Chapter 5 The Risk of Meeting Elvis

Chapter Five: The Risk of Meeting Elvis

The night I see him again, everything changes. Just one glance at Elvis, and it's like all the feelings I've tried to bury rush to the surface, flooding me with memories of love and laughter, of dreams we once shared. I barely make it through the evening, forced to stand by Noah's side, pretending to be his devoted wife. But my heart begins to race, my mind now filled with thoughts of Elvis. Then later, in the quiet of my room, my phone buzzes with a message.

From Elvis.

"Can we meet tomorrow? I know it's risky, but I have to see you."

I fixate on his words, a mix of excitement and fear. He's asking me to meet him, to take a chance despite everything that could go wrong. And, of course, I do know what I risk. Noah had made it clear from the beginning that this was a marriage about appearances, about control. The breaking of unspoken rules he wouldn't tolerate, most of all with someone from my past.

But my heart is racing, and I refuse to fight the attraction. Even after everything, after all these days, I still have feelings for Elvis. Maybe I will never let those feelings go.

I lie in bed, sleep quite impossible. My mind just cannot stop with all the what-ifs, with the repercussions if Noah ever found out. Yet, there's that obstinate hope that perhaps-just perhaps-this chance to see Elvis could bring back something real into my life. Something of mine.

By morning, my mind is made up. I will meet him, if only because it's a proper goodbye, the closing of a chapter. But deep inside, I know it is more than that.

---

I dress with care, find something plain and unnoticeable. My hands shake as I get ready, the weight of what I'm about to do pressing down on me. My head is screaming to turn back, to remember what's at stake, while my heart's already walking out the door. I tell myself I'll only talk to Elvis, that I'll keep it brief. No one needs to know.

I step outside and down the street, looking around more than once, half-expecting to find one of Noah's drivers or a face from his inner circle. I'm antsy, every step feeling like a balance along the edge of something I might not get back from.

When I arrive, the park is quiet; the early morning sun filters through the trees. It should have been a really peaceful scene, but my heartbeat is accelerating even more. Then, I see Elvis sitting on a bench, just as he told me. He looks up; a beaming expression flashes across his face when he sees me, and at that moment, it is like no time has passed at all.

"Rachel." His voice is soft, laced with emotions matching my own. He rises, takes one faltering step forward, and in that instant, all the years between us disappear.

"Elvis," I whisper-weakly trembling.

We do nothing for a moment but stare at each other, letting all the unspoken words hang between us. It's surreal to see him again, to be here, close enough to reach out and touch him.

"I didn't think you'd come," he admits, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"I didn't think I would either," I reply back, managing a small smile of my own. "But here I am."

He looks at me keenly, as if his eyes are searching for all the pains and decisions that have brought us here. "I have been thinking about you. I thought I did something wrong; that was why you left."

The guilt rises in me like a knife, heavy and sharp. I turn away, unable to meet his eyes. "I had to, Elvis. My father was sick, and... and Noah's offer was the only way I could save him. I didn't have any other choice."

His face goes hard for a second before his features relax, eyes filled with understanding. "So, this marriage... it's all a contract, then?"

I nod, and the shame twists in my stomach. "Yes, it's just for appearances. Noah needed someone, and I needed... security. That's all."

Elvis takes a step closer, his voice a soft whisper. "Then why are you still with him, Rachel? Why not walk away now?"

I open my mouth to reply, but the words catch in my throat. Why am I still here? It is true that my father's situation has improved, that the debt is no longer crushing us. But there's something about this security Noah's offering, this certainty that my family will be taken care of. It's a cage, but it's a safe cage.

"I... I don't know, Elvis," I finally admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's complicated."

"Rachel, I know you well. I know you can't do this. Come back to me," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "You know, you don't have to do this. I am going to do what it takes to free you from this bondage you call a contract. Just tell me to go on, and I will find a way to do that."

"Elvis, you don't understand. Noah... he won't just let me go. He's controlling, possessive. If he finds out about our meeting, I don't know what he'd do."

Elvis's jaw tightens, a spark of determination lighting up in his eyes. "I don't care what it takes, Rachel. I've lost you once, and I won't lose you again. I'll fight for you, for us."

I really want to believe him. I want to believe that he's able to free me from this, so I can live with the person my heart desires-Elvis. But the fear of Noah, fear of his control, keeps holding me back.

"Elvis," I begin, my voice choking. "I don't know if it's possible..."

"Don't say that," he cuts in. His voice is firm. "There's always a way. Just believe me, Rachel. I'll make this right. I promise."

He steps closer, his hand rising to push a strand of hair off my face. The touch is so familiar, so soft; it pains my heart. I shut my eyes and let myself, for one second, really imagine what it would be like to be free with him-to break this contract and have the life I once wanted.

My heart draws back from Elvis; I am too scared of Noah, if he appears at any time.

"Elvis, we have to be careful," I say, my voice urgent. "If Noah catches us..."

Elvis nods, knowing the danger. "I know. But I meant what I said, Rachel. I'll find a way to break this contract. I'll get you out of this, no matter what it takes."

His words hang in the air, a promise that sends a shiver down my spine, thrilling and terrifying me. He leans in, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender, heartbreaking gesture. "Until then, just... hold on. I won't let you be trapped like this forever."

In his withdrawal, at the beginning of his departure, I somehow feel the urge to call out to him, to beg him to stay. I watch him walk away, feeling a wave of hope and trepidation-my heart caught in the abyss between a life I am bound by and the love I have longed for.

I walk back with the thought of Noah's face flashing in my mind as he warned me in such a serious tone about the company I kept. The risk was real today, and I couldn't shake that feeling that this was only the beginning-that things were going to get more complicated, that I stood on the cusp of something I could no longer manage or control.

But deep inside, it never dies, that ember, fostered now by the words Elvis has said. He will fight for me, for us. And as I step back into the life I have agreed to, I wonder if there really is a way out.