Elena“What do you mean about taking Grand Ambiance to the next level? The company is doing just fine. I don’t get what you mean.” David has been so supportive all these years, referring so many people to us. I dare say he has been the number one supporter of my company.During all these years that I was a dutiful housewife, he helped my assistant make the company grow. I could never thank David Spencer enough-not in this lifetime. “I’m saying if Elena Jones is back in the game, we must take Grand Ambiance to the next level. Many clients specifically want the boss, and Malvin’s hands have been tied for far too long. Elena, you are the only talent who undermines yourself so much.” David’s words are not particularly misplaced, but what else can I do here?“Elena, you must leave a footprint in the interior design industry. This is the time for your company to go global. You should start accepting those large-scale orders that require a high-profile performance.” What! “David, I have be
ElenaDavid and I returned to our seats, the atmosphere relatively lighter. I was glad I had this conversation with him. I felt blessed to have a friend like him in my life. My child would have a good life with him as his godfather. I’m certain about that.As we chatted about how to strategize and move the company to a larger scale, we finally zoned into other topics from the past. The past had to do with my days at the university. My university days haven’t been my best, because I was a damn coward. Who else could silently endure so much pain and humiliation, if not me?“Elena, I still believe you should fight that case. You cannot leave your name in the mud like that, you know?” David always advised me to take up that case, but I was never interested in it. The harm had already been done, anyway. “David, you of all people know that I could never reopen that case. Have you forgotten everything I went through because of that damn plagiarism incident? What would it mean to reopen the
Elena“Elena, living in peace doesn’t mean you should swallow everything people dish out to you. That ungrateful menace took your man away from you because he let her. We can’t say the same about your designs. That piece of paper had no voice to speak for itself, so you are surely gonna do it justice. Elena, clear your name, even if it’s the last thing you do.” “I can’t. Not even if I wanted to, and you know why..” My voice was low, barely above a whisper, and I plopped onto the sofa in defeat. I know everything David said was true, but how would I prove my innocence if I had no evidence?“You seem to be forgetting something,” David spoke in a low tone that got me wondering what he could be talking about. I left the jewelry design department and joined David in the interior design department. He gave me a way out when no one would ever believe me, yet Darcy wasn’t satisfied. She connived with her minions and cooked up the rumor that I was intimately involved with David Spencer. They
Elena[Breaking news! Saint City Number 1 High School vandalized by gang members]What the heck! Why would anyone attack a school filled with so many kids? I couldn’t understand what might have triggered the said gang members, but the channel did a brief interlude before the details were given. However, the words plastered there made my heart beat so fast that I couldn’t even explain why. Before I heard the details of the news, my heart was already in my mouth. Maybe it was my motherly instincts kicking in, but I felt so apprehensive since the channel took forever to give the details. I shifted to the edge of my seat, every ticking second feeling like many torturous hours of waiting. Finally, the presenter appeared, her gaze, solemn. Anyone could tell she didn’t bear good news, and this increased the apprehension in my heart.I listened with bated breath, taking in her every word like a decree. “News reaching us this afternoon indicates that some local gang members attacked the Saint
Elena“Boss, it’s so good to see you here.” I just stepped into the office after a week of settling into Saint City. The last seven days have been quite eventful, and I also love the peace and quiet here. Meanwhile, I didn’t expect my assistant to behave like a horny teenager just because I finally resumed work in the company. To prevent Ronan from finding out about my work, I set up the company in Saint City, instead of Lockwood. This meant that I couldn’t come and go as I pleased. That being the case, Malvin usually did most of the work here. Whenever I had the opportunity, I snuck here to draft design concepts for our clients. Sometimes, the team had to take snapshots and videos of apartments, office buildings, and other spaces and share them with me. After checking the places, I formulated design concepts that our clients never turned down. I always had their preferences in mind, after all. “Malvin Thorne, are you on steroids?” My assistant couldn’t believe my words as he stoo
Elena“Darcy, why are you still in the classroom? Have you eaten already?” “No, Elena. I’ll eat when I get home.”“Darcy. How can you go through the day on an empty stomach? You know I would never let you lack anything ever again.”“Come on, Elena, you know I’ve endured worse.” Whenever she said this, I became so guilty that I wished she never had to suffer as much as she did. I wish I was there to help her sooner, and I even wish she was my real sister.“I just transferred five thousand dollars to your account, Darcy. I’ll give you an allowance every month from now on. However, it is not for feeding. I’ll take care of your meals, okay? Use the money to get yourself whatever you need. Now, let's go and eat. I’m famished."When I said this to Darcy after sending her such a huge sum of money, my good friend whom I mistook for a sister didn’t say thank you. She didn’t even show any other emotion apart from jealousy.“Gosh! Elena, you just threw five thousand dollars at me as if it’s noth
Ronan“Hello, Darcy,” I drawled out the words tiredly, hoping she wouldn’t make any demands I wouldn’t be able to honor. I was so lost in thought when I received Darcý’s call. I haven't met her for two weeks now, and she has been calling non-stop. How could I tell her that I wanted to put my marriage in check before reaching out to her?Who am I even kidding? I don’t know why, but I just don’t want to see Darcy right now. I didn’t feel like it. There was no way to explain it, but I guess it’s all because I haven’t found closure for the numerous issues that were bothering me. I couldn’t be this anxious around her, could I? What could I offer her in that case?As soon as I told her about Elena signing the divorce papers and disappearing into thin air, she proposed that we register our marriage secretly. Darcy wanted us to get married immediately, but I wanted to hear from Elena first. I just couldn’t marry Darcy with all the uncertainties surrounding our marriage. I didn’t believe Ele
RonanI drove back to the house I shared with Elena for three years, my thoughts on nothing else but Elena. How could she fill my head this way when she wasn’t even here? I had no urge to decorate the house, as no one else could do it better than her. She was the only one who took care of things here, and now that she wasn’t around, I had no reason to design the house. I could just leave this place and stay with Darcy if I wanted to. However, I felt a little hesitant, because Elena could come home and meet my absence. Who could tell what she would do if she returned and didn’t find me here. Anything was possible with Elena Jones. I bypassed the quiet Benson, who looked like he wanted to ask me something. However, when he noticed my icy gaze, he backed away. I knew what he wanted to ask. How could I tell my housekeeper that my wife left home without finding it necessary to inform me about her plans? Elena even left everything I gave her. No. She burned everything I ever got for her
Elena“How are you so sure you can help me, Dr Pierce? Doctors informed me a few months ago that my condition was incurable. How could you assure treatment now that the situation has already deteriorated? Are you aware I’m currently in the late stage?” Dr Pierce fixed a meaningful gaze on me for a while before telling me what I didn’t know if I should feel happy or sad about. “I’ve done this more than once, Ms Jones. The most successful patient lived for fifteen more years than expected. She was in the third stage when she approached me.” The man’s words reeked of finality, and I had a feeling that I could trust him. However, I already lost hope when I was told there was no going back for me. How could I trust him now when I might have crossed to stage four already? He said it himself; the patient he treated was at stage four. Then again, this doctor Pierce looked like he had a special interest in my case. I just couldn’t pinpoint whatever he wanted from me. What if he knew me some
ElenaAs I watched the nurse place Liam back into the incubator, my heart ached, and I only wished I could join him in there. Nothing would make me happier than to have my baby in my arms and go to sleep with him on the same bed. Ruth led me back toward the ward, and on our way, I learned that the young nurse who spoke to me earlier was the same person who was tasked with taking a shot of the birth process of Liam. She really seemed like a kind soul, I must say. “I’m glad to see you smiling this beautifully, Elena. There is a certain glow to you now that I could never explain if anyone asked me about it. Tsk!” Ruth was an observant fellow; I give her that. She was able to tell that my mood changed just by watching how I dressed and my interactions with Liam and the young nurse.“Can anything ever escape your eyes, Ruth?” I asked her in a defeated voice. She was just too observant for her own good. Speak of a perfect judge of character, and Ruth would make number one on the list.“W
ElenaI slept for five hours straight, and I couldn’t believe it. I cried myself to sleep this afternoon, only to wake up when the sun had already set. with the moon hanging beautifully up in the sky. The night sky looked breathtaking, and I just couldn’t have enough of it. The stars sprinkled their light everywhere, while the moon cast an aesthetic glow in it’s glory.This had been the longest time I slept since I woke up from the coma.I felt more refreshed when I woke up just now, and my legs even gave way for me to stand on them. For the first time, I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I looked… lost. I didn’t look like myself, and all the eye bags under my eyes just added to how horrible I looked. How could I be this pathetic? I knew I would eventually die and leave this earth sooner, rather than later. However, there was no need for me to go down looking like a ghost before I finally became one, was there?. Despite everything that happened over th
RuthI watched Elena cry herself to sleep, and my heart ached like nothing I had ever felt before. I was sad because she had done so much for me, yet there was no way for me to help her. Elena tried to help everyone who came into contact with her, yet she had so many people around her but couldn’t be helped. When she trembled from all the pent-up frustration earlier, I felt her pain. WHo wouldn't wish to live longer, even if it was only for a few days more? Elena wasn't an exception, and I watched how she battled with sleep ever since she regained consciousness. She was scared to close her eyes. Elena was afraid that she may close her eyes to sleep and never wake up again. How could anyone live with so much anxiety? The problems were just too much for her feeble body to bear.I know Mr Spencer loved her terribly, but why he did what he did, I could never tell unless I asked him. I must do just that. Elena already suffered a lot, and as a person she trusted so much, he should have exp
Elena “We need to talk about your brain tumor, Elena.” What the heck! David Spencer’s voice caused me to go tense in my chair, as I cast a questioning glare toward him. How could he bring these two doctors in here and decide to check my brain tumor again? We both knew I was in the late stages, so why this? When did I ever tell them it was up for discussion? I told David I didn’t wish to discuss this sickness ever again. Why then did he do it?I stared at everyone in the room, who looked like they had too much to say about my condition than I wanted. Looking from one person to the other, everyone seemed particularly edgy, and I bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying anything I could regret in the next second. What shocked me the most was the presence of David Spencer, who seemed so agitated that I was certain he just couldn’t wait to let it all out-whatever he had in his chest, that was. I wasn’t happy about the intrusion, and I didn’t wish to go through any tests again. I ma
ElenaTears flowed out of my eyes, unhindered. I didn’t have what it took to hold it in. I thought I’d lost him. I thought I could never see my son again, but there he was. He was sleeping so peacefully in the incubator that I could tell he was in great hands. The sight of the rise and fall of his chest made me feel a new breath in my bones. It was testament to the presence of life force running through his veins. My Liam was alive and kicking.I stood beside the incubator, watching my Liam through the glass. He looked so tiny-so frail but alive, all the same. I wanted to hold my son, hold his tiny hands and feel the softness of his smooth and supple skin to my touch. I wanted to feel his warmth against mine, and assure him that I was here for him. Nothing would make me happier than to hold him in my arms and assure Liam that I loved him, and that I would always protect him, no matter where I was. Alas, I had to wait a while longer. I could only hope I stayed here long enough for
Elena“Liam… Liam… Liam… Where are you, Liam?” I was thrashing my hands everywhere, trying to break free and find my son. Some powerful arms suddenly seized and pinned me. I couldn’t move my hands anymore, even my feet were not so free, and the helplessness caused me to break down in tears. As my tears fell, I realized someone was calling my name. No, not just someone-it was David. How did David get here, and why would he pin me on the bed? What…Bed. I was lying on a soft bed, with beeping sounds blaring in the room. I knew this sound all too well. It must be the beeping of machines. This only meant that I was in a hospital. Again.“Liam, where is my Liam? Where is my baby, David? Where is my baby?” I kept moving my arms, even if his strength prevented it from showing. “Calm down, Elena. Please, calm down, I beg you. You will see your son when the doctor gets here, but for now, please calm down.” I tried to struggle once again, only to hear him say, “Liam, huh, that’s a lovely na
Elena“Liam, Liam, Liam… Where are you, Liam?” I searched through the living room, looking everywhere for my son. I couldn’t find him anywhere, but I didn’t worry about a thing. We were behind closed doors, and he couldn’t have hidden anywhere I wouldn’t find him. Maybe he just got better with hiding, while I got bad at seeking. “Come out, Liam, where are you? It’s time for bed. ” I spoke an octave higher when I noticed I couldn’t spot my son anywhere. To top it all off, I already searched every nook and cranny of the house. Playing hide and seek before bed had become like a ritual, and Liam enjoyed it a lot. The only time he slept willingly was when he got enough fun from playing hide and seek with me. It was only the two of us, anyway, hence, I had to do this with him every other night. Not that I mind, though, because he happened to be the only thing I lived for. Liam was my light in this dark world. His disarming smile could melt even the stoniest of hearts. He was simply adorab
DavidIt has been four days of torture, four days of moving about like a zombie, and four days of hoping this wasn't the feared end. For Elena, I have lived like a man who has come to terms with her condition. I lived like a man who was ready to move on and take care of her child in her absence.Heaven knows I wanted to be no part of that. I didn’t have plans of becoming a single father to her child. All I wanted was to be with Elena. I didn't mind another man's child, but I didn't want to do this without her. I was okay being her friend, a friend in the shadows, someone she could always call on when she needed help.I couldn’t tell when it happened—when I had fallen so hard that there was no saving me. My initial intentions weren’t to fall in love with her. It was something else altogether, but as I watched her smile, brace all storms, love and get betrayed, and watch her cry when she thought no one was watching… I fell madly in love.Somewhere between my plans and her charm, I wante