A LOVE PAID IN LIES

CHAPTER FIVE

FALENA BIANCHI

We had prepared all the courses on the menu and were clearing up the kitchen when my phone buzzed.

I checked to see Hailey’s text which read

“ Our stuff is outside Lena, the landlord kicked us out .”

Damn!

“Mr Henry.” I called,

“Since we are done here, I have an emergency at home.” I said

“Oh dear, thank you for filling in and, yes, you can leave. Now I will send your check by morning.” He apologized.

And with that I left, well not without some leftovers I packed.

Getting to the door, I saw Hailey sitting outside with the rest of our staff. Even if I had the landlord the cash I made from the gig and my salary, it would just cover for a month, and we wouldn’t have any cash at all.

“Now we are homeless, Lena,” Hailey sighed.

There was not much to our stuff anyway. I carried my things, and so did Hailey.

“C’mon, let's go find a motel or something.” I said, holding back my tears.

Life has alway been difficult, but my mom did not make it feel that way all the time and since she passed it’s been hard.

The cash with us both could just be enough for a week, meaning that we had to find a solution. I can not resume classes anymore due to outstanding fees.

I was going to focus on work and being a chef. My mom always wanted me to go to university, which I did, but right now, I need to find a way to get off of all this.

The tears streamed down my eyes as we walked toward a very shabby building. It was the inn we could afford right now.

We checked into the room, and I was exactly what we expected.

“What now??” Hailey asked.

“I dropped out of school,” I said as I changed into a big top.

Hailey looked at me with a teary eye.

“Oh my, Lena…” she said as we held hands and lay on the bed.

“ It's fine Hailey,” I said, reassuring her with a smile.

Tomorrow was another day to figure out a solution to our homelessness and also to help Hailey with applying for jobs.

In no time, we were both asleep.

Today is Saturday.

We had to come up with a plan because we were running out of cash. Hailey and I had already reached our limit for student loans. I was thinking of getting another job. Even though I had already dropped out, I had loans to pay and we needed a home over our heads.

My thoughts got interrupted by a knock. The innkeeper said we had a visitor.hailey was still asleep, so I went to see who was looking for us, wondering who it could be.

I had no friends aside from Hailey, so who would have traced us to the inn??

When I got outside, I saw some men dressed in black suits guarding what looked like a very expensive car.

“This way, Miss.” One of the men said, leading me to the car.

I hope I will not be kidnapped!! They opened the car door for me, but I hesitated.

“ It's okay.” I heard a familiar voice say from inside.

He handed me a card with an address written on it

“ Meet me there in an hour,” he said.

“ And why should I want to meet you?” I asked.

I am not one to talk to strangers, but talk more about meeting them.

“The choice is yours to make, if you go fine, and if you don't, it’s also fine.” He replied, looking at me carefully.

“I hope you make the better choice.” He finished .

The men, who I now believe to be bodyguards, entered the other cars and they drove off.

I stared at the card the stranger gave me as I walked back inside. Hailey was still asleep when I got back to the room. I hopped into the shower before putting on a sweatshirt and leggings, pairing it with my old worn-out sneakers. I dropped a note for Hailey and headed out.

NIKOLAI DIMITRIOUS

I was currently in front of the house of the girl I saw last night, but it was locked.

Was this where she lived? How was she living in this shabby-looking building?

My bodyguard asked around, and I got to know that they had been kicked out. I stared at the old building, wondering how she lived here.

After further findings, I traced her to a nearby inn which looked old too. Was she really staying in this kind of neighborhood?

My bodyguard was approaching the car with a small frame beside him. She was the girl from the party. She hesitated and didn’t enter the car. I gave her a card and told her to meet me at a tea shop not far off.

“And why should I want to meet you?” she said. Her voice was not confident and looking at her now she looked different from last night.

She had her hair in a ponytail, her skin was pale yet smooth, her almond-shaped brown eyes were waiting for a response.

“The choice is yours to make, if you go fine, and if you don't, it’s also fine,” I said casually.

“I hope you make the better choice,” I added before we drove off.

An hour later, she entered the café, our eyes met, and I could see the nervousness in them.

She sat down and faced down.

“ Good day sir,“ she said. I could hear the fear in her.

“You have the freedom to say what’s on your mind,” I told her.

I motioned for her to talk.

“I am so sorry for intruding on your home yesterday please, I don’t want to lose my job.”

She said in a very low tone.

“Not at all, I have a proposal for you. That is why I am here. I contacted your boss. That is how I found out where you lived only to find out that you had been kicked out, before returning you to the inn. "What is your name?” I said,

“ Falena bianchi, but people call me Lena.” She replied .

Falena means a moth in Greek, something attractive to light.

“Are you greek?” I asked.

“No, my mom named me after someone,” she said.

Falena name suits her perfectly,

“ What do you want? "I don’t want any trouble,” she says.

”Falena I have a deal for you, we are getting married,” I said as I watched her turn pale.

FLASHBACK……

I joined my mom on the stage alongside Alex.

“I want to thank you all for coming and donating to the cancer foundation. "You are lifesavers, my family and I thank you all.” She finished, and it was followed by a round of applause.

“Nikolai.” She started as we walked away from the crowd,

“I have begged you for 7 years to get married and settle down-“ she started, but I cut her short.

“ That's not happening mama,” I said.

“Then all the companies, assets, inheritance, all of it will go to your brother if you don’t have an heir by August before you turn 35.” She stated.

“WHAT?!!!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, it’s been in the family for generations, but your father and grandfather found love, so it was not really addressed anymore, but here you are.” She said,

“Why are you just telling me now!!” I said in a state of confusion. What the hell!!!

“I told you every day for seven years, but yes, this is what it is now. "You can check in with Dante to confirm, and please rest assured that no child is born illegitimately in the Dimitrious family.” She said as she hugged me before strolling back to the event.

Why did she wait to have to tell me this? I saw Kimberly walking up to me, and then it dawned on me.

Was my mother trying to set me up with Kim ??

I called Dante, the family lawyer, and he confirmed the information.

“ Why did you not inform me, Dante?” I breathe out.

“Honestly, we all thought you would have settled down by now,” Dante said. “However, there is a clause in the will that says if you were married, you are still going to be the head of all the companies and your inheritance will still be intact.” He finished.

Well then, I have to get married, I guess, but it will be on paper only I said in my head.

“ Thank you, Dante.” I said, ending the call as Kimberly tapped me.

“What do you want, Kim? I already told you we are done,” I said sternly.

“Sir,” Gomez interrupted . “ She has left already.” He said," What does he mean she left!! “Find out who her boss is and trace her. You lose her, you lose your job,” I stated.

End of flashback…