Elena's POV
After leaving the apartment where Aldrich lived, I decided to go back to sleep. When I woke up, it was no longer morning and I hadn't had breakfast yet. I ended up just making a glass of milk and toasting two slices of bread, then spreading strawberry jam on them that I had bought yesterday at the minimarket.
I had just returned to City X and moved into this apartment a week ago after hearing the news that my maternal grandfather had passed away. During my three years on the run, I lived in a small corner of town and ran a cake shop that doubled as a small cafe.
There, I lived peacefully, as if my problems had simply disappeared. Moreover, the people there were friendly and no one knew me before. But I couldn't keep running from the problems that haunted me at night. So I decided to return to City X to resolve them.
I will start with the company my grandfather left for me. Then I will think about the next steps to reclaim the company that James Wilson forcibly took from my late mother. The company that my mother worked so hard to build into a large enterprise.
The clock showed 3:00 PM. I then took a shower and changed out of the clothes I hadn't changed since last night into my pajamas.
Today, I didn't want to go out or even meet anyone, choosing instead to focus on my pending work.
My mother used to have an interest in fashion. Because of that, my grandfather, who originally owned a textile company, expanded his business for my mother until the company now has many branches, including clothing designers, retail stores, e-commerce, collaborations with famous brands, and ventures into fashion media.
But unfortunately, since my mother passed away seven years ago, James Wilson took over the company and brought Monica and his new wife into the house. I don't know what tricks James used to get some of the companies to be transferred to his name.
Now, the only thing left is the textile factory that James didn't take over because it was small and on the verge of bankruptcy. Luckily, my grandfather, who was still alive at the time, was willing to manage it again.
The textile factory is now in my name. Starting from here, I will rebuild what my mother once built.
After finishing my late breakfast at 10:00 a.m., I checked my smartphone. There were several messages from people who had long managed the factory. They sent financial and operational data from the past few years.
I took my laptop and sat comfortably on the sofa with some macaroon cookies and strawberry juice to start auditing the financial and operational data to find out why the factory was in crisis and threatened with bankruptcy.
My hands typed nonstop, my eyes fixed on the screen. I don't know how long I had been doing this until I heard the doorbell ring several times.
I looked at the clock on my smartphone and saw that it was already 3:00 p.m. "Oh my God, it's already afternoon!? Suddenly, I felt hungry."
I held my rumbling stomach. I put my laptop aside and walked to the front door and opened it.
"Hi, Elena. Am I disturbing you?" asked a man who had been my confidant for several years. He was Felix.
"No. Wow, what brings Mr. Felix to my apartment?" I asked enthusiastically. I glanced at the package in his hand.
He understood my glance and smiled, showing me the package in his hand and handing it to me.
"I brought you some food. I know you haven't eaten yet, right?"
I took the package with sparkling eyes. "Oh my gosh, Felix. You know, you're like a food god who knows I'm hungry. Come on in,"
I closed the door and took Felix by the hand to enter the living room.
Felix, still holding my hand, I forced him to sit on the sofa, "Sit down and relax. Try the macaroons, I bought them yesterday for snacks. Oh, by the way, it's perfect timing that you came. Help me audit some data here. Honestly, I'm overwhelmed doing it alone."
"Hey, I came here to bring you food, but you're asking me to do something tedious? Elena, you're going to have to pay dearly for this one,"
"Of course. You can ask me for anything as long as you're willing to help me. I'm stuck, and my grandfather's textile company is on the verge of bankruptcy."
"Ah, fine. For your sake, I'll reluctantly do it."
I took my laptop and placed it on Felix's lap, then went to prepare the food Felix had brought for us to eat together.
The rented apartment wasn't very big. The living room, mini bar, and kitchen were all in one room, separated only by a partition.
Well, since I started preparing the food and heating it up in the microwave, I felt Felix was constantly watching me. But every time I looked back, he seemed to be seriously focused on his work.
"Is it just my imagination?" I muttered.
I continued preparing the food. There were several portions of chicken salad sandwiches and taco tuesdays. I didn't heat everything up; I saved some for myself for later that night in case I got hungry.
Felix brought quite a lot of food, enough for us to eat until nighttime. He was really thoughtful.
So, I took out some cans of beer and juice from the refrigerator to accompany our meal.
Once everything was ready, I carried the food and beer to the living room on a tray.
"The food is ready. You can put your work on hold for now, there's still plenty of time. No need to rush."
"I know. You eat first," said Felix without looking at me. He was really serious about his work. Without realizing it, I smiled.
I put the food on the table. I took the laptop from Felix's lap and put it on the nightstand because he wasn't listening to me.
"I told you, work can be done anytime, but not eating. I would look cruel if I let the generous person who brought the food not eat it."
Felix looked up at me standing in front of him with my hands on my hips. And that successfully made him laugh.
"Hahaha... Elena, you look like my mother when she's angry because I'm late for dinner."
My eyebrows furrowed, and I stamped my foot in annoyance. It was embarrassing to be teased like that.
"What did you say? I'm not like that. I'm elegant. I don't get angry,"
I pouted and turned away. I ignored Felix and chose to eat my food a little greedily.
The food Felix brought this time was very delicious. I ate it heartily, ignoring Felix, who was doing who knows what.
"Elena. You... how many days have you not eaten?" Felix suddenly asked hesitantly.
I stopped eating and turned to Felix, who was looking at me strangely.
"Why are you asking me that? Is there something wrong with the way I eat?" I replied curtly. How dare he interrupt someone who was enjoying their meal.
I gulped down the juice in the can to calm my anger, making Felix smile awkwardly.
"Ah, no. I just realized that you have such a good appetite. If I had known, I would have brought you food so you could eat your fill and not be so skinny." Felix spoke while looking me up and down.
"Am I really that skinny?" I asked again.
"You don't realize how skinny you are, Elena. I'm really curious, if you have such a big appetite, where does all the food that goes into your stomach go?"
"How should I know? Besides, I'm comfortable with my body shape now. It's light and flexible," I said casually.
"But I prefer my Elena to be plump with chubby cheeks. You were adorable back then,"
Felix pinched my cheek, which I responded to by slapping his hand away. He was pinching my cheeks as he pleased. It made me embarrassed.
"So, I'm not adorable now? You're mean, Felix," I turned my face away and crossed my arms over my chest.
"No way. You're still adorable no matter what your body shape is. You know, I'll always love you no matter what happens."
Felix hugged me from behind and it successfully surprised me. Reflexively, I turned my head and accidentally touched Felix's lips with mine.
My eyes widened. The split-second shock like electricity woke me up and I reflexively pushed Felix's body until he fell.
"Ouch, shit! Elena, why are you so cruel to me?"
I ignored Felix's cursing and grumbling. I touched my lips, which still felt the sweetness of Felix's lips.
Felix called me several times, but I was deaf to him, until he boldly kissed me on the lips.
For the second time, I was shocked by this man's mischievous behavior. "You... you... what did you just do, Felix?"
I was nervous and spoke stammeringly. Felix, who caught my attitude just now, hugged me.
"Tell me honestly, Elena. Are you nervous because you're embarrassed, or do you secretly like me?"
Felix whispered in my ear, and it made my body tremble.
It had been years since anyone had dared to flirt with me so openly. This reminded me of Aldrich—the man who was once part of my life.
Not wanting to get carried away by the deadly seduction of a man like Felix, I pushed him away with all my strength.
"How dare you, Felix! I don't understand what you mean, and I don't want to understand. Let me go!" I replied firmly. My eyes now stared at him without blinking.
"Elena, I understand that you've had your heart broken. But have you never considered having another lover? From the moment we met, I've liked you, Elena. And you weren't even aware of it."
Like a bolt from the blue. Felix, who had always been normal and considered me a friend, suddenly confessed his feelings. What on earth is going on with this world?
His confession left me confused about how to respond. Felix was nice, at least to me, so much so that I was at a loss for words.
"I..."
Before I could finish speaking, I suddenly heard someone enter, even though I had clearly closed the door.
I turned toward the sound and saw Aldrich entering my apartment.
"Elena Wilson, it seems you're having fun without me,"
I was immediately overcome with anxiety and reflexively pushed Felix away.
"Aldrich! How did you get in?"