Elena's POV:
As I wake up, it's the same routine. I sit up, take my medication, then head to the bathroom to have my bath.
Today, I'm going to work. I don't care what any other person has to say.
As I walk down the stairs, I spot movement outside the front window. Marcus is standing by the car.
He's here.
I rush down. "Good morning, Lucia!" I yell as I pass by her.
"Morning, Mrs." I hear her chuckle behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I ask with folded arms as I step outside.
"Morning Mrs.," Marcus bows lightly.
I narrow my eyes on him. "You haven't answered my question."
I'm angry at him too. For not showing up yesterday. I know he's Adrian's man, but I would have loved to believe we formed a decent driver-passenger relationship.
"The boss told me to take you to work," he says, with both hands together in front of him.
"And why didn't you show up yesterday?" I jut my chin out.
Okay. I know I'm being petty right now cause he didn't have a choice, but still. I can't help it.
"I was under strict orders, Ma'am," is all he says.
I study him for a moment, glaring at him and hoping he can feel my anger through my glare.
"Hold on a sec," I finally say before turning and heading back inside.
"I'm off to work, Lucia," I stop by the counter.
"That's good," she turns, smiling at me. I'm sure she probably remembers how pissed I was yesterday.
"Well, would you like to have breakfast now, or will you eat when you get back?"
"I'll eat when I get back," I chuckle nervously.
"Alright, dear."
"Thank you, Lucia," I say with genuine appreciation.
"Of course, dear. Have a good time at work, okay?"
"I will," I smile at her before turning and heading out.
Outside, Marcus opens the door for me and I slide in. "Let's go."
He nods, starting the engine. The car roars to life.
The drive to work is quiet, and by the time I get inside the restaurant, I'm focused. Ready for work.
Camila asks a few concerning questions of why I didn't show up at work yesterday. I just tell her not to worry and that I'm fine now.
At least someone actually, genuinely cares.
Hours pass smoothly. I serve customers, take orders, clean tables, restock. The rest of the staff float around the room, doing their own designated duties, however I can't find Camila.
She said she wanted to use the bathroom a few minutes ago, but she hasn't come out yet.
As if on cue, the office door opens and she steps out alongside the manager.
The manager clears his throat before speaking, "Can everyone please gather for a moment?" he says loudly.
Everyone pauses what they're doing, including me.
What does he want to say? And why is Camila with him?
Slowly, we all move toward them, forming a straight line.
"I won't waste any of your time so I'll just get on with it," he sniffs. "Mrs. Camila here," he gestures at her. "Just reported that her watch has gone missing."
My brows shoot up. Everyone gasps quietly. I search for her gaze, but she's avoiding looking at me.
"Now. You all know we have very strict policies here, and I'd like to believe that none of my employees is a thief."
"Of course not."
"No."
Soft murmurs fill the room.
But who would steal Camila's watch? Everyone here seems friendly. Well, except for Tessa, but I don't think she would steal.
"So here's what's going to happen," the manager continues. "You're all going to go in and bring your bags out here for checking."
Small whispers spread out in the room.
"No one is accusing anyone. But we need to find it. According to her, she's checked through her things severally but still couldn't find it. So we're just checking to be sure."
Camila's eyes fall to me for a brief second, before she glances away again. Why won't she look at me?
The manager looks at me. "Uhh…Mrs. Elena? Are you comfortable with us checking your bag? Since you're Mr. Adrian's wife, I want to be sure..."
"It's fine," I rush him off. If he's checking every other person's bag, he should check mine too.
I don't know if I saw correctly, but I think I saw Camila's lips tilt upward slightly. A smirk. I shake it off, then head inside along with others, to grab my bag. When I come back out, I set it on the counter.
The manager starts searching through each bag, one by one. When it comes to Tessa's turn, I half expect the watch to be in her bag, but it's not.
I mean, I'm not judging her, don't get me wrong. It's just the look she always has on her face. Like she hates everyone around her, so is it bad to think that?
It's my turn now. He opens the bag, puts a hand in, and then he freezes.
Why did he stop?
His hand comes back up, and he's holding…Camila's watch.
The entire room stills, whispers and gasps breaking out. My breath catches.
"What?" My voice breaks. "That…no…that's not…how did that get in my bag?"
"You tell me, Elena," Camila spits, folding her arms together.
"What?" My eyes shoot to her. "I don't know how that got there, I didn't take your watch, Camila."
"Why would she do something like that?" Someone mutters.
"I thought she's rich, why did she have to steal?" Another person says.
"Oh my God! I knew she wasn't a good person. She's just with her husband for money, and even all that isn't enough for her?"
I snap my head in their direction, but all of them are quiet again.
I shake my head, stepping back in disbelief. "No. I'm saying the truth, I don't know how that got into my bag. I didn't take anything!"
How did it get in my bag? Why would I even steal from Camila?
"How could you, Elena?" a sobbed sound leaves Camila's lips.
I turn to look at her in disbelief. She wouldn't possibly believe I took her watch, right?
Tears roll down her eyes. "I thought we were…" Her voice breaks. "I thought we were close. Why would you even do something like this? Was this your plan all along? To get close to me so you could steal from me?" her tone is harsh.
"No! Camila, what are you saying?" I shake my head. "I would never steal from you, you know that. I won't ever take what's not mine, especially not from you. I didn't take your watch, I don't even know how it got there!"
I'm breathing hard, my heart is beating fast.
What is happening?
"Really?" Camila scoffs, wiping a tear from her cheek. "If you didn't take it, then explain to us how it got there. How did my watch get into your bag, Elena, and please don't tell me it developed legs and walked into it on its own."
"You stole from me!" she grits, anger now visible on her face. "I'm barely managing, while you have yourself a rich husband who can cater to all your needs, but somehow that isn't enough for you?"
"Don't say that, Camila," I breathe. "I promise you I didn't take your watch. I would never steal from you."
"Let's calm down, everyone," the manager cuts in.
"Uhh, Elena, I'm sorry but with the look of things, I'm afraid I might have to call your husband."
My heart drops.
No.
"No! You can't call him!" I rush out. "This is all a misunderstanding. We can handle it ourselves, okay? There's no need to involve him in this."
"And why shouldn't we call him? Are you afraid he'll get to see what type of person you really are?" Camila grits.
What's wrong with her? Why's she acting like this? She knows I wouldn't steal from her, she knows, so why?
"Well, Mrs. Elena, the watch was found in your bag, but you say you don't know anything about it. There's no way to confirm anything, and I can't come to a decision without Mr. Adrian, so I'm afraid I have no choice."
Before I can protest, he takes out his phone, taps on it, then brings it up to his ear.
No. What is Adrian going to think? Will he believe I stole the watch? That I'm a thief?
"Uhh…" the manager clears his throat, straightening. "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir, but there's an important matter that needs your attention right now. It involves your wife."
There's a pause.
My heart thumps louder and louder with each passing second. I feel like I'm going to throw up.
"No, sir, she's not harmed anywhere, however, she's being accused of stealing. One of the staff's watches was found in her bag."
Oh God!
Another long pause.
"Yes. Yes, sir. I understand."
He hangs up.
"He'll be here soon."
My stomach sinks instantly.
What am I going to do? No one believes me. No one will listen to me, not even Camila.
And Adrian… I don't even know how he's going to react. How am I supposed to defend myself? He'll think I took it. He'll think I stole the watch when genuinely, I don't have any reason to do something like that.
Tears prickle at the back of my eyes, but I lift my head up, forcing them back. If I show any weakness, then that will only make their accusations against me seem true. I can't cry. I won't.
I look around me. Everyone is giving me weird looks. They're muttering and whispering things between themselves.
I look to Camila. She's glaring at me. Tears roll down her eyes, and she wipes them away. "I'm disappointed in you, Elena. I can't even believe this," she mutters.
"I…" I open my mouth to speak, then close it again.
What would I even say?
Does she really think I did it? I mean, I know it's been only a week or something since I started working here, but I expected that she'd know me better by now.
I thought she knew me better.
I've never stolen a day in my life, so why would I start now after just getting this job?
The door chimes, and all eyes shoot to the door.
My stomach drops and my heartbeat picks up.
There's a tall silhouette by the door. I know those long legs anywhere. My eyes look down from his legs, then move up slowly, agonizingly, and then land on his face.
And I regret even looking at him. Because he's looking right back at me.
I'm done.