Chapter 5 The Mystery Document

A soft whisper brushed Elena's ear.

"You'll be fine."

She instantly recognized the voice, Sandra.

Sandra stood already undressed in the bathroom, steam curling around her silhouette as she stepped into the shower.

Her full curves pressed gently against Elena's as she joined her under the water.

Without a word, Sandra reached for the soap and began to lather Elena's back, her strokes slow, soothing.

The cold droplets mixed with the warmth of their skin as their bodies moved in sync, hips brushing, shoulders close. A quiet familiar rhythm.

Elena let herself relax, her arms instinctively finding Sandra's waist.

They stood there for a moment, holding each other like the past hadn't slipped away.

"You know," Sandra whispered against her ear, "we better get out before Nan finds us and starts assuming things again."

Elena laughed softly. "Wouldn't be the first time she caught us."

Their laughter echoed lightly as Elena turned the shower off. They stepped out and wrapped towels around themselves.

This wasn't new. Bathing together had always been Sandra's way of reminding Elena, You're not that lost girl in the cold sea anymore.

Elena dressed in fresh clothes from her luggage while Sandra slipped back into her earlier outfit.

"Hm. Still messy, I see," Sandra teased, picking up Elena's discarded towel.

"And you still haven't changed that sharp tongue," Elena replied with a grin.

"Some things don't change," Sandra shrugged, smirking.

She moved closer and held up Elena's bra with a mischievous grin.

"I didn't know your boobs had grown."

"Geez, you pervert," Elena laughed, snatching it.

"Maybe not as big as yours, but yes, I grew."

Sandra burst into laughter. "For a second there, you thought I was going to kiss you, didn't you?"

Elena rolled her eyes, smiling.

Just then, Nan's voice called out from downstairs.

"Girls! Food's ready!"

The scent hit them before they reached the kitchen, pasta and chicken sauce. Elena's favourite.

Nan smiled as Elena sneezed. "You're already salivating."

They sat around the dining table, dishing food from warm, white lunch boxes placed in the center. The laughter was easy, the vibe nostalgic.

Nan observed them with quiet warmth, remembering when the house echoed with Elena's parents' laughter.

After the meal, they helped clear the table. As Nan washed the dishes, Elena stood at one end of the counter, Sandra at the other.

The kitchen was cozy, white walls, black cabinets, a window above the sink, and a small marble island in the center.

Then silence fell.

Nan broke it, wiping her hands slowly as she turned to Elena.

"So..." she began, her eyes locking onto Elena's.

"What made you change your mind?"

Elena leaned back against the cabinet, chuckling nervously. "I... missed home."

Nan wasn't convinced. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Really? Because from what I heard, you were living the dream, a great job, a fancy apartment, the career you always wanted."

Elena hesitated, "I guess... that wasn't the life I truly wanted."

Nan exhaled, nodding slowly. "That's alright. It's okay to start again."

Sandra stepped in gently. "Nan, she'll be fine. Elena never makes rash decisions."

Nan looked at her, then at Elena, this time, her expression softened.

"I really hope so."

Meanwhile, across town...

"Hope so... Alexander you nailed it as usual," one of the board members said with a grin.

Alexander nodded, offering a modest smile. His father approached down the hallway, hands in his pockets.

For a moment, Alexander's mind drifted to the document he'd discovered about B&D Company. He still hadn't confronted his father.

"Hi, Dad," he said firmly.

"Congratulations," his father replied, hugging him briefly.

Their words were quiet, indistinct. But before the moment could linger, Alexander's phone vibrated.

He stepped aside and checked the screen, Marcus.

Marcus, his old business school friend. Short, sharp-minded, always connected.

A Vegas full born breed with access to secrets most people couldn't dream of.

Alexander opened the message;

"I found something about the document. Meet me. 2PM. I'll text you the address."

He glanced at his watch, 1:30PM.

Without hesitation, he excused himself from the group and left the building.

His black Mercedes Maybach, with gold-rimmed tires, gleamed under the afternoon sun. He drove fast, mind racing.

At his apartment, a sleek duplex with black-trimmed windows, a rooftop spa, and a lineup of luxury cars, he showered quickly, changed into black jeans, a navy shirt, and a cap.

The living room buzzed with elegance, golden lights, lion-face floor tiles, a massive TV screen on one wall.

Alexander grabbed his phone, double-checked the appliances, and headed for the door.

Just as he reached the handle...

A voice cut through the silence.

"Going somewhere?"

He froze.