THE PROMISE I HAD TO KEEP

CHAPTER FIVE

Elena thought of a way to carry out this plan discreetly without het mum finding out about it.

She came up with a lie and told her mum that she would not be home for a while because she had an impromptu Zoom meeting she applied for back in college in Moscow. And she'll need to go back to college to retrieve the documents in order to engage in the Zoom meeting.

Mrs Gregory, consented to her daughter’s lie unknowingly to her.

Elena assured her mum that she'd come immediately, and she'd be able to retrieve the documents.

At the dawn of the day, Elena was already set and ready to go.

She bid her mum goodbye and left the house, but in her heart the guilt of the lie she told hung over her chest like a life jacket.

She went to Victoria's shopping mall, the place she was to meet with Miss Anne. Few minutes later, Miss Anne arrived at the place.

Miss Anne took Elena to the clothing section in the mall and selected beautiful yet attractive outfits that looked pretty on Elena just for the party.

After shopping, they headed straight to a hotel.

Miss Anne had already booked a hotel for Elena that was a bit close to the building where the party would be held.

She also called a hair stylist and nail technician to ensure that Elena's hair and nails were done.

The next morning is Friday, ...

The day of the party, Miss Anne came to Elena’s hotel room to hand over the legal documents she was supposed to give Mr Andre to sign and the gold card as one who was invited.

As the evening drew close, Elena received a phone call to start preparing for the event.

However, Miss Anne sent a make-up artist to do her glam.

Elena hadn't seen this version of herself in her whole life. The clothes, wig, make-up, shoes... everything blended perfectly, making her stunning and extremely beautiful.

After a while, when she was trying out the accessories that would fit her dress, she was abruptly interrupted by a beep on her phone.

She walked towards her bed to check what it was. It was a message written in bold letters from an unknown number saying “ COME DOWNSTAIRS NOW!"

Immediately she understood it was part of the plan Miss Anne had earlier discussed.

So, she hurriedly went downstairs…

To her surprise, a black Lamborghini stopped at the entrance of the hotel with the doors of the car opening as she walked towards it and entered.

Without delay, the driver welcomed her as he closed the door of the car and headed straight to the party.

Still in the vehicle, she asked the driver some questions which were; "How long have you worked for Mr Williams Andrei?"

Elena asked because the driver looked older than expected.

"I have been working for over nine years with Mr Andrei, and it has been a great experience so far, the man replied.

"Wow! I didn't think of that answer," Elena said, and proceeded to ask more questions about Mr Andrei personal life, but his responses to them showed that Mr Adrei has a clean record and a good person.

It was about twenty minutes from the hotel to the venue where the party was held.

A gigantic black gate opened, and to her amazement something bigger than a mansion was what was starring right in front of her. The decor was mind-blowing that Elena couldn't help but stare at the place with her mouth opened.

It had a lot of sculptures, flowers, water springs, art and many other things.

"Indeed, it was a party only for the WEALTHY," Elena said.

The driver drove inside to the entrance of the party where there was a red carpet for one to walk on. It was more like an aisle.

Elena quickly adjusted her dress, grabbed her bag and waited for the car to halt before she came down.

A young looking gentleman, on a black suit walked up to the car and opened it.

With a warm smile, he said , "Welcome, stretching his hands towards her to hold as he assisted her in walking down the aisle.

There were so many people on beautiful designer dresses that she had never seen before.

As she walked, there were so many flashlights on her face due to the paparazzi, she could barely see and focus.

Elena had to blend in immediately and compose herself to be one of them.

She had to get herself together, because one mistake can make people suspicious of her identity and eventually ruin every single thing she came there for.

So, immediately she was escorted to the door by the gentleman. She recognized the gentleman in charge of checking the golden cards. He was the same officer that directed Elena to miss Anne the first time she went to Mr Andre's company.

The gentleman was heavily guarded with two armed officers by his side.

Elena’s face immediately turned pale, her heart raced. "What if he recognizes me?" Elena soliloquized.

It was as if her world was against her. She panicked a bit, but at the same time tried so much to compose herself.

"Have we met before, Madam?" The officer asked.

"No! Not at all. What would a wealthy lady like me be doing as a commoner?" Elena said, trying not to make bold eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry ma'am, it's just that your face looks familiar, but it's fine.

Can I see your card please?" the officer asked politely.

Elena's mind raced seeing the officer and the thought of being caught as she opened her bag to pull the golden card out.

To her shock, the card wasn't there.

She checked for it again and again inside her bag, and it still wasn't there. She couldn't imagine that she would forget it or misplace it.

So, the officer came towards her and asked her what the problem was, but they were gentle about it.

She told them, " I forgot the card in my car."

Without causing a scene, they escorted her out of the line.

Elena started looking for the driver that carried her. Maybe she must have left it in the car.

She couldn't place where she kept it at the moment, because of how panicked and tensed she was, but she was certain that the card was either in the hotel room or in the car that carried her.

She was already disorganized and thinking of quitting, but one thing her dad would tell her is, “Never quit until its achieved."

Then she remembered Miss Anne.

Elena called her immediately. Her name popped into her mind and narrated the whole story. She told her that she will call the driver that carried her to help take her back to the hotel to check if the card turn out not to be the car.

It took over thirty minutes before the driver showed up, but there was nothing of such in the vehicle.

She instantly told the driver to turn the car around and head straight to the hotel where he carried her.

There was so much traffic....

"Arrrghhh! Elena screamed, we are never going to make it on time."

Finally,... they reached the hotel.

Without hesitation, Elena ran out of the car to her room like it was a matter of life and death.

Immediately she opened the door of her hotel room, low and behold, the golden card was on the table.

"Thank Goodness!" Elena said with a heavy breath of relief as she grabbed it and headed back to the car.

Heading back to the party was like an hour and thirty minutes. There was so much traffic on the road, that Elena almost teared up.

Every second the driver hesitated at a red light, it felt like a deliberate attempt from fate to mock her.

Her hands clenched and unclenched in my lap, the golden card digging into her palm like a brand of accusation. She had promised herself she wouldn’t fail tonight, and yet time was slipping through her fingers like sand.

“Sir, please,” Elena said sharply, leaning forward. Her voice trembled between urgency and suppressed anger. “Could you drive a little faster? It’s really important.”

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed as if he understood the weight of her desperation.

Without a word, he pressed his foot harder on the accelerator, weaving through the sluggish traffic.

Horns blared behind them. But none of it mattered.

When they finally reached the venue, it was as if everyone had all gone.

Regardless, she brightened up her face and made way to the party.

She pulled out her golden card immediately she reached the entrance and presented it to the gentleman that approached her.

He examined it briefly, then looked up at her with a practiced smile. “Welcome,” he said warmly. “Have a splendid evening.”

“Thank you,” Elena replied, forcing steadiness into her voice.

Inside, the air was cool and perfumed with the mingling aromas of expensive colognes and freshly polished wood. The chandeliers cast golden light over the glittering crowd, their laughter and chatter blending into an orchestra of wealth and privilege. But she had no time to admire the grandeur. Her heart raced with a singular purpose.

At once, Elena reached out to Miss Anne for more updates regarding Mr Williams Andrei.

Miss Anne gave her all the details, including what he was wearing, the people he was with, and the floor he was on, in the building.

So with that information, Elena, knew where she was supposed to be.

Miss Anne, equally disclosed some personal information to Elena in regard to the course of the party.

It was about the wealthy clan business they do once a year.

Usually a room is arranged in the form of a hall which is strictly for business owners and rich billionaires and its only possible for one to enter with their fingerprint which reveals their identity.

A meeting that concerns deals across the country, money donation and auctioning. It is usually after the meeting that Mr Adrie comes out to the party and ends up with someone in a room.

Instantly, Elena grabbed two slender glasses of champagne from a passing waiter's tray, the bubbles fizzing like her restless nerves.

She hurried to the elevator at the far end of the hall.

The golden numbers on the elevator panel glowed: 7th floor. That was where destiny awaited.

Inside the elevator, she inhaled deeply, rehearsing the words she would say.

But when the elevator doors slid open, and she stepped onto the plush carpet of the seventh floor, reality struck her fantasy.

The door to the private room creaked open just as she arrived, and there he was—Mr. Andrei himself—stepping out, phone pressed to his ear, his expression taut with urgency.

No.

Not like this.

He wasn’t supposed to be leaving. He was supposed to be inside, waiting.

Her chest tightened painfully as disappointment washed over her.

"I had only one task and i just ruined everything," Elena said, in a subtle yet rage.

Yet instinct pushed me forward. My heels clicked quietly behind him, the champagne glasses trembling in my hands. He strode toward the elevator, his shoulders broad, his back straight, every movement exuding authority and impatience.

Elena tried so had to make a decision as these thoughts came to her mind; " Should I approach him? Should I risk it? Should I let the chance vanish forever?

Without thinking, she followed, her heart pounding, her breath uneven.

The elevator doors glided open with a soft chime, and Elena stepped in right behind him before they could close. The space felt strangely smaller now, as though his presence had stolen the air and filled it with something heavier—authority, power, and an aura that made her heart beat erratically.

Mr. Andrei didn’t spare her a glance at first. His attention was fixed on the phone pressed to his ear. His voice, low and urgent, reverberated against the mirrored walls of the elevator.

“Yes, keep me updated,” he said curtly. His tone carried a weight that made her lower her gaze, as if she were intruding on something far beyond her reach.

This was her moment, and yet she stood frozen, allowing fear and determination to wage war inside her.

When he ended the call, his shoulders dropped slightly, though his jaw remained tight.

He exhaled, and for the first time, his gaze flicked toward Elena.

His eyes, sharp and assessing, seemed to take in every detail.

She forced herself to speak before doubt paralyzed her further.

“Would you like a glass of champagne?” her voice wavered, thin as a thread about to snap.

He shook his head almost immediately. “No, thank you.” His reply was polite but distant, as if he had built walls she couldn’t breach.

“Where I come from,” Elena said quickly, her words tumbling out before she could second-guess them, “if a stranger offers you a gift and you refuse it… it’s believed you’ve just called bad luck upon that person.”

He turned fully then, brows lifting slightly. The corners of his mouth twitched—not quite a smile, not quite disbelief. “Really?” His voice carried a cool curiosity. “That’s interesting. Because when I was growing up, my parents taught me never to take anything from strangers. So, whose lesson should I follow—yours, or theirs?”

The weight of his gaze bore down on her, and her throat dry. She forced herself to meet his eyes, though her voice came out softer this time. “I just thought… you looked troubled after that call. Maybe a drink would help. Even if only for a moment.”

His stare lingered on her, searching...

Then, with a small sigh, he extended his hand. “Pass me the glass, then.”

Elena felt so much relief after that statement. She handed him one of the glasses with a calm smile. “You’re welcome.”

He brought the glass to his lips, his movements smooth, deliberate. Elena, watching him take that first sip was unexpectedly mesmerizing.

There was a poise about him, an elegance that even the simplest act—drinking champagne—seemed to carry.

His eyes flicked toward her as he swallowed. “Hmm. It’s good. A fine choice.” He took another sip, then added, “I know a good champagne when I taste one.”

That moment, Elena realized that she hadn't drug the drink before giving it to him.

However, the documents were attached to her inner ties so, no one would know.

Instantly, Elena's face turned pale.

Her heart raced as she finally ruined a perfect time to have executed the plot.

"Are you okay?" Mr Andre Williams asked as he noticed her countenance.

"Uurrhmm yea, I'm good. What did you say again? I'm sorry I got carried away. Elena said trying to keep the conversation going and not letting him suspect anything.

"I said it's a good choice of champagne and I know one when I taste it" Mr Williams said finishing the remaining in the glass.

“My father always said the same about wine. He believed the right drink could make pastries taste even better. He used to keep bottles stored away like secret treasures, convinced they were the hidden ingredient to his tasty pastries and the bakery’s success,” Elena said with a gentle yet soft tone.

“My condolences,” Andre said gently, as though he had pieced together the story without needing every detail. “He must have meant a great deal to you.”

Elena nodded, not trusting her voice. For a moment, silence stretched between them—heavy, yet strangely comforting.

Then, as if the universe couldn’t allow that fragile peace to linger, the lights above them flickered violently. A loud metallic screech echoed through the elevator shaft. And before they could even gasp, the elevator jerked to a stop.

Elena's body lurched forward as the elevator shuddered violently, pitching them both against the mirrored walls.

Then came the faint hum of emergency power, barely enough to illuminate the red glow of the floor indicator above the doors. They were trapped in a metal box.

“What the—” Andrei’s curse broke the stillness. He pressed the emergency button repeatedly, his movements sharp and impatient. The elevator groaned but remained stubbornly immobile. He slammed his palm against the door with a resounding thud. “Not now. Not tonight!”

His voice carried a raw urgency that startled me. This wasn’t the calm, composed business manager whose presence filled entire rooms. This was a man unraveling under pressure.

Elena clutched her remaining glass tightly. Her plan had never accounted for this—for being trapped in an elevator with him, alone, in the dark.

“Are you okay?” she managed to ask, her own voice trembling.

“No,” he snapped. His chest rose and fell heavily. “I got a call. From my father’s doctor. They need me at the hospital. Urgently. And now I’m… stuck here.”

Elena's heart clenched. “Your father is sick?”

“Yes,” He answered. “He’s been battling an illness for months. Tonight was supposed to be different—I shouldn’t even have come to this event. But business obligations—” He cut himself off, fists tightening. “And now this.”

Elena stared at him, words tangling in her throat. Suddenly, the champagne glass in her hand felt shameful, a symbol of her selfish intent.

Something inside her shifted.

She sank down onto the carpet, the cool air pricking her skin as she drew her knees close. “Come sit,” She said quietly, gesturing to the space beside her. “The power will come back on soon. Worrying won’t make it faster.”

For a moment, he didn’t move. His pride resisted, but his shoulders eventually slumped. He lowered himself onto the floor with a sigh as he leaned back against the mirrored wall.

“I can’t stand waiting,” he muttered. “Every minute feels like an hour.”

“I know,” Elena whispered. Her hands fidgeted in her lap, her chest tightening with a familiar ache.

He turned his head slightly toward her. “You know?”

Elena hesitated. For years, she had buried her story in silence, refusing to let anyone see the broken pieces.

But in that dark box, with nowhere to run, and no pretense left to hold onto, she found herself wanting to share.

“Yes,” Elena said finally, her voice quivering. “Because I’ve been where you are. I know what it’s like to watch someone you love to fight for their life, and to feel utterly helpless.”

His brows furrowed, curiosity replacing frustration. The air between them thickened, fragile and charged, as if the elevator itself demanded honesty.

And before she could stop herself, the chapter she wished never to tell, began to open.