George"Alright, so I compiled all the data, organized the claims, police report, and evidence we were able to find on him–honestly, why do people put their crimes on their phones? 'Do you have a warrant?' Yes they have a fucking warrant, you–" "Focus, Allen." "Right. Right. Back to what I was saying. So, with the evidence we've gathered, the police had grounds for a warrant for an investigation. Furthermore, he's been taken away by the police just this morning–we have confirmation on that." "Good," I nod. "People like Leo have no place in a hospital, especially grandmother's hospital." "Sir, no offense but that's hardly the real reason you did this." Allen sighs, shaking his head. "Is it really that hard to admit that you care about Ella?" "I'm simply making amends for the past. There's nothing more to it." "If you're certain sir," Allen says in a tone that makes clear he doesn't believe me. "Anyways, in other news, Charlotte's case is nearly finished." "And now..."
GeorgeThere are very few times I go to company parties and company lunches, and that's when I am the host of them. Socializing is... not my expertise. Courtrooms are easier, speaking there, addressing the jury is easier because it's about explaining things in a way that makes people understand, that makes them sympathetic or angry, all the while following the rules of the game and the laws that have been set out. However, there are exceptions to this, like how we were finally able to crush the media rumors about what happened with me and Charlotte. Many of my employees had to deal with harassment and other such things because of that, so not only were they given a bonus but I also offered to take them all out to dinner. Mulligan's Steak House is popular, expensive, but it offers good steaks and has enough space for a large reservation of over twenty people. It's one of the better places, even if the large group I'm with is a little loud. I'm trying to enjoy my steak when
GeorgeDinner finishes late and I'm taking care of the bill, a couple thousand, while the others are going ahead of me. A few people have to call cabs to get back home but all in all, a successful dinner. There was that one hiccup with the video, but it was fine. I was fine. Nothing I couldn't handle. Allen goes ahead of me and just as I'm about to leave I hear him speak up in surprise. "Oh, you're... Rachel, right?" "Yeah, I'm Ella's friend. You're–Allen? Yeah?" "Yeah. I saw the video, the performance was good," he praises awkwardly and I grimace, hesitating to leave the restaurant. Rachel isn't someone I'd ever want to mess with, and she could hold a grudge like nobody's business. If I went out there I'd probably start a fight. Even if she WAS drunk, that would cause trouble and then Ella would get involved. It's like I can never say the right thing around her anymore, that my every action just falls flat compared to what I want it to be. The question is, would it
EllaHow is this even happening? I look back up at Sara, her expression unchanged. I look back down at the paper I'm reading.Kingston Reina.I'm almost terrified to keep reading past the initial diagnosis."Pathology report finds the benign mass located in his chest. Several different examinations were performed to confirm the mass can be safely removed without causing much harm or discomfort to the patient."I let myself breathe out, knowing the mass can't do anything to my father. But that doesn't stop my curiosity. How could he have kept this from everyone? Maybe I don't deserve to know after being away for three years. But Mom? Vinny? What about those who have been beside him?"This doesn't make any sense," I whisper into the pages. "I'm sorry this is how you had to find out," Sara states, giving me a compassionate and kind look. "I wasn't expecting to see the information, either. It's not what I was looking for.""And what exactly were you looking for?" It comes out exas
EllaMy skin feels hot as the words Elijah has uttered hit me in waves. He wants to know more about me? Also, how does he know about my marriage to George? It seems like no one can put together that I'm the same Ella he'd married several years ago. Every person acts as if that woman could not possibly be me.But that was the entire point of the charade, wasn't it? To appear as an entirely different woman. But now, I stand here and stare at Elijah, trying to interpret what he's said. He could mean he's interested in knowing how my marriage ended. He could be thinking about knowing when the marriage ended, the amount of time we've been apart, or maybe even why."Oh?" is all I can find myself saying. Way to go, Ella. You look like a fool.I'm not going to sit here and assume the man has romantic feelings for me. It's silly, truly, to ponder Elijah speaking to me only because he still holds a soft spot in his heart for me. We're both grown adults. We can discuss business and our live
GeorgeI inhale her scent, somehow realizing it's something I never did enough in the past. She smells like something delectable... What is it? I can't place it. Has this been what she always moved through the world wearing? A scent so tricky to my nose? A scent that reminds me of rainy days in the house where cookies were baked or a full turkey would be brined. This woman was my wife for three years. How, as I move into her space, am I unable to find the smell I can't remember in the house?It's not a common one. It's not like those meals, the desserts, or even her hair products. Those were sweet-smelling. I remember that much, seeing as I'd fuck her after she lathered her hair and dug her nails into my shoulder.I turn my neck to the side at this, closing my eyes as the memory rushes in so fast I can't stop it. The twitch rushes through my skin as I try to calm myself as quickly as my brain fills with the days and nights with her."Let go of me," Ella rumbles. "We're going to
Ella"Here." I stare at what George is trying to hand me and for a moment I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at until it hits me. It's a credit card. No, a bank card. "I've loaded it with two million monthly cap. If you need more though, just call Miss Cates and she'll top it off for you." He says it easily, as if this isn't a full-on insult to me. After three years, he is giving me a bank card. Back when we were married, I didn't even have one. All the groceries were taken care of by the maids. I might have done chores and cooked, but all I had to do was ask them to pick something up and they would. If I needed clothes or needed to do personal shopping for myself I would have to ask for money, and while George would give it, he always had something to say, making asking for it to be awkward. It got to the point that most of the clothing I owned was gifted because it was 'suitable' for his wife and not really my style. So, despite being married to an extremely rich man,
GeorgeAs I stare at my case files, not a single word seems to register in my head. I shouldn't be doing this, I have work to take care of, a company to run, but I can't stop thinking about last night. Back then it felt as if I lost control the moment I saw her, clothes clinging to her skin, her hair dark, curling against her cheeks, the flush of her skin...To hold her in my arms after so long, body pressed up against mine and my lips against hers... The last time we'd been intimate was so long ago, even before the divorce. Doing such a risque thing outside was new too, something that we never did when we were married. Sex was usually sweeter, with Ella pliant and obedient under me, and afterwards she'd cuddle up in my arms and we'd fall asleep together.That time in the alley had been different. Intense, yes, but Ella has changed. It wasn't so sweet and indulgent, she seemed completely indifferent to what was happening, as if it was just an act to chase physical pleasure.