Elena's POV
I pull my skirt up, zipping it up, looking at my reflection in the mirror.
I'm getting ready for work. My thighs still hurt a little from what Rio and I did yesterday on the flight back to New York. It makes me smile a little, my cheeks reddening.
Since we came back, we haven't had the chance to talk with the others, see what they found,.but I'm sure we'll have that meeting soon.
Rio didn't sleep home last night. After we landed, he took a quick shower and told me he had to take care of something at the warehouse. He never returned home.
It's almost 8 a.m., and not a single text or call from him. My stomach twists for some reason. I sigh, flattening my skirt with my palms. My blue blouse hugs me perfectly, slightly tucked in, making my boobs pop and outlining my waist. The skirt hugs my hips, ending just above my knees, paired with black heels.
I turn away from the mirror, grabbing my phone for the millionth time, expecting a message or something —nothing.
"Where are you, Rio?" I whisper to myself, bouncing on one leg.
I sigh in defeat and decide to just get to work. Maybe he'll show up there. Maybe he'll have an explanation, which I really hope is a valid one.
Moments later, I'm all dressed up. I chug down a glass of juice, not in the mood to eat. I grab one of Rio's car keys—he's usually the one driving to work, but since he's not here, I'm stuck alone.
I descend the few steps after shutting the door behind me. The warm morning sunlight graces my skin as I walk to the garage.
"Morning, miss," Sergio, one of Rio's drivers, calls from behind me. I halt and turn around with a smile.
"Morning, Sergio," I say enthusiastically. He's dressed in his usual work clothes—suit crisp, posture straight. He walks toward me, stopping a few inches away.
"Heading to work?" he asks, playing with the keys in his hand.
"Yeah. Well, Rio ain't around, so I'm kinda rolling solo today," I explain, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand.
"I could drive you, if you want," he offers politely.
I shake my head. I hate to trouble him.
"No, Serg, I got it. Thanks for offering," I say, patting his shoulder.
He nods. "Well, okay. Be safe and have a nice day." He bows slightly before turning around to leave.
I bite the inside of my cheek before calling out again.
"Sergio—wait!" I yell, walking toward him. He turns around, a little startled.
"Uh, sorry. I was wondering if you knew where Rio is?" I ask hesitantly. I was desperate—and I'm not ashamed to say I'm addicted to that man.
He looks taken aback by the question, doesn't answer right away.
"No, miss. I don't know. Please excuse me," he stammers a little before turning and speed-walking away.
Well, that was weird.
I sigh, checking my phone again—nothing. I decide to head to work.
The drive to work is anything but peaceful, because all I keep thinking about is where is he? I stop at a red light. He's never ghosted me this long—he always calls or texts when he's busy. And the worst part? He's never not slept at home. He always comes back. Except last night.
The car behind me honks so loud it snaps me out of my thoughts. I jump, realizing the light's turned green.
Soon, I park in front of the company at my usual spot. I step out, grabbing my bag. My heels click as I make my way through the glass doors, and once I'm inside—the office stops. Everyone just stares at me.
"What?!" I snap, annoyed at how everyone is so damn nosy.
I make my way to the reception. Margo looks stunning as always—her red hair in a tight bun, her blue dress hugging her curves, glasses perched perfectly on her nose, and a grin on her face as I approach.
"Why is everyone staring at me?" I ask her, mirroring her smile as I lean on her counter.
"Good morning to you too," she chuckles, reaching under her desk and pulling out a cup of coffee.
She's a lifesaver.
"You have no idea how much I needed this," I tell her, sipping the coffee.
"Well, you did show up at the ball with their boss, caused a scene with Jessica, and just pulled up here with his car—so yeah, that's what's up with the staring," she giggles.
I roll my eyes playfully.
"Let me get to work before they eat me up with their eyes," I say, making her laugh before walking to the elevator.
I step inside—thankfully alone—and press the eighteenth-floor button. I lean back against the mirror with a sigh as the elevator moves up.
I grab my phone again. Nothing.
I step out, ignoring the burning eyes following me as I walk into my office and shut the door behind me. It feels like I haven't been here in forever, even though I was only away for the weekend.
I decide to clean up a little—dusting here and there, opening the windows to air the room—and then my office phone rings, making my hand fly to my chest.
I grab it, press answer, and lift it to my ear. I hold my breath—because I know it's him. And that confuses me.
"Elena. Coffee," his voice booms in my ear, sending shockwaves through me before he hangs up.
I slowly place the phone back but don't move.
Oh, so he's just gonna disappear the whole night and morning only to call me and say 'Elena, coffee'?
I'm going to give him a piece of my mind once I step into that office.
I storm out after printing the schedule Margo emailed me. I make my way to the coffee room, fixing his coffee, bouncing on my leg as I recite what I'm going to tell him. My hands tremble a little as I stir the sugar.
I stop in front of his door—coffee in one hand, his schedule in the other—my heart beating out of my chest, my hands sweating and trembling.
"Pull it together, Elena," I murmur to myself.
I don't know why I'm feeling like this anyway. Maybe because we've never been in this situation before—where one of us ghosts the other. It's confusing.
I knock lightly. No answer. I knock again. Still nothing. I roll my eyes, turn the knob, and step inside. He's seated, swinging slightly on his chair, facing the window, whiskey glass in hand.
I roll my eyes, fed up with the man's ego.
I shut the door behind me, my heels clicking in the quiet office as I make my way to his desk.
I place the coffee and schedule down. Still, his back is turned to me.
"Can you stop acting like this?" I finally snap, because what the hell is his problem?
He turns slowly in his chair. His brown eyes land on me. He looks tired ,hair messy, dark circles under his eyes like he didn't sleep a wink. His shirt is halfway unbuttoned. He's a mess. A hot one.
He cocks a brow at me.
"Don't talk to me in that tone, Elena," he murmurs, voice low and deep, his eyes flicking to his schedule.
"What's wrong with you?" I ask, hurt by how he's dismissing me, like I don't even exist.
"Nothing. You brought my coffee—you can leave," he says without sparing me a glance.
"No." I plant myself in the chair in front of him.
"Not until you tell me what crawled up your ass. You're ignoring me, avoiding me since we flew back, quit being an asshole and man the fuck up," I snap, voice slightly raised, anger building because I hate this feeling.
He snaps his eyes up at me, jaw flexing. He opens his mouth to speak ,when the door swings open.
I turn, my anger still written all over my face. Jessica stands there, in a short red dress and tall pink heels, hair up, makeup too heavy. She smirks at me.
I turn back to Rio.
"What is she doing here?" I ask, standing slowly.
Rio avoids my eyes.
"He's taking me out. Isn't that right, baby?" she purrs, smug grin in place.
And my heart literally breaks. I can feel it breaking. My knees nearly give out, my lungs squeeze tight, my eyes glossing up.
No ...that's not..
I turn to Rio, waiting for him to say something anything to contradict this bitch.
"Yes. You can leave now, Elena," he says, still staring at his schedule, his knuckles white.
I scoff, a shaky chuckle leaving my lips as I wipe away a stray tear with trembling hands.
"Okay." I simply say, before walking away and slamming his door shut behind me.