Chapter Two - The Price Of Freedom
4035 Words
Elena stepped out of Blackwood International with one thought repeating itself in her head.
Marry me.
She stopped at the entrance of the building and stared at the busy street ahead of her.
People walked past her without a second glance.
Cars moved along the road.
A woman hurried past while speaking on the phone.
A man stood at the corner, waiting for a cab.
Everything around her continued as though nothing had happened.
As though she had not just been offered a marriage deal by one of the most powerful men in the city.
As though Alexander Blackwood had not looked her straight in the eyes and told her that marrying him would free her brother.
Elena let out a breath.
Then she laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
She simply couldn't believe it.
“Marry him?”
The words left her mouth before she could stop them.
A man walking past her glanced in her direction.
Elena ignored him.
She moved toward the side of the road and raised her hand to call a cab.
A few minutes later, one stopped in front of her.
She opened the door and climbed into the back seat.
“Where to?” the driver asked.
Elena opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
For a moment, she had no idea where she wanted to go.
Home?
Work?
The café?
She looked down at her hands.
She was supposed to be at work.
She had already missed part of her shift, and her manager would probably have something to say about it.
“Just drive,” she said.
The driver looked at her through the rear-view mirror.
“Drive where?”
Elena blinked.
She looked out the window.
“I... I'll tell you.”
The cab pulled away from the building.
Elena leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.
She had only met Alexander Blackwood properly yesterday.
Yet somehow, he had already managed to turn her entire life upside down.
First, Daniel had been arrested.
Then Alexander had approached her.
And now he wanted to marry her.
It was absurd.
Completely absurd.
She opened her eyes and stared out the window.
Alexander had called it a business arrangement.
As if marriage was a company merger.
As if she were a contract that could be signed and exchanged.
As if her life meant nothing.
But perhaps that was exactly how men like Alexander Blackwood saw the world.
Everything had a price.
Everything could be bought.
Even freedom.
Elena looked down at her phone.
She had not told Noah.
The thought immediately made her feel guilty.
Noah knew about Alexander.
Everyone in the city knew about Alexander Blackwood.
He owned Blackwood International, one of the biggest companies in the country. Daniel had worked for him for years.
But Noah didn't know the full truth.
He didn't know Daniel was in prison.
He didn't know Alexander had accused him of stealing.
And he definitely didn't know that Alexander had just offered Elena a marriage deal.
She had wanted to tell him.
She had thought about calling him several times.
But every time she reached for her phone, she stopped herself.
What was she supposed to say?
Hi, Noah. My brother is in prison and the man who put him there wants me to marry him.
It sounded like something from one of those dramatic stories people read online.
It wasn't supposed to be her life.
The cab stopped at a traffic light.
Elena's phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Noah.
She hesitated.
Then answered.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?”
His voice was familiar.
Comforting.
And suddenly, Elena felt like crying.
She looked out the window.
“In a cab.”
There was a pause.
“Why are you in a cab?”
“I went somewhere.”
“That explains absolutely nothing.”
Despite herself, Elena smiled faintly.
Noah always had a way of making her smile when she didn't feel like it.
“Have you eaten?”
She looked down.
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I'll eat later.”
“You always say that.”
“And I always eat eventually.”
“That is not the point.”
She smiled again.
The driver glanced at her through the mirror.
“Where are you going?” Noah asked.
“I don't know yet.”
There was another pause.
This time, his voice changed.
“Are you okay?”
Elena looked down at her lap.
“Yes.”
“Elena.”
She closed her eyes.
“What?”
“You only say ‘yes’ like that when the answer is no.”
She leaned her head against the window.
The glass was cool against her skin.
She wanted to tell him.
She really did.
But fear held the words inside her.
“Where were you?” Noah asked again.
Elena remained silent.
“Were you at work?”
“No.”
“Then where?”
She took a breath.
“I went to see Daniel.”
The silence on the other end was immediate.
Elena felt her stomach tighten.
Noah knew something was wrong.
“What do you mean, you went to see Daniel?”
She looked at the road ahead.
“He's in prison.”
Noah said nothing.
The cab moved forward as the traffic light changed.
“Elena.”
His voice was quieter now.
“What do you mean Daniel is in prison?”
She swallowed.
“He was arrested.”
“For what?”
She looked down at her hands.
“He was accused of stealing from Blackwood International.”
Noah was silent.
Elena could hear faint sounds in the background.
The café.
Voices.
A cup being placed on a table.
Then everything became quiet again.
“Daniel?”
“Yes.”
“Daniel is in prison?”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Yesterday.”
“And you didn't tell me?”
Elena closed her eyes.
“I was going to.”
“When?”
“I don't know.”
“Elena.”
“I was going to tell you, Noah.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because I didn't know how.”
“You could have called me.”
“I know.”
“You could have sent me a message.”
“I know.”
“Then why didn't you?”
Her eyes burned.
“Because I was scared!”
The words came out louder than she intended.
The cab driver glanced at her again.
Elena lowered her voice.
“I was scared, okay? I didn't know what to do. Daniel is the only family I have left. I couldn't even think properly.”
Noah didn't say anything.
She wiped her eyes.
“I went to see him yesterday.”
“And today?”
“I went again.”
“How is he?”
Elena stared through the window.
“He looks terrible.”
Her voice broke slightly.
“He tried to pretend he was fine, but he isn't. He looks tired, Noah. He looks like he hasn't slept.”
“He's in prison.”
“I know.”
“Did he tell you what happened?”
“He said he didn't steal anything.”
Noah remained quiet.
Elena knew what he was thinking.
“Don't.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You don't have to.”
“Elena, I wasn't going to accuse him.”
“He's my brother.”
“I know.”
“And I believe him.”
“I know.”
She looked down.
The cab driver turned into another street.
Noah sighed.
“Where are you going?”
“I don't know.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because I don't.”
“Come to the café.”
Elena didn't answer.
“Come here.”
“I have work.”
“Are you going?”
She looked at the time.
She was already late.
“I don't know.”
“Then come here.”
“Noah—”
“Come here, Elena.”
His voice was softer this time.
She closed her eyes.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
“But don't ask me too many questions.”
“I'll try.”
“Noah.”
“Fine. I won't.”
“And don't look at me like I'm about to break.”
“I can't promise that.”
She smiled weakly.
“You're annoying.”
“You love me.”
The smile disappeared from her face.
But not because she didn't love him.
She did.
That was the problem.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I know.”
The call ended.
Elena stared at the screen for several seconds.
Then she gave the driver the address of Noah's café.
She didn't want to go to work.
Not today.
She didn't think she could stand behind a table, smile at customers, take orders, carry trays, and pretend her life hadn't just fallen apart.
She needed Noah.
Even if she didn't know what he could do to help her.
The café was busy when Elena arrived.
The familiar smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries reached her the moment she stepped inside.
The place was warm and comfortable.
It had always been one of her favorite places.
Not because of the food.
Because of Noah.
She spotted him behind the counter.
He was talking to one of his employees, but the moment he saw her, he stopped.
His eyes immediately moved over her face.
Elena knew what he was looking for.
Signs that she was okay.
She wasn't.
Noah said something to the employee before walking toward her.
He didn't ask anything.
He simply opened his arms.
Elena walked into them.
His arms wrapped around her.
She closed her eyes.
For a few seconds, she allowed herself to forget everything.
The prison.
Alexander.
The marriage proposal.
All of it.
Noah held her tightly.
“Hey,” he whispered.
“Hey.”
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“Have you slept?”
“A little.”
“How little?”
“Don't start.”
He pulled away and looked at her.
“Have you eaten?”
Elena sighed.
“Why is everyone asking me that?”
“Because you look like you're surviving on air.”
“I ate yesterday.”
Noah stared at her.
“That was not the answer I was hoping for.”
She looked away.
“I'm not hungry.”
“Sit down.”
“Noah.”
“Sit.”
She stared at him.
He pointed toward a table.
Elena sighed.
“Fine.”
Noah smiled and walked away.
She sat at one of the tables near the window.
A few minutes later, he brought her a plate of food and a glass of water.
She stared at it.
“I'm not a child.”
“I know.”
“Then stop treating me like one.”
“Eat.”
She looked at him.
He raised an eyebrow.
Elena picked up the fork.
“Happy?”
“Very.”
She took a bite.
Noah sat across from her.
For a while, he said nothing.
He simply watched her eat.
That was worse.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I'm a patient.”
“You're acting like one.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Noah.”
“I'm listening.”
“Don't say anything.”
“I haven't said anything.”
“But you're thinking.”
He smiled.
“I'm always thinking.”
She looked down at her food.
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
Then Noah leaned forward.
“What happened?”
Elena stopped eating.
“About Daniel.”
She nodded.
“He was arrested for stealing from Blackwood International.”
Noah's face hardened.
“What exactly happened?”
“I don't know everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alexander accused him.”
“Alexander Blackwood?”
“Yes.”
Noah leaned back.
He looked genuinely surprised.
“Why?”
“He said Daniel stole money from the company.”
“Did he?”
Elena's expression changed.
“He says he didn't.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
“I believe him.”
Noah watched her.
“Elena, I know Daniel is your brother.”
“I know what you're going to say.”
“No, you don't.”
“You're going to say that loving someone doesn't mean they can't do something wrong.”
He remained quiet.
She looked away.
“I know.”
Noah's voice softened.
“But you believe he didn't do it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he told me.”
Noah stared at her.
She knew how weak that sounded.
“I know that isn't enough for you.”
“I'm not saying that.”
“But you are thinking it.”
“I am thinking that Daniel's situation is serious.”
Elena looked down.
“I know.”
Noah reached across the table and took her hand.
“I'm sorry.”
The simple words broke something inside her.
Elena looked at him.
“I don't know what to do.”
“You don't have to know everything right now.”
“I do.”
“No, you don't.”
“He's my brother.”
“And you're one person.”
She shook her head.
“He has no one else.”
“You have me.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Noah.”
“I'm serious.”
She squeezed his hand.
“I know.”
“Then let me help you.”
“You can't get Daniel out of prison.”
“No.”
He didn't pretend otherwise.
“But I can be here.”
Elena looked at him.
That was Noah.
He never promised her things he couldn't give.
He never told her he could solve problems he had no power over.
He simply stayed.
And sometimes, that was more valuable than anything.
Her phone vibrated.
Elena looked down.
A message from her manager.
Where are you?
She sighed.
“I have to go to work.”
“You don't have to.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Elena.”
“I need the money.”
Noah's expression softened.
He knew.
She worked because she had to.
The café belonged to him, but she had never wanted to depend on him financially.
She had her own job.
Her own income.
Her own life.
Or at least, she had tried to.
“Do you want me to take you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you have work.”
“I own the place.”
“You still have work.”
He smiled.
“Fine.”
She stood up.
Then hesitated.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For letting me come here.”
He stared at her.
“You don't need permission to come here.”
“I know.”
“You're my girlfriend.”
She smiled faintly.
“I know.”
“Then act like it.”
She shook her head.
“You're so annoying.”
“Go to work.”
She turned to leave.
“Elena.”
She looked back.
Noah's expression had become serious.
“Don't deal with this alone.”
She stared at him.
Then nodded.
“I won't.”
But even as she said it, she knew she had already begun doing exactly that.
By the time Elena arrived at the restaurant, she was almost two hours late.
Her manager was not pleased.
She apologized.
She explained that she had a family emergency.
That was all she said.
She didn't tell anyone that her brother was in prison.
She didn't tell anyone about Alexander.
She changed into her uniform and began her shift.
For the next few hours, she tried to focus.
She served customers.
Took orders.
Carried trays.
Smiled when she needed to smile.
Apologized when customers complained.
She moved from table to table while her mind remained somewhere else entirely.
At one point, a customer complained that his wine was not cold enough.
Elena apologized and offered to replace it.
The man continued complaining.
She stood there, listening to him speak, while Alexander's voice played in her head.
Marry me.
She blinked.
“Miss?”
Elena looked at the customer.
“I'm sorry?”
“I said I asked for another bottle.”
“Yes.”
She turned away.
The moment she reached the kitchen, she released a breath.
She was exhausted.
And the day was not even over.
During her break, she sat in the staff room and checked her phone.
No messages from Daniel.
No messages from Alexander.
She stared at Alexander's contact information.
She had not saved his number.
She had no reason to.
He had contacted her through his office.
She opened her email instead.
The address of Blackwood International was still there.
She stared at it.
Then closed the email.
She couldn't marry Alexander.
She had told him that.
She had told herself that.
She had told Noah that.
But the thought of Daniel behind bars refused to leave her mind.
That evening, Elena went back to the prison.
She hadn't planned to.
She had already visited Daniel twice.
But after her shift ended, she found herself standing outside the prison entrance.
She had spent the entire day thinking about him.
The way he had looked at her.
The way he had insisted that he hadn't stolen anything.
The way his voice had sounded when he told her to believe him.
She needed to see him again.
The waiting room was almost empty.
Elena sat with her hands clasped together.
She was tired.
Her feet hurt from standing all day.
Her head hurt.
But none of it mattered.
After some time, Daniel was brought in.
Elena's heart sank the moment she saw him.
He looked worse.
Much worse.
His hair was untidy.
His face was pale.
The tiredness beneath his eyes was impossible to miss.
“Daniel.”
He sat down slowly.
“Hey.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't lie to me.”
He looked at her.
“I didn't.”
“You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
“I'm serious.”
“So am I.”
“Did someone hurt you?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Elena studied him.
There was something different about him.
He was nervous.
Not just sad.
Not just tired.
Nervous.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I am.”
“You're hiding something.”
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But she saw it.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Daniel.”
“Elena.”
“Why are you acting like this?”
“Like what?”
“Like you're afraid to tell me something.”
He looked away.
Elena leaned forward.
“Is someone threatening you?”
“No.”
“Did someone threaten you before you were arrested?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
Daniel remained silent.
The guard near the door glanced in their direction.
Daniel noticed.
His expression changed again.
“Elena, just leave this alone.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
“Leave it alone.”
“Leave what alone?”
“Everything.”
She shook her head.
“You're in prison, Daniel.”
“I know.”
“You've been accused of stealing millions of dollars.”
“I know.”
“You keep telling me you didn't do it.”
“Because I didn't.”
“Then why won't you tell me what happened?”
Daniel looked at her.
For a second, she thought he was finally going to answer.
Then he looked away.
“I can't.”
Elena's chest tightened.
“Why?”
“I just can't.”
“You don't trust me?”
“It's not that.”
“Then what is it?”
Daniel rubbed his hands over his face.
“Please, Elena.”
She had never heard him sound like that before.
Tired.
Desperate.
Almost pleading.
She softened.
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
“I will get you out.”
His eyes immediately hardened.
“No.”
She frowned.
“What do you mean, no?”
“Don't do anything stupid.”
“I'm not doing anything stupid.”
“You are.”
“You're my brother.”
“And you're my sister.”
“So?”
“So I know you.”
He leaned closer.
“Don't ruin your life because of me.”
Elena stared at him.
The words struck her.
Because they sounded exactly like something someone said when they knew they were the reason another person was about to make a terrible decision.
“Why are you saying that?”
“Because it's true.”
“Daniel.”
“Please.”
She stared at him.
He was hiding something.
She knew it.
She could feel it.
But whatever it was, he had no intention of telling her.
And she didn't know how to force him.
The guard announced that their time was almost over.
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
“I hate seeing you here.”
Daniel looked away.
“I know.”
“I hate that I can't do anything.”
“You can.”
“What?”
“Live your life.”
She shook her head.
“I can't do that while you're here.”
“You can.”
“I won't.”
He looked at her.
“Elena.”
“I won't.”
She stood as the guard approached.
Daniel looked at her.
There was something in his eyes.
Something she couldn't understand.
Fear.
Guilt.
Maybe both.
“Please don't make any decisions because of me,” he said.
Elena stopped.
She looked back at him.
“What decisions?”
Daniel said nothing.
“Daniel.”
“Just promise me.”
She stared at him.
Her mind immediately went to Alexander.
She hadn't told Daniel about the offer.
She didn't know why.
Maybe because saying it aloud would make it real.
“Promise me, Elena.”
She swallowed.
“I promise.”
Daniel closed his eyes briefly.
Then nodded.
Elena walked away.
She didn't look back.
If she had, she would have seen Daniel watching her with an expression that made her wonder what exactly he was so afraid of.
The night was cold when Elena stepped outside the prison.
She stood near the entrance, waiting for a cab.
Her arms were folded across her chest.
She was tired.
Emotionally exhausted.
Daniel was hiding something.
She was certain of it.
But he refused to tell her.
And she had promised not to make any decisions because of him.
She laughed bitterly.
What was she supposed to do with that promise?
Go home?
Sleep?
Wake up tomorrow and continue living as if her brother was not sitting in a prison cell?
She looked up at the dark sky.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
She didn't know whether she was speaking to Daniel or herself.
A cab pulled up beside her.
Elena climbed in.
“Where to?” the driver asked.
She stared out the window.
This time, she knew exactly where she wanted to go.
“Blackwood International.”
The driver looked at her through the mirror.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
He pulled away from the prison.
Elena sat quietly in the back seat.
She had no idea what she was going to say to Alexander.
She had no idea whether she was making the right decision.
She only knew one thing.
She couldn't watch Daniel suffer.
She couldn't keep visiting him in prison and pretending that everything would somehow work itself out.
She couldn't go home every night knowing that she might be able to do something and chose not to.
Alexander had offered her a way out.
A terrible way out.
A humiliating way out.
A way she had sworn she would never accept.
But it was still a way out.
And sometimes, desperation made people consider things they had once believed were impossible.
- Writer
