CHAPTER FIVE: THE MORNING AFTER
1323 Words
Elena sat by the window, watching the city pass in streaks of light.
The restaurant had been more enjoyable than she expected.
Cherry had laughed too loudly.
Jeff had spent half the evening defending himself from embarrassing stories.
And Nicholas...
Elena frowned slightly.
She pushed the thought away.
There was nothing to think about.
By the time the car stopped outside her apartment, it was already late.
Elena thanked the driver and stepped out.
She entered her apartment, locked the door behind her, and placed her handbag on the table.
Silence greeted her.
She slipped off her heels.
The relief was immediate.
Elena walked into her bedroom and removed her earrings before standing in front of the mirror.
The evening gown was carefully removed and hung in the wardrobe.
She changed into comfortable nightwear, washed her face, and tied her hair loosely.
Her phone lay on the bedside table.
A message from Cherry waited.
Cherry: Did you get home?
Elena replied.
Elena: Yes.
Another message appeared almost instantly.
Cherry: Good. Sleep well.
Elena smiled.
Elena: You too.
She placed the phone aside.
Her eyes moved to the clock.
Late.
She switched off the light and slipped beneath the covers.
Tomorrow was another workday.
She closed her eyes.
Sleep came quickly.
But it didn't stay peaceful.
“Elena!”
She was running again.
The corridor.
The cold floor.
The basement door.
Her sister.
Always her sister.
“Elena, please!”
“I’m coming!”
She ran faster.
The door was closing.
“No!”
Her hand reached for it.
Too late.
The door slammed shut.
Elena grabbed the handle.
Locked.
She pulled.
Nothing.
“Elena!”
Her sister's voice echoed from behind the door.
Then silence.
“Elena…”
She pulled again.
The lights flickered.
Darkness swallowed the corridor.
Elena gasped—
And woke.
She sat upright.
Her heart raced.
For a few seconds, she didn't recognize her surroundings.
Then she saw her bedroom.
Her bed.
Her curtains.
Morning light.
She closed her eyes.
The same dream.
Again.
Elena reached for her phone.
5:48 a.m.
She had enough time.
She didn't go back to sleep.
Instead, she got out of bed and walked straight into the bathroom.
A cold shower cleared the last traces of sleep from her mind.
By 6:20 a.m., she was dressed for work.
A neatly pressed blouse.
Dark trousers.
Low black shoes.
Her hair was pulled back neatly.
She checked herself once in the mirror.
Good enough.
picked up her handbag, and walked downstairs.
As she stepped outside, she noticed a familiar car already waiting.
Daniel stood beside it, holding a cup of coffee.
Elena stopped.
“You're back.”
Daniel smiled.
“Break's over.”
“I can see that.”
He opened the car door for her.
“I hope you didn't replace me.”
“You weren't available.”
“That sounds like a yes.”
Elena gave him a look.
Daniel laughed.
“I'm joking, ma'am.”
She got into the car.
Daniel closed the door and walked around to the driver's seat.
“How was your evening?”
“Fine.”
“Just fine?”
“Yes.”
He started the engine.
“I heard you went out.”
Elena looked at him.
“You heard?”
“Cherry mentioned it when she called yesterday.”
Elena shook her head.
“Of course she did.”
Daniel smiled.
“Did you have fun?”
“A little.”
“A little?”
Elena looked out the window.
“Don't push it.”
Daniel laughed.
“Yes, ma'am.”
The car moved onto the main road.
After a moment, Daniel glanced at her through the mirror.
“And the interview?”
Elena paused.
“Done.”
“How did it go?”
“Fine.”
Daniel nodded thoughtfully.
“You always say 'fine' when something is actually important.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“Do I?”
“Yes.”
A tiny smile appeared.
“Then perhaps you know me too well.”
Daniel grinned.
“I've been driving you for years.”
“Unfortunately.”
He laughed.
“There she is.”
Elena looked out of the window again.
The nightmare briefly crossed her mind.
She said nothing.
By the time they reached Med Houston Institute, she had pushed it aside.
The familiar building came into view.
Daniel pulled into the parking area.
“Have a good day, ma'am.”
“You too, Daniel.”
“And Elena?”
She turned.
“Good luck with the promotion.”
She paused.
“Thank you.”
She stepped out.
The morning rush had already begun.
Employees moved through the entrance with coffee cups, folders, and laptops.
Elena walked inside.
The familiar smell of disinfectant and coffee greeted her.
She took the elevator to her floor.
When the doors opened, she headed straight for the laboratory department.
“Good morning.”
She glanced up.
Mandy was standing beside her desk, holding two cups of coffee.
“Morning.”
Mandy smiled.
“I brought you one.”
Elena looked at the cup.
“Why?”
“Because you're my favorite colleague.”
“You told Sarah that yesterday.”
Mandy's smile disappeared.
“You remember everything, don't you?”
“Most things.”
Mandy handed her the cup.
“Take it.”
Elena accepted it.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
Mandy leaned against the edge of the desk.
“So…”
Elena looked at her.
“So what?”
“The interview.”
Elena took a sip of coffee.
“It's over.”
“That wasn't my question.”
“I know.”
Mandy lowered her voice.
“Did Mr. Peter say anything?”
Elena placed the cup on her desk.
“He said I was capable.”
Mandy's eyes widened.
“He said that?”
“Yes.”
“That's good.”
Elena shrugged.
“He also told me not to let impatience make me careless.”
Mandy laughed.
“Well…”
Elena looked at her.
“What?”
“You do have a reputation.”
“For what?”
“Being impatient.”
“I am not impatient.”
Mandy stared at her.
Elena stared back.
A few seconds passed.
Mandy burst out laughing.
“Okay. Maybe a little.”
Elena shook her head.
“You're supposed to be working.”
“So are you.”
“I am.”
“You've been standing here talking to me.”
“You started it.”
Mandy pointed at her.
“See? Impatient.”
Elena finally smiled.
Mandy grinned.
“That's better.”
“What?”
“You've been looking serious since you walked in.”
“I'm always serious.”
“Exactly.”
Elena opened her laptop.
Mandy turned to leave.
“Oh, and Elena?”
“Yes?”
“There was a meeting notice sent to the department this morning.”
Elena looked up.
“When?”
“Ten o'clock.”
“About?”
Mandy shrugged.
“Something about the research division.”
Elena's fingers paused over the keyboard.
“Who sent it?”
“Mr. Peter's office.”
A brief silence followed.
Elena looked at the time.
8:12 a.m.
She opened the email.
RESEARCH DIVISION MEETING — 10:00 A.M.
Her eyes moved over the message.
Something about the wording caught her attention.
She read it again.
Mandy watched her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're doing that thing again.”
“What thing?”
“The thing where you read something three times and pretend it's nothing.”
Elena closed the email.
“Go to work, Mandy.”
Mandy smiled.
“Yes, boss.”
She walked away.
Elena watched her for a moment before turning back to her computer.
The morning had barely begun. And already, something about it felt different. Elena focused on her computer until Mandy reminded her of the meeting,
Closing her computer, she left for the meeting.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD