Chapter 4 A Price Too Heavy

Elena glanced at her boss, Elvano, her gaze dulled by exhaustion. The weight of the problems she carried overshadowed any surprise she might have felt at finding him suddenly standing beside her. Her tired eyes held no spark of curiosity, only a quiet resignation that seemed to deepen the distance between them.

Elvano's sharp eyes, darkened with suspicion, narrowed slightly. He wasn't used to indifference-not from anyone, least of all Elena. Her lack of reaction pricked at his ego, stirring an annoyance he hadn't expected.

Earlier, as Elvano stepped out of his car with Natasha-his girlfriend clinging to his arm, he wasn't specifically looking for anyone. He was simply searching for an empty table. But just as he was about to walk toward the café entrance, his eyes caught something through the large glass window.

There, seated at a corner table, was Elena-her figure slightly slouched, her face partially hidden behind fingers pressed against her temples. She stared blankly ahead, lost in thoughts that seemed too heavy to escape.

A wry smile curled at the corner of Elvano's lips, tinged with something between mockery and curiosity.

"Let's go there for a moment, baby," he said softly, his fingers brushing Natasha's hand with a calculated gentleness.

"Where?" Natasha asked, though her feet moved in sync with his, her hand still hooked possessively around his arm.

"Just come with me. It won't take long," Elvano replied, absently tapping the back of her hand as if to reassure her-though his eyes never left Elena.

Moments later, they were standing beside Elena's table. Elvano had expected... something-a flicker of surprise, discomfort, maybe even defiance. But instead, Elena didn't even flinch. Her face remained distant, her expression unbothered, as if his presence was no more significant than background noise.

The irritation Elvano had been holding back tightened like a coil within him, snapping sharp and fast. The absence of a reaction was louder than any words she could've said.

"What is this? Why isn't she surprised? After the mess she made this morning, she should be shocked to find me here, confronting her like this," Elvano's thoughts seethed with frustration. He was so consumed by his irritation that he failed to notice the faint puffiness around Elena's eyes, a sign of the exhaustion and distress she had clearly been hiding.

Just this morning, after Elena had so carelessly bumped into him, she had abruptly called to inform him that she couldn't attend the scheduled meeting. What truly infuriated Elvano was that she had taken it upon herself to call the client and reschedule the appointment without even consulting him-her superior. That blatant disregard for his authority had struck a nerve, leaving him seething with resentment. To him, it was nothing short of insubordination. She had acted with such presumption, making decisions as though she had the right to do so.

"What's going on, El?" Elena asked lazily, her tone a sharp contrast to the storm brewing within him.

Elvano wasn't about to let this slide. He couldn't-this wasn't just about the missed meeting. No, Elena's calm dismissal of his authority was what truly irked him. But Elena, sitting there with such nonchalance, seemed to have already moved past it in her mind.

For her, the matter was closed; she'd apologized to the client, rescheduled, and moved on. The client hadn't made a fuss, so what could possibly be the problem now? She couldn't fathom why Elvano would be bothered. And that, in itself, only made him more furious.

"Skipping work and lounging around here, huh?" Elvano's voice was laced with mockery, the grin on his lips more an attempt to mask his frustration than genuine amusement.

"Sorry, El, but if you want to talk about work, it's better to do it in the office. I really have to go," Elena replied, her words sharp as she stood up, her movements deliberate as she prepared to leave. The air between them seemed to grow heavier with every passing second, her indifference only fueling Elvano's simmering anger.

"Who is she, darling?" Natasha inquired, her curiosity about Elena evident.

"No one, miss. I'm just Elvano's employee. Don't worry, I'll excuse myself," Elena replied, her tone polite yet distant, before turning and walking away.

Elvano stood motionless, his gaze fixed on Elena as she departed, a mix of confusion and frustration evident in his eyes.

"Damn! Why is it like this?" Elvano cursed inwardly, his mind racing to comprehend Elena's unexpected behavior.

Elena should have been intimidated by Elvano's presence, especially after what he considered her mistake. Yet, she seemed unfazed, which only intensified his irritation. This encounter had soured his mood further.

"Honey, let's sit over there, let's go!" Natasha urged, tugging at Elvano's arm to guide him to a table inside.

Elvano mechanically followed Natasha, his appetite lost amidst the turmoil of his thoughts. He had no desire to dine, but he couldn't disappoint Natasha. Reluctantly, he agreed to accompany her, unwilling to let her go hungry because of his own discontent.

Tomorrow, he would make Elena pay. After all, he was her boss. He could fire her if she weren't the company's most valuable employee. But since Elena was the linchpin of her team, replacing her would be a formidable challenge.

"We'll see about that, Elena," Elvano swore to himself, his resolve hardening.

***

Meanwhile, outside, Elena exhaled a heavy sigh, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. She had to find a solution to the overwhelming problem she was facing, but the path ahead felt uncertain. The weight of responsibility seemed to settle on her shoulders like an insurmountable burden. With each step toward her car, her legs felt heavier, as if the very world itself was being carried along with her.

After a moment of silent resolve, she gathered herself and slid into the driver's seat. The engine purred to life, and she drove through the rain-slicked streets of the city, her mind still reeling. Tonight, she knew, would stretch endlessly before her-a night that promised to be long and draining. The windshield wipers worked relentlessly, swiping at the torrential rain that fell harder with each passing minute.

When she arrived home, her feet carried her quickly toward her father's room, urgency spurring her forward. Her mind raced with potential solutions, but none of them seemed clear enough to ease the growing knot in her stomach. Yet, as she stepped into the room, a semblance of peace settled over her. Here, in this space, she felt a deeper connection to her father, and maybe, just maybe, she could find some semblance of clarity amid the chaos.

Her feet led her without hesitation to the iron safe where her father had stored precious items. Elena crouched before it, fingers brushing over the cold metal. She pressed the button on the panel, entering the password code she had memorized over the years. The faint sound of a "CLICK" echoed through the room as the heavy door creaked open, offering a flicker of hope in the midst of her panic.

Elena immediately peered inside and frowned. The sight before her was far from what she expected-a few gold bars and an expanding folder. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out the contents of the safe, placing them carefully on her father's desk.

Sitting in her father's chair, she stared at the items in front of her, her mind racing. She knew the first step toward solving this financial crisis was to call the vendors and ask for an extension on payments. It was a small, but crucial, relief in the face of mounting pressure.

With a swift motion, she grabbed her phone and dialed the number the employee had given her earlier. Fortunately, most of the vendors agreed to wait until the insurance claim was resolved. The weight on her chest lightened, but only slightly.

Now, her thoughts shifted to the vendors who couldn't afford to wait and, more urgently, to the employees who depended on their paychecks. The clock was ticking, and Elena needed a plan-fast.

She moved toward her father's desk, where his computer sat, waiting for her command. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, scanning through the financial documents with a practiced hand. Every click felt like a heartbeat, each file holding a piece of the puzzle she needed to solve.

As the growing file opened, she found a savings book and a record of her father's financial plans. Her eyes skimmed over the numbers and words, a sense of determination building in her chest.

From the passbook, Elena learned that her father had cashed in some of the gold. Her gaze then moved to the notes on the financial plan, which revealed that the money was earmarked to finish the construction of a new supermarket branch.

"I can't stop the construction," she muttered, her voice barely a whisper. Her mind lingered on the workers-so many families relying on the completion of this project. The thought of halting it weighed heavily on her.

"But maybe I can borrow it, just for a while," she thought, but the words felt hollow even as she spoke them.

Her heart sank as she glanced at the construction schedule. Her eyes widened, and a lump formed in her throat. The project was nearly complete, and the final payment was due this week. The realization hit her like a blow to the chest. Her vision blurred, and her head swam with the suffocating weight of it all.

Elena's head dropped forward, her forehead pressing against her father's desk. Even if she sold the remaining gold, it wouldn't be enough to cover the employees' salaries or severance pay. Her heart sank, and tears welled up in her eyes, no longer able to hold them back. They fell freely, landing on the papers in front of her-her father's carefully laid-out plans now stained with the reality of her situation.

She couldn't possibly use her and her father's savings for that-there was still the looming issue of hospital bills. Hospitals in America were notorious for their sky-high costs, and even with health insurance, it only covered half of the expenses. The financial strain was unbearable, and each time she thought of the unpaid bills, her chest tightened, a constant reminder of the weight bearing down on her.

Her mind raced frantically, searching for a lifeline in the mess of her reality. That's when, almost like a flicker of hope, her gaze caught the growing file of land titles inherited from her late grandfather. The file was thick with legal documents, but within it were four land titles-one of which could be sold to provide the funds she so desperately needed.

"Inheritance," she muttered bitterly, her voice tinged with frustration. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was the only option left. She couldn't bring herself to sell the land titles of the house or the supermarket; those were too valuable, too deeply tied to her father's legacy. But the inherited land-passed down from her grandfather to her father-was different. It could be her last chance. It was like stumbling upon a glimmer of light in the midst of an overwhelming darkness.

Elena felt a pang in her chest as she realized this was the only way forward. It was a painful choice, one that gnawed at her sense of pride, but it was a step she had to take. She didn't hesitate. Clutching the land deed in her hand, she rushed to meet someone-a person who might hold the key to getting her the money she needed.

Her car screeched to a halt in front of a large house, its elegant exterior framed by a manicured garden that spoke of wealth and stability-everything her family had once had. Elena practically leaped out of the car, her face a mixture of urgency and exhaustion. She walked swiftly to the front door, her mind spinning. With every step, the worry, the relief, and the burden of the past hours weighed heavier on her heart, making the air feel thicker with every breath she took.

Inside the doorway, a middle-aged woman and a man who appeared to be her husband were busy with household chores. Elena's sudden arrival caught them by surprise, and their expressions immediately changed to a mixture of concern and attentiveness.

"Aunt?" Elena greeted, her voice a little shaky, realizing that it might not be the best time for a visit.

"Oh, Elena! My goodness, darling. Are you all right?" Aunt Elena quickly approached and gently held Elena's face. Her expression reflected both relief and deep concern for Elena.

"We heard about the fire at the supermarket and your father's hospitalization," Elena's uncle added in a tone full of worry. His eyes conveyed deep concern, while his body showed an undeniable restlessness.

"Yes, Uncle, Aunt. That's why I came here to ask for a little help," Elena replied with an awkward smile. The anxiety was visible in her eyes, even though she tried to smile. Asking for help directly from her family was completely new to her.

"Come in!" The couple warmly invited Elena inside, showing that despite their current tasks, they were eager to support her.

Elena took a deep breath and stepped inside, knowing that this conversation would determine the fate of her family.

Elena stood there, at the threshold of the living room that had once been filled with her laughter. Now, she returned bearing wounds... and a decision that would change everything.

And as she stepped inside, her old world and new world collided-forming a storm she could no longer avoid.

To be continued...