The blackmail

Regrets

Chapter 3

Elsa looked like she had seen a ghost.

"It says I've got just a day to get ready!" Elsa exclaimed, almost crying.

"A day to do what?"

Elsa tossed the paper to her Dad. She could not speak.

Mr. Sam grabbed the paper from her.

"I told you this dude is insane!" Mr. Sam said with rage.

"Why is he in such a hurry for the wedding? We just met yesterday and he wants us to wed in 2 days. That's crazy!" Elsa blurted out in anger.

She looked back at the open briefcase. She knew that was the source of her pain.

Elsa closed her eyes to organize herself. She doesn't want to break down in front of her Dad.

The thought of marrying a stranger for a year would be a misery but losing her mom to death would leave a vacuum of guilt in her heart.

That would be more painful.

"So, what's next?" Mr. Sam asked

"I need to see Mom first. Then I'll make arrangements for the wedding"! Elsa said before she left for the hospital with a heavy heart.

*********

Mrs. Margarita, Elsa's mom, was lying on the bed, alone and half asleep when Elsa walked in.

"Mom. How are you holding up in here?"

Mrs. Margarita turned her head weakly to look at Elsa who just stepped inside.

"Take it easy Mom. Don't hurt yourself " Elsa Says her mom tried sitting up.

"You're here, Elsa?"

"Yeah. Getting any better?"

Mrs. Margarita nodded as the hospital machines just kept blinking and beeping.

"I've missed having you at home"

"Even I. Am sick of all the stench of drugs and sanitizers. I miss home a lot"

"It's okay Mom. The doctor said you only have a few days to be discharged!"

"I feel better now. But I am just worried about….

"It has been sorted out. Don't worry anymore!"

"The bills? How…how did you sort them out?"

Elsa knew it was time to tell her the truth. She deserves to know. But Elsa added a little twist to it.

"So much has happened while you were away Mom. This might sound shocking to you but…..I am getting married in 2 days!"

Elsa's mom almost gasped in shock.

"Two days? Did you get back with Kyle?" Mom asked Elsa

The moment Mrs margarita mentioned Kyle's name, the mix of betrayal and heartbreak came rushing down Elsa's heart. Kyle was her ex. She loved him until he despised her and settled with someone else.

"No! I wouldn't spend a second in the same space with Kyle again. He played me for too long!"

"Then who are you getting married to then?"

"Uhm…His name is Dave Rodriguez!"

Elsa's mom furrowed her eyebrows.

"Did I hear you correctly?"

"Yeah. You heard me right, Mom!"

"You mean the popular business mogul? The CEO of the Rodri-Firms company?"

Elsa was shocked her mom knew him that well

"You seem to know him well enough"

"Who doesn't know Dave Rodriguez here in Chicago? His firm is the biggest"

"True. He is a household name. Always on the news lines"

"But am confused. How did you two meet?"

Elsa knew she was gonna ask about their connection.

"It's kinda complicated. But what matters is that we both want the marriage"

"Elsa, do you know him personally?"

"Yeah. We've had a couple of dates together"

Elsa lied.

Her mom just nodded but not in full agreement.

"I just don't want you to regret it later like you did with Kyle," Mom said in a tone filled with care.

"I understand Mom. But things are different with Dave!"

"Alright then. It seems like your mind is already made up"

"Yeah."

"Am guessing he has something to do with my hospital bill, huh?"

Elsa just nodded then an awkward silence fell between them.

She decided to stroll out to get some cool air outside the room.

"Let me check on the doctor, I'll be back!"

Elsa walked outside.

Her mind was filled with so many emotions.

But just as she was about to pass by a corner, she heard quick footsteps behind her!

Before Elsa could turn around to see who it was.

Strong hands grabbed her from behind.