Episode 5: Struggling Between Two Identities
895 Words
Arielle left the house before seven. She liked moving early because it made her feel in control, even when her life clearly wasn’t.
The morning air was cool, and the roads were already busy with people rushing to places that mattered.
She got to the office a few minutes before seven, greeted the cleaners, signed in, and went to the top floor. She dropped her bag and sat.
Her hair was tied back as she opened the files from the previous day, reaching for the iced coffee in her bag.
Documents. Schedules. Notes.
She read slowly, highlighting key parts, but her mind drifted.
Her mind slipped back to the previous night when Jay said she couldn’t end the contract. He had shown her the page where it stated that she couldn’t end it until the time elapsed, and her signature, which meant she had read, understood, and agreed to it.
Before Jay, there had been her parents. The constant pressure and them reminding her that she wasn’t a child anymore.
She had felt trapped even before him.
A knock brought her back. Daria stood with a tablet.
“Good morning, Arielle. Here’s Mr. Anderson’s schedule.”
“Good morning, Daria,” she said, taking it.
Meetings, calls, interviews, and then she saw it.
A hospital visit to Mrs. Anderson at 12:30 p.m.
Her heart skipped as she remembered she was to go with him.
She immediately took out the small brown book Jay had given her and started going through it. The neat handwriting inside contained things she should know about him and his mother, what made her smile, what to avoid, and general habits and preferences.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.
I’ll pick you up for the hospital visit by 12:00 p.m.
She smiled faintly.
She didn’t notice when Jay walked in with Mark until Mark cleared his throat.
“Good morning, sir,” she said quickly.
Jay walked into his office without replying.
Later, she brought a tray with coffee and toast.
She served Jay first, then Mark, and left.
Jay had only taken a bite of the toasted bread and a sip of his coffee when he dropped it back on the table, reached for a tissue, and wiped his mouth, while Mark sat quietly, his food untouched. She was called back in to take it away, and she realized she had messed up and ruined their breakfast.
She returned to her desk, now temporarily shared with Daria.
“Uhmm, I’d like to take the rest of the day off,” she said softly. “Something came up.”
“That’s fine. I’ll cover for you,” Daria replied.
Arielle thanked her and left to prepare to meet Jay later as Elle.
Later, Jay asked about her. Daria explained, and he said nothing.
Meanwhile, Arielle bought lilies for his mother and got ready.
At noon, Jay arrived with his driver. Elle joined him, and they drove to the hospital in silence.
She couldn’t help noticing how good he looked in his royal blue suit.
When they arrived, Mrs. Anderson was awake.
Jay introduced her.
“Mom, this is my fiancée, Elle. We had a little issue and took a break, but we’re back now.”
Mrs. Anderson’s face softened. “Oh, I see. It’s good to have you here. You are a very beautiful woman,” she said as she gestured for them to sit and couldn’t take her eyes off Elle’s blue dress, which complemented her eyes and her wavy hair.
“Thank you, ma’am. I got you these. Jay told me you love them,” Elle responded with a smile on her face as she handed her the flowers. Jay was relieved to see them getting along.
She asked Elle a few questions about her likes, dislikes, and some family details. Elle answered them all correctly, remembering what she had read in the book.
Jay watched quietly, impressed. He then asked his mother if she was given the food she wanted to have as breakfast and taken her medications.
“Yes, I have. And you?”
Elle cut in. “He didn’t like what was served to him,” she said.
She immediately regretted those words as Jay turned to her to ask how she knew. But his mom asked her another question, so instead of answering Jay, she answered his mom and acted like she didn’t hear him.
“So when will the wedding arrangements begin?” his mother asked.
“Not today, Mom,” Jay said quickly.
Elle smiled quietly.
After the visit, they left around 5 p.m.
At her house, Jay opened the door for her.
“Thank you,” he said.
“You’re welcome. Your mom really wants you to get married,” she replied.
“I’m not interested in that,” he said coldly.
She felt bad. She thought his nice gestures lately meant he had started having feelings for her.
“Good night,” she said softly and went inside.
Jay watched her go, noticing her confidence and calm presence.
Then her words echoed in his mind.
“He didn’t like what was served to him.”
He frowned, then picked up his phone and made a call.
“I need a full background check on Elle,” he said quietly. “Everything. I want to know exactly who she is.”
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