Ella's Diary

Chapter 5

The theft

Ever since 10 years ago, she has always been dedicated to her job. Ella left Los Angeles where her parents lived just to pursue her dreams. Today she was left to decide whether to put her job first or to do what she thought was right.

The manager has made her stand as the person to usher in the press conference.

Every journalist would be happy to be assigned to such an important role but in her case, she was in a dilemma. She couldn't seem to figure out how to save both Alexander's reputation and her company.

She was hoping to get an excuse to cut off Alexander's article.

There was no way the manager was going to listen to her and cancel his article from being published in the News.

"No one can save him now. I have to do something. So much for friendship. At least that's all I could do to prove I am not accountable for the article, " she muttered.

She was standing outside the manager's office. She has been standing for some time, thinking of how to give a valid reason why the article should be cancelled.

The thought of how Alexander will feel seeing her ushering the press. He will be heartbroken. Till now she couldn't figure out why she cares so much. Moreover, she is a journalist that's what they do but she can't neglect the fact that it is off limits to humanity to link one's secret just like that.

The thought of stealing the article crossed her mind. She shook her head in disagreement. "But the conference is in a few days. This is the only way out now. Oh my gosh!" She said while looking around nervously.

She entered the manager's office quietly. She saw the manager leaving for lunch earlier. She hurriedly searched the entire office. She stopped and inhaled softly, holding her waist in fatigue "What am I doing, oh God? I hope no one comes in and finds me in this mess. If not, my job will be ruined.

She slightly turned her neck to the left and spotted the piece of paper under a yellow file. She walked slowly and brought it out. She smiled gaily when she found out it was the article she was looking for.

Immediately she turned to leave she felt the doorknob being turned. She frighteningly hid behind the door. She shut her eyes tightly, holding her breath so as not to make a sound. She wasn't sure who it was but she knew someone entered. All she could do was just pray. She glanced at the article in her hand and placed it on her breast. She could hear her heart beating rapidly.

The room was quiet after a minute. She tried peeking to see who it was. She shrugged herself to the wall, and slowly she brought her head slightly out. The room was empty. She scanned around but the person was gone before she realized.

She tiptoed out and sighed in relief. "Thank God I am safe. But who was that" She wondered.

She immediately left the office.

*************

Later that day at Ella's house. She lay on her bed like a log of wood looking at the ceiling. Katrina who was on the other side of the bed sat speechless glancing at her friend who had become a thief overnight.

"Can you stop munching on those chips, I'm trying to think," Ella groaned.

Katrina rolled her eyes in ignorance "Think of how to steal more. I would suggest you start trying your skills in banks" She giggled. "This is not the time for jokes. Am in a big mess". She roughed her blanket.

Katrina stood up from the bed still holding

her chips. She looked at Ella suspiciously and raised a question "Why him? ".

"Who? " Ella sat up curiously.

"I mean Alexander. Why would you of all people steal for someone u barely know? Why Ella? And what if the company finds out?

"Kat be positive, please. I have more in my mind, don't add more". She paused and exhaled. " Look, Kat. Alexander has no one at this point and is just trying to help his reputation besides someone needs to help him see who Sandra is" Ella explained, sounding so concerned.

"He has no one" Katrina mimicked her. "He is a billionaire, Ella. But if you insist I won't object" She said.

Ella rolled her eyes as she sluggishly walked towards the door. Katrina followed suit, still mocking her.

The two of them noisily walked to the kitchen. Ella looked frustrated with Katrina's nagging. They never stop irritating each other. They laughed and played childishly with the utensils till they heard the doorbell ring.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Katrina asked, surprised.

"No. I wonder who it might be". "I will get the door," Katrina said and headed to the door.

She opened the door and her eyes were wide open. She gestured to Ella, describing what she was seeing. Ella stared confusingly, she cleaned her hands with a napkin on the range and walked towards her to see what could make Katrina freak out so much.

Her body quivered at the sight of Alex. He stood at the door glancing at their eyes. "Can I come in?" He requested.

"Yeah, co… come in" Ella stuttered, showing the way.

Ella and Katrina looked at each other in shock. They walked behind him and sat nervously.

Alexander looked at them and cleared his throat. He adjusted his white tie and sat comfortably. "Miss Ella Thompson, I came to make a deal with you. You and I know that my reputation is the only thing that will keep me going and once people find out about my dirty background I will face a lot of bankruptcy. So I am here to offer you a million dollars to remove my article from the press" He said boldly and in outrage.

Ella marvelled at his request "Do you think I am interested in your money and am framing you? ".

Alex stood up furiously and yelled " Yes!!. You want my money, that is why you came pretending to care. You are the only one who knows that secret of me coming from a broken home. I trusted you blindly, thinking I found someone whom I could rely on" He paused and walked angrily close to her.

"Just take the money and get lost. Miss Ella Thompson".

Ella was shattered, she stood confused. Her eyes were red and her mouth was watery. She has never faced such an accusation in her life.

Looking at Alex, tears flowed down her cheeks.

She wiped her face with her hand and inhaled deeply.