Chapter Eight - The Countdown Begins
4998 Words
The next morning, Elena woke up with a strange feeling in her chest.
She couldn't explain it.
Nothing had happened.
Not yet.
But she had barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the photograph.
The one of her and Daniel.
The one that had disappeared from her drawer.
The one someone had returned to her apartment.
She sat up slowly.
For a moment, she didn't remember where she was.
The room was still dark, and the early morning light had not yet found its way through the curtains. Her heart was already beating faster than it should have been.
Then everything came rushing back.
The messages.
The prison.
Daniel's frightened face.
Alexander.
Noah.
The man who had been watching her.
Elena rubbed her face.
She had never felt so exhausted.
She had spent most of the night tossing and turning, waking up at the slightest sound. At one point, she had convinced herself that she heard someone moving outside her bedroom.
She got out of bed and walked to the window.
For a few seconds, she simply stood there.
Then she slowly pulled the curtain aside.
The street was quiet.
A few cars passed.
A woman walked her dog on the opposite pavement.
A man stood beside a parked car, talking on his phone.
Elena stared at him.
He looked up.
Their eyes met.
Her heart jumped.
The man immediately looked away and walked toward his car.
Elena stepped back from the window.
She hated this.
Then her phone rang.
Elena looked at the screen.
Alexander.
She stared at his name for a few seconds before answering.
“What?”
“Good morning to you too.”
She frowned.
“It's barely seven.”
“I know.”
“Why are you calling?”
“Because I need to see you.”
“No.”
There was a pause.
“Excuse me?”
“I said no.”
“You haven't even heard what I want.”
“I don't care.”
“I have something for you.”
“What?”
“Come and find out.”
Elena sighed.
“Alexander.”
“I'll send a car.”
“No.”
“Then I'll come to you.”
Her eyes widened.
“Don't.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want you showing up at my apartment whenever you feel like it.”
“Then come to me.”
She rubbed her forehead.
“What do you want?”
“We need to discuss the wedding.”
Her stomach tightened.
“I thought we already did.”
“We need to discuss it again.”
“Why?”
“Because the date has been moved.”
Elena froze.
“What?”
“The wedding date.”
She sat down on the edge of her bed.
“What do you mean it's been moved?”
“Come to my office.”
“Alexander.”
“Three months is too long.”
She stared at the wall.
The silence between them stretched.
“Why?”
“Because I want to get married sooner.”
Elena's heart began to pound.
“No.”
“No?”
“No.”
“You don't get to decide that alone.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you move the date?”
“I didn't.”
“Then who did?”
“The wedding planner.”
She almost laughed.
“I don't have a wedding planner.”
“You do now.”
“Alexander!”
“Calm down.”
“Don't tell me to calm down!”
She stood up.
“You can't just decide to move my wedding because you feel like it!”
“It's not your wedding.”
The words stopped her.
Alexander seemed to realize what he had said.
Elena's fingers tightened around the phone.
“Right.”
“Elena—”
“No. You're right.”
She laughed bitterly.
“It isn't my wedding.”
“That isn't what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
He was silent.
She waited.
Nothing.
“Exactly.”
“Come to my office.”
“I have work.”
“Take the day off.”
“I need the money.”
“I'll compensate you.”
Her expression hardened.
“I don't want your money.”
“Then take unpaid leave.”
“I don't want to.”
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Come to my office after work.”
“I'll think about it.”
“You will come.”
She ended the call.
Then stared at the phone.
Her heart was beating too fast.
She wasn't ready.
Elena arrived at work later than usual.
Her manager looked at her the moment she entered.
“You're late.”
“I know.”
“Again.”
“I'm sorry.”
He stared at her.
Then sighed.
“Go and change.”
She nodded.
The staff room was empty.
Elena changed quickly, tied her hair back, and stared at her reflection for a moment.
She looked tired.
Her eyes were slightly swollen.
She looked like someone who had not slept properly in days.
She splashed water on her face before leaving.
When she came out, one of her coworkers was standing near the counter.
“You look terrible.”
Elena blinked.
“Thank you.”
“I mean tired.”
“I know what you meant.”
Her coworker studied her.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“You're lying.”
Elena forced a smile.
“I'm fine.”
“Is it the wedding?”
Elena froze.
“What wedding?”
Her coworker looked surprised.
“The one you're getting married for.”
Elena stared at her.
“How do you know?”
“Your manager told someone.”
Elena's face tightened.
Of course he had.
The entire restaurant probably knew.
She turned away.
“It's complicated.”
“Most weddings are.”
“Not like this one.”
Her coworker waited.
Elena didn't say anything else.
She picked up a tray and walked away.
She didn't want to talk about it.
She didn't want to think about it.
But something felt wrong.
She was beginning to see the unknown man everywhere.
The shift was long.
Elena tried to focus.
She served customers.
Carried plates.
Took orders.
Cleaned tables.
But her mind kept returning to Alexander's words.
Three months is too long.
Why?
Why did he suddenly want to move the wedding?
She had already agreed to marry him.
What difference would a few weeks make?
Unless something had happened.
Unless he had found something.
Unless he was afraid of something.
Elena hated that she was beginning to think like this.
She hated that she was starting to believe there might be more to the situation than Daniel had told her.
At around three in the afternoon, her phone vibrated.
She glanced at it.
A message from Alexander.
Come to my office when your shift ends.
Elena stared at it.
She typed:
I said I would think about it.
His reply came almost immediately.
I know. I'm reminding you.
She rolled her eyes.
She put the phone away.
A few minutes later, it vibrated again.
This time, the message was from an unknown number.
You shouldn't go.
Elena froze.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
She looked around the restaurant.
Nobody was looking at her.
She opened the message again.
He is not the only one waiting for you.
Her heart began to pound.
She immediately called the number.
It was unavailable.
Elena looked toward the entrance.
The restaurant was busy.
Customers came and went.
A man walked in.
She froze.
Alexander was in a meeting when Elena arrived.
The receptionist told her to wait.
She sat in the waiting area.
Ten minutes passed.
Then twenty.
Elena checked the time.
She had been waiting for almost forty minutes.
She stood.
“I have to go.”
The receptionist looked up.
“He'll be with you shortly.”
“I've been waiting.”
“I'm sorry.”
Elena turned toward the elevator.
The doors opened.
A man stepped out.
He was tall.
Well-dressed.
He wore a dark suit and carried a file.
Elena moved aside.
The man stopped when he saw her.
For a brief second, his eyes met hers.
Something about him felt familiar.
“Elena.”
She turned.
Alexander stood outside his office.
His expression was hard.
“What?”
“Come in.”
She followed him.
As soon as she entered the office, Alexander closed the door.
“You took your time.”
“I was working.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“I know everything about you.”
Elena stopped.
“What?”
He seemed to realize how that sounded.
“I mean your schedule.”
She stared at him.
“That doesn't make it better.”
He ignored her.
“Sit.”
She remained standing.
“Why did you want to see me?”
Alexander walked toward his desk.
“Because the wedding date has changed.”
“You said that on the phone.”
“I wanted to discuss it in person.”
“When is it?”
“Six weeks from now.”
Elena stared at him.
“Six weeks?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You don't get to say no.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You agreed to marry me.”
“I agreed to marry you in three months.”
“The date has changed.”
“I don't care.”
“Elena.”
“No.”
She turned away.
“You can't do this.”
“I can.”
“Why?”
“Because I am the one paying for the wedding.”
She spun around.
“Then cancel it!”
Alexander's expression darkened.
“Do you want your brother to remain in prison?”
Elena froze.
There it was.
The reminder.
The reason she was there.
Her anger slowly disappeared.
Alexander watched it happen.
He hated the way her face changed whenever Daniel's name was mentioned.
He hated that he was the reason.
But he had no idea how else to keep her from running.
“Six weeks,” Elena repeated.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked at her.
“Because I want to get married.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“It is.”
“Why now?”
He didn't respond.
Elena studied him.
“You found something.”
Alexander's expression remained unreadable.
“About Daniel?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Nothing.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
He walked toward her.
“Your brother's case is being reviewed.”
Her expression changed.
“What?”
“I told you that.”
“You said you were investigating it.”
“I am.”
“And?”
“The investigation will take time.”
“Then why move the wedding?”
Alexander stared at her.
He couldn't tell her.
Not yet.
He couldn't tell her that someone had been inside her apartment.
That the man at the restaurant was connected to people who had been watching her.
That someone had been asking questions about her.
That he had discovered a connection between the missing money and a person who had disappeared two years ago.
He couldn't tell her because he didn't know how much she already knew.
And because he had begun to suspect that telling her too much would make her run.
“I have my reasons.”
Elena stared at him.
“That's not good enough.”
“It will have to be.”
She looked away.
“Do I have any choice?”
Alexander didn't answer.
She laughed quietly.
“Exactly.”
He felt something tighten in his chest.
“Six weeks,” Elena said.
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
Alexander looked at her.
She had agreed too quickly.
“Fine?”
“Yes.”
“That's all?”
“What else do you want?”
“I want you to understand what you're agreeing to.”
She laughed.
“I understand perfectly.”
“No, you don't.”
“Then explain it to me.”
He said nothing.
Elena stepped closer.
“You want to marry me. You want me to live in your house. You want to control everything about my life. And in exchange, you will help my brother.”
“Release him.”
“Whatever.”
“It's not whatever.”
She looked at him.
“Why are you so obsessed with correcting every word I say?”
“Because words matter.”
“Not to you.”
His eyes darkened.
“You know nothing about me.”
“I know enough.”
“No, you don't.”
“Then tell me.”
The room became quiet.
Alexander looked at her.
For a moment, he considered it.
He could tell her about his family.
But Elena was not asking because she wanted to know him.
She was asking because she wanted to find a weakness.
He had learned a long time ago not to give people weaknesses.
“There's nothing to tell.”
Elena smiled bitterly.
“Of course.”
She turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
Alexander reached into his desk and brought out a small box.
He held it out to her.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
She stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because I told you to.”
She glared.
“Try asking nicely.”
His jaw tightened.
“Please.”
Elena took the box.
She opened it.
Inside was a ring.
Her eyes widened.
It was beautiful.
A large diamond surrounded by smaller stones.
She immediately closed the box.
“No.”
Alexander frowned.
“What?”
“I already have a ring.”
“That one is temporary.”
She looked down at the ring on her finger.
“The one you gave me?”
“Yes.”
“Why is it temporary?”
“Because you're going to wear this one.”
She laughed.
“You really think I want another ring from you?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because you're going to be my wife.”
She stared at him.
He said it as if that explained everything.
“You're unbelievable.”
“Put it on.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to.”
“Then keep it.”
She handed the box back.
Alexander didn't take it.
“Keep it.”
“I said I don't want it.”
“Then throw it away.”
She stared at him.
“Why did you buy it?”
He didn't answer.
She looked at the ring again.
Something about it felt different.
It wasn't flashy.
It was elegant.
Beautiful.
She hated that she liked it.
“It's too much.”
“It's a ring.”
“It's expensive.”
“I can afford it.”
“That's not the point.”
“Then what is?”
She looked at him.
“I don't want to feel like I'm being bought.”
The words landed between them.
Alexander went completely still.
Elena didn't know why she had said it.
Maybe because it was true.
Maybe because she felt like every part of her life was being exchanged.
Her brother's freedom.
Her future.
Her love.
All of it.
Alexander looked at her.
Then slowly closed the box.
“I am not buying you.”
“Then what am I?”
He said nothing.
She laughed softly.
“Exactly.”
She turned away.
Alexander's voice stopped her.
“Your brother's freedom.”
She looked back.
“What?”
“That is what I am giving you.”
She stared at him.
“And what do you want?”
His eyes held hers.
“You.”
Elena's breath caught.
Alexander didn't move.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she looked away.
“I don't belong to you.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Because you don't act like it.”
He stepped closer.
“I know you don't belong to me.”
“Then why?”
His face hardened.
“Because I want you to.”
Elena stared at him.
She didn't know what to say.
The words were not romantic.
They were not gentle.
But they were honest.
And honesty from Alexander was rare.
She picked up the box.
“I'll take the ring.”
His eyes flickered.
“Why?”
“Because it is a ring.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
She looked at him.
“Don't read too much into it.”
“I won't.”
She placed the box in her bag.
Then turned toward the door.
“Six weeks.”
“Yes.”
She opened the door.
“Elena.”
She looked back.
“Be careful.”
She almost laughed.
“Again?”
His expression didn't change.
“I'm serious.”
She looked at him.
Then left.
The moment Elena stepped out of the building, she felt someone watching her.
She stopped.
The street was crowded.
People moved around her.
Cars drove past.
She looked behind her.
Nothing.
She continued walking.
A few steps later, she stopped again.
This time, she turned completely.
A man stood across the street.
He was looking at her.
Elena froze.
She couldn't see his face clearly.
A car passed between them.
When it moved away, the man was gone.
Her heart began to race.
She looked around.
Nothing.
She pulled out her phone.
Her first instinct was to call Alexander.
She stopped.
Then called Noah.
He answered.
“Hey.”
“Where are you?”
“At the café.”
“Can you come and get me?”
There was a pause.
“Where are you?”
“Outside Alexander's company.”
Another pause.
“Are you okay?”
“I think someone was following me.”
Noah's voice changed.
“Where are you exactly?”
She told him.
“Stay there.”
“Okay.”
“Don't move.”
She looked around.
“I won't.”
Noah ended the call.
Elena stood near the entrance.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
She kept looking around.
A black car pulled up.
Elena stepped back.
The driver's door opened.
Noah got out.
She let out a breath.
He walked toward her.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“I'm fine.”
“Did you see who was following you?”
“No.”
“What happened?”
She told him.
Noah looked around.
“Did you tell Alexander?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I just left his office.”
Noah's expression tightened.
“What did he want?”
“To move the wedding.”
His face changed.
“What?”
“The wedding is in six weeks.”
He stared at her.
“Six weeks?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Noah looked toward the building.
“Did he tell you?”
“No.”
He looked angry.
Elena reached for his hand.
“Don't.”
He looked at her.
“Don't what?”
“Don't look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you hate me.”
“I don't hate you.”
“Then don't look at me like you hate him.”
Noah's jaw tightened.
“I don't trust him.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then why are you marrying him?”
She looked away.
“Because of Daniel.”
Noah stared at her.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then quietly, “What if there is another way?”
“I've been waiting for another way.”
“Maybe we haven't looked hard enough.”
She looked at him.
“Then look.”
Noah's expression changed.
She didn't know why.
But for the first time, he looked almost frightened.
Elena noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She pulled her hand away.
“Noah.”
He looked at her.
“It's nothing.”
“You're lying.”
“I am not.”
“Then look me in the eyes and say it.”
Noah stared at her.
His lips parted.
But he said nothing.
Elena felt her heart sink.
She stepped back.
“Why can't you just tell me the truth?”
“I am.”
“No, you're not.”
He ran a hand through his hair.
“Elena, I don't know what you want from me.”
“I want you to stop making me feel like I'm the only person in the world who doesn't know what's happening.”
He looked at her.
She could see the conflict in his face.
Then his phone rang.
Noah glanced at the screen.
His expression immediately changed.
Elena noticed.
“Who is it?”
“No one.”
“Then answer it.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
He silenced the call.
Elena stared at him.
“Noah.”
“I said I can't.”
She took a step back.
“Why?”
He looked away.
“It's complicated.”
She laughed.
“Of course it is.”
“Elena—”
“No.”
“Listen to me.”
“I am tired of listening.”
She turned away.
He caught her hand.
“Elena.”
She looked down at his hand.
He released her immediately.
“I'm sorry.”
She looked at him.
“I need to go home.”
“I'll take you.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I want to be alone.”
His expression fell.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
She walked away.
Noah watched her leave.
When she was far enough away, he pulled out his phone.
The missed call was still there.
He called the number back.
The person answered immediately.
“Why did you call me?”
Noah looked in the direction Elena had gone.
“She knows something is wrong.”
There was silence.
“Does she know about us?”
“No.”
“Then keep it that way.”
Noah closed his eyes.
“I can't keep doing this.”
“You don't have a choice.”
He clenched his jaw.
“I do.”
The voice on the other end laughed quietly.
“Noah.”
He said nothing.
“You know what will happen if you decide to become a hero.”
Noah's fingers tightened around the phone.
The call ended.
He stood there alone.
Then looked at the road.
Elena was gone.
Elena returned home feeling worse than before.
She didn't understand Noah.
She didn't understand Alexander.
She didn't understand Daniel.
And she certainly didn't understand the person who had entered her life without her permission.
She removed the ring Alexander had given her.
Then placed it on the table.
The new ring remained inside her bag.
She didn't want to look at it.
She didn't want to think about the wedding.
Six weeks.
She had six weeks.
She walked into the kitchen.
Then stopped.
There was a white envelope on the counter.
Elena froze.
She was certain it hadn't been there before.
She slowly walked toward it.
Her name was written on the front.
No address.
No sender.
Just:
ELENA
Her hands began to shake.
She didn't touch it.
She stared at it.
Then stepped back.
She picked up her phone.
She wanted to call the police.
But something stopped her.
Instead, she called Alexander.
He answered immediately.
“What happened?”
She stared at the envelope.
“How do you keep doing that?”
“Doing what?”
“Knowing something is wrong before I tell you.”
“Answer me.”
“There is an envelope in my apartment.”
“Where?”
“On the kitchen counter.”
“Did you put it there?”
“No.”
“Don't touch it.”
“I haven't.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Leave the apartment.”
She swallowed.
“Alexander—”
“Now.”
She looked toward the door.
“Okay.”
“I'm coming.”
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
She ended the call.
Elena walked toward the door.
She reached for the handle.
Then stopped.
A strange feeling passed through her.
She looked back at the envelope.
Something inside her told her to open it.
She knew it was foolish.
She knew it was dangerous.
But she was tired of being afraid.
She walked back.
Then slowly picked up the envelope.
There was nothing inside.
Just one piece of paper.
Elena unfolded it.
Her heart stopped.
There was a photograph.
A picture of her.
Standing outside Alexander's office.
Taken earlier that day.
She stared at it.
On the back was a single sentence.
Six weeks is too long to wait.
Elena dropped the photograph.
Her phone rang.
She jumped.
Alexander.
She answered immediately.
“I'm outside.”
Elena looked toward the window.
A black car had stopped in front of her building.
She walked toward the window.
Then froze.
There was another car parked across the street.
Black.
Its windows were tinted.
She couldn't see inside.
But she knew.
Someone was there.
Watching.
“Elena?”
She swallowed.
“Alexander.”
“What?”
“I think he's here.”
“Who?”
She looked at the black car.
“I don't know.”
“Get out of the apartment.”
She didn't move.
“Elena.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
Her eyes remained fixed on the car.
“Because I think he wants me to know he's watching.”
Alexander's voice became cold.
“Get out.”
The car across the street started.
Elena watched as it slowly moved away.
She ran toward the window.
But it was already gone.
Alexander arrived a few minutes later.
He found Elena standing in the middle of the apartment.
The photograph was still on the floor.
He picked it up.
His face became hard.
“Where did you get this?”
“It was in the envelope.”
“Who gave it to you?”
“I don't know.”
“Did you see the person?”
“No.”
“Did you see a car?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“Black.”
“License plate?”
“No.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
“Elena.”
“What?”
“You need to listen to me.”
She stared at him.
“I'm listening.”
“You cannot stay here.”
Her eyes widened.
“What?”
“Come with me.”
“No.”
“I'm not asking.”
“I am not going anywhere with you.”
“Then go somewhere else.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere.”
She stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because whoever is doing this knows where you live.”
She looked around her apartment.
The place suddenly felt unfamiliar.
Alexander stepped closer.
“You're not safe here.”
She hated that he was right.
She hated even more that she had nowhere else to go.
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“My house.”
She immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“Then where?”
“I'll stay with Noah.”
Alexander's expression changed.
“No.”
She stared at him.
“You don't get to decide.”
“Neither does he.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't trust him.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“Of course you don't.”
“I'm serious.”
“So am I.”
“Your boyfriend is hiding something.”
She froze.
“What?”
Alexander looked at her.
“He is hiding something from you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I know.”
“You don't know anything about him.”
“I know more than you think.”
Her heart began to pound.
“What does that mean?”
Alexander said nothing.
“Elena.”
“What?”
“Come with me.”
She looked at him.
Then at the photograph.
Then toward the window.
She was tired.
She was scared.
And she didn't know who to trust anymore.
But one thing was certain.
She couldn't stay alone.
“Fine.”
Alexander's eyes held hers.
“Fine?”
“I'll go with you.”
He didn't smile.
But something in his expression eased.
“Pack a bag.”
She stared at him.
“For how long?”
“Until we know who is doing this.”
She laughed quietly.
“I'm going to live in your house?”
“Yes.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
“That's a terrible idea.”
“Probably.”
She looked at him.
For the first time all day, Alexander almost smiled.
“Then why are you agreeing?”
Elena picked up the photograph from the floor.
“Because I have a worse idea.”
“What?”
“Staying here alone.”
Alexander stared at her.
Then nodded.
“Pack your bag.”
Elena walked toward her bedroom.
Neither of them noticed the small camera hidden inside the smoke detector above the hallway.
Neither of them knew that someone was watching them.
And somewhere across the city, a man sat in a dark room, looking at the live feed on his computer.
Elena.
Alexander.
Together.
His jaw tightened.
The plan had changed.
He had wanted to wait.
He had wanted to give her more time.
But Alexander had just taken her into his house.
And he couldn't allow that.
The man leaned closer to the screen.
His eyes remained fixed on Elena.
“I'm sorry,” he whispered.
Then his expression hardened.
“But I can't wait anymore.”
- Writer
