Chapter 4

Elena freshened up, picking a pink sundress from her closet. She threw her big curly black hair into a slick back bun and applied light makeup.

To say she was beautiful was an understatement. She decided to walk around the penthouse and get familiar with her new surrounding as she was tired of staying inside all morning.

Walking out the room, she noticed that no personal picture hung on the wall, all were framed artworks by famous artists. There was no family portrait, not even of Adrian. She found it weird as her mind raced to all the possible reasons why that could be.

‘Maybe he wasn’t loved at home growing up’ she thought to herself. Explains a lot about his cold arrogant attitude.

She passed by a plain black door at the end of the hallway. Compared to the grand designs on all the doors she had seen so far, this one was plain black and sealed off by a heavy padlock with a ‘keep out’ sign. Curiosity surged through her veins as she wondered what could be hidden behind the door.

“Ms Cross,” a voice broke her out of her thoughts.

She spinned fast, only to find herself faced with a girl about her age, wearing a maid outfit. She was about 5’7 feet, with brown bouncy hair, her eyes were pure black.

“I’m Anna, the master’s youngest staff. Master Cross instructed me to introduce myself to you, being that you’re new. Please if you need anything, don’t hesitate to send for me.” She quickly informed Elena as she read the curious look on her face.

“Oh, nice to meet you Anna. I’d rather you call me Elena not Ms Cross.” She knew saying that was risky but she didn’t care about what the consequence was. “Sorry… how old are you?”

Anna hesitated before answering. “21 ma’am.”

“Alright, I’ll call for you if I need anything.” She dismissed her, eyeing her suspiciously. She heard from her father that Adrian only employes elderly women to work for him. Why was she here?

Anna turned to resume her work in the kitchen. Before she could enter the elevator, Elena called out. “Anna””yes ma’am.” Anna answered quick. Too quick, like she was waiting for it.

Elena paused, “Do you happen to know what’s behind this door?” She asked

“No ma’am, all the staffs were instructed never to go into that room.” Elena was puzzled by the answer.

‘that’s weird, what could he be hiding’ she thought. “And where are the keys?” Elena pressed.

“I don’t know ma’am. Only the master has access to that room, the keys are always with him.” Anna answered honestly.

“Take me to his office.” Elena demanded. Whatever might be in there was definitely enough to bring him down and she planned on getting all the necessary information needed for that.

Anna paused a bit, glancing between Elena and the door. Finally she let out a small sigh. “Alright ma’am. Follow me.”

Elena wondered why Anna hesitated before leading her to the office, everything about Anna was strange and she didn’t like it one bit.

Anna led her to his study, the only room on the top floor. “I’ll be standing outside ma’am.” Anna said.

“There’ll be no need for that, you may leave.” Elena dismissed her, throwing her a grateful smile as she walked into the office.

The room was beautifully arranged, just like the rest of the penthouse. A massive marble desk at the center of the room, a tall wooden shelf with different books about finance, law, politics and business. The air conditioning and the furnitures gave the room a mixture of leather and cedar scent.

Elena snapped out of gazing around and began moving around the room searching for anything out of place, any document, key or information she could get and write down in her journal.

After searching for what looked like hours, she began feeling frustrated. She was about to give up when her eyes caught something at the corner of the desk.

It was a picture frame of Adrian, and not the cold, heartless person she married. In the picture he looked young, lively and happy. She couldn’t guess his age but he didn’t look up to 19. There was a little girl who threw her arms around him, smiling brightly, standing next to them was a beautiful teen girl with long raven hair and the brightest blue eyes Elena had ever seen, she stood beside Adrian resting her head on his shoulder with a faint smile on her lips. While a huge stone faced man was behind them. She easy recognized him as Adrian’s father, Henry Cross. She had seen his face on interviews and gossip tvs. He basically built their city, owning a large amount of casinos, hotel and malls. The Cross family were untouchable because of this guy.

Her eyes wandered back to the girl, who was she? A relative? Childhood bestie? And why did Adrian have this picture laying around in his office.

“What do you think you’re doing in here?” A deep voice cut through the silence.

Her breath hitched as she spun around fast, knocking off the glass picture frame from the table.

She turned to see Adrian standing at the doorway, fury bazing in his eyes as he stared at the shattered glass on the floor.

“Oh my goodness..” Elena panicked, “I-I was just” “get out!”

Her heart broke in her chest at the sound of his voice, yes Adrian was cold but never had he raised his voice at her.

“I’m… I’m so sor” Elena stammered, but the words wouldn’t come. “Get out, Elena.” Adrian calmly said this time, his voice cracking, you would think he was about to cry.

Realizing there was no explanation for this, Elena ran out the office straight to her room.

Adrian walked to the broken glass, standing in silence as he stared at the photo completely intact. His jaw clenched as he carefully picked it off the floor, dusting off glass particles as he placed it neatly in his pocket. His expression unreadable as he trembled while getting up.

For a moment he just stood there, staring at the empty spot on the desk. As if it would erase what just happened.

“She’s knowing too much, I need to handle this before it’s late.”

In her room, Elena paced round the room, swimming in guilt and confusion. Why did Adrian react so strongly? What was he planning? Who were the girls in the photo? And why did it feel like she’s just unraveled a new secret she shouldn’t know?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. She froze as her eyes darted towards the door

“Elena,” Adrian’s voice sounded from the other side, low and strained. “We need to talk.”

Her breath cut in her throat, his tone didn’t sound angry anymore, it was something else. Something darker.

And for the first time Elena wondered if she had stepped into something far more dangerous than she expected.