Elena's POV
I can't seem to stop the tears streaming down my face, no matter how hard I try.
My hands are trembling, and I can literally feel my heart breaking. I bump into someone on my way to my office.
I look up to find Mariana looking at me with a concerned expression on her face.
"El…" she starts, reaching for me, but I back away and move around her.
I can't talk to anyone right now. I slam the door to my office shut, turn the key, and slide down against it.
I can feel my whole body trembling. My hands move to my hair, tugging. Tears hot on my face, I choke and whimper as I break down.
Why did he do this to me?
He told me he loved me one day ago. We were fine on the flight back.
My palm rests on my chest as I try to even out my breathing. I kick my heels off and just stare into space. Memories we shared together come flooding in as more tears fall from my eyes — the first time we met, when he saved me at that club… how complicated and chaotic, yet in love we were.
I don't understand why he suddenly switched on me like that.
I drag myself from the floor, staggering a little, my knees wobbly.
I freeze when a knock comes on my door.
"Elena, please open up. Talk to me," Mariana's voice calls from the other side.
I'll talk to her soon but just not right now .
I don't answer. I move away from the door and slowly make my way to my office chair. I slam down on it, running my hands over my red, wet face. My hands tremble as I scroll through my phone, looking for Summer's number.
We've both been super busy , she got promoted at her workplace to manager at the restaurant, so she's double busy. We do talk, though not a lot. And right now, I need my best friend.
I FaceTime her, and it rings. She answers on the second ring. Her beautiful face and wide smile pop up , but it disappears once she sees me.
"Who are we killing?" she asks, worried. And that makes me laugh between sniffles.
"What's going on, babe?" she asks, looking behind her.
I go silent for a bit, because I don't even want to talk about it , it physically hurts.
She seems to notice; she nods but doesn't hang up.
"A minute — don't hang up," she says, walking to what I assume is the back of the restaurant. I place my phone on my desk as I fish out tissues from my purse.
Her voice comes again.
"Zoe, can you cover for me? I need to take care of something," she says.
She's talking to one of her colleagues.
"You're the manager, Sam. You can leave when you want," Zoe's voice comes, soft and small.
"Yeah, you're right… but I'll be back. If not, I'll see you tomorrow," Sam giggles, and I roll my eyes slightly.
How can she forget she's the manager?
"El?" she calls, and I grab my phone so we're face to face again.
"Meet me at my house in ten. I don't care what you're doing , I want to know who put that look on your face. No excuses. Bye, see you then," she says, blowing a kiss and hanging up.
I sigh, leaning back and swinging a little. I stare at the emails I'm supposed to go through on my laptop before shutting it. I can't stay here another second.
I grab my purse. I'm not crying anymore, but it's evident I've been crying — my face and eyes are red.
I don't bump into Mariana or anyone I know, and that makes me feel relieved.
Once at the parking lot, I look at Rio's car , the one I drove here , but I decide not to take it. I don't want anything to do with that bastard, so I call a cab.
Moments later.
I raise my hand to knock on Sam's door, but it swings open before I even do.
Her lips pout when she sees me, and suddenly my throat tightens.
"Oh, baby…" she coos, moving forward to engulf me in a tight hug, and I find myself breaking down again.
Sam is basically my unbiological sister, and I don't mind being vulnerable around her. She's always been here for me , dark and bright days alike.
"Shh, it's okay… let it out," she whispers in my ear. She guides me into her apartment, shutting the door behind us. She leads me to the couch, lays my head on her lap, and lets me cry. She doesn't ask anything.
A few minutes pass, me sniffling on her lap while she combs my hair with her hands, shushing me.
I finally sit up, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.
"Drink this , I made it for you," she says, reaching for the mug on the table. Hot chocolate.
"Thank you," I whisper, sniffling a little.
I take a few sips before placing it down.
And then I tell her everything , what we found out, the trip to Texas, and finally, what happened this morning.
"So he just disappeared and reappeared with an attitude — ,and courting Jessica?" Sam asks, now on her feet, pacing, anger radiating off her.
She's just as mad.
"Yeah. He dismissed me just like that. Like he didn't tell me he loved me. Like he didn't f*ck me senseless on the flight here," I scoff, throwing my hands up.
"He's a jerk. So what are you gonna do?" she asks, her voice small, looking at me, ready to support my decision , you could see it in her eyes.
I go quiet for a moment. What will I do?
"I'll move out first. I can't stand staying under the same roof as him," I say, running my hands through my hair.
"Come stay with me," Sam says excitedly.
"No, no, I don't—" I start to protest, but she cuts me off.
"Elena, you're the most stubborn bitch I know, but you're not having a say in this. Look…" she takes my hand in hers, her eyes filled with concern.
"You can't go back to your apartment , with all the chaos and scary mafia guys placing targets on your back. It's dangerous to stay alone. I don't know how to fight or hold a gun, but I'll try to… for you. I can't let anything happen to you, Elena. So stop being stubborn and move in with me," she says, serious now, and I find myself giggling a little.
"Okay, fine. But just for a while before I figure out what to do," I say, standing up.
"What about the job? You know you're his assistant, Elena , you can't avoid him," she says, grabbing her car keys and walking next to me as we head out.
I huff, feeling my head pound.
"I'll just do my job and try to avoid him. Besides, he's barely ever at the office. You know I can't quit my job because of a stupid heartbreak," I say, waiting for her to lock her door.
"Well, good luck with that," she scoffs playfully, and I roll my eyes at her.
We step outside, into the parking lot of her apartment.
She suddenly stops.
"Here," she says, handing me her car key. I look at it, confused. I thought she was coming with me.
"You're not coming?" I ask, grabbing the key from her hand.
"I wish I could, but Zoe texted me. She said something happened at the restaurant that needs me," she says.
I nod, understanding , she's the manager now, and it's probably a big issue if Zoe asked for her.
I hug her, and she hugs me back, squeezing me tight.
"You got this, Elena. I'm expecting to find my place packed with your stuff when I get back. There's a spare house key attached to the car key , use that, yeah?" she says, pulling back from the hug.
I nod. Looking at the key holder with the car keys and house key attached to it .
"Thank you," I smile weakly at her.
"Don't mention it. Now go," she shushes me away with a giggle as she walks to her workplace since it's not far from here.
I turn around, make my way to her car, and flop inside, sighing and taking a few deep breaths.
I decide not to go back to the office , I'll go straight to Rio's house and grab my stuff.
The drive isn't very long since there's no traffic. And also, because of how firm, my foot is pressed on the gas , I'm probably driving too fast, but I don't care.
Soon, the gates to his manor open as I drive inside. I park and step out.
I look around , probably the last time I'll be able to. I spot Sergio watering the plants.
"Hey," I call out to him, forcing a warm smile on my face.
He turns around, placing the hose down, mirroring my smile back.
"Afternoon, Miss Elena. What can I do for you?" he asks politely.
"Uhm… I need you to help me bring my boxes down from my room after I pack them in a short while," I say nervously, not sure why.
His smile drops for a second.
"Oh, you're leaving?" he asks.
"Yeah. I found my own place. I don't want to be a bother anymore," I lie, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
He nods in understanding, and I thank God he didn't push.
"Okay. I'll come find you once you're done packing up, okay?" I ask, already turning, walking toward the doors.
"No problem," I hear him say from behind me.
I push the door open, and the silence of the manor makes me feel uneasy for a second , sometimes it does that. It's so lifeless and cold here.
I walk up the stairs, my mind racing with a million thoughts, giving me a headache.
As I reach the last step, I bump into a wall or something. I rub my forehead, stepping back a little. I look up — time stops.
Because Rio is standing there, shirtless, looking down at me with a scowl on his face.