Elena's POV
I had a long ass day today at work. After that meeting with Lee Enterprises, we had other follow-up meetings on our ongoing projects. It was a shitty day, honestly. Mostly because of work, and also because I had to be around Rio.
Thing is, I'm a very good pretender because at work I have to put all our differences aside and do my job. He's making it hard though ,
with the way he's looking at me, the slight touches, his hand on mine when we sit next to each other even when I try to pull away.
I sigh, placing my bag on the couch, and I kick my heels off.
I hear the shower running, so Sam's home early today, and I smell chicken rice. My mouth instantly waters, but I prefer we eat together.
I sit on the couch and lean back, eyes closed, my mind spiraling in a million thoughts.
Should I accompany him to that dinner?
It's dangerous.
I never imagined sharing a table with Rocco, and when Rio said his dad's allies would be there… that means Enzo will be present, and I'm not sure I can handle that just yet.
But.
He said he'll tell me the reason he did what he did.
And I'm not gonna lie… I'm curious as fuck.
I know Rio; I've known him enough to know he wouldn't just wake up one day and decide he didn't love me. Something triggered that ,something huge.
"Hey, El…" Sam's voice calls, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Hey, Sam…" I say, voice tired as I stand. I briefly hug her.
"You don't look good. What's going on?" she asks, leading me back to the couch. We sit together.
I let out a huge sigh.
"Okay, spill before your head explodes," she says, crossing her legs and looking at me.
"Rio wants me to accompany him somewhere on Thursday night…" I say, chewing my lower lip and playing with the band on my hand.
"Why? Can't he ask Jessica or something?" she snorts, confused, and I giggle.
"Yeah ,my exact thought. But…" I take a breath.
"He said his dad will be having his allies over for dinner. That he wants to warn them to stay away from me for good this time…"
"That sounds like there's more to it…" Sam says, running her hands through her hair.
"I thought the same. I said no, but he said he'll tell me why he switched up on me like that ,what he's been hiding…" I whisper the last part, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"But you have to attend this dinner first? For him to tell you that?" Sam asks.
"Yep…" I flop back on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
"Well, El… Rio might have hurt you emotionally, but he'd never put you in a position where you could get hurt physically, you know? I'm sure he knows what he's doing. And I'm also sure you need the closure." Sam stands now.
"But also… Rocco's allies? That means Enzo will be present, Elena… are you sure you want this?" she asks, worried.
"I—" I start, but my phone rings. I shut up, grab it, and sit up, wondering who it might be.
I smile when I see it's my aunt.
"Hey, Aunty…" I chirp, suddenly excited.
"Well, are you not gonna come pick me up at the airport?" she asks playfully, and I freeze.
"Aunty???! You didn't tell meee!" I gasp, looking at Sam.
"I wanted to surprise you. Well, I'm at a little coffee shop just outside the airport ,don't keep me waiting too long," she laughs.
"Okay okay, I'm coming!" I grab my bag.
"Where are you going?" Sam asks.
"My aunt just landed in New York from Texas… wanna come with?" I ask.
"Oh absolutely," Sam says, grabbing her jacket. We walk out, momentarily forgetting everything we were talking about.
Sam offers to drive.
"She didn't tell you she was coming today?" she asks.
"She said she was coming—just not when. She wanted to surprise me," I say, turning up the radio.
"Well, she surprised you alright," Sam giggles.
The drive doesn't take long, and soon we're pulling up at the parking lot of the coffee shop she mentioned.
"Guess this is it…" I say, shutting the car door.
The night chill wooshes through my hair. I turn and spot one of Rio's SUVs parked at a distance. He still has his security on us.
The door bell chimes when we step inside. The smell of coffee and pastries hits my nose ,fresh, warm, yummy. My stomach growls; Sam and I haven't eaten dinner yet.
"Elena! Over here!" My aunt's voice calls. She's seated at the far corner. Sam and I grin and walk toward her.
My aunt has this ray-of-sunshine aura that makes everything brighter.
She stands and pulls us into a group hug. She's met Sam before, but a long time ago.
"You girls look nice… Sam—oh! You've gotten even prettier," she gushes.
"Thanks, Aunty. You look great too," Sam beams.
My heart warms at seeing them bond.
"New York is chaotic. It's been a while since I've been here… feels like a totally different world from my usual desert vibes," she laughs.
"I'm happy to see you," I say.
We talk for a few minutes ,turns out she and Sam both crochet and love poetry.
We order something light, since we have food at home. Aunty decides to book a hotel; we'd love her to stay, but Sam's apartment is one-bedroom and the couch isn't big.
Suddenly, I need to pee.
"Be right back ,bathroom," I say. They nod back .
I ask the waitress where the bathrooms is because I don't see a sign anywhere. She politely points me to the direction and I thank her .
The hallway is dimly lit. The lights flicker, making my skin crawl.
"Creepy…" I whisper, speed-walking.
I push open the bathroom door. It's silent. All stall doors closed. The dim lighting makes it creepier. Why is everything so dull ?
I push the thoughts aside, enter the furthest stall, finish quickly , sighing in relief, then step out to the sink.
My reflection stares back. I turn on the faucet , the running water fills the room.
I lather soap onto my hands, washing silently—
"Hi."
A deep voice booms out of nowhere.
I jump, heart sprinting, whipping around.
Nobody.
I turn off the faucet. Squinting—
A shadowy figure stands in the corner.
I step back, fear crawling up my spine.
"Who the hell?" I whisper.
The figure steps out of the shadows.
And my fists clench. Panic slams into me when I see his face.
Hunter.
"What the fuck do you want now?" I choke out, voice shaky, stepping farther away from him.
"We meet again..," he says with a grin on his face .