FINDING MY WAY
1496 Words
~Elsa~
As I was about to get out of the bed, I turned and noticed he wasn't there anymore. He had gone without even saying goodbye. I frowned, feeling a pang of disappointment.
I looked around but there was no sign of his clothes, his masks.. it was as if he vanished into thin air.
I walked over to the bed and sat down feeling a bit dazed. The room was quiet except for the sound of the air conditioning humming in the background.
I looked around taking in the sleek,modern decor. The hotel room was nice but it felt empty without him.
I sighed feeling a sense of unease, I had to leave. Stella would be worried sick about me. I wasn't able to pick her calls, I checked my phone and noticed she had sent me about 10 messages before she called.
“Hey where are you?,” Stella's text read. “I've been trying to reach you all night. Are you ok?”
I felt a pang of guilt for not responding earlier. I quickly typed out a response.
“Hey Stella, I'm so sorry. I'm on my way home.” I texted.
I stood up in order to pack my things and I noticed my clothes were laid neatly in the dresser. I can't remember doing that but I was glad he did. My head was spinning from the night before and I felt a bit dizzy. I sat down back and took a few deep breaths while waiting for it to calm down.
I stood up again feeling a bit more steady, I grabbed my purse and hurried down the deserted hallway to the elevator and out of the building.
The cool morning air hit me like a slap as I stepped out of the building. Relief washed over me as I spotted a cab immediately, I opened the door and slid inside.
“Where to?” The driver asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror.
“Take me home,” I replied giving him my address.
The driver nodded and pulled away from the curb.
The drive home was blurry and after 30 minutes the taxi pulled up to my apartment building. I quickly paid the driver. I stepped out onto the sidewalk feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was home.
As I walked into my apartment building I spotted Stella pacing back and forth in the lobby. She looked worried and I felt a pang of guilt for not responding to her earlier.
“Elsa, where have you been?” Stella asked, rushing over to me. I've been trying to reach you all night . I was so worried about you.”
I sighed feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “I’m sorry Stella, I got carried away at the party.”
She looked at me curiously but didn't press the issue. “Are you okay?” She asked, looking at me with concern.
I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Stella. “Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for worrying about me.”
Stella smiled as she engulfed me in a tight hug.
“Actually your parents wanted to see you, but they couldn't get to you because of the network. They want you to come over this morning.” Stella said as she released her hold from me.
Just as I was about to ask if there was any problem, my phone rang.
“Hello, I answered quietly.”
“Elsa,” my mother's voice was stern, the way it always sounds most especially when she wants to give her lectures.
“Your father and I need to speak with you. Where exactly have you been?” she asked.
“Okay,” I replied.
“I asked you a question Elsa, anyways don't bother about that and start coming over immediately.” she said, not even bothering to wait for my response before hanging up.
I stood frozen for a moment staring at my phone. I didn't want to go. For her to sound like this means I'm in for a deep s**t.
I felt a pat on my shoulder, and it occurred to me that Stella was still standing there. I looked at her face and she gave me a reassuring smile.
So with a heavy heart, I grabbed my keys and headed out.
The drive to my parents' house was short, but it felt like forever. As I pulled into the driveway, memories came flooding back. I remembered all the times I tried to make them proud, but no matter what I did, it was never good enough.
I knocked on the door, and it swung open right away. My father stood in the doorway, his face cold and unfriendly. He looked at me without a smile, his eyes seeming to stare right through me.
“Come in,” he said gruffly, moving aside to let me in.
I stepped inside, as I walked into the living room where my mum sat. Her face was drawn to an unreadable expression. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.
"Elsa, we need to talk," my mother said, her voice cold and detached.
I felt a knot form in my stomach as I sat down on the couch. "What's going on?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
"You know exactly what's going on," my father snapped. "You've ruined another relationship. James was a good man, and you threw him away like trash."
I shook my head, trying to explain. "That's not what happened. James cheated on me with Nelly."
But my parents wouldn't listen. They talked over me, their voices rising in anger.
“We have given you so many opportunities but you kept disappointing us as usual.” I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest.
"No good, no morals. You're a disappointment to us, Elsa." My mother spat.
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice shaking. My mother leaned forward glaring at me.
“We are saying that it's time you stop pretending that you belong here. You are never one of us.” I blinked, trying to understand what she was saying.
“What are you talking about,” I asked again.
My parents exchanged a glance, and then my mother dropped the bombshell. "You're not our biological daughter, Elsa. We adopted you when you were a baby. And you've brought nothing but shame and disgrace to our family."
I felt like my world had been turned upside down. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was stare at my parents in shock and horror.
“Mom, Dad…what are you saying?” I managed to choke out, my voice trembling.
“We're saying, you are no longer welcome here.” Her voice was cold and final.
“You couldn't make your relationships work, we are tired of your excuses. It's time you move on.” I kept staring at the people who I have called my parents, I tried everything I could to make them proud but now I know that they never cared.
Just then, Nelly walked into the room, her eyes were red from crying. She looked at me with guilt in her eyes.
“I'm so sorry Elsa that you had to find out like this. It wasn't really intentional.”
My parents turned to her, their expressions softening. "We're just discussing Elsa's latest failure," my mother said.
“I'm sorry,” Nelly replied, her voice trembling.
“I never want this to happen. Please give her a chance.” She begged my parents on my behalf.
My parents didn't say anything, They just sat there, their faces stern and unforgiving.
As the conversation continued, I felt like I was being torn apart. My parents' words cut deep, and Nelly's mocking gaze made me feel like I was worthless.
Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up, my eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "I've had enough," I said, my voice shaking. "I don't need to sit here and listen to you all tear me apart."
I turned and walked out of the room, leaving my parents and Nelly behind. As I stepped out into the cool evening air, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I was free, at least for now, from the toxic atmosphere of my family's home.
But as I walked away, I could hear Nelly's mocking laughter echoing behind me. "You'll never be good enough, Elsa," she called out. "And I'll make sure you never have anything that's truly yours."
I shivered at her words, feeling a chill run down my spine. I couldn't help but let the tears which I held for long rushed
down my face. I knew that I had to get as far away from my family as possible.
I would find my way no matter what.
- Writer
