9. Flowers?

ELOWEN

The piercing sound of my phone's ringtone disrupted the quiet atmosphere, as though stabbing the tranquility again and again.

I groaned in irritation, rolling over, pulling the pillow over my head. I barely slept the whole night, just paced around and went through the stupid scenarios that happened with me. In fact, I ignored my family's call, I didn’t have the face to pick up their calls—not after going viral in such a ridiculous way.

However, the caller didn't give me a break. Eventually, forcing me to glance at the bright screen, hoping to see either mom or dad, but no—it was Serena.

I finally answered… “Serena, what—”

“Elowen!” Her voice hit like a thunder, cutting my words off. “Where the hell were you last night?”

The shriek was so overwhelming that it hit right in my brain. My eyes fluttered, confusion gripping in.

“What?” I gasped.

“You went out alone, didn’t you?” She barked, sounding too frustrated. “Why did you go out? didn’t I ask you not to!? And why the hell didn't you answer my calls?”

I frowned, trying to gather my thoughts as I placed a hand on my eyes, shielding from the morning light. “I just… needed some food. Why—”

“Oh, for God’s sake, then why the hell you were with Alexander Veyrek!?” She roared through the phone and then it hit me, I bolted upright on the bed, the memories started crushing in full force.

“I…”

“Check the news!” She barked again, without even letting me speak.

Her tone made my stomach twist tightly. My fingers shook as I looked at my phone screen and went directly to the news feed, only to freeze…

The headlines, once again rolled around about circling the three of us—

‘Elowen Corvella storms out of Veyrek Tower — another scandal brewing?’

‘From millionaire’s wife to billionaire’s mistress?’

‘Elowen Corvella Caught leaving Alexander Veyrek’s private floor — midnight tryst or secret deal?’

The photos and videos were everywhere.

The grainy footage showed me walking out of Veyrek Tower, Alexander’s car pulling away behind me. The angles were deliberate, almost seemingly intentional!

“Serena…” My voice cracked. “I didn’t—”

“I know you didn’t,” she cut in sharply, but I could hear the clear frustration. “But the world doesn’t care. This looks bad, El. Really bad. Specifically, when you're trying to make your own business.”

“Wait—” she paused. “Did you talk to Mr Carson again?” She asked.

I blinked, swallowing hard. “I-i didn't. I wasn't in the situation…” I whispered.

“Okay,” I heard her heavy breath. “You need to call Carson right now before this spreads further, and explain things clearly.”

“I’ll handle it,” I said, though my throat was dry.

“Elowen, listen to me,” she pressed. “Adrian’s PR team is pushing this. I just saw his mother’s statement — they’re saying you used Hale Corporation’s funds for your perfume line. He’s playing the victim here.”

The phone almost slipped from my hand. “H-he’s—what?”

“Call Carson. Now!” She cut me, “and I'm on my way, so relax and call Carson.”

“O-okay…” I whispered slowly…

However—

Mr. Carson didn’t answer the call the first time. Or the fifth. It was as though he didn’t want to receive my call.

My tension heightened up. No doubt they had seen the news, heard the rumours. Does it mean they're backing off?— “No!” I shook my head.

“Don't think too much, Elowen. It'll be fine.” I tried to assure myself, which felt a little dry even to me.

I called him for the sixth time and finally—he received my call… “Miss Corvella. Sorry, I have missed your calls.” And hearing his tone, my heart dropped.

His tone was distant, sort of clipped, not the warm, friendly one he had had at our first meeting.

“I just got out of a meeting.” He added, and it definitely sounded like a reluctant excuse.

I swallowed hard, “umm—sorry Mr Carson, I didn’t mean to disturb too much, but… Well, I won't drag it too long, you’ve seen the news, right? It was all a—”

“Umm, Miss Corvella.” He spoke, cutting my words. “I was actually about to call you regarding this. The meeting I was in was about your fragrances. However, my partners didn't quite like it, besides, the situation—it's too much for us. So, I have to say, sorry, this partnership won't happen.”

The emptiness in my chest just twisted to a hollow. “B-but, it's not- it's not true. I can explain the situation.”

“Miss Corvella, it’s not about the truth. It’s about reputation. They think you’re not fitting right now. I'm sorry, I can’t save the deal.”

“Mr Carson, I—”

“I'm sorry, Miss Corvella. Hopefully, you'll understand.” And then— beep, beep, beep…

The call ended…

I stared at my reflection in the black screen of my phone — pale, hollow-eyed, helplessly useless. As if the world had just given up on me.

Everything I had dreamed about— all burned down in less than twelve hours…

However, this wasn’t the end, not at all and I realised it when at around 12 P.M. the doorbell rang in my small apartment.

I stiffened, completely wanting to ignore, but thinking it could be Serena, I dragged myself to the door and opened it, only to find a deliveryman standing there, holding a sleek black box tied with a silver ribbon.

“Delivery for Ms. Elowen Corvella.” He said.

I blinked, my stomach knotted. “Who sent it?” I asked, suppressing the tremble in my tone.

The delivery man frowned, “not mentioned.”

I gazed at the box and finally took it from him. After taking my sign, the delivery man left.

With the box in my hand, I went back to my small couch. It looked expensive—but who could send it? What intention? Is it something bad?

I pressed my ear to it, but nothing. After a while of staring at it, I finally decided to open it. However, what I found inside, rendered me speechless…

Inside were black dahlias. Elegant and ominous at the same time, a black card was attached with it.

‘You refused my deal. Now watch how fast the world burns — Alexander Veyrek.’

My eyes stared, frozen at the flowers, dumbfounded and shocked.

What the bloody—!?