SONG OF THE WOLF

The Wolves are Coming

Elena ran in the pouring rain. Her dull brown dress was wet and dirty with mud. Her tears had not stopped since hearing the news this morning.

A week ago, Elene had a fight with Tobi. He took valuables from her house and sold them secretly. Elena thought Tobi would apologize to her. But she was wrong. Tobi didn't apologize, but married someone else. Tobi didn't care about Elena, who had been his girlfriend for three years.

Elena arrived at Sara's house. She walked slowly while looking at the party decorations in the front yard. Sara and Tobi must have planned to have an outdoor party. However, due to the rain, the party had to be held indoors.

Elena opened the door. Everyone inside simultaneously turned to her.

"What are you doing here?" A middle-aged woman approached Elena. She was Tobi's mother.

"Aunt Rosy, why? You know Tobi and I love each other. We were already planning to get married. But, why are you marrying him off to Sara instead?"

Rosy laughed. "Love each other? Marry you? What will Tobi get if he marries you? Nothing. You're just a poor woman and an orphan. You have nothing to be proud of. So, what makes you think Tobi loves you?"

Elena's head was bowed languidly. She searched for something about herself to be proud of. However, she found nothing. Wealth? She didn't have any. Just to eat, she had to work at Mr. Colman's Restaurant every day. Beauty? Not really. She's not the most beautiful woman in the village. If there was a poll, everyone would vote for Sara. Talent? She can't sing or dance. Once she sang at Mr. Colman's restaurant. As a result, all the diners threw peanut shells at her.

"Get out of here, Elena. Our relationship is over. I don't want to hurt you any more." Tobi stood in front of Elena.

Elena's eyes filled with tears. She missed Tobi very much. She hugged Tobi again.

Elena remembered the first time they met. They met in front of Mr. Colman's restaurant three years ago. Tobi's good looks captivated Elena that day.

Unbeknownst to Elena, Tobi was secretly waiting in front of the restaurant every day. It started with a smile, then a greeting. Then they started chatting.

Elena thought Tobi was in love with her. In reality, Tobi just wanted the free food Elena had taken from Mr. Colman's restaurant.

"Haven't you ever loved me for a minute? Has it all been a lie? All those promises and seduction?"

"You already know the answer. So, what are you asking me again for? Get out of here. It's better for yourself."

Elena looked at Sara. The wealthy woman who owned the clothing store smiled sarcastically. Elena's hands clenched into fists. She was furious, but she couldn't do anything about it. Tobi chose Sara over her.

Before leaving, Elena slapped Tobi and pushed him to the floor. Elena then turned around, breaking through the rain. She ran home.

This time, she didn't cry anymore. There was no point in drowning in sadness. Before Tobi came into her life, she was used to being alone. So, she was sure she could get up quickly.

Arriving home, Elena changed her clothes. It was almost night. She was already late for work.

The rain had stopped. Elena ran to Mr. Colman's restaurant. When she arrived, it was already crowded.

"Elena, where have you been? Why are you here?" asked Mr. Colman. He hurriedly placed the order on the table by the window.

"Sorry, Mr. Colman. I was chasing away the pigs that ruined my house."

"Do Mr. Franco's pigs still go out often?"

"Yes." Elena lied.

"All right. Then hurry to the kitchen. Help Julia. She's been in a lot of trouble all day."

Elena ran into the kitchen. "Sorry, Jul. I'm late."

"I know. It's okay. What about Tobi? Have you met him yet?"

Elena picked up a plate and placed the toasted bread on it. "Yes. The news is true. He's married to Sara."

"What a bastard of a man. How can he get married secretly like that? Doesn't he feel guilty after the last two years of spending your money?"

"Never mind. I don't want to talk about him anymore. He's a piece of trash. She'd rather marry someone else than me. I can't imagine living with her later. I'd probably be thinner than I am now if I married him."

"Yes. You're right. A man like that is better off thrown away. There are many better men in this world."

Elena smiled.

"Which table is this for?" she asked, pointing to the food Julia had prepared.

"The man in blue."

"Okay." Elena placed two plates of apple jam toast and two glasses of orange juice on the tray. She delivered the order to the table of the man in blue.

As Elena placed the toast on the table, a man with a drenched body entered the restaurant. The rifle he held meant he had just come from hunting.

"David, what's wrong?" Mr. Colman approached.

"Wolves. Wolves have entered the village. Edmund was attacked by a wolf at the edge of the forest when we returned from hunting."

"Wolves?" Elena listened to what David said. The man whose hair had started to turn white.

Everyone at the restaurant hurriedly finished their food. They then left the restaurant.

"Elena, I'm going straight home. You and Julia, please close this restaurant. Give me the key in the morning," Mr. Colman said, chasing after the people who had left first.

Elena pursed her lips. The restaurant, which had been busy, was suddenly quiet. She went back to the kitchen.

"Why don't I hear people's voices anymore?" Julia stopped stirring the soup.

"They've all left. Mr. David came to tell us that Edmund was attacked by a wolf. So, they wanted to check it out. Mr. Colman said he was going straight home." Elena sat on the chair by the cupboard. "I don't think anyone will come again. Shall we close the restaurant?"

Right at that moment, the bell on the door rang. Elena rolled her eyes with a smile. She then ran to check who had arrived.

"Have a seat," Elena said to a man standing at the door. "What would you like to order?"

The man with thin sideburns smiled. "I want to order the best food in this restaurant."

"All the food here is delicious."

"Then bring me the three most expensive dishes."

Elena nodded. She then went to the kitchen.

"Who is it?"

"I don't know. I've never seen him before." Elena brought her lips to Julia's ear. "He's very handsome."

"Woah!" Julia exclaimed. "I haven't seen a handsome man in a long time. The men in this village are all ugly. They smell of pigs and horses. No one cares how they look to others."

Elena laughed. "Quickly make the most expensive three-course meal. I'll deliver them."

"Okay. This is your chance. Get that guy. Prove to Tobi that you can find a better replacement, too." Julia patted Elena on the shoulder.

There was a sudden commotion. Elena and Julia ran to check what was happening. They spontaneously retreated again when they saw the man who ordered the food earlier fighting with three men. In an instant, the room was a mess.