Plan

chapter -5

Author.

“What are you thinking?” Sean watched her who was lost in her own world. There’s a strong confident and determined look on her face. Her eyes hardened as she ponders deeply staring at the picture of Adam William which clearly indicates that there’s something diabolical plotting inside her head and he needs to know to keep a check on her from trouble.

Although Elena wasn’t a troublemaker but since childhood Sean had always been very protective towards her. Also, he knew how much Elena adores his parents. She cannot withstand simple jokes which both the siblings cracks about their own father and here someone was intentionally trying to bring him down. And by gazing into her face and the way she is taking things under her control, somehow, he felt a strong instinct that she won’t let this matter slide easily.

“I’m thinking that I need to step out of my comfort zone and take risk in life.” Elena spoke to her own self though Sean heard it but didn’t understand. Tearing her eyes from the picture on her laptop she focuses on him and ask, “Do we have any upcoming project in hand?”

Clicking the cross sign in the right corner, Elena exited the page and sighed before she whips her head in his direction for answer.

“Yes, we do. It’s a construction of multi brand shopping complex in the heart of Boston.” Sean shrugs and Elena digs her teeth into the edge of her right thumb as she ponders for sometimes.

“Perfect. Can you get me the information whether William Co & Enterprise is also participating in the upcoming project.”

“If you want, I will ask Mr. Jones to dig out the needful information for you. Give me an hour for that.” Sean stood up to leave for his cabin while his head engrossed in his cell phone typing something.

After Sean left her cabin Elena got busy again studying the statistic report. And with each passing seconds her forehead marred with lines of worries as she flipped pages one after another.

She was about to reach the bottom line of a particular document when her cell phone buzzed. Not lifting her gaze from the file, she picked the cell phone and swipe the green button.

“Hello, Elena.” It was her Samantha Auntie. “I’m in the hospital with your uncle.” The mention of her uncle interrupts her concentration from the file.

“Is everything alright? How is uncle?” Elena grew concerned.

“Your uncle wants to see you. Can you come home now.”

“Home? Why? Isn’t he at the hospital?”

“He is been discharged. Come home. He is asking for you.” Hearing this Elena rose up to her heels and without delay she collected her hand bag and head out of the office cabin.

“I will reach within twenty minutes.” With that she hastily disconnected the call and began marching towards the lift.

*****

Robert mansion.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Samantha asked in her motherly emotional tone but Robert stayed silent for some seconds and nodded his head in agreement.

“Its for her betterment.” Sadly, Robert answered and leaned back against the pillow behind his head.

Being a mother Samantha’s felt a sting in her heart as she wasn’t ready after knowing what her husband was planning to do but deep within, she knew whatever he was doing was always better for their children. And Elena was like her own daughter what if she hadn’t given her birth.

With this there was momentary silence between them.

“Uncle.” The door slightly ajar and Elena eagerly peeps her head inside. This broke the tensed atmosphere. Samantha composes her emotions forcing a smile hiding her pain as she swung her head towards the door while Robert straightens his back against the bed.

“Come in, Elena.” Samantha calls her in her motherly tone. Elena strides in and sits on the small space on the bed beside her uncle. She took her uncle’s veiny right hand in between hers and peered at him.

“I’m so happy that you got discharged and back to home.” Elena beamed happily and her uncle also smiled which didn’t reach his eyes. She wonders why, unaware that something painful awaiting ahead. Something which would definitely change her path in every possible way.

Elena darted her eyes all over his aged face. All her life, her uncle was like a pillar she leans for support and seeing him weak makes her want to heal him and wipe away all his sorrows and problems.

“Are you feeling better now?” Seeing her concerned, Robert’s face tendered. She was making it hard for him to go with whatever in his mind.

“I’m better.” Robert replied as he rose his one hand over her head and caressed her hair in fatherly love. Being his late best friend’s daughter, Elena holds special place in his heart and now he is finding very hard to let her go.

“Elena, I have a very important thing to talk with you.” Robert said, his eyes dropped down to their intertwined hands. How she was securely holding his. She is making it more difficult for him to say what’s in his mind.

“I’m all ears, uncle.”

Robert turned his head towards his wife and with his eyes he pointed her towards something. Samantha understood nodding her head and she walked towards one of the cupboards and took out a file. Confused, Elena switched her gaze to her aunt and back at her uncle not understanding anything.

Samantha returned back and gave it to her husband who took it from her with his other free hand.

Robert looked at the file for some time and then he forwarded it to Elena. “Here are the property papers which you have inherited after your father’s death.” Robert disclosed it. “Maxim used all means to lay hold of your assets but I made sure he’s unable to withstand before law. Now, you are the owner of these properties.”

“Why are you giving me this, now?” Elena asked, her brows kneaded, more bewildered as it wasn’t making any sense to her. When she was fourteen, she had once eavesdropped on her uncle and aunt when she was filling her jar in the kitchen. Unaware to the fact that someone was hearing to their conversation, Robert and Samantha discussed openly all the matters and from there Elena came to know how her uncles were fighting tooth and nail to disinherit her from her father’s property but Uncle Robert made sure they acquire nothing but dust. Although unintentionally she gained all the information but never had she ever bothered to ask Robert uncle regarding this matter as she has received so much love from them to ever doubt their intentions. Neither she asked nor they initiated to talk to her, so the matter was never been raised face to face.

Now all of a sudden when her uncle was giving back everything

what belongs to her, she was baffled.

“Because I want you to start a new life. Away from us. And this will help you to secure your future. There is nothing left with us.”

Hearing her uncle’s words, Elena felt like the ground beneath her slipped from her feet. Her heart painfully clenching against her chest.

“Why are you saying this, uncle?” Elena mumbled softly. Fear of loneliness engulfed her body.

Her uncle didn’t reply instead he’s staring into their interlocked hands once again for some time. His brows furrowed and upper lip stiff.

“As you can see our company is facing huge loss in business. Ever investor backed away. If we cannot repay the debt that we took from the market then this mansion,” Robert darted his hurtful eyes all over the room with longingness and back on her as he continued, “we will have to sell this mansion and every other private properties.”

The crisis they were facing in the business were not hidden from her anymore but hearing from her uncle’s mouth scared the shit out of her. And the fear revealing on his face, doing worst to her heart.

“I don’t want you to suffer with us. Wander like homeless when you are the heiress of your father’s inheritance.” Robert’s eyes moistened by the end. She clasped her hand tight assuring.

“Uncle… you are worrying too much. Nothing such gonna happen to us. We will find some solution to this problem. These things happen in business.” Elena tried to convince but Robert shook his head.

“I know… I know ups and downs happens in business. But this time I fear we won’t be able to survive. There is no way out. The bank refuses to give any more loans considering the amount of loans we already have taken from the market. We lost all recent projects.” The old man broke down and her heart panged. She strokes her hand over his to sooth him, an attempt to reassure him.

“Now you understand why I’m sending you. It’s for your betterment. Go from here and lead a happy life.”

A full- body shudder zaps through her spine and her limbs stiffen. It took her some seconds to process his words and once did, she shook her head in denial, her lower lip trembling.

“No..no…no” Tears welled up around her eyes as she tightens her grip against his palm, her body growing restless. Her heart squeezes into itself. “You are sending me away. Away from you.”

No..” Robert denied instantly. He wasn’t expecting her to take his word in a wrong way. He was only doing this for her betterment.

“Yes uncle. After mom and dad’s left me alone to survive in this world, everyone threw me out of their lives. I thought you won’t do that but I was wrong. Finally, you also want to get rid of me. Nobody wants me. Even you are turning your back on me.”

“You are getting me wrong…”

“No…am I nobody to you?” Elena argued.

“You are very special to me. You are my family, Elena. You are a part of my life. Your parents have given you birth but I have raised you.”

“Then stop pushing me away. Stop making plans where I’m nowhere with you. Where I have to part from you. Let me stay with you. Please.” Elena begged pouring whatever sacred feeling she has for this old man in her heart. She was too lost in the moment of her misery to keep a check on her emotions. For her he is the person more important than the whole world.

Samantha was standing beside them and her eyes moistens watching her daughter sobbing, completely oblivious to the actual fact. She took a step nearer and placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder to gain his attention.

Robert lifted his head at his wife who shook her head with painful expression. Robert understood and he returned back his focus on Elena.

“Fine. If you don’t want to leave us then we won’t force you.” Robert said. Elena stopped bawling her eyes. She peered at him with disbelief.

“You are lying.”

“No… we won’t force anything you don’t want.” Hearing this Elena threw herself against her uncle and again began to cry.

Robert caressed her back trying to calm her but his eyes still held anticipation and grief. When Elena parted and sniffled peering at her uncle, she noticed it. So, she spoke.

“Uncle don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Sean and me, we both are looking into this matter. We will find some way to overcome this situation. Trust me.”

“Elena, Adam is a dangerous man. He has destroyed many top companies before taking them under his wings. And this time we are his target.”

Hearing this Elena understood that Adam is not only a predator, but a power-hungry bastard who thrives in taking pleasure causing disrupts in peoples life. He plays tiring his prey with his games and finally kills them. Mercilessly.

Yet there is one question roaming inside her head. So, she asked.

“Do we have any enmity with him uncle?”

Robert creased his brows and thought for some time recalling any past experiences with the cutthroat businessman. “No, I don’t. In fact its been only few years that this man has risen to this untouchable and impossible heights.”

“He might have pulled down many companies but this time he will fall flat with his plan. I promise you.” Elena assured. Her face had a determined look as she peered ahead like she is plotting something. After some seconds she composed and smiled at her uncle who looks still unconvinced.

“I will take care of everything and till then you need to take rest if you want to recover fast. And no argument. This is my order.” Elena faked angry which bought a short sad smile in her uncle’s face.

Samantha also smiled and spoke. “I will go and check if the butler has prepared evening snacks. Till then Elena, stay with your uncle.”

“I will.” Elena replied and Samantha left the room.

After that Elena read the file from the hospital which as lying on the corner table. When she found that one of his medicines that he needs to take right now, she tore the foil of the medicine and gave him to swallow with a glass of water.

Seeing her taking care of him, Robert’s heart filled with warmth. It was yesterday when he brought her in this house and now look how she has grown old enough to take his responsibilities. Even ready to fight for him.

With all those thought Robert slides down in the bed and Elena helps by covering him with a duvet. They conversed for some time until her uncle’s eyes dropped and he fell fast asleep.

The moment her uncle closed his lids, she tiptoes and softly closes the door behind her back.

“You should have told me you left office.” Elena gasped, startled hearing Sean’s voice from behind. She swivelled and flew a hand over her chest to calm her heartbeat.

“You know I can sue you for this.” Elena glared which made Sean chuckle at her reaction.

Elena scowled at him. “I had to leave urgently because uncle wants to meet me. Now what is it?”

“I have news for you.” This caught her attention and she tipped her chin signalling him to go on.

“William Co & Enterprise is participating in the Boston project.” Sean revealed.

Elena arched her brows processing the information. Her mind conspiring plans. A hard expression covered her face and when she concludes her final plan, evil smirk crept on her lips.

Sean was observing her expression and he can see something evil cooking in her mind. So, he asked. “What’s your plans?”

Elena continued smirking and narrated her whole plan. After hearing her, Sean lost all the colour from his face. “I won’t let you do this. You are not playing with fire. Do you know how dangerous it is… Adam William is a morally corrupted man.”

“So, what do you expect me to do? Seat and watch. This project is our last hope. If we cannot win it then…” Elena gulped. She cannot imagine the worst happening to them. To her uncle. She shook her head to rid of those negative thoughts and peered back at Sean who was also numb pondering over the situation.

Elena calms herself taking a deep breath and spoke, “listen Sean. I have thought a lot over this matter. We have no other choice if we want to save uncle’s hard-earned business.” The she grabbed his arms to gain his full attention. “Sean. I need you in this. I cannot do this all alone. Please.”

Sean watched her, he doesn’t want to agree with her but deep down in his heart the fear of losing was inevitable. Finally, his stiff shoulder loosening and he nodded his head. “Fine. I’m with you.” Then he cupped her face and gazed deeply into her eyes, “promise me. If you face any danger, you will let me know first.”

Elena smiled seeing how concerned he was for her. They might fight like cats and dogs but deep inside their heart, they care for each other.

“I will.” Elena promised which made Sean sigh in relief. Just then his phone buzzed. He excused himself to attend the call. Elena also left for her room. On the way she took out her phone from her trouser pocket and dialled a number.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Soniya.”

“ What’s up mate? How are you doing and tell me did you change your mind. Please tell me you did. I’m dying to hear from you.” Soniya’s voice brimmed from the other end.

“ Hold on your horses.” Elena chuckled and then proceeded, “I have a surprise for you. Elsa will join your show.”

“Oh my god. You are such a stress reliver.” Soniya utters with excessive energy. Then she smirks and added, “ Elsa will have to lead the showstopper.”

“Definitely, she’s all yours for the Boston fashion show.” Elena confirmed and with that she disconnected the line. Now her face had a hard expression.

If Adam thinks that he can destroy anyone’s hard work into irredeemable pieces then it’s time to correct his misconception.

Even mighty king had tasted dust!

And he won’t be exceptional!

*****