Chapter 40
Unraveling Ties
Elena
"Okay, that's enough Elena," Jenna seemed to have reached the limit of her patience. I'd just told her that I wasn't going to be coming home for the meantime.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing, Elena," she argued, "let me come see you."
"Jenna," I sighed even as her concern touched me. "Don't worry, I'm—"
"Stop it," Jenna snapped, cutting me off. "I can't stay here, telling Lily you're okay when I haven't laid my eyes on you. I have to see you," Jenna said, basically not giving me any other choice.
"I…" I sighed, slowly nodding my head. "Alright Jenna, I'll text you the address now."
Jenna sure must've sped to get here or my mind was playing tricks on me. Jenna took less than an hour to get here.
"Elena," her eyes scanned me over the moment I opened the door and I saw the relief that flooded her features. I felt slightly guilty for making her so worried.
"You look better," she forced a smile, staring at me closely. "But you still look like you walked into a fist fight unprepared," her words made me chuckle.
"I'm okay, Jenna," I smiled, moving aside for her to enter.
"I don't care," Jenna waved away my words and she took a seat on the couch, immediately making herself comfortable. "I had to make sure of it, I was so worried."
"I couldn't sit still… She trailed off, shaking her head. "Lily misses you. She keeps asking when you'll be back."
My smile froze and I sighed, guilt biting at me.
"I'll be back," I forced a smile. "I just…" I looked away, "I just can't let her see me in this state Jenna, I can't," my voice trembled as I spoke.
"I understand," Jenna replied, covering my hand with hers. "But c'mon, talk to me," Jenna glanced around, lowering her voice. "Why are you staying here? He's your boss."
The question I'd been expecting, yet dreading. I still couldn't believe I was staying at Damien's place, a part of me wished to believe that I didn't have a choice.
But another part of me… I shook my head, shaking away my thoughts, let's not bother with the other part.
"Well," I hesitated, picking my words. "I'm just trying to recover Jenna, he's helping me because he feels guilty for sending me to that meeting."
"Is that it? Guilt?" Jenna raised an eyebrow, still looking unconvinced.
"I…" I trailed off, unsure of my next words.
"I know you, Elena," Jenna stared at me, her gaze piercing into me. "There's more to this isn't there?"
I wanted to argue but my brain didn't prompt any answers. What was I supposed to say?
That I had very complicated feelings towards Damien, every time I saw him it was a tussle between my old and new views of him. Both fighting for superiority.
"Think about it," Jenna patted me on the shoulder, getting to her feet. "Be careful, Elena," she glanced at me with concern.
"I will," I whispered, seeing her out. I still felt her words lingering in the air long after she'd gone, leaving me with more questions than answers.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, I'd just taken my bath and come downstairs when Damien walked in, his sudden return startling me a little.
"The files for Project Houston," he walked in holding a small carton, it was filled with files.
"Let's get started," I smiled a little, flexing my fingers. I could use a little distraction from my thoughts.
Damien smiled back at me without saying anything.
We quickly delved into the work, the hours slipping by as we analyzed data and refined plans. I lost myself in the details, grateful for the distraction.
'This wouldn't do… this wouldn't work either…' I frowned, staring at the figures and estimations. I'd been struggling on this particular bit for well over an hour now.
I didn't notice when Damien disappeared into the kitchen and back. The warm scent of coffee suddenly filled my nostrils and a mug appeared before me.
"Relax," Damien said, placing it in my hand. "You've been at it for hours."
"I just need to finish this," I murmured, not looking up, I sipped on the coffee as I worked.
Damien remained silent but even then I could feel his eyes on me, I almost wished I could look up and see through his thoughts.
But I didn't, instead doing my best to focus on the task at hand. I just couldn't, every time I thought I'd finally put my mind to it, I'd feel his eyes scan over me and the spell was broken.
I finally looked up.
"Done?" Damien asked and I nodded.
"So I've been thinking," Damien began, his eyes on me. "Would you leave San Francisco if you had the chance?"
"Leave?" I repeated, his question catching me off guard. "What do you mean?"
"Your family, Elena," Damien put his mug of coffee aside, concentrating on me. "If you could go back to them, if you had that chance, would you?"
I felt like a truck had slammed into me and my breaths became unsteady. I forced a smile, well aware Damien's eyes were on me.
"I don't have any recollection of my family," I whispered, sounding sad.
Damien's expression hardened, "You really don't remember me? Don't lie to me, Elena."
My heart stopped.
"I was your husband," Damien stared at me, observing my expression.
"You were what—" I stared at him with false shock but I wasn't sure if he was fooled.
"I was your husband, Elena," Damien repeated, his voice was softer. "And you ran away, I searched for you."
I remained silent, my mind spinning with thoughts as I tried to pick out the best words to say.
"Ho—how do I know you're telling the truth?" I whispered, looking away.
Damien remained silent, his eyes fixed on me. He got up silently and left the room, within moments he was back.
"This is the wedding contract we signed," Damien handed me a document. My heart skipped a beat as I took the document from his hands.
My signature was there, clear as day. When I'd signed over my happiness to a stranger on Father's orders.
The room fell into a heavy silence, and for the first time in weeks, I felt truly afraid.
Not of Damien, but of the secrets I'd buried—the secrets that were now so close to being unearthed.