MasukThe OfficeELENA was in her office when they arrived without an appointment on a Thursday afternoon. Her eyebrows pulled together in a frown when she saw their names, and she felt an inexplicable anger filing her chest.Her assistant's message was still lighting up her screen:*There are two people in reception, they say they know you, I told them to wait but they're...*She didn't finish reading the message when the door opened.Clinton Brooks came in first, in the suit he reserved for occasions he wanted to communicate authority. Martha was a step behind him, wearing the expression Elena recognized from holiday dinners, like she had already made up her mind on how this conversation would go even if the other person didn't agree with her.Elena set her pen down and did not stand. She was not going to give them the benefit of making her look small and doubt herself. She had met these two people eleven times in eight years of marriage. She had watched them watch Marcus charm rooms. She
The filesELENA was cooped up in Eamon's house after she was discharged from the hospital because he wanted to monitor her health himself and make sure she wasn't stressing herself out. He even took out the liberty to have Karen visit her in the house just so he could explain why she couldn't start work immediately.Dr. Karen had understood and promised to get her a new assistant who would take care of things while Elena was away, and also give her updates on the current project they were working on."That's okay. You can ask Michelle in the meantime to fill in that position."Dr. Karen's expression changed slightly before she shook her head."Michelle resigned," Karen said tiredly.Elena leaned back into the sofa with a frown etched on her face. "When?""This morning. She walked into HR at eight and handed over her badge. She didn't give any concrete reason, but the letter said she was pursuing other opportunities." "Other opportunities meaning?""I investigated, and it turns out sh
The CollapseHER dream was different this time. It wasn't in the kitchen or the old apartment again. This time she was back in the parking garage where Marcus had his hands on her shoulders, but his face kept shifting... From Marcus, then a man she didn't recognize, then Marcus again. His voice seemed to be coming from everywhere all at once."They'll come for Evan. They'll come for everyone you love.""I will kill Evan. And that bastard boyfriend of yours."Each sentence was more sinister than the other, and even when she tried to run, her legs seemed stuck. She couldn't move even if she tried to."You think he can protect you?"Tears streamed down her eyes as Elena opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. She was just there, helpless, while the horror of everything kept repeating itself.*Elena woke up to Evan shaking her arm, trying to wake her up with tears in his eyes."Mom, wake up please." he was crying louder than she was screaming. "Stop screaming mommy, wake up."E
The Wrong NameAFTER speaking extensively to Karen about a certain person that she wanted from Lunaris Tech, Karen reluctantly agreed to let her join the team.Michelle arrived on a Wednesday, that was when she was supposed to resume work, but Elena had chosen that day simply because she had quieter mornings then and fewer eyes on the floor when someone new came through her door. She wanted to observe Michelle closely and ask the questions she was pressed with ever since her stay at Lunaris Tech.She watched the office door as Michelle came in with her laptop bag and her pressed blouse with her usual cold and composed professionalism, or she was probably pretending because she didn't want to look weak. Elena's assistant walked her to the junior workstation, and she gave it ten minutes before she stood up from her office towards Michelle's cubicle."Michelle."Michelle looked startled at first, and when her eyes landed on Elena, she stood up immediately with her back straightened. Sheo
The PressDR. KAREN had put flowers on the table. That was the first thing Elena noticed... not the cameras, not the journalists filling the rows with their lanyards and recorders with the hungry attention they wore before anything happened. The flowers. The fact that they were pure white and clean made her feel relaxed, like a reincarnation of her old self into something clean and pure. A better life. Whoever had made the choice about choosing the flowers, she appreciated them."You look extraordinary," Karen said when Elena walked in, and a blush stained the sides of her cheeks."The green was the right call." Elena adjusted the cuff of the blouse. "Thank you for this.""Thank yourself." Karen touched her shoulder briefly, warmly, giving her a look of confidenece because she knew that Elena was worth everything, especially the position at the company. "Ready?""More than ready," Elena flashed her beautiful set of white teeth as she was being led towards the table to be interviewed,
The Nightmares.THE restaurant hostess was already removing the second place setting when Elena walked in."Your guest came in but left just as soon." the woman said immediately Elena sat down. "She looked terrified and hurried out of the restaurant after waiting for five minutesElena sat in the chair, checking her phone to see if Tiara had at least left a message on it, but she saw nothing."Was there anyone she was particularly afraid of? Did she leave a message for you to give me?" Elena couldn't help but ask because she was stomped.She was currently in the mall's restaurant after she had made a private reservation for herself and Tiara just so she could throw Eamon off her trail, and now Tiara just stood her up. Or was someone threatening her? Did Marcus get to her first?All sorts of questions were running through her mind because Tiara was going to be the link she used to destroy Marcus once and for all.The hostess frowned slightly and thought about it. "I heard her mumbling
Gentle EncouragementTHE soft golden light of early evening filtered through the curtains when Evan stirred. He yawned, stretching his small arms above his head before swinging his legs off the bed.“Mom?” he called softly as he padded toward the kitchen.Elena was there, stirring a pot gently on t
When Walls FallTHE Saturday morning sun had barely crested the horizon when Elena’s peace was shattered. She had been enjoying a quiet breakfast with Evan— pancakes, syrup, and the boy’s endless chatter about dinosaurs, when an insistent knock at the front door startled her.“Mom? Who is it?” Evan
Shadows and LightMARCUS’S laughter echoed in the dimly lit gambling lounge, clinking glasses and the roar of slot machines forming a chaotic symphony around him. Cigarette smoke curled lazily toward the low ceiling, and the scent of cheap whiskey filled the room. He leaned back in his chair, swirl
Just The Three of ThemTHE evening settled gently over the city.By a few minutes to seven, Elena and Evan were ready. Nothing extravagant— just simple, neat elegance. Elena wore a soft knee-length dress in muted tones, her hair pulled back loosely, face fresh and unforced. Evan looked impossibly h







