Elena POV In a cafe not too far from the office, I sat beside Damien with a cup of coffee in my hand.“ Thank you Damien for agreeing to meet with Pete” I said smiling.He nodded, brushing it off like it was nothing.Earlier I had called him to accompany me out and even though he didn't know why he still agreed. He's really such a sweet soul and I'm grateful he accompanied me.Pete soon arrived a few minutes later with an annoying smirk on his face. He settled down opposite me staring from me to Damien.“ What?” I asked, tired of the silence.“ Another one…” he said nonchalantly.I rolled my eyes at him not wanting to indulge in any talk that's not related to the business that carried me here in the first place.“ You can ignore him if you want, just give me what I came here to collect,” I said. He looked at me for a while which irritated me and annoyed me at the same time. “ Look Pete..”“ I want to talk to you alone” he interrupted in a more serious and unarguable tone.I sighed k
Elena POV Staring at my phone screen as I sat at Nana's bedside. I read the text over and over again.My father's house. I had long forgotten about that. I had long forgotten about everything he took from me and how he deceived me.Why was he back? Why can't he just let me have my peace. Now that I seem to be happy, he just had to come back into my life and for what?For what?I felt frustrated and at the same time mandated to go. This was my only chance to get back what I lost months ago and I'm not going to let it slip from my hand.But should I trust him? No, never, I'll never trust him again after everything he has done to me. He practically humiliated and abandoned me to survive on scraps.He's the reason why I am in this situation in the first place. If only we had married, I probably wouldn't be so emotionally stressed out. If only he was faithful.Of Course I was going to collect what was mine but this time I won't be going alone. I bit my lower lips calculating how to get
Elena POV I stood still in front of the hospital room door unable to live. I couldn't bring myself to just get up and leave even though I didn't know what I did wrong.All I did was cook for her.She looked very happy eating them earlier, what changed. What?And Alex? How could he blame me that fast without even bothering about asking anything and who told him I cooked. It was meant to be a surprise for him.Does this mean he doesn't trust me?Does this mean I won't even stand a chance? What was I even thinking, being happy about my feelings? I bit my lips, tears streaming down slowly as the realization settled in that I and Alex are very far apart in every aspect.It really broke me into pieces thinking he could just accuse me just like that without any further understanding at all.Was it all that was to him?I really hope Nana is alright.“ Ma’am” a guard called me back to reality. “ Young master said we should escort you home”“ Tell him I'll wait here Instead” I insisted.The
By the time we got home, it was 3 o'clock. Nana was taking her rest after her afternoon medications. I didn't see Alex, his car wasn’t in the driveway, and I didn’t bother asking where he went. Probably work. Or maybe somewhere else, who knew anymore?I'm sure he had gone to the office. No one was around, except maids doing their usual.After dropping the items on the kitchen counter I thanked the guards and then proceeded to prepare what I needed to cook with.The maids insisted even when I said they should relax and be free.They exchanged looks—hesitation, guilt maybe—but eventually they stepped back. Still hovering nearby. Still watching. I guess no one here really knew how to relax.I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.Chopping, peeling, rinsing. The familiar motions calmed my racing thoughts. It's been a long time since I actually cooked a real meal.It's either the chefs or restaurant food. It's a good thing I insisted on making these myself. After all, I'm cooking for Nana
Elena POV The sun shone down on me, a little too warm for this early on the day. The market buzzed with noise, people shouting, kids running around laughing, the rustling and metallic noise filled the air. Earlier I had asked the driver to stop at a local market instead of those high boring ones. Here I could get the fresh ingredients.Walking slowly through the vegetable section this brought me back to the old times where every time I got off work I would always branch to the market to get what I wanted.Pricing and sometimes quarreling with the market vendors. I chuckled slightly, shaking my head trying to pretend as if among these memories Nana's word wasn't stuck in my brain.Loud and clear.“Before you go, I need to tell you something.”I touched the pendant wrapped around my neck resting amicably on my chest. Her tone and her serious face was enough to make someone shit in their pants.And what she had just told me was something impossible that even if I had a chance won't sti
Elena “Alex?” I whispered again, shifting slightly in his arms, my voice barely above a murmur.He didn’t respond immediately. His breathing was slow, warm against my neck like a lullaby I didn’t want to end. But I had to ask. I needed to. Even if it meant ruining this moment.“Alex…?” I said for the third time, gently nudging his arm.“Mmm?” he finally answered, voice groggy, rough, sleepy… and he still managed to sound annoyingly husky.I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting against his skin. I could feel him breathing. His chest rose and fell under my palm. So calm. So peaceful. And here I was, about to break it.“I want to ask you something,” I said softly.I wasn't sure what I'm about to ask him, if he would take it lightly but I had to try. This was the only time I would get him at his best.He loosened his grip on me just slightly, enough for me to tilt my head up and meet his eyes. He blinked, obviously still half-asleep, but I'm sure he was still listening.“so, I… I was thinking
Elena POV He didn’t say anything either. His hand moved slowly, fingers brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face. The tiniest of touches, but it sent lightning all through me.I felt like my brain had short-circuited."I've missed you, Elena," he whispered suddenly, like it was a secret just for me. Like he wasn’t surprised. Like he liked it.And I... I couldn’t take it anymore.“Y-you should sleep,” I said quickly, voice a little too high, a little too panicked. I looked away, trying to hide the way my face was burning. "We have a long day tomorrow."“Mhm,” he hummed again, already moving closer, tighter, like he had no intention of letting me go.“ Alex you ….”“ Shush….” He shushed me placing a finger on my lips then tracing my lips while his other hand that held me in place slid down.I gulped as I felt something hard underneath me. Oh GodMy heartbeat erupted like a disturbed volcano wanting to pop out in any minute.The night gown I wore was much of a help to me as he
Elena POV The sudden pull towards him made my head immediately bump into him.“ Ouch” I gritted my teeth in pain trying to pull away this time. “ Let me go”I struggled a little before releasing me, still wrapping his shirt on me.I tried removing it but I knew my stupid act would just make me fall sick and that was the last thing I wanted to happen.So, I just held on tight to his shirt, covering myself with it.“ you're still stubborn” he said,I adjusted, shooting him glares.Minutes ticked by and the night never seemed to come to an end. “ Achoo” I heard him sneeze beside me.With weary eyes I glanced over at the shirtless Alex by my side who was already freezing to death.His face pale, his lips slightly trembling as he rubbed his palms together for warmth.Men are really something else. Why give me your shirt when you know you also need it.Always trying to prove a point.I sighed, guilt tugged at my chest. I was the one wrapped up in his shirt while he sat there, exposed to t
Elena POV “ Guess she found it” I smiled as he stared at the bear like it was some ghost from the past.“Look, I know it’s not my business,” I continued before he could say anything. “I know I shouldn’t be sticking my nose into things that have nothing to do with me. But—” I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself, “ I don't have my parents with me no more and you still have one. I just don't want you to regret this at the end.”He didn’t say anything.“please nick, there's more to what's beneath the eyes”Nick looked up at me finally, still holding the bear. His eyes were unreadable, dark with something I couldn’t name.“You really think there’s more to the story?” he asked. “More to why she left?”“I do,” I said firmly. “I mean, I might be wrong, but… what if you’re wrong too? What if what you saw wasn’t everything? Just this once, Nick… look into it. Ask her. Just try. And if you find nothing—if nothing changes—I won’t say another word about it.”He was quiet for a while. Then he n