ELENA
I winded up all my work at seven-thirty in the evening. I stood up from my chair only to fall down from it as pain shot into my strained back.
"Damn it!"
I checked the time, and my eyes widened in worry. I needed to get back before eight. But my back was not allowing me to move out of my chair.
I picked up my phone and dialled Steve's number. I hope he was still in the office.
"Hell boss? What-"
"Get into my office. NOW!" I cut the call and waited for him to come.
As I expected, he came rushing into my office worriedly. "What happened Boss?"
"Come here." I tried hard to not let the pain appear on my face.
Steve came to stand beside me with a confused face.
"Press here." I leaned forward a little to show him the point where the pain was.
The man looked like he had seen a ghost! "WH-what are you saying Boss? How can I...I mean..."
"Shut up Steve and give me a damn massage!"
The door was opened again, and Joanna entered, mirroring Steve's expression.
"ELENA!! What are you-"
"Don't finish it please! You!" I glared at Steve. "Move. Joanna please help me here. My back... it's paining like a bitch!"
I didn't need to play as their Boss anymore, not after the working hours that ended at six in the evening.
"Oh God! This woman! Elena you should have called me instead of Steve. Look at the poor boy. He is so scared by your weird request."
I ignored her blabbering while she gave me the message. Her hands worked wonders on my back. I sighed, relishing those fleeting moments of relief before I remembered that I needed to go home.
"Enough now. I need to go."
"You are late again!"
"Thank you for pointing that out, Joanna but I already know. That is why I called him instead of you because I thought you have already gone home." I said while picking up my things from the table.
"Yes, I will leave in ten. But you take care! And just accept the fact that you ARE late!" She yelled after me as I dashed out of my office.
I exited the old building of TGF's headquarters and stepped out into the dark. The weather in Swindon became weird these days. It was hot during the days and cold at the night, with dark clouds of smog covering the sky over the town. And it was all because of the number of factories that were set up around the periphery of Swindon.
Their pollution had changed the town's climate, and now these Sanders wanted to destroy the whole town by polluting the river that was the lifeline of Swindon.
But I would never let it happen! Never!
I was broken out of my thoughts when a horn blared right from behind me. It all happened so suddenly that I didn't get a chance to see a car rushing my way at a fast speed. It was about to run over me when I jumped out of its way, only to lose my balance in the heels and fell into the bushes on the roadside.
My palms and right knee scraped, and I hissed in pain. I turned my head to see a white car speeding on the road. Anger flared inside me, shooting through the roof. The adrenaline did the trick, and I was on my feet again.
"Hey, you punk! Stop! Stop!!"
But the car raced, ignoring me.
I wiped my palm, but the scratches had drawn a little blood. Fuming all the way back home, I reached the front door at Eight twenty.
I rang the bell and waited, tapping my foot impatiently on the wooden patio. I looked around at the humble neighbourhood.
Swindon was a small town of factory workers and was set by them more than a hundred years ago. My family- The Bells had always been the focal point of all the activities that happened in the town.
Now that TGF had stopped the working in the Sanders' factory, people were tucked in the warmth of their houses earlier than normal. And thus, there were very few people on the road.
I noticed the broken fence of the garden and made a mental note to repair it on Sunday- the only day when I could live for myself.
The door was opened by the familiar face that always held that same unpleasantness whenever I got home late.
"I am home dad!"
"Oh welcome back, my dear! How was your day?" I had to play his part too because he would not quit brooding until I cook dinner and feed him.
I stepped inside the house, and my mind was instantly relaxed.
"Just give me ten minutes to freshen up and I will cook something quickly." I said while removing my shoes.
I turned to the stairs but was stopped when his voice fell on my ears.
"You are limping."
Oh, I just noticed that!
"No, it's fine. I should-"
He didn't say anything and held my hand. Walking me to the old and only couch in the home, he pushed me down to sit. I couldn't argue with him because then, it would only end up in another episode of tug of war at the Bells- as our neighbours liked to call it.
He came back with a first-aid box in his hand from the kitchen that lacked modern appliances but was enriched with all the ingredients that a kitchen should have.
Sitting opposite to me on the couch, he took out the bottle of antiseptic and some cotton. He took my hand in his wordlessly and began cleaning it gently.
The silence between us was never tense, but the relationship we shared was a bit complex.
"I am sorry! I should have left the office earlier." I remembered Joanna's voice that rang in my head and did what she suggested.
"How this happened?" He asked without a trace of worry on his face.
"It was some brainless idiot who don't know that the cars are for driving and not flying!"
I noticed how the corner of his lips twitched softly.
"Who it could be? Did you notice the number?"
I shook my head. "No. But I am sure he was not a local."
"How can you say he? It can be she!"
I opened my mouth but then stopped to avoid another argument.
He cleaned my hands and then looked up at me. "Are there more wounds?"
"Yeah, one on the right knee but I will do it on my own."
He didn't insist and agreed immediately. We sat in silence for another minute, maybe because we both missed those old days. Or maybe, because we both were alone despite having each other. And certainly, because we both need each other as we were the only ones left for ourselves.
"You should be more careful," he said out of the blue.
"It was not my fault-"
"Elena!" I closed my mouth instantly.
The only person who can make me do things even against my will was my father, my only family left and the only man I loved dearly.
"I heard what happened in the office in morning."
Of course!
"We don't get to see such expensive cars every day in Swindon though."
Did he just try to joke, or was he stating a fact?!
"You shouldn't have gone too far, Elena. You are already in trouble with the Sanders and now this. What if that driver had another motive but you just happened to be lucky to get away with a few scratches?"
Here we go again!
I rolled my eyes. "Please, dad! Not again! We have had this discussion a million times and every time, we end up with only one conclusion that I cannot compromise with my work.
TGF was my dream since I was a kid! Mom used to work in TGF. You never stopped her, then why do you-"
Holy shit!
I just screwed up by letting the horses of my tongue run loose. Dad's face changed suddenly as lines formed on his forehead.
"I didn't stop her and that is why I lost her. But I don't want to lose you too, Elena. Why don't you get this simple thing?" He was not yelling like other days, and that meant he had something more to say.
"Don't worry! I am not going anywhere so soon." I picked up my bag and stood up to leave.
I had enough of it all. I was hungry, and my knee began to sore.
I had taken a few steps toward the stairs when he again opened his mouth.
"I met Mr Devon Sanders today."
Now he came to the actual point!
"Yes, we have a meeting in the morning." I said without turning to face him.
He paused for a moment before he said in a serious voice that was also laced with worry.
"He is a dangerous man, Elena."
"I am used to playing with dangers dad."
I didn't wait for his reply and climbed up the stairs to reach my bedroom. I took fifteen minutes instead of ten to freshen up and change into comfortable clothes. Leaving my knee unattended, I came downstairs to cook dinner.
I got into the kitchen only to see a takeout box on the kitchen bar with a note.
'I brought the dinner on my way home. I am going to the bar and will have dinner with my friends. Eat, then sleep.
-Dad.'
I sighed, staring at the take-out box before opening it to heat up the food.