Chapter11
1249 Words
"Good afternoon, Ma,” Trent said, stepping forward.
“Mom!” Alexander exclaimed, embracing Mrs. Elizabeth Drake.
She sat gracefully on the couch in the middle of Alexander's study, a calm smile playing on her lips.
“When did you get here?” Alexander asked, still surprised.
“A few minutes ago. It's been a while, so I decided to visit my son,” she said warmly.
Mrs. Elizabeth Drake had been out of town for a couple of months, but she still knew the passcode to Alexander's mansion.
Trent and Alexander exchanged a quick, nervous glance.
“So…” Mrs. Elizabeth Drake began, her sharp gaze settling on both of them,
“Who is this hidden heir and heiress you boys were talking about?”
Trent nearly choked. “It's… just a play, Ma,” he stammered.
“For the Velvis City Art Gallery Exhibition,” Alexander added quickly.
Trent shot Alexander a wide-eyed look, silently screaming, What are you doing?!
“Really?” Mrs. Elizabeth Drake tilted her head.
“Since when did you start attending art gallery exhibitions? You've never been one for the arts.”
“I never said I was attending!” Alexander protested.
Trent blinked rapidly at Alexander, a desperate signal not to blow their cover.
It finally clicked.
“Well, Ma, he'll be attending,” Trent said, bringing out two VIP tickets from his pocket. “I got tickets for both of us.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Drake stared, suspicious.
Alexander shrugged, “He's right, Mom. But he was the one who begged me to come along.”
Alexander led his mother toward the living room, with Trent following close behind. As they walked, Trent crossed his hand across his throat, shooting Alexander a death glare.
It had been a month since Elena began working at the Velvis City Art Gallery. Excitement filled the air as preparations ramped up for the biggest event of the year, the Miller State Annual Art Gallery Exhibition, now just two weeks away.
Elena was slowly finding her rhythm at the gallery. She leaned over her desk, carefully reviewing some paperwork, when Pete's cheerful voice called out.
“Miss Elena, could you pass me the folders on your table?”
“How many times have I told you? Just call me Elena,” she said, giggling as she handed them over.
Nearby, Mia was sorting through a stack of files.
“Mia, how's the procurement documentation for the South African art piece coming along?” Elena asked.
“They're already on their way,” Mia replied confidently. “Logistics has been notified.”
Elena exhaled, relieved.
Mia walked over, an amused smile on her face. “This is your first exhibition rodeo, isn't it?”
“That obvious?” Elena chuckled.
“Very,” Mia said, laughing. “But you'll be fine. Think of it as expressing yourself through the art.”
“You sound like I'm the one hosting the exhibition,” Elena said, confused by Mia's odd tone.
Before Mia could explain, a knock came on the door.
“Hi, Miss Elena,” a tech guy poked his head in. “Mr. Nicholas needs you in his office.”
Elena followed without hesitation. Once she was gone, Pete turned to Mia, “Really?”
Elena stepped into Mr. Nicholas's office, nerves fluttering in her stomach. The tech guy quietly closed the door behind her.
Mr. Nicholas greeted her with a steady gaze. “Hope you're settling in well. How's the preparation coming along?”
“It's a bit overwhelming, but… I'm adapting. The environment feels like home,” Elena said honestly.
Mr. Nicholas nodded, reached into his drawer, and pulled out a white envelope.
“Here,” he said, handing it to her. “Check it.”
Elena's hands trembled as she opened the envelope. Her eyes widened, scanning the letter inside.
“This… this can't be possible,” she said softly.
“It's very real,” Mr. Nicholas said, smiling warmly. “The decision was unanimous among all the team leaders.”
Inside the envelope was an official letter: Elena was being promoted to Team Leader.
“But Mr. Nicholas… I'm still new here,” she said, almost in disbelief.
“I told you, we all see something special in you.”
He paused. Elena looked up, waiting anxiously.
“This new role also means you'll be hosting the exhibition in two weeks,” he added.
Elena gasped, her heart thundering.
“What?” she breathed, her chest tightening.
“You'll be fine,” Mr. Nicholas reassured her. “Just keep doing what you've been doing.”
Elena stumbled out of the office, pale as a ghost.
When she returned to her desk, Mia smiled knowingly.
Pete nudged Mia subtly.
“You okay?” Pete asked softly.
“Huh? Yeah… I guess,” Elena said, still dazed. “I suppose you two knew about this already.”
Mia stepped closer. “You're going to be amazing, Elena.”
Those simple words wrapped around Elena like a warm blanket.
Later that afternoon, after a sluggish few hours of work, it was finally lunchtime.
Elena stayed behind at her desk, still trying to absorb the news.
“You know suckling won't help,” Sandra teased, peeking through the half-open door.
Elena raised her head and smiled faintly. “Why are you peeking?”
Sandra pushed the door open and walked in.
“Come on, let's grab lunch. And no, you don't get to say no,” Sandra said, grinning.
Before Elena could argue, Sandra pulled her up by the hand and led her out.
As they walked, Elena exhaled deeply. “I got promoted today.”
Sandra squeezed her hand encouragingly.
“And… I'm hosting the exhibition,” Elena added, her voice low.
Sandra stopped, turning to face her.
“Is that why you're frowning?” she asked.
Elena met her gaze. “You knew about it too, didn't you?”
Sandra chuckled. “Elena, you're seriously underestimating yourself. Most people would kill for this opportunity.”
“Well, I'm not most people. I clearly can't do this,” Elena muttered.
Sandra arched her brow. “You can't… or you won't?”
Elena shrugged. “Same thing.”
“No, it's not,” Sandra said firmly. “You've been hiding in your shell for too long. It's time you break free.”
Sandra turned and continued walking. Elena stood frozen for a moment before hurrying after her.
“I thought you didn't want to eat,” Sandra teased.
“Well, maybe I changed my mind,” Elena said, chuckling softly.
They reached their favorite lunch spot. This time, they decided to dine in.
After the meal, the waitress came over. “Here's the check, Ma'am.”
Sandra reached to her purse, and froze. “Jeez!”
“What?” Elena asked, alarmed.
“I forgot my ATM card at home,” Sandra groaned.
The waitress smiled politely. “We also accept cash.”
Sandra turned her hopeful eyes to Elena.
“Don't look at me like that,” Elena said suspiciously.
“I don't carry cash either,” Sandra confessed. “You'll have to cover us. I'll transfer it to you later.”
Elena scratched her head awkwardly. “Yeah, that's going to be a problem.”
“Why?” Sandra asked, her eyes widening.
“Because… I didn't bring any cash or my ATM card either,” Elena admitted.
They stared at each other, horror dawning.
- Writer
