Beyond Boundaries

CHAPTER 4:

As Estelle stared at the message from Jeremiah, her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. With a deep breath, she knew she had to confront whatever was coming next, even if it meant facing her fears. The calm that had settled in the hospital room was shattered, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead began to weigh heavily on her

Lisa realized Estelle's state. "Estelle? Is something wrong?"

Estelle snapped back to her senses. "Yes, I'm fine."

Lisa, worried, said, "You didn't look fine while reading your phone."

Estelle, reassuring, replied, "It's just one of those useless ads. I should head home. Thank you again!"

Lisa, confused, said, "Hey, are you just avoiding me? Wait, you haven't recovered yet!"

Estelle packed up her stuff and headed to the door. She turned and winked at Lisa. "You should take care of Dr. Simon because you won't inform my family!"

Then she left.

Lisa, embarrassed, said, "You teasy girl. I shouldn't have helped you!"

Dr. Simon entered the room with a strict face. "So, Miss Roteckbelle," he said, referring to Lisa's last name, "what is your job here?"

Lisa adjusted her golden hair. "Isn't it my father's hospital? I felt sick, so I took a room for myself. Can't I?"

The other doctors burst into laughter.

Dr. Simon, in a cold, manly voice, said, "You should head to my office if you are troubled with your health. This hospital is for true patients."

Lisa followed Simon in embarrassment and entered his office. Then she said, annoyed, "How can you treat your girlfriend like that in front of others?"

So, he is Lisa's boyfriend. That's why Estelle teased her about him.

At midnight, Estelle arrived home. As always, Michael was waiting for her, standing like a stone statue with a cold demeanor.

Michael, with a mocking smile, said, "So, welcome back. You didn't answer your phone calls and came back looking like you got attacked by beasts! Where were you, meeting your poor boyfriend like I heard yesterday? And what about your car? Didn't you receive the message from the repair shop that it needs some fixes, or do you just not care?"

Estelle's perspective:

How can he know about Lucas? Nobody followed me yesterday. Don't tell me it's Nolan again. And I didn't receive any message from the repair shop. It's obvious this is his plan. How awful he is.

Michael raised his voice, "Won't you answer me? You are not allowed to come to the company from now on. I will send you as a trainee to one of my friend's companies!"

Estelle, desperately, said, "But—"

Layla intervened with a worried voice, "Michael, stop that. Oh my god, Estelle, how did you end up in such a state?"

Estelle, asked with a cold voice, "Can I go to my room right now?"

Layla, concerned, said, "This is not a question. Of course, my poor baby. You seem very injured. Go have some rest."

Estelle headed to her room and fell asleep.

In the morning, she woke up early. Despite being forbidden from going anywhere, she styled herself, put on some perfume, and headed to the breakfast table with a confident, expressionless walk.

She crossed paths with Nolan, who appeared to be packing his things into a suitcase. She didn't even care about what was happening, and when she arrived at the table, she was surprised by the presence of Gustaph and his son, Mateo.

Her confident aura disappeared, and she forced a smile.

Michael, with a proud but forced look, said, "It looks like Estelle woke up early and prepared herself. Welcome them, sweetheart. I invited them to discuss important matters!"

Estelle, with a forced smile, said, "Wow, it's very pleasant to have you at our house, Mr. Gustaph and Mateo. However, I wonder what truly woke you up and forced you to come this early. It must be a very important matter, I guess!"

Michael, forcing a laugh, said, "Well, she means you are welcome anytime."

Estelle sat at the table near her father, keeping her fake happy smile.

Mateo asked Estelle, "How have you been since your birthday?"

Estelle, with an annoyed smile, replied, "I have been very good, but every time I see you, my mood starts to change. I wonder why!"

Mateo got Estelle's message, then narrowed his eyebrows and stayed silent.

Michael, showing happiness: "Since Mateo and Estelle are officially engaged, we should discuss some other things."

Estelle interrupted sarcastically: "Excuse me? Who is officially engaged? I have never heard of such a thing. You must be bluffing."

She primped her hair confidently: "As I said, it is nonsense. Mr. Gustaph, I have no intention of marrying your son. I already love someone, and we are in a committed relationship."

Michael: "What nonsense are you saying?"

Three phones rang at the same time.

Estelle's perspective: "Everyone checked their phones, and I checked mine too. The shocking thing was that there was news about me and Lucas, showing our pictures together from the night we met. The headline said, 'The Heiress of Jefferson is Already Dating a Nobody. We heard he is from Nilson Companies; however, nothing is assured! His name seems to be Lucas!!!!'

I facepalmed: Who dared to do such a thing? Don't tell me it's Nolan again, but he didn't follow me that day. Nobody did. I'm sure about this."

Gustaph suddenly stood up with Mateo, saying, "I think we should leave right now."

Michael tried to explain: "Gustaph, I am so sorry for this humiliating situation, but my daughter is going to end this nonsense as soon as she can!"

Estelle answered with determination: "I’m not ending anything. Isn't it better for you, Mr. Gustaph, to avoid any conflict? I was honest, and right now, we can only be professional around each other. That's all!"

Michael got irritated, and then Layla came in.

Layla, with a calm voice: "Mr. Gustaph and Mr. Mateo, I am glad you accepted our breakfast invitation, but Estelle is right. To avoid any conflict between us, I ask you to leave. Keeping things professional should be for the better right now."

Then they left.

Michael stood up, fixing a stern gaze on Estelle: "Was this your doing?"

Estelle glared back: "I wouldn’t do such a thing, especially if it harms Lucas."

Estelle went outside, trying to reach Lucas on the phone. Suddenly, the guards stopped her from moving.

Estelle raised her voice: "What are you doing? Leave me alone!"

The guards, looking fearful, replied: "We’re sorry, Miss Estelle. Mr. Jefferson gave us strict orders not to let you outside at the moment."

Estelle thought: "Is Dad serious? Am I really going to be locked up at home? How am I supposed to get in touch with Lucas? How did he guess I was about to buy a plane ticket behind his back?"

Nolan was leaving the house with his suitcase. Estelle decided she should warn him.

She approached Nolan and yelled in frustration: “Are you satisfied now that I’m trapped at home? All because of what you caused just because someone told you some lies! But you know what? I’m actually relieved to get rid of you!”

Nolan, with a cold expression, replied: “This time it has nothing to do with me.”

Estelle smirked: “Of course, because it’ll hurt my boyfriend the most. What about you? Should I give your girlfriend a hard time? She’s an actress, and any scandal could affect her popularity.”

Nolan gripped Estelle’s hand tightly, glaring at her with anger: “Don’t you dare try anything. I told you it wasn’t me. Haven’t you caused enough harm already? She’s traumatized enough by you.”

Nolan thought: I know I was wrong to cause all this trouble, but I only intended to send the information to journalists and stop. I didn’t have pictures, and I stopped because of guilt. Why can’t she accept her past mistakes? And her boyfriend will gain fame. people will hear about his company and his new project will be a success.

Estelle responded: “Traumatized her? Have you ever asked what she did to me? No, you just believed her version. Don’t jump to conclusions. But since you’ve harmed Lucas, I’ll do the same.”

Estelle declared: “I’m not afraid of you.”

Layla ran in and separated them.

Layla, serious: “What are you fighting about? The tension in this house is already too high.”

Layla determined: “Estelle, go to your room. Nolan, we need to talk before we leave!”

Michael, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to the commotion, focused on covering the news in his home office.

Layla took Nolan to the parking lot and, without hesitation, slapped him across the face.

Layla, serious: “Can’t you be responsible for your actions, or are you returning to your old, reckless self, Nolan?”

Layla: “Before you say anything, let me speak. I knew you were behind Estelle’s awful state yesterday. That’s why you’re leaving—because she sent you away!”

Nolan, trying to explain with sad eyes: “Mom, I was reacting to her past actions toward Stella. They attended the same college, and Estelle traumatized her. She doesn’t even remember what she did. It’s like traumatizing someone isn’t important to her!”

Layla, annoyed: “Who are you to defend Stella? I like her, yes. I even accepted her as your fiancée, but that doesn’t give you the right to punish Estelle for something you’re not even sure about!”

Nolan, frustrated: “You mean Stella is lying? That can’t be—she would never do that!”

Layla, concerned: “I’m not sure. It’s better to understand the full story before judging. You’re also doubting the facts because you stopped bothering her. You feel something’s not right.”

Layla, worried: “I won’t stop you from leaving, but you should apologize to Estelle. It’s up to you. Maybe some time on your own will help you see things more clearly.”

Nolan, doubtful: “What do you mean, Mom?”

Layla, uneasy: “I hesitated to say this because I knew you’d get angry, but I’ve seen Stella grow up. She’s an actress, but she always seemed manipulative to me. I hoped that after meeting Estelle, you’d be like a brother to her because I know Estelle is facing many challenges.”

Layla, uneasy: “But I’m a bit disappointed with your actions.”

Nolan, confused: “How can you feel pity for her? You don’t know anything about her.”

Layla says with a sad smile, “It’s evident in her demeanour. Anyway, have a safe trip. I hope you come to your senses soon, son.”

Layla went back upstairs.

Nolan felt nothing but guilt and left

When Lucas heard the news, he found many missed calls from Estelle. He headed directly to his boss's office.

Lucas, with a determined voice: “I am ready to quit the job since I caused problems for the company.”

Piper was inside her father's office, who is the Boss.

Boss, with a serious look: “What’s your reason? Those news didn’t harm the company at all.”

Piper: “If we become engaged, the rumors will be mitigated.”

Lucas: “I am sorry, Miss Piper, but it’s impossible for me to be involved with you. With all due respect for your father, if I have to do that, I would rather leave this company.”

Boss: “You are not forced to do anything to keep your job. You can come back to work right away as a normal employee.”

Lucas, surprised: “Is that true? Thank you, sir!”

Lucas left the office joyfully.

Piper: “Why didn’t you fire him? He refused your daughter’s offer!”

Boss: “Well, sweetheart, this news will affect nothing but Jefferson's name and their industrial stocks, which will make our company and her new project shine at the moment! I just gave this young man his chance.”

Piper rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile, Estelle was in her room trying to reach Lucas.

Suddenly, she got a call from Lucas.

Lucas on the phone: “Estelle, I was worried about you. How are you?”

Estelle, concerned: “I am fine, even after the issues at the company. How about you? I was so worried!”

Lucas: “I was about to quit my job after the news, but the boss asked me to stay!”

Estelle, relieved: “I am so happy for you!”

Lucas: “Do you know who took our picture?”

Estelle: “No, I have no idea, but I am sure it’s someone who has a grudge against me.”

Lucas: “That’s why I am asking. You’re alone now, and I am worried you might be in danger!”

Estelle, reassuring: Don’t worry, I am already locked in the house full of guards.

Lucas: “I have to hang up; we have an important meeting right now. I’ll call you later.”

Estelle called Lisa on her phone, and she picked up.

Lisa, with an annoyed voice: “Yes, Estelle, I’m a bit busy trying to fix Simon’s food disaster.”

Estelle, uncertain: “Should I call you later?”

Lisa, irritated: “No, we have to talk right now. I heard about the news. How are you feeling?”

Estelle, still uncertain: “Well, I’m fine. Even Lucas kept his job! But I’m locked at home.”

Lisa, annoyed: “I asked you about yourself. You always worry about that guy. I’ll pass by to see you tomorrow, maybe.”

Lisa, speaking normally: “Well, Simon got a day off, so we went on a small vacation.”

Estelle, sad: “I envy you. I can’t even spend two minutes with Lucas, even on the phone!”

Lisa, confidently: “Well, it was your choice to stay with him. If Simon ignored me or chose work over spending time with me, I’d fire him, even if he likes his job!”

Estelle: “But I’m not Lucas’s boss!”

Lisa, concerned: “That doesn’t matter. He’s been neglecting you lately, and I hate this kind of man! What about the news? Who spread them?”

Estelle, worried: “I have no idea about that, and Father is still blaming Lucas!”

Lisa, concerned: “I know you feel lonely right now, but remember your father would never believe you, no matter what. And Lucas is absorbed by his job, while you mess up most of your tasks. That’s why you have more free time than him.”

Estelle, angry: “So you realize everything. Thank you for reminding me how miserable my life is. I never thought you knew about Dad not believing in me!”

Lisa: “Sorry, sweetheart, but he doesn’t believe me either because he thinks I’m your closest loyal friend. That’s why I don’t try anything; he scares me all the time!”

Lisa: I should hang up and take care of yourself well

Estelle, feeling overwhelmed by loneliness, thought about the last place she could call.

Estelle: Hello, I am a relative of Madam Celine. Tell her I am her friend Maria.

Nurse: I am so sorry, miss. Madam Celine refuses to speak with you, saying you are a liar!

Estelle: Thank you, I tried my chance.

Nurse: Have a good day, Miss Estelle!

Estelle stared at the four walls of her room.

A text message was sent to her. She glanced at it, then threw her phone on the floor in fear.

The message said: Have you enjoyed today's news? Investing in us wasn't a bad idea after all. Sent by Jeremiah.

Panicking, Estelle blocked the number again.

On the other hand, Nolan, with his suitcase in his car, was heading to the house he rented after a work journey.

He decided to pass by Stella's set out of overthinking.

When he arrived, he saw the crew preparing for a new scene, and Stella was still arguing with the manager while her female colleagues were gossiping about her.

Stella suddenly noticed Nolan's presence and, out of surprise, headed over to him.

Stella, unexpectedly: Nolan? What are you doing here at this hour?

Nolan, concerned: I am heading to the house I rented, so I thought about checking on you before.

Nolan, curiously: I don't think they like you much here.

Stella, sarcastically: Well, nobody likes the lead actress. That's why they gossip all the time about her.

Stella, wondering: But why did you move out?

Nolan, seriously: Well, after you told me what that girl did to you, I gave her a hard time and took revenge, so I got kicked out.

Stella, surprised: You took revenge for me?

Nolan, with guilt: How did you overcome your trauma, Stella? Since you are an actress, you should have performed many scenes in close, dark places, am I right?

Stella, confidently: Of course, I always act with lighting present, so I don't get panic attacks. I am glad I have you as my boyfriend, my hero, and defender!

Nolan, doubtful: A trauma doesn't disappear easily, that's why I am asking.

Stella, annoyed: So you are doubting me after all that she has done to me? You felt guilty about a few things you caused her, and now you think I lied to you.

Nolan: I never said such a thing. I am just curious. How about your argument with your manager? What is its source?

Stella, hesitated: Nothing important. I thought you would be happy if you caused her a bit of suffering. Look at you, your eyes filled with guilt.

Nolan, unsure: Why do I feel like you are hiding things from me?

Stella, annoyed: So leave. I don't need a boyfriend who doubts me and doesn't believe me.

Nolan held Stella's hand: So be honest with me, I always believe you.

Stella: I think I should leave. We will start shooting. Let's discuss all of this later!

Stella returned to her caravan.

Nolan, out of curiosity, overheard the crew.

The crew: Miss Stella is hysterical sometimes, but she is a good actress.

Nolan asked them: What about her performance in closed, dark places?

The crew: She excels at them. She never seems afraid of the dark.

The crew turned his face, and Nolan had already left.