Chapter 3 Ashes of Deception

The sky seemed just as somber tonight, mirroring the heartbreak in her chest caused by a betrayal she never saw coming.

Elena massaged her temples, trying to understand how someone could betray a trust that had been built for years. But that question wouldn't change reality. What she needed now wasn't answers, but a solution.

The room felt silent, filled only with the faint sound of rain tapping against the window. The stifling air pressed against her chest, and the aroma of coffee, which should have been comforting, now tasted bland on her tongue. Outside, life went on as if her devastation was nothing more than a small story amidst the city's hustle and bustle.

Elena sat in the corner, her face pale, shadowed with worry. Her fingers trembled slightly around the cooling cup of coffee, its warmth fading like the fragile hope she clung to. She listened in silence as the clerk spoke, his voice thin against the heavy quiet.

"Yes, Miss. We tried to contact her, but her number is inactive," he said, his words brittle with tension. "We even went to her house earlier. The neighbors said it's been empty for two days." He exhaled a shaky sigh, the sound heavy with guilt and helplessness.

A hollow ache settled in Elena's chest, as if the world around her was crumbling, piece by fragile piece. The fire that had reduced her family's supermarket to ashes was devastating enough, but this-this betrayal-gnawed at wounds that hadn't yet begun to heal. Rage flickered behind her weary eyes, dull embers fanned by despair. Her grip on the coffee cup tightened until her knuckles blanched, the fragile ceramic a poor substitute for something she truly wanted to shatter.

"I believe this was carefully planned in advance. This fire could still be connected to the missing supermarket money," the clerk added, his voice barely audible, a whisper that seemed to blend with the encroaching darkness of the café.

Elena struggled to collect her disordered thoughts. She lifted her gaze toward the clerk, her eyes filled with a flicker of hope, though her voice, when it came, was faint, almost a plea. "Can the police find her?" she asked, the desperation seeping into her words, as if she were entrusting her last shred of hope to his answer.

"The police have been asked to investigate her whereabouts, but it seems she has left town," the clerk responded, his voice drowned by the intensifying sound of rain outside, now beating relentlessly against the windows.

Elena felt the walls of the situation close in on her with increasing pressure. She could no longer deny that she was in the midst of a devastating financial crisis. Every second counted, and she knew that swift action was needed to untangle the web of problems before her. Her eyes blinked rapidly, a futile attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.

Though the weight of it all was crushing, Elena knew she had no choice but to be strong. She would use every resource at her disposal to endure this.

"I believe this was carefully planned in advance. This fire could still be connected to the missing supermarket money," the clerk added, his voice barely audible, a whisper that seemed to blend with the encroaching darkness of the café.

Elena struggled to collect her disordered thoughts. She lifted her gaze toward the clerk, her eyes filled with a flicker of hope, though her voice, when it came, was faint, almost a plea. "Can the police find her?" she asked, the desperation seeping into her words, as if she were entrusting her last shred of hope to his answer.

"The police have been asked to investigate her whereabouts, but it seems she has left town," the clerk responded, his voice drowned by the intensifying sound of rain outside, now beating relentlessly against the windows.

Elena felt the walls of the situation close in on her with increasing pressure. She could no longer deny that she was in the midst of a devastating financial crisis. Every second counted, and she knew that swift action was needed to untangle the web of problems before her. Her eyes blinked rapidly, a futile attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.

Though the weight of it all was crushing, Elena knew she had no choice but to be strong. She would use every resource at her disposal to endure this.

"I understand. Then let's solve the fire problem first. Help me take pictures of every corner of the burnt supermarket for the insurance claim!" Elena instructed, her voice regaining firmness, though a weariness lingered in her tone.

"Yes, Miss. We're willing to help in any way we can," the clerk replied seriously.

"I'll negotiate with the suppliers for a payment suspension. And you... can you all wait until the insurance claim process is completed?" Elena asked, her expression filled with guilt.

"It's alright for me to wait, Miss. But for the other employees, I don't think they can wait any longer. They've been patient enough for the last two months," said the lanky man, his tone firm.

"Alright, give me a week. I'll work out the salary and severance pay for all of you," Elena said finally, after thinking of a solution.

"You want to fire us? Including me?" asked the employee who had been very loyal to Elena's father. Elena offered a bitter smile.

"Yes, I'm sorry. But that's all I can do for you right now. My father and I certainly can't employ you if the supermarket is destroyed like this," Elena explained, confronting the harsh reality.

The employee lowered his head, his guess proven right-they were being forced to lose their jobs. The weight of finding a new one settled heavily on him; it was far from a simple task.

"Find another job for now. When the supermarket is back up and running, we'll reach out to you. If you still want to work with us, we'd be grateful. But if you're happy with your new position, it's entirely up to you," Elena said, her words laced with wisdom, though the sorrow behind them was palpable.

"Okay, Miss. But promise you'll contact us later if you need us!" the employee pleaded, his eyes full of hope.

"Emh." Elena nodded with determination. "I will! Now, you may go," she added, her voice firm despite the emotions swirling inside her.

"All right, Miss. Please excuse me." As the clerk left, Elena slumped forward, her defenses crumbling in the solitude of the café. Her sobs quietly escaped, the tears streaming down her cheeks. Outside, the rain intensified, as if the heavens themselves mourned with her.

"What am I going to do?" she murmured to herself, the question hanging in the air unanswered. It was as if her mind had ground to a halt, paralyzed by the overwhelming weight of her situation. Elena took a deep breath, feeling the immense responsibility pressing down on her chest. Each breath was an effort, a desperate attempt to keep herself composed.

She kept trying to calm herself, but the weight was too much to bear. Her chest felt tight, her breath uneven. Frustrated, she lifted her head and massaged her temples, hoping to ease the throbbing tension. Strands of her hair fell loosely across her face, partly hiding the exhaustion etched into her features.

"What are you doing here?"

The sudden question, carried by a voice all too familiar, struck her like a jolt of electricity, making her heart momentarily freeze.

Elena hastily wiped away the lingering tears, her fingers trembling slightly as she forced herself to look up. Standing beside her was a man-him-with a woman clinging possessively to his arm, her presence an unwelcome contrast to Elena's fragile solitude.

As always, he regarded her with that infuriating air of playful antagonism, his left eyebrow arched just enough to stir irritation, a smirk tugging lazily at the corner of his lips. She could almost feel her fingers itch with the urge to wipe it off his face-maybe with a good, satisfying shove fueled entirely by annoyance.

But really, Elena was too drained to argue, too weary to engage in the petty battles he seemed to enjoy. Seeing that ever-present sardonic smile, she could only release a tired sigh, the sound barely more than a whisper.

"What now?" she muttered under her breath, feeling the world around her spin just a little faster than she could keep up with.

To be continued...