"Henry, hi. Am I in trouble?" Was the first thing Elena asked once she was ushered into the tiny office. Henry chuckled and made his way around her to his desk."No, not at all. Except there is something I should know?" He asked, teasing her."Uh, nope.""You look tense," he noted as he pushed some files around to create space on his rather messy desk. "Is something wrong?" He asked, tilting his head to the side."No, nothing is wrong. Uh, why did you call me in?""Oh yes, I was going through your work rate and it has dropped a lot. You're usually on top of this stuff and ahead of most of your colleagues. Is anything the problem?""No, everything is fine, Henry. I guess I'm just going through a lot of personal issues but I'm fine and I promise I'll sit up and take my work more seriously." She rambled."Elena, it's fine, just take it easy, okay? You're not in trouble. I just wanted to know what's wrong and if you need a couple of days to recuperate or get yourself together."Elena was
It was hard to think reasonably when Gavin was kissing her like that, so Elena did not think at all. She didn't stop to consult her conscience when Gavin led her up the stairs to her apartment, and she definitely did not pay heed to her morals when he picked her up and dropped her on her bed. His scent was intoxicating and it was hard to focus on anything else when his hands and his lips were doing wonders to her. She was making noises she never thought she could.Being with Gavin was different from being with Marcus, Marcus was calm and cautious, checking on her every step of the way and he was always pacing himself around her, it was the opposite of how he portrayed himself: cold and vicious. But with Gavin, it was the complete opposite, while Gavin was the calm and cute puppy normally he was different and domineering once he got her permission. Their kiss was rough, everything was hot and heavy and it all went by in a blur, that was why it was hard to realize what was going on unt
"I have to take this," Elena said, picking her phone up from the counter."Your boyfriend, I'm guessing?" Gavin asked annoyance and jealousy in his tone."I have to take this," she repeated and left the small space, brushing against Gavin as she did so. "Hello?""Elena, I'm sorry this week has been hectic.""Yeah, I gathered that.""You don't work on weekends right?""Yeah…why?""The getaway I was talking about. It's a five-hour drive so we have to leave early. I'll pick you up in twenty minutes, whatever you can't pack we'll buy on the way—""Wait a minute, hold on, Marcus. What do you mean you'll pick me up in twenty minutes?""I just said it's a five-hour drive and we need to beat traffic." He said it like it was the most obvious thing ever and he did not just drop a bomb on her."Can you hear yourself?" "Is there a problem?" He asked. Confusion laced his tone."What do you mean 'is there a problem?'? You haven't responded to my texts in days, you haven't picked up my calls and yo
An impromptu road trip with a man you partly just confessed your infatuation for was not how Elena expected her day to start but there she was, in the front seat of Marcus's sleek black car, her luggage neatly placed in the back seat, and Marcus humming along to the song playing lowly on the radio. The atmosphere wasn't nearly as tense as their previous encounters but it was still a bit awkward seeing as they had nothing to say to each other. And Elena could not stop pondering on the fact that if Gavin hadn't left, Marcus could have met him there, how exactly would she have explained that situation?Another thing running through her mind was what had Marcus been up to while he had been ghosting her and were they still in a relationship? And if they were, did she need to tell him about her night with Gavin?"You seem to be lost in your thoughts,""What else am I supposed to do?" "This is supposed to be a couples bonding kind of thing.""Right after you ghosted me for a week straight,
"Marcus," Elena called, a look of awe on her face."Yeah?" Marcus asked, shutting the door to the car and pulling their bags towards the front door. "You said we were going to a cabin.""Uh, yes…and?" "This is a freaking mansion, Marcus!" Elena was not exaggerating but the look on Marcus's face made it seem like she was. The 'cabin' was definitely in the middle of nowhere, it was just miles and miles of trees around it but it looked like it belonged on the cover of a catalogue about beautiful houses. It was made mostly of wood and bricks, and it was a storey building with two beautiful balconies and sliding glass doors. She couldn't help but wonder what the view would look like when it started snowing. Marcus had already told her there was a probability it would snow during their stay, and that was why half of her suitcase was her winter clothes."Really?" Marcus asked confused, a tint of amusement on his face."I'm scared to find out what your idea of a mansion looks like." "Hopefu
Elena was not expecting an answer from Marcus when she asked the question but she was acting hopeful. However, the scowl on Marcus's face indicated the conversation was over and the question would remain unanswered. He got up and packed the plates, "It's getting late. You should head to bed, you've had quite a day.""Marcus—""Thanks for the meal," he said cutting her off and putting the dirty dishes in the sink."Marcus, come on, don't do this.""I shouldn't do the dishes? I didn't take you as someone who contributed to the patriarchy—""You know what I'm talking about. Don't be that Marcus, don't shut me out." She walked closer to him and put a gentle hand on his tense shoulder. Marcus let out a shaky breath, "shutting people out is kind of my thing, sweetheart.""Okay, fine. You don't have to talk about it, just don't be moody Marcus, at least not this weekend." Marcus gave her a small smile then squeezed her hand, "I'll try,""So what's the agenda for tomorrow?""Well it's going
Elena woke up to the sound of a door slamming downstairs. She reached towards the other side of the bed but it was empty. She sat up and frowned, feeling stupid for thinking this morning would be like the last, especially after the night she had with Marcus. She got up and took a quick shower before going downstairs to see what the ruckus was about. Marcus was in the living area, shirtless and only wearing briefs, his phone was pressed against his ear as he yelled profanities at whoever was on the other line.“What do you mean by down by fifty per cent? Do you know how much I've put on the line for this deal to work? You don't get to tell me— No, I will not calm down! Now you listen to me, you tell them about the contract we signed, at least a month's notice, that's what it says, and I can have me lawyer fly down there to refresh their memories— yeah you do that. No, none of that. I'll be back tomorrow. Yes, I know what I'm doing! A month is more than enough time for my backup. I'll
The trip back home was exactly as one would expect — awkward.Marcus had not made a move to talk to Elena and neither had she. She was done with all of it, the mixed signals, shutting her out, everything. She was done with Marcus and she hoped the look on her face was a dead giveaway for that.Marcus could not exactly live with himself after last night. He had slept on the couch after they had gotten home and woke up in the middle of the night to check on Elena only to hear her crying in their room, and it was all his fault.He couldn't apologise, because if he did he would have to tell her about his feelings— all of it— and Eliza might not believe him. That would hurt way more than her slamming the door in his face.When the car came to a slow stop in front of her apartment, Marcus wanted to say something, anything at all that might make Elena hate him less but before he could open his mouth to speak, Elena had gotten out of the car, grabbed her things and then speed walked to her ap
“Emily, I'm home,” Elena said when she opened the door but she was greeted with a very odd sight. Marcus and Emily were seated on the floor, their backs resting on the sofa while devouring a tub of ice cream together, well Marcus was the one devouring the tub, and Emily had an amused look on her face while watching him. What was even more shocking was that Marcus was not in a full suit like he usually was. He had pulled off his jacket and tie, rolled up his sleeves, and with utmost concentration he was eating the ice cream.“What is going on here?” Elena asked, still a bit confused.“Oh, hi El,” Emily greeted, trying to hold her laugh her laugh.“Ow, ow, brain freeze,” Marcus groaned and dropped his spoon so he could cup the sides of his head with his palm.“New record, one minute and fifteen seconds,” Emily said looking down at her phone.“Yes!” “I'm still ahead of you by forty seconds,” Emily gloated causing Marcus to roll his eyes.“Um, can someone explain what is going on here?”
“You want what?!” Isabel screamed at Marcus.“A ring, and my Friday schedule to be cleared,”“You're going to propose? To who?!” “No, I'm going to get married on Friday,” Marcus clarified to a very livid Isabel.“I don't understand you, at all. You've gone crazy!” Isabel yelled at him.“Isabel,” “It's that Elena isn't it? What do you see in her?” She asked and moved closer to him, Marcus took a step back, a little scared of what she might do to him. He had never seen her that mad before.“Isabel—”“No, tell me. Is she prettier? What is it? Smarter? I have been here all this time looking after you and standing up for you, supporting you and what do I get in return?” She continued to yell.“Isabel, I have told you time and time again that nothing can ever happen between us, you are my employee and I can only see you as that. If you have a problem with my life choices you have two options: suck it up and keep it to yourself or resign,” Marcus told her.“Really? You're willing to throw
“What?” Elena asked and moved away from him.“Marry me, Elena. I want to be with you,” Marcus repeated but this only caused Elena to freak out even more.“Marry you?! We broke up after a very complicated relationship and the first thing you suggest is marriage, are you out of your—”“Yes, I am. And it's because of you. For heaven's sake, I can't eat. I can't think, I can't work properly. I can only think about you and how bad it screwed it up, so marry me,” “I— no,” she said. The words coming out quickly.“Well, think about it. I can offer you everything you need, everything you and your sister need.”“I don't need your money!” She yelled.“It's not just money, security, health insurance, a better life. Think about how much you'll be helping your sister here,” he insisted. “I know the bills are much on you, there's too much for you to handle. There's no guarantee you can get a stable life anytime soon and you need that stability,”“So you're offering me marriage just for the benefits
There was no way Elena could pay that fee and still be able to afford her house rent and her feeding for the next few months. She had also promised Emily to spare some money to cover up some of her expenses for the trip. So far things were not going as planned.Elena was snapped out of her thoughts by her ringing phone, she quickly answered it. It was Emily. "Hey, you texted me about a test?" "Yes, I did. I'm at the hospital and the doctor wants to get your cough checked out,""Oh," it was quiet at the other end of a while, "and how much would that cost?" "Emily, the cost doesn't matter. I told you not to worry about expenses," elena said, even though she had no idea where she would conjur up the money from."I know, but I'm still a bit worried. If you want we'll cancel the trip and I'll work and—""No," Elena said, cutting her off. "You have been sick for fat too long, you need to take a break and live out those experiences you couldn't have," "I know, but it should not have to co
"What?" Elena asked, trying to be sure she heard him correctly."I'm sorry, it's just...a lot is going on and I don't think this is right for me," "You're kidding, tell me you're kidding, Gavin." She said seriously, her voice void of emotion."I'm not, I can't keep going on like this with you," he said, not even bothering to look her in the eye while he talked."Like what?" She asked, trying to hold back tears. Gavin didn't reply, he just looked away. "Tell me, Gavin! Like what?!" "This! You have so much going on too, and your sister doesn't even like me—""Where is all of this coming from Gavin? You ghosted me for several days and now you're breaking up with me?!" She yelled, and a few people turned to look at them but she didn't care."Yes, I am. I know it may be hard for you to understand it properly but it's for the best, I mean you're still in love with someone else and I..." he trailed off again.Elena didn't say anything to him she just stared at him. She told him all of this
"Are you okay?" Emily asked Elena. Elena was seated in the living room, hunched over her phone like it was the most important thing in the world to her."Hm, yeah," Elena replied absent-mindedly and went back to her phone."Really? Because you've been in that exact position for the last half hour, what's going on?" Elena asked and sat down next to her on the couch."It's, nothing." "It sure feels like something," "Well, it's not. I was just expecting a call," "From who?" "Emily, drop it," Elena said and stood up."Is it Gavin? Did I scare him off?" Emily asked and followed her."What? No, why would you think that?" "Because you haven't mentioned him in days, are you two arguing?" "No," Elena replied, even if she wasn't sure whether or not they were fighting. Having had not picked up her calls in days. He was busying it and sending texts like 'I'm busy right now, talk later?" That was what he always said but he never made an attempt to talk to her afterwards. After the welcome d
Marcus walked to his car and drove off to the nearest bar that he saw. He ordered a few drinks and proceeded to drown himself in alcohol. He knew that it would not be a good look on his image if he was seen but at the moment he did not care, he kept filling his system with alcohol and proceeded to feel the weight on his shoulders being lifted.His world as he knew it was crumbling and there was nothing he could possibly do about it.He knew that this day would come when his lack of a consistent relationship would make him be judged in his workplace. His father had screamed in his ear several times that he should become responsible and get a wife. For a while, he thought he could do that with Elena. He showed no interest in her but made it clear that he could provide for her needs from the start. He never meant to fall for her, if he did then it would defeat his whole purpose of trying to start a platonic relationship with her just so they could get married.But along the line, his obj
So far the highlight of the last few weeks of Marcus's life was Elena calling to yell at him. It was the first time he had heard her voice since they ended things or since she ended things with him and he didn't bother to stop her.He was a mess now, he could barely sleep, and he stayed up all night thinking about Elena and what their life would have been like now if he had just confessed his feelings. This woman was shifting his entire focus and she didn't even have to do anything. He started questioning if it was the right choice and whether or not his career should come before her.Elena was messing him up, real bad."Mr. Blaine? Are you listening?" One of his employees asked him and his attention snapped to the people in the board room. He was sleep-deprived and missing the woman of his dreams and yet there he was in a meeting trying to figure out the next course of action to hold the Singaporean deal."Um, yes. Could you please just repeat what you said?" He asked.The man opened
The next few days felt like a dream. Emily had come back home to their tiny apartment and Elena planned a small welcome back party for her, it was supposed to be a little get-together where she would invite Gavin too and officially introduce him as her boyfriend.“So it's just going to be me, you and Derek right?” Emily asked as she set down plates on their small dining table. She had moved from using a wheelchair to crutches, and in a few days, and with more physical therapy she would be able to walk unaided, Elena could not wait.“Not exactly,” Elena said then set an extra plate, “We have another guest,” “Is it Marcus? I've always wondered what he looked like,” Elena felt her mood change almost immediately. She had not talked to Marcus ever since she called him to yell and he sounded sorry.“Are you okay, El?” “Yes, I'm fine. And no, it's not Marcus. It's Gavin,”“What? I thought you guys were done,” “We were, and it was complicated but Marcus is out of the picture now and Gavin