Elena's POV

" Wha…what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nick Jackson, my good old friend from high school. I never thought I'd see anyone from high school as I shut everyone out of my life.

I totally disconnected myself from the outside world., My life was just based on going to work, coming back home, eating, sleeping, and then doing it all again.

There was nothing special about my life back then. Well…not until you know who came. I guess because of the depressed state I was in, I took my illusions way beyond making me blind to reality.

Nick and I weren't very close back at school, but we had a history. He was always this kind of nerdy guy in class, and I was his seat partner.

But why was he here with someone like Alex?

Nick's eyes darted nervously, his glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose like they always do back in school.

He pushed them back up, smiling. Alex stood there, radiating confidence. I could feel his gaze on me but I didn't care.

“ I could ask you the same question, Elena”, his tone soft and also carried a hint of curiosity. “ I didn't expect to see you here of all places.”

“Alex”, he turned to him “, you didn't tell me this was the Elena you were talking about.”

The Elena you were talking about. Had they been discussing me behind my back?

Alex, however, just stared at me with this unreadable expression and it just made my blood boil. As much as I was happy to see Nick, the anger I had was still feeling inside.

I didn't want to look at him or even see his shadow. As much as I also wanted to talk with Nick, to catch up on old times and maybe feel like my old self again, I couldn't. Not with Alex here; his presence suffocates me.

My eyes shifted to the table with a lot of documents that I had no idea of, so they might be busy.

I need to clear my head and cool down before I hurt someone right now. Because the angry boiling in me can boil rice. If possible.

“Gentleman”, not men, because the one standing here with this aloof expression isn't considered one.

How I really wanted to blurt out those words but decided to keep my cool. “hmm… Pls, excuse me, Nick. Maybe some other time. Dinner, maybe? Friday?”

Nick's face lit up, his smile genuine and warm “ Yh, yh, sure, Friday it is”

I nodded my gaze flickering to Alex just for a second before I turned to leave.

“ Elena”, Nick called after me, his voice hesitant. I paused, looking over my shoulder “It's really good to see you again,” he said, his smile flattering.

For a moment I felt a pang of guilt. Seeing Nick again had been a pleasant surprise, a reminder of a time when I wasn’t so angry, so broken. But the weight of everything with Alex dragged me back down.

"Yeah," I said softly. "You too, Nick."

“ Elena, wait,” he stopped me for the second time. I turned in his direction “ Alex needs a secretary, don't you, Alex?”

I looked at Alex, both expectant and defiant. His jaw tightened and for a minute, I thought he wouldn't say anything.

The silence between us was deafening, and I could feel Nick's hopeful gaze bouncing between the both of us.

Alex finally crossed his arms, his posture oozing authority and arrogance. “I don't recall needing your help with recruitment. Nick,” he said coldly, his eyes locked on mine.

I scoffed, shaking my head. Here I was thinking he had me in mind after making me take on that ridiculous condition. “ Don't worry, Alex, I wasn't dreaming of walking under you.”

My eyes were sharp, laced with sarcasm. I wasn't about to let him think for a second that he had any power over me outside of this contract, keeping me trapped in his orbit.

Nick's expression turned awkward, but he quickly recovered, stepping between us like a negotiator. “It was just a suggestion,” he said with a nervous laugh.

“Elena's more than capable, I know that and besides maybe it could help smooth things out.” He continued.

Smooth things out? Was he joking? There was nothing smooth about the storm that raged inside me whenever I thought that he had a family he had abandoned and still threatening.

“Nick,” Alex said, his tone dangerously low. “Let it be. Nick” I interrupted.

Nick glanced at me apologetically, but I just shrugged it. “I'll see you Friday,” I said to him, my voice softening.

There was no point in dragging Nick into whatever tangled mess Alex and I were in. “ Yeah Friday,” Nick said again, offering me a small wave as I walked away.

I didn't dare look back, but I could feel Alex's gaze boring into me as I left the room. My steps quickened until I was finally out of sight, my heart pounding in my chest.

Seeing Nick again had been unexpected, and while it stayed a flicker or something warm, Alex's presence had drowned it out with a wave of anger and frustration.

Once I was inside the room I was sure I was alone. I slumped on the bed feeling like something was drained out of me.

Another day of failure.

I hated the state I was in. I hated it so much that it frustrated me. What was I thinking in signing such a stupid contract and all for what?

That monster who's somewhere enjoying his life with my money, my hard-earned money that I worked so hard for.

He was somewhere gallivanting with the whore he left me with. Not like she was more beautiful than me or less than me, or something that he had to choose her over me.

What was wrong with all these men? Firstly, they're all good and nice, but underneath those features, they have something more hideous.

I sat up, my head in my hands, trying to shake off the bitterness that clung to me like a second skin. It was no use. Everywhere I turned, the weight of my past decision loomed.

The sudden door flung open made me jolt up. I quickly adjusted myself and got off the bed, wanting to go to the couch, when a hand pulled me to a halt.