Chapter 4

Elena's heart was pounding in her chest, fury and disbelief warring within her as she stood in the opulent lobby of the EliteCorp building. 

"How could he do this to me?" she muttered through clenched teeth. Her dad's decision to marry her off to Liam, her arrogant and narcissistic boss, felt like a betrayal.

With her emotions taking over, she couldn't bear to stay a moment longer in that imposing building. Without a second thought, she turned and ran towards the exit, her vision blurred by tears.

Tears streamed down her face as she staggered through the luxurious halls of EliteCorp. Her vision blurred, and she struggled to regain composure.

Her coworkers stared in astonishment, taken aback by Elena's uncharacteristic display of emotion. "Is she okay?" one whispered to another, unable to comprehend the reason behind her outburst.

Her face flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn't stop now. Ignoring the curious gazes, Elena rushed towards the building's exit. Her mind raced, trying to process the reality of her father's decision. "I won't let him control my life," she whispered, clenching her fists.

As she reached the glass doors leading outside, she stumbled, her heel catching in a crack on the floor. With a sharp snap, the heel of her silhouette shoes broke, throwing her off balance.

Cursing under her breath, Elena yanked off the remaining heel and left it lying there. Without hesitation, she sprinted barefooted, feeling the cool marble turning into warm concrete beneath her feet. 

Outside, the world felt like a blur as she ran, her feet pounding against the pavement, and the wind whipping through her hair. Each step took her farther away from the suffocating expectations and the heartache. She didn't know where she was heading; she just needed to be free from the clutches of the life that was being forced upon her.

Tears still streaming down her face, she focused on hailing a taxi, her heart racing.

"Taxi!" she called out, waving her arm frantically as a yellow cab approached. The driver slowed down, taking in her disheveled appearance, but Elena didn't care. She jumped into the backseat, barefooted and disheveled. "Are you okay, miss?" he asked.

"Please, just drive!" she pleaded with the driver, wiping away the tears from her cheeks. 

In the backseat, Elena let out a shaky breath, trying to collect her thoughts. "I can't believe he'd do this to me, selling me off like some commodity," she muttered to the driver, who offered a sympathetic nod.

With the wind whipping through her hair and the city's buildings flying past her, Elena felt a mix of anger, betrayal, and fear. She didn't want to be trapped in a marriage with Liam, the man who made her work life miserable.

As Elena's taxi sped through the busy streets, her trembling fingers dialed Rosa's number. The phone rang a few times before Rosa's lively voice echoed through the other end of the line. "Hey, Elena! What's up?"

Before Rosa could utter another word, Elena's voice cracked with emotion, and tears streamed down her face as she struggled to explain the devastating situation. "Rosa, it's... it's horrible. My dad made a deal to marry me off to Liam, my boss. I can't believe it."

Rosa's cheerful tone turned instantly serious as she sensed the urgency in Elena's voice. "Seriously? What the fuck! How could your Dad be so heartless and make such a big decision without asking for your permission first."

Elena wiped her tears and took a shaky breath, trying to regain some composure. "I can't stay at home right now. Can I come over to your place, Rosa?" she asked, hoping her best friend would offer some comfort and support.

"Of course, come over right away! I'll be waiting for you," Rosa replied, her voice full of concern.

As she ended the call, Elena gave the taxi driver Rosa's address, a charming apartment building with a beautiful rooftop garden located on 15th Avenue. The driver glanced at Elena through the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with sympathy for her distress.

"Don't worry, we'll get you there as quickly as possible," he assured her kindly.

Elena nodded gratefully and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She turned off her phone, not wanting any interruptions from her dad or sisters, and leaned back in the seat, allowing the tears to flow freely once again.

The taxi pulled up in front of Rosa's apartment building, a charming three-story structure with a brick facade and neatly trimmed shrubbery lining the pathway with window boxes filled with blooming flowers. The aroma of fresh coffee drifted from the nearby cafes, adding to the cozy ambiance of the neighborhood. The front door had a quirky little knocker in the shape of a sunflower, adding a touch of whimsy to the entrance.

Elena climbed out of the taxi and paid the driver, who offered her a white handkerchief. She gratefully accepted it, using it to wipe her tear-streaked face. The driver gave her a sympathetic smile before driving away, leaving Elena feeling a sense of gratitude for the small gesture of kindness.

As Elena made her way up the steps to Rosa's front porch, she found her best friend already waiting for her with open arms. Rosa's infectious smile greeted her, and she enveloped Elena in a warm and comforting hug.

"I'm so glad you're here," Rosa said softly, leading her inside the apartment. "Come on in." 

The space was filled with warm, earthy tones, and soft music played softly in the background, creating an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.

Elena sank into the plush couch, feeling a mix of exhaustion and emotional overwhelm. Rosa quickly disappeared into the kitchen, promising to return with something to help calm her friend down.

With a warm cup of coffee in hand, Rosa returned and sat beside Elena. "Here, take this. It'll help soothe your nerves," Rosa said, offering the steaming mug. "You're safe here, Elena. You can talk to me about anything."

"Thank you," Elena replied, cradling the warm mug in her hands, grateful for Rosa's thoughtfulness

Taking a sip of the soothing coffee, Elena felt a sense of relief wash over her. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before recounting the distressing events at EliteCorp, her voice steady yet tinged with vulnerability.

Rosa listened attentively, nodding in understanding and offering comforting words. "I can't believe your dad would do something like this without even considering your feelings," she said, her tone filled with empathy.

Elena sighed, feeling grateful for Rosa's unwavering support. "I know, it's like he doesn't see me as a person with my own desires and dreams."

"You deserve to be in control of your own life. I'm so sorry you had to go through all these," Rosa muttered, placing a reassuring hand on Elena's shoulder.

"I just…I just want to get past this whole drama," Elena seethed as her grip on the mug became even stronger.

"And what do you want to do?" Rosa asked inquisitively as she eyed her friend narrowly.

"I want to party hard and wild," Elena's voice was dangerously low and Rosa could see the mischievous glint in her eyes. She knew how crazy Elena can be when she gets drunk and she definitely didn't want another episode of Elena's drunken drama.

"Come on, Elena, that is not the best solution to this problem you know?" Rosa chimed in, hoping to change Elena's mind.

"No!" Elena interrupted fiercely. "This is the best solution. Since I'm getting married to a crazy party-goer, isn't it perfect to return the favor. Who knows, I might bump into him at the club," she added with a smirk on her face.

"Elena, I know you feel sad but clubbing? Come on girl," Rosa persuaded but Elena would have none of it. She gently placed the mug on the table in the sitting room and stood up.

"It's fine if you don't want to come with me though," Elena said and began heading to the door.

Rosa heaved a sigh of frustration as she picked up her car keys and followed behind Elena.

Elena walked out of Rosa's apartment, feeling a mix of sadness and uncertainty. She made her way towards Rosa's car, a sleek black sedan parked on the street. Rosa followed her, sensing the weight of the situation in Elena's sad smile. Elena sat on the car bonnet, a sad smile playing on her lips as she tried to conceal the hurt swirling within her.

Rosa looked at her best friend, her heart breaking for Elena's predicament. She shook her head in defeat, understanding that Elena was set on going to the club despite the emotional turmoil she was going through. With a sigh, Rosa opened the car door, and they both settled into the seats.

"Elena, are you sure about this? Going to the club might not be the best idea right now," Rosa said, concern etched on her face.

Elena gave an insistent nod, her eyes reflecting a firm resolve. "I need to clear my head, Rosa. I can't stay cooped up at home right now. Let's just go, please."

Rosa hesitated for a moment, then sighed again, relenting to her friend's wishes. "Okay, but promise me you'll take care of yourself. If it gets too overwhelming, we'll leave immediately, no questions asked."

"I promise," Elena replied, grateful for Rosa's understanding.

Without wasting any more time, Rosa started the engine and stepped on the accelerator causing the vehicle to jerk forward, catching Elena by surprise. She let out a loud shriek, her heart racing as she clung to the car's pigeon hole for support.

"Whoa, sorry about that!" Rosa said, glancing at Elena with a sheepish smile. "I didn't mean to startle you. I guess I got a bit too eager."

"It's fine," Elena said, a hint of amusement in her voice despite everything. "I guess I needed that jolt to snap me out of my thoughts."