Chapter 5. Buried truth
1050 Words
Elena gently guided her mother into their small apartment, her brother Liam following closely behind. The moment they stepped inside, a wave of relief washed over her at least her mother was back home, safe for now. But the moment Maria sat down on the worn-out couch, her sharp eyes landed on Elena.
“How did you get so much money in just two days?” her mother asked, suspicion laced in her voice.
Liam grinned, dropping his school bag to the side. “Yeah, sis! You even paid my school fees for next term! You didn’t rob a bank, did you?”
Elena shot him a playful glare before lightly smacking the back of his head. “No, dummy. I got a job.”
Her mother’s brows furrowed. “Where?”
Elena took a slow breath, bracing herself. “At Wolfe Enterprises.”
The reaction was immediate. Maria’s face paled, her body stiffening as though she had seen a ghost. The air in the room grew heavy, the silence thick with unspoken memories.
“Wolfe Enterprises?” Maria whispered, almost in disbelief. “No… Elena, tell me you’re joking.”
Elena frowned. “What’s wrong? They pay well, Mom. It was the only way to cover everything.”
Maria shook her head, gripping the armrest tightly. “Do you know who owns Wolfe Enterprises? Damian Wolfe. That man is ruthless—he works people to the bone and discards them like trash when they’re no longer useful.” Her voice trembled. “Your father worked for him. And do you know what happened to your father, Elena?”
Elena’s chest tightened. She knew. She had always known.
Her father had worked himself to death under Damian Wolfe’s rule—endless shifts, constant demands, and barely enough pay to sustain his family. They had used him, drained him, and when his body finally gave out, they had tossed him aside without a second thought.
Elena swallowed hard. “I know, Mom. But I don’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
She clenched her fists. “Not this time. I need this job. We need it. But I promise you I won’t let them outwork me. I’ll do my job, but only on my terms. I won’t let them break me the way they did Dad.”
Maria’s eyes filled with unshed tears, but she said nothing more. The fear in her gaze was enough.
A New Beginning
The next morning, Elena made her way to her best friend Sarah’s apartment. She knocked twice before the door swung open, revealing Sarah in a silk robe, her hair wrapped up in a towel.
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Elena? At my doorstep this early? What happened? Is Liam okay?”
Elena rolled her eyes. “Yes, everyone’s fine. I just… I need your help.”
Sarah stepped aside, letting her in. “With?”
Elena sighed. “Clothes.”
Sarah blinked, then smirked. “Excuse me? Did you just ask for fashion advice? From me?”
Elena groaned. “Yes, yes. Laugh it up.”
Sarah crossed her arms. “Well, this is a historic moment. Elena Mercer is asking for a wardrobe makeover.”
“I just need work clothes, okay?” Elena muttered. “Wolfe Enterprises is all about dressing sharp. I can’t show up looking like I work at a rundown café.”
Sarah’s teasing expression softened, and she grabbed Elena’s hands. “You got this, babe. And don’t worry—I’ll make sure you turn heads.”
Within minutes, Sarah pulled together an outfit—a sleek white blouse tucked into high-waisted navy trousers, paired with a tailored blazer. She handed Elena a pair of nude heels and simple gold accessories.
“You’ll look professional but still like you,” Sarah said proudly.
Elena eyed the clothes, then hugged her best friend. “Thank you.”
Sarah winked. “Go show those corporate Wolfe who’s boss.”
The First Day at Wolf Enterprises
The next morning, dressed in Sarah’s carefully chosen outfit, Elena walked into the towering glass building of Wolfe Enterprises. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her head high.
As she stepped onto the executive floor, she was greeted by Jordan, Xander’s assistant.
He flashed her a friendly smile. “Elena! Right on time.”
She nodded. “So, where do I start?”
Jordan gestured for her to follow. “Let me show you to your desk first.”
He led her down a sleek hallway, stopping at a modern workspace just outside a set of heavy glass doors. “This is your desk—right next to the boss’s office. You’ll be handling his schedules, emails, and any other personal requests he has.”
Before she could respond, the glass doors swung open, and out stepped Xander himself.
The moment their eyes met, the air between them shifted.
But something was different.
Gone was the smooth, playful man who had offered her the job. Instead, his face was unreadable, his expression cold and impassive.
Elena straightened. “Good morning, Mr. Wolfe.”
He barely acknowledged her. “You’re late.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not.”
Xander looked at his watch. “Then don’t make it a habit to cut it so close.”
Her lips parted in disbelief. “Are you serious?”
His gaze was sharp. “You work for me now, Elena. I expect precision.”
Her fingers curled into fists. “Right. Because suddenly, I’m supposed to believe that the man who practically begged me to take this job is now some kind of soulless boss.”
Jordan cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh, I’ll… leave you two to get acquainted.” He quickly disappeared down the hall.
Elena turned back to Xander, frustration simmering in her chest. “What’s your problem?”
His jaw tightened. “Just do your job, Elena.”
Her breath hitched. Something was off. This wasn’t just about professionalism Xander was acting this way on purpose.
Hiding something.
Before she could push further, he turned on his heel and strode into his office, leaving her standing there, fuming.
And for the first time since taking this job, Elena wondered what she had truly gotten herself into.
- Writer
