I sat in my room, thinking on how I would get the money needed for David's treatment. The weight of responsibility and the heaviness of debt, I felt like fainting. "Should I talk to Mitchell about it?" I thought but I didn't want to lose being friends with her. "What if she feels I only want her because of her Money? No, I won't." But then, remembering David's condition pushed me into making the decision to talk to Mitchell."I will talk to her about it. I will do whatever it is she wants if she demands it." I made up my mind and I didn't consider any other option as Mitchell was like my only hope at that time. I sat up late, waiting for my Dad as it kept raining cats and dogs. I was really worried because he had no friends, or relatives he could go to that night. With his present state, I had no choice but to go into the rain to look for him. I picked up the little umbrella we had, David's fifth year birthday present from my Dad and dashed into the heavy rain.I had only walked
The whole bar was turned into a beautiful, and perfectly decorated place, one would barely believe it was a bar. "For sure Ethan Stone should be a very wealthy man." I whispered before I was dragged into the kitchen by Sarah."What are you doing?""What do you mean?" I was perplexed"You should have your best dress on because the party will be starting soon.""Have you forgotten we're staff here?""Yeah, but we can party while we attend to the guests too.""No, no. I don't want to get into trouble." I shook my head and was about to leave when Sarah pulled me back."It's for your own good. If you really want to save your brother, you should get dressed." Her expression was bleak. "What does she mean?" I was thrown into confusion but still could not figure out what she meant.Missing out on any opportunity was the last thing I wanted at that time. If Sarah was asking that I put on something nice, then I should. I got out of the bar, it was almost dark. Guests were trooping in. I need
Even though the celebration was done, the night had just started. I couldn't escape the bad sensation that had settled on me as I made my way home through the streets that were weakly illuminated. I was determined to keep the recollection of Ethan's startling advances a secret because it was still fresh in my mind. I was conscious that exposing such a thing may have significant implications, especially from the ears of the other work colleague and my employer. I could hear rapid footsteps behind me just as I went down the road. My colorful and noisy bar friend Sarah was coming up to me as I turned around. Her eyes were sparkling with eagerness, and her cheeks were flushed."Hey Elah, why the rush? You didn't even wait for the after party." She said panting and smiling."You won't believe the night I had, Elah." Sarah replied with delight in her voice.I offered her a feeble grind as my own night had been an emotional rollercoaster. "Tell me everything about it."As Sarah grabbed
Over the last few days, I had been through a world of emotions, and I was hardly able to keep up with the many tragedies that had engulfed my life. Mitchell was still at the hospital battling for her life.I left the hospital after a few hours, walking back home when I received a call. "Elah, where are you?""Dad, what's happening? Are you okay?""Yes, yes. I just received a call from the hospital saying David should be brought back." He remarked while panting fast."What! How come?" "I don't know, but I need you here right away." "Alright, I'm on my way already." I disconnected the phone and rushed as quickly as I could. Immediately I came home, we parked a few things and hurried to the hospital. "Good day doctor.""Good day." David was quickly taken into the emergency department and my entire body was flooded with delight. "Dad, what really happened, did you make any payment?""Not at all, I only pleaded with the doctor, but he refused, only to call me back this morning. I am
Night-time of digging, I found a name that continued to spring up in various distributions and reports: Ethan Stone, a tycoon perceived for his generous activities in the City. My heartbeat hustled as I looked into his contact subtleties, my finger waiting over the call button."Could this at any point be Ethan Stone at the bar a few evenings ago?"Pictures of him weren't shown on the various destinations where his name was referenced concerning the tremendous sum of money he gave, which left me in the dark.With a full breath, I called the number, and my heart hustled in my chest as I waited for somebody to pick."Hello," a voice on the other end said.I made a sound as if to speak, endeavoring to get comfortable with myself. "Hello, I am Elah. I... I would love to speak to Mr. Ethan Stone, please."There was a period of silence before the voice said, "I'm sorry, but Mr. Ethan is in a meeting and will not be available. Can I at any point get a message across to him?"My heart plunge
"You came to me for help. I never asked you to. If I was throwing out my money to just anyone out there, I guess I would have been more wretched than you are." He said feeling no remorse for his harsh words."Do you also get something in return from those orphans and widows you give support to?" "Nothing goes for nothing. I always have my way around things." "But…""Look! If you're here to question me on how I use my money, then you should reserve those comments and don't waste my time.""I'm sorry, I don't think I can marry someone like you." Ethan gave a long smirk and said, "I'm sorry, you don't have a choice here.""What do you mean?""You are mine and that's final." His words sounded firm."You think you can buy me with your money? Well, I just said I am not interested.""Then you should talk to your Father, it seems he left you in the dark." He placed his glasses firmly on his face and walked out of the office. Not too long, his secretary came in and ordered me out. Tears r
Ethan added, "I would rather not make this marriage too tough for you. You've agreed to marry me, and I've told you what you stand to gain. You'll have financial security, and your family won't ever from now on need to worry about their future."Ethan took in, and momentarily, there was a sprinkle of culpability in his eyes. "I understand that I acted outrageously during the party, and I'm sorry about that. Nonetheless, I have my justification for this marriage, and it's not just about me. You are the most helpful here."I looked up at him, confused by his weird comments. "Your explanation could be a little more clear."He looked at me and left. "Would you always walk away without answering my questions?" I yelled. "Afterall, I'd be your so-called wife in two days' time." It appeared to be that my words had no significant effect on him as he left with his secretary.I was staggered by his certification. I hadn't perceived that there was a connection between Ethan and David's treatment
Ethan proceeded, "I likewise have my explanations behind needing to help your family. It's not just about the fight. There are things I can't talk about at the moment, yet I promise that I will do everything possible to make this marriage work."I gestured, my brain actually dashing with vulnerability. "I trust you're coming clean, Ethan. My family's future, and my sibling's life, rely on this."He connected and grasped my hand, his hold firm and consoling. "Elah, I realize this is a tough decision for you, however I guarantee that I will constantly be there for you."I was unable to deny the sincerity in his eyes, and a little good omen mixed inside me. Perhaps, quite possibly, this marriage could end up being more than I had thought.As we remained there in the twilight garden, I understood that my life had veered off in a strange direction, and the way forward was as yet unsure. Yet, not entirely set in stone to make the best of the circumstance, for my family and the future that
He held out Thomas' diary, his eyes contending.“Elah, I read this. I discovered the truth, the whole truth. Thomas manipulated everything. I believed the lies he said about you, and I am so sorry.” I took the diary, flipping through its pages. The lies goggled back at me, the crooked web of dishonesty, the treason, and the woeful words of distrust. “How could you believe these, I never once made you doubt my loyalty to you even as your contracted wife, Ethan.” “I know Elah, I allowed my jealousy to get the better side of me.” “Ethan, how do I know this is not just another of your games?” I asked, skeptical. He shook his head, despair in his eyes.“I lost everything, Elah. I lost you. I lost myself. I can not change the past, but I want to make amends.” “If I was joking, I wouldn't be here kneeling in public and telling you how much I want you Elah. You have shown me what true love really is. I had not experienced the kind of love you showed me during those times we were to
I took a deep breath, turning down from the window and walking into his ward. The discomfort in my stomach grew with each step I took towards David's bedside. His eyes met mine, and he shouted causing him to burst into tears. I wished I could shield him from the pain that awaited.But the truth had a cruel way of revealing itself anyways. “Why did you leave me Elah, I thought you and Dad abandoned me?” David wept bitterly as he spoke.“I would never leave you David. I am so sorry, please forgive me?”“Where's Daddy, why isn't he here? Is he tired of my illness?”. I wept profusely.I knew I needed to let him know and so I gathered all the strength I needed to talk and said, “David,” I began, my voice catching in my throat.“We need to talk.” He mustered a weak smile, his pale face contorted in a blend of expectation and fear.“What is it, Elah? Talk to me, where is Daddy?” I took a seat beside him, holding his hand in mine. The weight of the words I was about to utter felt like
Immediately Prisca and Anna burst into tears, causing me to weep also.Mr. Joe with a teary-eyed reply, “Elah, we will not abandon you. We will find a way, I promise.” With a forced smile I said, “You've done enough, Mr. Joe. Please, take care of David and let him know I love him.” As they left the station, their steps faded, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I could not bear the thought of dragging them into my web despair. The tears that welled up in my eyes betrayed the strength I had tried so hard to maintain. The battle for justice had taken an unanticipated turn, leaving me to grapple with the consequences of my acts. The air in the courtroom was thick with pressure as we waited for the Judge to deliver the verdict on my case.Mr. Joe, the twins, Gabriel, and I stood there, a dimmed tableau of anxiety. Lima, my colleague from Ethan's company, was also present, but her countenance was different from the rest of us. She seems to carry a heavy burden, her eyes swolle
“Your Honor, these documents detail the elaborate scheme orchestrated by Mr. Jakes. From the falsification of Ethan’s death to that of my parents. This evidence is genuine.” The court registrar asserted a strong resoluteness in his look. The Judge, in his authority, gazed at Mr. Jakes.“Mr. Jakes, do you have anything to say in your defense?” Mr. Jakes stammered, putatively caught off guard by the weight of the evidence presented against him.“This is absurd! I have done nothing of this kind. Those documents are fabricated, Your Honor.” Ethan was ready for this. With a calm address, he turned to the judge.“Your Honor, I expected this response. That is why I've brought more evidence and also used myself as one to support my claims.” Ethan unbuttoned his shirt and showed the Judge exactly where Mr. Jakes shot at him the night he killed my father. A series of witnesses were called to the stage, each attesting to the shady dealings and manipulative tactics employed by Mr. Jake
I ran like I never did before, fueled by a blend of fear, determination, and the burning desire to reunite with Ethan. I immediately made my way to Mr. Joe's sister's house to change my clothes, gather my things, and restrategize before facing the challenges that lay ahead. The familiar scent of the house offered a evanescent respite, and with a quick change and a heist of my bag, I was ready to leave for Mr. Joe's place before the search for me began.As soon as I arrived at the hospital where Ethan was, relief washed over me like a gentle drift. To my surprise, Ethan was awake. The joy that swelled within me was overwhelming, and I could not stay to embrace him, to hold him in my arms after what felt like an eternity. With the documents in hand, I eagerly handed them over to Mr. Joe, our silent passing understanding to each other. The fact that Ethan was conscious and on the path to recovery overshadowed every fear and consequences of my act.After all, I wouldn't stay in
"This is a blow, Elah. But we can not give up. We will find a way. We always do, “he assured, though the weight of the situation lingered in his tone. Seven months had passed since Ethan fell into a coma, and the lack of progress in his condition counted heavily on my spirit. The little income from my cleaning job slightly covered his bills. Mr. Jakes's hatred for me remained unvarying, and Thomas's incuriosity persisted. The following day, as I diligently went about my cleaning duties, the unanticipated sight of Thomas standing before me jolted me out of place.James called me to his desk and said, “Elah, I need you to take over the cleaning of Mr. Jake's office for this week.” My eyes widened as I looked at him.“I understand you don't want to face what happened the last time but you are the only person that can do this.”“What about Lima, she has been the one handling his office even before I came here to work.”“Lima is sick. And she has been admitted to the hospital
Without a second thought, she locked herself inside, seeking consolation from whatever had happened within the confines of Thomas's office. The sound of her muffled heartbreaks echoed through the whole room, creating an atmosphere of pressure. I dithered for a moment, torn between esteeming her buried body and offering a comforting presence. The weight of the knowledge that I carried, the scene that occurred behind the doors of Mr. Jakes and Thomas’ office, prompted me to take action. Swallowing my apprehension, I gently knocked on the door. “Lima, it's me, Elah. Can I come in? I just want to make sure you are okay,” I said calmly. For a brief moment, there was silence on the other side. With a loud shriek, Lima spoke, her voice cracking with the weight of her feelings.“Leave me alone, Elah. I do not need your pity or help.” I ignored her words and stepped forward, leaning against the bathroom door. The seconds ticked by as Lima wept in solitariness. I could not shake
Prisca, always the open one, raised their collaborative sentiment, “A cleanser? Why not a better job, Elah? Did you not finish your education?” I sighed, realizing that explaining the complications of my life was no simple task.“It's a long story, girls. But trust me, there is a reason for everything. You will understand soon.” Despite their original reservations, the twins mustered a semblance of enthusiasm for my job. Gabriel, always the probative family son, decided to lighten the mood by promising me a makeover. His plan was to disguise my identity, icing that no one recognized me while I navigated my plan. The night passed, a mixture of happiness and expectation. Gabriel worked his magic, transforming my appearance to ensure that I blended seamlessly into a different person entirely.The morning sun brought with it a new morning, and I felt a swell of determination as I prepared for my first day on the job. Arriving at the office beforehand, I met James, who wasted
“I will.” As James walked down, I felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. The first step into Ethan's company had proven more grueling than I expected, but I was determined to navigate the complications ahead. The hassle with Stella served as a stark memorial that the path to justice was full with challenges, and Elah, fueled by determination.I decided to take a walk around the company, feeding my eyes and taking memories of each part of the company. As soon as I got tired I decided to go to the hospital where David was. I knew it was not going to be possible to see him but I just wanted to see how he was faring. So I left the company and boarded a taxi.Firstly I sat in a coffee shop not far from the hospital thinking of how I was going to break the news of father's death to David.I didn't know I had stayed at the coffee shop for hours thinking.I shook myself off and left for the hospital.The evening sky cast a soft gleam as I arrived, my heart heavy with the weight of the