When she woke up the next morning, Illana, who had intended to go to the pantry to get a glass of water, was almost surprised to find Lucas lying on the long sofa in her living room. The woman was silent, thinking about the situation last night.
Grumbling that she had realized almost all her memories of going to the 'Night Adventure', she walked over to Lucas and woke him up.
"Sorry for troubling you, Uncle. I must have made some noise." She was able to control the words from her lips after the effects of the alcohol wore off.
Lucas smiled warmly. He stood watching Illana. "No problem, you seem to be in a better mood."
"I hope that's what you think."
Lucas nodded. He looked at his watch. "Okay, since I've fulfilled my promise to take care of you and you're fine now, I have to go home."
"Eum, I thought we could enjoy breakfast together."
"Don't feel bad for me, Illana. I don't want to trouble you."
"You're not—"
"I was relieved to see that you were okay until this morning, and that was enough." He touched Illana's arm. "I understand how you feel, if you want to talk, just call me. Don't listen to other people's voices, Illana."
"Yes, Uncle." She saw Lucas walking towards the main door, then hurried ahead of him, opening the door for him.
Lucas smiled. "Don't treat me like that."
"You're going to pick up your car at the club?"
"Yes, what else? Then, taking care of my work since the situation is safer, I'm free to show myself anywhere."
"Alright, take care." She waved when Lucas was standing outside the unit.
"Please remember one thing: don't cry or waste your tears on Mark. You made the best decision in the first place, so stop thinking about it, Illana. If it's too hard, take it slow, and tell me what you need, I'll try to take care of it."
Illana nodded, she let Lucas go from there, watching as the man's broad back grew smaller and disappeared as he entered the elevator. Illana could still see how Lucas smiled for her, they weren't even related, only knowing each other when Mark introduced her as his future wife two years ago, but Lucas' attitude towards his nephew's partner was very good. Illana didn't know how Mark behaved out there because of his work as a mobster.
***
Illana had delayed her desire to go to the office, she had called Nora to inform her of today's absence, but Lucas's energetic voice kept playing in her head, making Illana try to deal with the chaos that was happening.
If she didn't show her face and be as assertive as she usually was in the office, people would take her for granted and think their CEO was 'defeated' by the frutality of the divorce. Illana still had to put on a face in front of everyone, bracing herself and showing that this was all behind her.
"Ah, Miss. I thought you weren't going to show up today." Nora was surprised to see Illana pass by her cubicle, and she immediately moved towards CEO Cinnamon.
"I thought so, but it looks like I'm still able to work. Sorry for inconveniencing you, Nora."
"Not at all. Eum, I also need to inform you that you have an invitation to attend a charity auction."
"When?"
"When I checked your schedule, the event is tonight, Miss."
"Alright, I'll definitely come. Thank you, Nora." She disappeared from her secretary's presence after opening the study door.
Illana had just sat down in her chair, and the ringing of her cellphone greeted her. She smiled to find her father's number dialed after a few days of not checking in with each other due to their busy schedules.
"Hello, Dad."
"Illana. How are you? I'm sorry, I forgot to call."
"No problem. I just arrived at the office. Did something happen to make you call early enough?"
"Nothing too important, but I felt I should tell you anyway."
"Say it."
"You must have gotten an invitation to the charity auction tonight, right? Many CEOs are invited to that event."
"Yes. Nora reminded me about the event." She opened her laptop, checking her previous work.
"Mom and Dad won't be able to attend, we have a business trip to Norway, so won't be able to accompany you there."
"Ah. No problem, aren't I old enough to go to an event like that on my own?" She laughed softly as she clasped the phone to her right ear and shoulder.
"We're not worried about that, Illana. You should not attend the event."
Illana's hand movements as she hovered stopped, she blinked in confusion. "Why shouldn't I attend the event, Dad?"
"Your ex-husband and former in-laws will also be attending, Illana. I'm afraid if—" Samuel chuckled, pausing his sentence. "You must understand what I mean."
Illana flinched, the look in the woman's eyes dimming like the sky was overtaken by a cluster of clouds.
"I don't want my daughter to get hurt again, so it's best to avoid anything you can avoid, Illana. Your mother and father have been worried about that since yesterday."
Illana smiled slightly, she felt grateful for having parents who always cared and supported her in every situation, although she was not a minor, but their caring attitude was enough to make Illana calm.
"Illana. Are you still there?"
"Yes, Dad. I understand what you mean, but I think I'll still attend the charity event."
"What are your reasons, my daughter?"
"First thing, I'm carrying the Cinnamon name. Second thing, I don't want to let people use their wild assumptions—thinking that I'm not attending because Mark is there. I don't like being trivialized by others, Dad."
"But, are you okay?"
Illana was silent again, drawing on her memories of last night's situation. If Samuel and Jena had known that their daughter had gone to the nightclub to vent her frustrations, Illana was sure they would have forbidden her to go or even approached Illana at Cinnamon and invited her home, comforting her in any way they could.
"I'm fine." She felt lucky that her father had reached her through a regular call; if it had been a video call, they could have seen how sad Illana's expression was right now.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Dad. I'm fine, everything has passed, don't you know I've been busy working all this time. I'm trying to forget all those bad memories, Dad."
"I know you're good at fooling people, Illana. If your mom finds out about this, she'll talk long enough for you to get tired of it."
The woman smiled. "So, don't tell mom; just trust me. You can do it, right?"
"Eum. I can send some people to watch over you while you're there, it's hard to stop worrying."
"Hm. Whatever."
"I'm at peace now. Sorry for tightening your security a bit, Illana. I'm just a parent who always worries about his daughter."
"I know and am very grateful to you guys."
"Alright, your mom will be back soon. I'll end the call today. Take good care of yourself. I love you."
"I love you guys too." Illana breathed a sigh of relief after the call ended. She realized that if she continued to refuse Samuel's request, they would not find the best deal, so giving in was the last resort for Illana. "I didn't even think about meeting Mark there, but you reminded me." She snorted, the situation making Illana quite upset.
***