The search

“Take you to the hospital? No way! You said you didn't want to go to one anymore!” Bryan stammered, trying to find excuses.

“I know I said that, but this is different! I want to see her and find out how she’s doing!” Grandpa Morris insisted.

Bryan’s mind raced. He needed a solid excuse to stop his grandfather from going to the hospital, or he would ruin everything.

“What are you waiting for? Get the car ready!” Grandpa Morris instructed the driver standing in the corner.

He also called for his caregiver to come closer. Bryan knew he had to step in.

“You know she comes from a strict family. Her dad is an army general who protects her fiercely!” Bryan lied, but Grandpa Morris believed him.

The old man waved the caregiver away, giving Bryan a small sigh of relief.

“Tell me more about her dad! Where is she from? What’s her family’s name? She sounds like she comes from a powerful background!” Grandpa Morris leaned in, grinning as if he had won a prize.

Bryan started to sweat; he didn’t know what else to say, because he didn't know much concerning Elena. He wished it was Doris that presented the speech, it would have been a lot better because he knew her well. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words. He closed it, smiled, cleared his throat, and adjusted his tie.

“Are you okay, Bryan? Tell me about your fiancée!” Grandpa Morris pressed, eager not to miss anything.

Just then, someone at the party stood up to make a toast. “Attention everyone!” 

“Thank goodness!” Bryan sighed, relieved as the focus shifted away from him.

Meanwhile, at the old restaurant, Theresa checked on her guest, who had been sleeping since she returned. She knocked gently on the door.

“Hello, dear? Are you alright?” Theresa asked softly.

Elena stretched and yawned. “Good afternoon, Theresa. How long have I been asleep?” her eyes still closed.

“Since you got back. Are you okay?” Theresa replied as she entered the room.

Elena opened her eyes and nodded, feeling weak and hungry.

Theresa touched her forehead. “Wow, you’re hot! You should go to the hospital or back home. You haven’t told me why you came here.”

Elena quickly pretended to be fine. “No, I’m okay! I don’t want to go home. I want to start my life here as an adult, doing things my own way and staying away from backstabbers!”

The old lady chuckled, recalling how her daughter had run away a few years back and returned with a baby.

“You need to be careful. The outside world isn’t as great as it seems. Life can be tough, and I hope you don’t make a mistake you’ll regret,” she warned.

Elena nodded then said,

“Can I stay here for at least one more night?” Elena pleaded, desperate for shelter.

“Of course! You can stay as long as you’re honest with me. It’s lonely here anyway,” Theresa said quietly. “Jack isn’t always home.”

Elena hugged the woman tightly, grateful for her kindness.

“Here’s your payment for today. You can join me at the restaurant if you want,” Theresa said, handing her an envelope before leaving.

Elena was shocked to receive money. She opened the envelope and counted the notes, there was more than she expected.

“Thank you so much, Bryan! You seem tough, but you have a good heart!” she said to the wall, imagining him there.

She felt relieved to have cash to find a small apartment and start her life. But when she tried to stand, a sharp pain hit her lower abdomen.

“I think I need to go to the hospital tomorrow. I don’t want anything to happen to my child,” she murmured, gently touching her flat stomach.

Later, at the hotel, after the dinner, everyone headed to their rooms. Bryan was one of the first to go because he didn’t want to talk to Grandpa Morris until he had answers for him.

In his room, he searched his phone for the girl who helped him but couldn’t find her name, now remembering that he didn't ask when they met. He knew he needed more information about her before the next day.

“Can you bring that girl to me first thing tomorrow morning?” he called the man who had helped him.

“You mean Elena?” the voice on the other end replied.

“Yeah, the one from earlier today.”

“Sure, boss, but I don’t have her direct contact. I got her through a guy who acts like a thug. I thought you said she did a great job?”

Bryan rubbed his face in frustration. “You got her through a thug? I wanted a responsible lady! How can I explain to my grandfather that she’s from the streets?” 

He insisted they find the girl before ending the call.

The next morning, he didn’t wait for the messenger; he went straight to his house.

“Let’s go to her place. I need to talk to her face to face!”