Chapter 4. Thrown into his world
1497 Words
The call came just as Elena was refilling a customer’s coffee at the café. Her phone vibrated violently in her apron pocket, and when she saw Liam’s name flash across the screen, a sharp sense of dread twisted in her stomach.
Her little brother never called her during school hours.
She set down the coffee pot and swiped to answer. “Liam?”
“Elena,” he panted. His voice was thick with panic. “It’s Mom. She collapsed—I got her to the hospital. You need to come now.”
The words barely registered before she was already moving.
The café blurred around her as she ripped off her apron, her manager calling after her, but she didn’t stop. The only thing that mattered was getting to her mother.
—
The sterile scent of antiseptic and the beeping of machines filled the hospital room. Elena’s breath hitched as she stepped inside and saw her mother lying on the bed, pale and motionless. Liam sat at her bedside, gripping her frail fingers. His face was streaked with dried tears, his school uniform wrinkled.
A doctor stood at the foot of the bed, flipping through a chart. He looked up when Elena entered, his expression unreadable.
“You’re her daughter?”
Elena nodded stiffly. “Yes. What’s wrong with her?”
The doctor sighed, tucking the chart under his arm. “Your mother has chronic kidney disease. She was diagnosed some time ago, but she hasn’t been keeping up with her dialysis treatments. Her condition has worsened significantly.”
Elena’s pulse pounded in her ears. “What do you mean, she hasn’t been getting treatment? She was supposed to be going every week.”
The doctor’s gaze softened. “I understand this isn’t easy to hear, but without consistent dialysis, her kidneys are failing. If we don’t get her treatment started immediately, she won’t make it.”
Liam sucked in a sharp breath beside her. Elena felt the floor tilt beneath her feet.
“I—I’ll figure something out,” she murmured.
The doctor gave her a knowing look. “I assume finances have been an issue?”
Elena’s throat tightened, but she nodded.
“Your mother will need to stay here until we stabilize her,” he said. “But dialysis isn’t cheap, and long-term treatment will require a payment plan or medical insurance.”
Elena didn’t have medical insurance. And a payment plan? That was laughable. She could barely keep up with their rent.
The doctor gave her a sympathetic nod before stepping out. As soon as the door closed, Liam turned to her, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
“I’ll get a job,” he said suddenly. “A part-time one. I can help.”
Elena’s heart cracked. Her baby brother was sixteen. He should be worried about school, not about whether they could afford to keep their mother alive.
“No,” she said firmly. “You need to focus on school.”
Liam shook his head. “I got sent home today because we’re behind on tuition.” His voice wavered. “Elena, I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Everything was falling apart. The bills were stacking up, their mother was deteriorating, and now her brother was about to sacrifice his future just to keep them afloat.
No. She wouldn’t let that happen.
“I’ll handle it,” she promised.
Liam gave her a doubtful look. “How?”
She didn’t answer. Because she already knew the answer, and she hated it.
—
Back at the café, Elena sat in the break room, staring at her banking app. The numbers on the screen were pitiful. She barely had enough to cover a fraction of her mother’s treatment, let alone her brother’s school fees.
Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. There was only one name that could fix this.
“Elena?”
She looked up to see Sarah standing in the doorway. Her best friend’s eyes were full of concern.
“I need to borrow money,” Elena blurted. “Please, Sarah. Just enough to get through this month. I swear I’ll pay you back.”
Sarah hesitated, guilt flashing across her face. “Elena… I don’t think I can.”
Elena’s stomach sank.
“You know I would if I could,” Sarah continued. “But I’ve been helping as much as I can already, and I don’t have much saved up.”
Elena swallowed the lump in her throat. “Then I’ll ask the manager.”
Sarah sighed. “You know she won’t help.”
Elena stormed out of the break room anyway, marching straight to her manager’s office. But Sarah had been right.
“Elena, I wish I could help,” her manager said, rubbing her temples. “But I can’t just hand out advances. Business is tight.”
Elena felt her last shred of hope crack. She trudged back to the break room, collapsing onto the couch, hands gripping her head.
“There’s only one option left,” Sarah said quietly.
Elena looked up at her.
“Call him,” Sarah pressed. “Call Xander Wolfe.”
The idea made Elena’s stomach churn. But what choice did she have?
Sarah sat beside her. “I know you don’t want to. But this isn’t just about you anymore. Your mom needs treatment. Liam needs to stay in school. And you need to stop breaking yourself trying to fix everything alone.”
Elena swallowed hard.
She knew Sarah was right.
With trembling fingers, she pulled out the business card Xander had left for her and dialed the number.
It rang once. Twice.
Then, his smooth, deep voice answered.
“Elena.”
She wasn’t surprised he knew she’d called
She closed her eyes, gripping the phone tighter. “I accept your offer.”
A brief silence. Then, “Come to Wolfe Enterprises at noon tomorrow.”
The line went dead.
—
The next day, Elena stood in front of Wolfe Enterprises, the towering glass building reflecting the city skyline. She had never felt more out of place.
With a deep breath, she stepped inside.
The lobby was sleek, modern, and intimidating. Employees in tailored suits moved about, some sparing her curious glances as she approached the front desk.
“I’m here to see Xander Wolfe,” she told the receptionist.
The woman eyed her for a moment before picking up the phone. A few seconds later, she nodded. “Go on up.”
Elena took the elevator to the top floor. When the doors slid open, Xander’s assistant Jordan was already waiting for her.
“Good afternoon miss Mercer, I’m Jordan, Mr Wolfe’s assistant”. She nodded, “Hi Jordan I’m here to see Xander”. “This way please”.
Jordan led Elena through the sleek halls of Wolfe Enterprises, the scent of polished wood lingering in the air. Pushing open the heavy glass doors, he stepped aside, revealing Xander Wolf’s office vast, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Dark mahogany furniture and a towering bookshelf framed his massive black desk, where Xander sat, exuding quiet authority.
Jordan cleared his throat. “Mr. Wolfe, Miss Mercer is here.”
He looked as effortlessly powerful as ever, dressed in a crisp black suit, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.
“I see you came,” he said smoothly.
“There have your sit”
Elena straightened her shoulders. “I need an advance on my first paycheck.”
His brows lifted slightly, but there was no surprise in his expression. “Of course.”
She blinked. “Just like that?”
He smirked. “I wouldn’t have offered you the job if I didn’t expect you to need it.”
She exhaled sharply. “What exactly do you expect from me?”
Xander walked towards her, picked up a folder, and handed it to her.
“You will be my personal assistant,” he said. “You’ll handle my schedule, manage my meetings, accompany me to events when necessary, and ensure everything runs smoothly. In return, you’ll be well compensated”.
“So… what about jordan? Your current assistant?” She tilted her head. He seems hardworking, more than capable.”
Xander chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “You and Jordan have different roles.” His gaze met hers, steady and unreadable. “Jordan is more than just an assistant, he's like a brother, my right hand. He handles the business. You, Elena…” He smirked slightly. “You’re my personal assistant. That’s a different job entirely.”
Elena glanced at the contract inside the folder. The salary made her breath hitch. It was more than she had ever dreamed of making.
He watched her closely. “Is that acceptable?”
She looked up at him, heart pounding.
She had just stepped into his world and there was no turning back.
- Writer
