I turned to leave, ignoring the whispers.

For me, the drive to my mother's house took longer than at other times, my heart beating against my chest as it pounded hard. I held tightly to the steering wheel. I was imagining her lying down on the floor, maybe in a pool of her own blood. The maid trying to help her, perhaps waiting for an ambulance. I got scared.

"Please let her be okay,"" I whispered, parched throat. ""Please, Mom, be okay."

Already getting out of the car when I reached the driveway. Running to the door, pushing it wide open and halting when the stark contrast to my imaginations hit me.

The house was quiet.

Too quiet.

No nurses doctors, paramedics, or commotion. In fact, the air was filled with the aroma of beef stew. The table was set, candles were lit, and music was playing softly fron the kitchen.

"What…" I said, looking around. “What the actual fuck?”

I went on to the hallway, shouting, “ Mom! Hello! Is anyone home? Where's my mother? What happened?"

The maid appeared then from the kitchen; it was the same one who called me, sounding worried. She looked frightened to see me and she attempted to make a u-turn.

"Miss Elena-" she said as she quickly turned on her heels.

"You called me! You said she fainted! Where is she?" I said as I quickly moved forward to grab her arm before she fled and left me with more questions than answers.

"Miss, I..." she was saying, with dread in her eyes. “Your mother, uh, she-“

I was losing my patience. "Where is my mother?"

And then I heard a voice behind me.

""Let her go, Elena. She didn't do anything. You are scaring the poor maid.”

I turned around, and there she was: in the hallway looking fine, in a beautiful robe, with styled hair. And not an inch of sickness on her face.

I couldn't believe it. "Mom? Oh mom, thank Goodness you are fine. I was worried sick! What happened?”

Victoria smiled. "I'm sorry, dear. I just needed you to come home."

"What?"I held the maid's arm. “What’s happening?”

"Let her go,"she said. "It's not her fault. I told her to call you."

I let go of the maid, who fled. My heart was still beating wildly , but for other reasons. "You told her to lie? You made me think you were dying, Mom!"

Victoria sighed and came toward me sounding sorry. “I didn't mean to worry you, but I wanted you home. You haven't been around me for weeks, and I knew you wouldn't come if I asked."

I stared at her. "So you acted like you were dying to get me here? Is this a joke?"

"I just wanted us to have dinner,"she said. "We haven't talked in a long time."

Angry, I turned away. "Talk? Now you have something to talk about?"

"Elena—"

"No,"I said, turning to her. "You ignored Dad until your marriage fell apart, and everyone saw your scandal online. You think I can forget that?"

Pouting, she looked sad. "I've made mistakes, but I've been trying—"

"Trying?"I laughed. "Your trying is having the maid fake a medical problem? I don't believe you."

She looked down, feeling guilty. "Please don't leave," she said. ""Just stay for dinner. I cooked everything. I wanted tonight to be nice."

I looked at her with a tilt of anger and weariness. ""Nice? Why?""

""Because I wanted you to meet someone,"" she smiled.

I felt scared. ""No way. I'm not meeting anyone.""

""Elena, please,"" she said. ""You'll like him. He's different.""

""I'm not interested,"" I said, grabbing my bag. ""I won't get involved in your love life. Because only Heaven knows what would happen in this new relationship. Sorry, but I am not interested.”

And then the sound of tires crunching on the gravel on the driveway outside.

""He is here!"" said Victoria and smiled.

I didn't like it. ""Who's here?""

She turned to the door, fixing her hair. ""Your future stepfather.""

I stopped. ""You are engaged?""

""Surprise,"" she said, walking to the door.

I shook my head. I would not want to meet some man who'd probably hurt her.

I heard the door open and her happy voice. ""Honey!""

I turned to leave. I didn't want to see him, but then I heard his voice.

A deep voice I knew.

""Sorry I'm late. The traffic was bad."

I started to freak out.

I slowly turned.

Victoria was in a man’s arms, smiling.

I’ve seen this man twice!

Once in a hotel room.

Once at the office.

It couldn't be.

But it was.

Adrian Vaughn.

The man I slept with. The man who interviewed me. And now… my mother's future husband.

I stood there, scared. Victoria moved away from him, still smiling. ""Elena, meet Adrian — the man I told you about."