Leo’s heart skipped and picked up pace as soon as he saw her legs step out of the elevator.“Ellen?” Leo muttered to himself as he slowly raised his head, his eyes following the length of her body.By the time Leo’s eyes got to her face, she was already standing in front of him."Hello, Leo,” she said with a smile on her face.Leo’s eyes turned unreadable as he replied, “Hello Sandra, what are you doing here?”Sandra looked dashing in her outfit; she had dressed to impress, and she was not so pleased by Leo’s plain reaction.“Am I not allowed into your office any longer?” Sandra asked quietly.“It’s already the end of work, Sandra; how did you even get up here?” Leo asked her as he opened his office door for them to go into the office.“I saw Mr. Phillips, and he told me you’re still in the office.” Sandra replied as they walked to the lounge and had their seats.Leo sat down and unbuttoned his suit button as he closed his eyes for a second. He had been thinking about Ellen and had as
“That was Sandra; I just saw them together,” Ellen muttered as she watched the scene in front of the hotel lobby unfold before her eyes.Ellen stood rigid as she watched the car drive out of the lobby. She could not move; her eyes were filled with pain.“What were you expecting? Why the hell did you even come here, Ellen?" Ellen chastised herself.“Of course he has moved on; what was I expecting?” Ellen muttered as she turned left.“Damm you, Leo, and dammn you, Sandra,” Ellen muttered as she got a cab back to the house. Deciding to take a walk to clear her head, Ellen alighted from the cab a few blocks from the house.“Hey, Ellen." Ellen heard someone call out to her from behind. Reluctantly, Ellen turned around and saw Emily.“Damm, what is she doing here?” Ellen hissed to herself just before Emily could get to her.“Hi, Emily,” Ellen said, her voice plain and her face partially covered by the face cap. Ellen wondered how Emily had recognized her.“Those clothes aren’t really doing
Ellen stared at her mom, trying to explain what really happened as best as she could without revealing who was responsible for the pregnancy. “Mom, stolen documents were found under my desk, and no one would believe that I am innocent,” Ellen explained. “Oh, my god, Ellen, how did that happen?” Mrs. Grater asked, and her expression was full of shock. “I don’t know, Mom; I didn’t do it; I am sure someone put it there intentionally,” Ellen replied as she sat up. “What did your boss say? Did he not believe you also?” Mrs. Grater asked, still not understanding why her daughter would be sent away from work because of another person’s mistake. “Mom, he didn’t have to…” Ellen was saying this when her phone rang. The sound of it ringing pierced the silence around them as it vibrated on the bedside table. “Oh god, not tonight; I don’t want to speak with anyone today,” Ellen muttered. “You have to, baby girl; what if it has to do with a new job?” Mrs. Grater asked as she extended her hand
Opening her eyes, Ellen blinked, trying to figure out how she had come to lay on a couch instead of the car.“Ellen.” Felix called again.As the room became clearer, Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise at the number of heads that were bent over her. The first face she saw was Mrs. Warner’s, who was looking at her like she was observing an item. Also standing around her were Sandra, Mary, and Leo.“What is going on? What happened?” Ellen asked frantically as she hurriedly tried to sit upright.“Be careful; sit up carefully,” Felix whispered as he helped her up. He was sitting beside her on the couch.“She looks okay to me. I really don’t know what the fuss is about,” Sandra said from her position behind the couch.“Shhhh… Don’t say that. Everyone, go to the dining room; they’ll join us shortly,” Mrs. Warner said as she herbed Mary, Leo, and Sandra out of the living room.Ellen watched them go before turning to Felix and asking, “What happened?”“I tapped you when we got here, but you didn
“Just like you once gave yourself to me,” Leo said in a calm, quiet, and emotionless voice as he finally walked away without looking back at Ellen.Ellen staggered back, his words punching the air out of her. How could he say that about her?“Hey, I was just about to come get you,” Felix said as Ellen came down the stairs.“You’re ready to go home?” Felix asked, and Ellen nodded in affirmation as she picked up her purse from the couch she had been lying on earlier.“Why are you in such a hurry? You look like a cat got your tongue,” Sandra said from her seat in a corner of the living room.Ellen turned angry eyes at her before walking out of the house, with Felix right behind her.“What was that about Ellen? What happened upstairs?” Felix asked as he drove Ellen home.Without any preamble, Ellen blurted, “I told Leo we were together, Felix.”“What?” Felix exclaimed, surprised that she would do that.“Well, I guess that’s my answer to your proposal, Felix,” Ellen said, looking out her s
"All those messages warning me to stay away from Leo were actually from you? I can't believe it.” Ellen said"Oh, come on, why are you playing dumb? Of course, you must have thought it was from one of us, right?” Viva said, laughing.Ellen's face turned pale as she processed Viva's words. "I never suspected it was you all along," she replied, her voice filled with disbelief. "But why would you go to such lengths to keep me away from Leo?""Why won't we keep you away from Leo? Of course, we want him for ourselves. Anyway, we say you know standing alone and looking like that, and wanted to say hi," Bethany said, giving Ellen a look from head to toe.Ellen stood silently looking at them as they got into the car, a devil's smile on their faces as they drove off.*******Leo looked at the door for the third time in five minutes. "What the hell are you doing, man?" He screamed at himself through gritted teeth in frustration. “I need to concentrate," Leo told yourself as he picked up his pen
“What!” Leo shouted, standing up suddenly from his seat. His eyes widened in disbelief as he processed what Alex had just said. His face was unreadable as he looked at Alex, waiting for him to reply."I think we just pissed off a senator," Alex repeated.Leo could not believe what he just heard. His hotel had the best customer service. A suspicious feeling settled in the pit of his stomach."How did that happen, Alex? How?" Leo asked in a hard voice.His face was hard and calm as he waited for Alex to fully explain the situation. The tension caused by the news was heavy in the air, and Leo tried to calmly comprehend what could have caused the situation."We received information that there was a dissatisfied customer with the hotel," Alex explained. "We treated it like it was a regular guest; we had no idea it was the senator himself," Alex continued."How could you have no idea? Why was a follow-up not done personally?" Leo asked.puzzled by the unexpected event, "And what were the ma
-an hour earlier-"I really wasn't expecting you to show up," Sandra said as she got into Leo's car."I did," Leo replied.It had taken all the strength that Leo could muster for him to come pick Sandra up for dinner as planned.Leo was bent on proving to himself that whatever this thing with Ellen was, it wasn't real, and it had been part of her deception."Well, yes, I can see that," Sandra replied, adding, "so where exactly are we having this dinner?"Leo put on the car and said, "How about we go to the restaurant nearby?"Leo asked as he drove.Sandra snapped her finger, a big smile on her face as she said, "I have just the perfect idea of where we can go."Leo knew he was not going to like her idea, especially because she had a big smile on her face."Where do you have in mind?" Leo asked.Sandra's eyes were filled with joy as she said, Let's dine at the Crowns.""Sandra, we didn't make a reservation; let's just stick to a restaurant around the corner," Leo tried to persuade her.
Leo looked back to see Felix walk into the office with a smug look on his face. "Felix! Where have you been?" Leo asked before looking to see Ellen pointing at Felix with a look of panic on her face again. "Why are you pointing at Felix? Ellen, what is going on? Are you sure this isn't just an act?" Leo asked, stepping away from her. "It's him; he is behind it, Leo," Ellen said, speaking up. Leo shook his head in amazement and replied, "If this is some sort of joke, would you please stop it?" "I am telling you the damn truth; would you for once believe me?" Ellen shouted at him. Leo paused for a minute, then turned to look at Felix as he asked, "What the hell is she saying?" Felix shrugged and said, "I don't know Leo; I think she needs to go to the hospital; it's probably a panic due to the pregnancy." Leo turned to Ellen, concern etched on his face this time around as he said, "Ellen, I think we should get you to the hospital." Ellen screamed, beating Leo on the chest as she
Downstairs, Felix navigated through the crowd as he tried to avoid mingling. Everyone was having a light conversation while they all waited for the host."Felix? Over here," Mr. Phillips called from the crowd.Felix waved and smiled, hoping he would be able to slip away without having to go over, but Mr. Phillips had other plans."Felix, what a lovely event you have here. I must say that these past few days have made the Haven hotel the talk of the town," Mr. Phillips commented."I'm glad the event turned out better than we imagined," Felix replied, trying to keep his smile in place."I'm sure Leo is glad to have you on this; truly, two good heads are better than one," Mr. Phillips added."Felix, have you really been around? It's almost like you don't stay in New York," Viva said as she joined them with a glass of wine."I am Viva, but you only have eyes for one person; I guess that's why you haven't noticed me," Felix replied with a charming grin.Every other person in the group chuc
Ellen could feel her inside running faster than her physical legs could carry her."I should go home; yes, that's what I should do." Ellen murmured and walked out of the restaurant.She couldn't look back, for fear of seeing Felix come out of the restroom already.Ellen hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of her house."Alright, ma'am," the cab driver said, and he drove back onto the road.It was then that Ellen had the courage to look back, and she saw Felix walking out of the restaurant."This could just be a misunderstanding, right? I mean, what if I'm just mistaken? What if it's pregnancy hormones?" Ellen murmured.“I think I should have stayed to ask him,” Ellen muttered, adding, “It felt so real.”"I should tell Leo right; he has every right to know; he needs to know," Ellen whispered to herself with determination.She looked at her phone and realized it was too late to head to the hotel. She picked up her phone and dialed Leo's number. It rang for eternity, and nobody
Suddenly, fear gripped Ellen, her heart skipping as she looked back at the person behind her."Did I really scare you?" Felix asked, a broad grin on his face as he enjoyed the look on Ellen's face."What the hell was that about?" Ellen exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest as she calmed herself."I didn't mean to scare you; I just wanted to pull a prank on you," Felix explained as he laughed at her."That was not funny, Felix," Ellen told him, feigning anger."I know, but the look on your face was cute," Felix replied.Ellen turned and continued walking. "I thought you were too busy to come here," she said.Felix hurried after her and said, "Yeah, I had some things to take care of, but now I'm here and I'm taking you for dinner.Ellen paused, stopping in her tracks. "Dinner? All of a sudden?""Yes, you're done for the day, right? Let's go. I'll treat you to a nice meal," Felix said, grabbing Ellen's arm as he started walking towards his car.*******In Leo's office, he was going over
"What do you want, Sandra?" Ellen said, looking at Sandra, who showed up from nowhere to stand in front of her."You've grown some guts, Ellen; I thought you were banned from coming to this hotel." Sandra glared, stepping closer to her."Sandra, is there something specific you need or want to tell me?" Ellen asked calmly."You think I would have something important to talk to you about?" Sandra mocked."Whatever this is, I really don't have the time for it," Ellen informed her, stepping backward to create space between them.Sandra laughed mockingly, "What do you have if not time? I mean, with that pregnancy and all, I doubt if anyone is going to look your way.""Do you feel better from being mean?" Ellen asked.Sandra's eyes narrowed as she asked, "What did you just say?"Ellen struggled to remain calm. She looked at Sandra and smiled. "It's fine; we can't all have it perfect."Sandra's face went rigid. "Leo will never come back to you; I'll make sure of it," she hissed.Ellen looked
Leo brushed a hand through his hair and said, "Grandma, Ellen is...""Ellen!" Mrs. Grater exclaimed before Leo could finish his statement.Ellen? Where? Leo wondered as he looked towards the door, but there she was, in flesh."Uhm, hi, Mrs. Warner," Ellen said, stuttering as she tried to put on a smile for Mrs. Warner."How are you doing? Leo has been busy with school, you know; he has not come home. Why didn't you bring him home?" Mrs. Warner asked Ellen.Ellen didn't know how to explain it, so instead, she replied, "I'll make sure he comes from now on."That put a smile on Mrs. Warner's face as she pulled Ellen back to the lounge with her."Leo, see, it is Ellen." Mrs. Warner announced as if Leo was blind and hadn't seen her."Yes, grandma, it's Ellen," Leo replied, gesturing with his hand towards her.As Mrs. Warner pulled Ellen down beside her, they heard a commotion at the door."No, you can't do that now; it's supposed to be later today," Alex said as he walked through the door
Felix turned towards the wall nearest to him and slammed his hands against the wall, his face filled with anger as he cursed under his breath."F**k you!"Ellen didn't know what to do—if she was supposed to call him or just wait there till he saw her.Felix turned and headed out towards the entrance. Ellen hurried out and waited till he got to the entrance before she called out to him."Hey Felix, I didn't know you were still around," Ellen said, faking a surprised smile.Upon hearing Ellen call out to him, Felix relaxed his expression and turned up his lips in a smile."Hey, what's up? Yes, I am. I assumed you had gone already," Felix replied as he turned to face her."Uhm, we finished not too long ago; how are you?" Ellen asked, adding, "Are you heading to the hotel?""Uhm, yes, I am. Do you need a ride home?" Felix asked."No, don't worry, I'll find my way," Ellen replied. She wished she could ask him what was wrong, but she couldn't."Okay, call me when you get home," Felix told h
"Love stems from the most surprising places," Leo said, his voice deep and hoarse.Ellen placed her hand on the wall, her heart beating fast as she processed what she had just heard Leo say.The anchor for the broadcast asked again, "Would you say you have experienced this, Mr. Warner?"Leo smiled as he replied, "Yes, I have."Ellen hurried away into the restroom; she didn't stay to hear more of what Leo had to say."Our legacy was formed from love, and that is why the theme for this event is love and light," Leo concluded.In the restroom, Ellen stared at herself in the mirror. "I thought I was over this; he has found love. What do I care?"Her words didn't make her feel any better, but they gave her the strength to head out to meet the rest of the team after she relieved herself."Are you okay? That took you so long," Janet said to Ellen when she joined them."Yes, I'm fine," Ellen assured her."Okay, everyone, we are to meet here tomorrow; all that we have done will either be chang
Felix was jerked out of his thoughts. He glanced towards Ellen, embarrassed that he had been so lost in thought."Uhm, nothing; I was just thinking out loud about, you know, not knowing what goes on in Leo's mind," he explained.Ellen chuckled. "Did you really just give serious thought to understanding what goes on in Leo's mind?" she asked.Felix grinned in reply. "I guess I just did."Ellen laughed. "You have a better chance of winning the lottery than cracking the code in Leo's mind."They laughed at the thought until Felix pulled his car onto the sidewalk of Ellen's apartment."Thank you for bringing me home and for making me laugh too," Ellen stated, a soft smile on her face as she turned towards Felix."You're welcome, dear. I think I should make more jokes about Leo since it seems to crack you up so much," Felix joked.Ellen chuckled. "I don't think that would be necessary. All your jokes make me laugh anyway.""I'm glad to hear that." Felix replied, adding, "Do you mind if I p