"Only six months on the job and already trusted to cover such a big news story. Impressive, isn't it? I think she's the only one who can get something this special."
"What can I say? Kylie had an accident. And we all... have our interview assignments this weekend."
"I think we should replace Kylie. And—"
"I replace all of you?"
A voice interrupted the quiet conversation in the pantry that afternoon. An unexpected voice that instantly made the two adult women with coffee cups in their hands jump in surprise. Together they turned towards the source of the voice, right at the door, where a woman was standing.
"Elice?"
The woman was Elice. Dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and pants, she entered the pantry, smiling calmly as if she hadn't heard anything.
Elice went to the small shelf on the other side of the room, took a cup and its saucer, and then approached her two colleagues.
"Uh... may I excuse myself for a moment?" Elice
"So you came this afternoon just to tell me that you won't be able to come home this weekend?"At that time, when the sunlight had begun to fade, Elice took the opportunity to stop by Wilda's house. It was a simple one-story building, almost adjacent to the neighbors. There was only a small multifunctional courtyard. It served as a place for Wilda to tend to some of her favorite plants and also to dry clothes."Yes, Mom. You could say that. I'll be working overtime tomorrow, so I thought I'd go straight to my apartment."Living in different places was not the ideal solution for Elice. But circumstances forced them to. The current location of Wilda's house was quite far from Elice's workplace, so she lost valuable time just commuting. Not to mention fatigue. So, despite the difficulties, the decision was made.Elice was reluctant to part with Wilda, but at least she felt reassured. Wilda didn't live alone, she had someone with her."Overtime? It's n
The memory of that night flashed through her mind. The dim light barely allowed Elice to see the face of the man who approached her. The warmth in his gaze invited her to get to know him, to talk to him, and maybe more.In a hotel room, Elice found the man delving further into her life. Until she decided that the incident was nothing more than an insignificant distraction, something she needed to forget as quickly as possible.But who would have guessed? Despite her best efforts to avoid it, even after miles apart, their paths somehow crossed again. In a place she never expected?Oh, God. It felt like Elice's body was shaking from top to bottom. It was almost as if all her joints suddenly lost their strength. For one question kept swirling in her head.How? How could this happen?Trying to look away from those intense eyes, Elice realized that her body seemed to have a mind of its own. She couldn't seem to shift her focus from there. As if
The apartment Garrett visited late at night was not in the category of elite apartments. Even for the middle class, it felt rather modest. Although, of course, it wasn't considered low-end either. At least the facilities were good and more than sufficient for residents or visitors.Standing in front of the door marked 1109, Garrett took a deep breath. He looked hesitantly at the bell. Frankly, he was conflicted.Garrett wasn't the kind of man who pursued women. He wasn't the kind of man who was obsessed with a woman who happened to have a one-night stand with him. No, he wasn't that kind of guy. But honestly, he couldn't get the image of Elice out of his mind.Besides, Garrett had an upcoming wedding to organize. He didn't want to act immature. But sometimes Garrett wondered. Maybe this was fate.Finally, Garrett decided to test the waters. Instead of ringing right away, he sent a message first. To a new number he had saved some time ago. Of course, the m
Because when Garrett finally found Elice, faced her and sat down with her, all the considerations and thoughts that accompanied Garrett seemed to disappear. More than that, he was curious about Elice's current situation. About her life now."Have you been well for the last six months?"With just one glance, Garrett could feel the shock in Elice's eyes. But then she quickly regained control of herself. She seemed calm, although there was still a subtle tremor.Garrett smiled faintly. "I've come to the club several times since that night. I thought you would come back and we could talk like that. But you never came back. It made me wonder.""I'm fine," Elice replied with a returning smile. Despite her surprise at seeing Garrett again, she had to admit it. "Thank you.""For asking about your well-being?"Elice shook her head slightly. "No," she replied. "But thank you for tonight."Elice's shoulders seemed to rise with rhythm for a momen
Garrett knew he was pathetic. But what could he do? Just meeting Elice made him feel messed up; he didn't want to add to the chaos.The idea of approaching Elice and marrying her Garrett put out of his mind. He didn't want to use Elice for his own interests. Though in reality Garrett wasn't sure. Did he really just want to use her, or was this just like a spark of gasoline on a flame?Indeed, Garrett couldn't forget Elice from that night. And the fact that he had to get married soon made Elice's image even stronger in his mind.There are several reasons why I shouldn't consider marrying Elice, apart from those two things. Elice is Ariel's ex-girlfriend and she has no feelings for me.Garrett closed the subject by lying down on his bed. He still had six months. And in six months, he knew. Anything could happen. Either he would find another woman or the opposite.That morning, Garrett, who had just come down from the second floor where his r
"Didn't I already tell you? Elice doesn't love you. She came to you because she wanted your money. She's only after your wealth, Ariel. And you don't believe what I say? Huh?! Love? Hahaha."At the dining table, where life should be as smooth as the food served there, Farrah was seen slamming a photo. Right next to Ariel's plate. Pausing his breakfast, the sight caused Ariel's focus to shift. To that portrait.Ariel picked up the photo with shaking hands. His eyes widened in disbelief at what he saw. Farrah chuckled and crossed her arms."Isn't that proof enough for you?" Farrah taunted her son. "Isn't this reason enough for you to open your eyes, Ariel? Oh my God! I told you repeatedly. Elice is just after your money. She's just liked any other common woman. Getting close to a rich man to secure her life."Ariel struggled to swallow. He shook his head, either trying to reject his mother's words or refusing to acknowledge the scene in the photo."D
Just by hearing her voice, Garrett could guess what had happened to Elice just by hearing her name. Of course, the woman was not in a good condition. And that immediately made him uneasy. "Elice," Garrett said her name. "Where are you now? Are you okay?" Inside the moving car, driven by his private chauffeur, Garrett couldn't contain the pressure. He had contacted Elice after learning that Daphne and Carolus had met her at his office. He was sure that Elice must be in shock. "I'm in the office, Garrett. And what is happening right now? I don't understand at all. Earlier there was an old lady..." Garrett dramatically closed his eyes. His jaw tightened immediately. "...talking about a lot of things I don't understand. Oh God. I'm really confused right now." Garrett took a deep breath. He had to stay calm. That was the most important thing right now. "I think we should get together, Elice." Amber, who was sitting right nex
Garrett's explanation didn't make Elice feel any better. On the contrary, she rose from her seat. With a terrified expression on her beautiful face, she shook her head repeatedly.Elice's feet took a step back. When Garrett also stood up, he immediately created a distance and did not allow him to approach her."Elice."Garrett's outstretched hand was powerless against the silent rejection Elice gave him. His large fingers hung in the air, unable to reach their target. Only to find the emptiness of the air.Elice shook her head again, trying to deny the reality that was now before her eyes. The reality that finally made her understand why her name had been spread everywhere in the form of humiliating articles."Is that why?" Elice asked incredulously. Her voice sounded shaky. "Is this all because you are getting married soon and I happened to be there?"Garrett really did not like the last question that came out of Elice's mouth. But of all t