Chapter 5 A Deal and a Demand

The atmosphere in the living room was heavy with unease. Worry creased the faces of Elena's uncle and aunt, their eyes flickering with concern. Elena, meanwhile, sat quietly, trying to steady the storm in her chest, her heartbeat pounding like an echo of everything she was trying to hold together.

Elena remained still, her hands stiff in her lap, as her aunt and uncle watched her with worried eyes. There was a silence between them, heavy and uneasy, broken only by the ticking clock on the wall.

"How is your father? Is he doing okay?" the middle-aged woman asked, her voice soft but laced with deep concern, as if bracing herself for news she wasn't ready to hear.

Elena gave a small nod, masking the anxiety that clung to her like a second skin. "The surgery went well. He's still in the ICU, but the doctor says everything should be okay."

A brief smile of relief flickered across their faces, but the furrow in their brows remained. They knew this was just the beginning-far from the end of their troubles.

With slightly trembling hands, Elena reached into her bag and pulled out the land certificate, her fingers brushing the edge of the document as if bracing for what came next.

"Uncle, Aunt... I want to sell you this land," she said, her voice low but resolute, the weight of the words anchoring her in place.

At a glance, the uncle and aunt exchanged looks, their faces reflecting a mix of concern and regret.

"This land is quite vast, and its value is high. We don't have enough money to buy it," the uncle said in a low voice.

"Especially since... we also need a large amount of capital for our new business," the aunt added, her gaze fixed sharply on the certificate in Elena's hand.

Elena let out a long sigh, bracing herself. She knew her aunt and uncle weren't rejecting her-they were simply trapped by their limitations.

"We're sorry, dear," the uncle said hoarsely.

Elena gave a faint smile. "It's okay, Uncle. I understand."

She stood up to take her leave, but her aunt gently held her arm. "What if you come with me? I think I know someone who might be able to buy the land and give you an advance."

A flicker of hope passed through Elena's tired eyes. Even though they couldn't offer direct help, they were willing to support Elena in finding a solution.

They arrived at a house that looked like something out of a magazine-sprawling, sleek, and luxurious, with bold architecture and clean lines. Elena recognized the style immediately.

"Is this... one of our clients' homes?" she wondered, eyes scanning the stone and wood façade, the wide balconies, the oversized windows that glowed warm in the night.

Inside, a servant welcomed them and led them to the living room.

Soon after, a well-dressed woman appeared with a confident gait and a faint smile.

"Hello, Marissa. What brings you here?" the woman asked as she greeted Elena's aunt with a friendly cheek-to-cheek kiss.

"Narima, I'm sorry for dropping by so late. Let me introduce you to my niece-this is Elena," Marissa said, introducing Elena to Narima. Elena gave a polite smile and a small nod in greeting.

"You... aren't you that brave young woman?" Narima asked as she shook Elena's hand and gently led her back to the sofa. She sat beside Elena, flashing a warm smile. Elena, on the other hand, looked puzzled by the comment.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am...?"

"Oh, you probably don't remember. We met at the beach once-you saved me from a pickpocket. I think it was about two or three months ago," Narima reminded her.

"Wow, what a small world," Marissa chimed in with a smile.

"Yes, I had no idea you had such a courageous niece," Narima added.

"Oh... you were the woman in the yellow dress?" Narima nodded. "I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you," Elena said shyly.

"It's alright, it's completely understandable. We only met once," Narima replied warmly. Elena scratched the back of her neck, though she was just fine, and returned the smile. "So, what brings you both here?" Narima asked with a gracious tilt of her head.

Elena and Marissa explained the purpose of their visit to Narima. Elena handed over a photocopy of the land certificate to her. Narima examined the document, then called her assistant and gave them the photocopy to assess the value of the land.

"I'll discuss it with my husband," she added. "We'll contact you once we've made a decision."

Elena and Marissa stood and prepared to leave, offering thanks.

After Elena and her aunt left, Narima remained seated, staring thoughtfully at the copy of the land deed in her hands. Her smile lingered-not just out of politeness, but genuine intrigue.

"What a sensible young woman," she murmured to herself, her fingers gently tracing the edge of the paper. "Strong, level-headed, and respectful."

Unlike most people her age who would rush to take out loans and plunge into debt, Elena had chosen to sell her land first-her last major asset-only after exhausting other possibilities. That kind of decision, especially during a family crisis, wasn't just a sign of maturity. It was a rare kind of wisdom.

Narima set the document on the coffee table and leaned back in her chair. The memory of that day on the beach-when Elena had bravely stood up to a thief-flashed through her mind. And now, here she was again, facing another storm, still standing tall.

She reached for her phone and dialed her personal assistant.

"Check into someone for me," Narima said the moment the call connected. "Her name is Elena. Get me everything you can find-background, family, education, current employment, character references, even if it's just from neighbors."

The assistant hesitated for a moment, sensing Narima's rare tone of interest. "May I ask what for, ma'am?"

Narima's lips curved into a secretive smile. Her gaze drifted toward the hallway where Elena had just walked through minutes ago.

"I just have a feeling," she said softly. "This girl might be the answer I've been looking for."

***

Elvano, still irritated after bumping into Elena in the most annoying way possible, felt his frustration surge when his phone rang - his mother again. She had been hounding him for weeks, insisting he break up with Natasha. It was relentless.

By the time he stepped into the house, exhaustion clung to him like a second skin. But there she was - his mother - standing like a general awaiting a disobedient soldier. Arms crossed. Eyes sharp. The slight smirk on her lips was more provoking than welcoming.

"Why are you home so late?" Narima's voice cut through the air like ice, her tone not asking, but accusing.

"I had a mountain of work, Mom," Elvano muttered, dropping onto the sofa, loosening his tie. He didn't even have the energy to argue.

"So? Did you finally dump that woman?" she asked, cold and direct."That b***h!" she spat, with a venom that made Elvano flinch.

That word snapped something inside him.

"Mom!" he barked, launching to his feet. "Don't ever call Natasha that again! She's not some stranger - I've been with her since college!"

Anger cracked in his voice, but beneath it, years of repressed tension trembled. He had always known his mother disliked Natasha, but never why. And never this vicious.

Narima's lips curled. "So now you're yelling at your mother?" Her eyes gleamed, not with tears - but with challenge.

"I-I'm not trying to fight, but you're crossing the line!" Elvano's voice trembled. "You treat me like I don't have a mind of my own - like I'm just your puppet!"

"I am your mother! I want what's best for you!" she shot back, stepping forward.

"No!" His voice cracked. "You want what's best for you! And I'm the price!"

His fury burned out as quickly as it flared, leaving behind the cold ache of helplessness.

There was a beat of silence. Then, Narima clutched her chest dramatically, her face a portrait of wounded pride.

Elvano didn't move - he knew it was all an act. His mother was a master at playing the victim.

Still, a pang of guilt tugged at him.

As much as he hated to admit it, he knew his words had gone too far.

"You're choosing her over me?" she whispered.

His anger deflated for a moment, replaced by guilt. "Mom... I didn't mean to-"

"You think you know that woman," she snapped, her voice like broken glass. "But you're too blinded by love to see who she really is."

She turned and walked off, her shoulders stiff. Elvano rushed after her.

"Please, don't do this! I'll do anything - just... don't ask me to leave her!" His voice cracked with desperation as he reached the threshold of her bedroom.

But she whirled on him, fire blazing in her eyes.

"You will break up with Natasha," she growled, "and marry the woman I choose for you."

With that, the door slammed shut.

The sound echoed like a gavel in a courtroom.

Elvano stood frozen. Her final word rang in his ears like a sentence: "Marry."

He whispered it to himself, stunned.

"Marry...?"

The ground beneath his feet seemed to vanish. His chest tightened. Breath came fast and shallow.

Was this really happening?

Torn between the woman he loved and the woman who gave him life - Elvano felt the walls closing in.

One wrong move, and everything he cherished might go up in flames.

He leaned back against the wall, eyes unfocused, a single question consuming him: "Who is she going to make me marry?"

To be continued...