Just as things turned around for good to erase Tragic memories it was as if the universe was at no peace with it.
Mrs. Gregory lowered herself into a chair, her hands trembling. "It says they'll begin clearing in three months. The land has already been acquired by a construction firm. Elena… this can't be real."
With so much pain Elena's heart, she quickly got closer to her mum to hug her tight and gently tapped her back assuring her that she will not lose the baking store.
Elena loosed her arms and stared at the paper, anger and fear swirling inside her chest. "Williams Towers Project… That name sounds familiar."
Her mother sighed deeply. "It's owned by Andre Williams. The billionaire. He's been buying up half the city to build his empire."
" Are the government not going to say anything?" Elena asked
With deep sigh showing disappointment, her mum said, " the government has his approval."
Elena slammed the paper onto the counter. "I don't care who he is. This is Dad's bakery. This is my dream. They can't just take it away or erase it like it's nothing."
Her mother's eyes glistened with tears. "Elena, we don't have the money or influence to fight someone like Andre Williams. He's powerful."
"Where were they when all the bad things had happened to us? Where were they, when tragedy had befallen on daddy's kidney? Why didn't they come for the bakery then? Now that everything is going fine and smooth, now that everything is beginning to make sense and make me believe I'm purposeful, they realise that they have a project.
No! They won't have it!" Elena said in furry.
"They also dropped a huge some of money for…
"I dont care! We don't need it!
It is dad's legacy, my dream place and I will keep it" Elena interrupted her abruptly.
Elena clenched her fists. She looked around the bakery—the walls painted by her father years ago, the little clock that ticked above the counter, the smell of pastries baked with love. Everything here was more than brick and mortar. It was her father's sacrifice, his promise, his life. She could still hear his voice telling her never to sell, never to give up on what he built.
Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. "Even if it means going against a man like Andre Williams?"
She shook her head violently. "No. I won't let him destroy this place. I'll find a way."
Elena looked down at the letter again. Her pulse quickened, a mix of fear and determination burning through her veins. "Even if it means going against the whole world."
---
The days that followed felt heavy. Customers still came, smiling and complimenting the pastries, but behind Elena's polite nods was a storm. She could barely focus as she kneaded dough or arranged trays. Every sound of construction in the distance felt like a countdown to the end.
She knew she had to do something about the news. But couldn't place what she should do or how to carry it out.
At night, after sales, She researched Andre Williams—his company, his projects, his history. He was everywhere. Newspapers praised his philanthropy, magazines called him a genius, business blogs said he had the golden touch. But in Elena's eyes, he was the man threatening to bury her father's dream that has become not only her dream but the reason why she chose to exist.
One evening, after a long shift, she sat at the counter, the bakery empty except for the soft hum of the fridge. Her mother had gone home to rest. Elena opened her father's recipe notebook, hoping for comfort. She traced her fingers over the ink of his handwriting. In the margin of one page, he had scribbled: Dream big. Never be afraid to fight for what matters.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "I won't let you down, Dad," she whispered. "I'll fight."
Immediately, she lock up the bakery and went home.
She was looking for the letter at home and the address it came from.
Hopefully, there was an address stated there on the letter and other related informations she needed was included in the letter.
That night, Elena made up her mind to face her fears.
She decided to go there the following day.
Right after, she headed straight to the bathroom to have a warm night shower which after that she slept.
--
The early sunrise passing through the windows illuminated the room snapping Elena out of her deep sleep.
She stretched her legs and her hands in search of her phone to know what time it was. It was thirty minutes past seven o'clock.
Immediately, she hurried to the bathroom without hesitation and wore a comfortable two piece dress headed downstairs with the letter in her bag.
Running down the stairs, she saw her mum setting breakfast on the dining table.
Mrs Gregory was shocked with the two-piece dress Elena wore and how fast she raced down the stairs as if there were an emergency she called her name "Elena, where are you going without having breakfast?"
"I'm going to reclaim our baking store, Elena answered," With a warm smile she waved at her good luck.
Elena headed out of the house and quickly stopped a taxi, without hesitation she mentioned the address to the driver. The driver nodded his head in affirmation that he was familiar with the address and made way to the place without delay as if he knew that It was a matter of urgency. It was really far from home, so Elena decided to engage the driver in some questions. She asked him if he knew any Mr Williams Andrei? The taxi driver replied saying, "yes! he is the second son of the Mayor, Ivan Williams. He went further to say,
Williams Andrei has a big project going on in Yekaterinburg to renovate and build. He has been granted permission by his father and also by the Governor as well to go on with the project.
He has also decided to compensate all those whose landed properties will be among the projects slated for demolition.
At this point, Elena was disheartened and consumed by disappointment. She couldn't for a second think straight or shake off the feeling that she might not be able to reclaim the only thing that is left of her family. She was left in a state of dilemma not knowing what to do, leaving her mind to solve the puzzle that seemed impossible to fix. Still in a state of despair, she recalled the words she assured her mum while leaving the house. As those words played in head head again and again she didn't know when a tear went down from her eyes to her chin, until she heard a voice whispering "Ma'am Ma'am we have reached the location"
It was the driver. Immediately, she hurriedly wiped the tears and with a deep breath, grabbed her bag refusing to let all what the driver said stop her. She opened her purse and brought out some money and paid for her transport. With enough strength she gathered to regain from the puzzle, she composed herself and came down from the taxi. Turned with a warm smile and said, "thank you" to the driver.
The driver drove, while she stood at the entrance of the address.
"Can I really fight this?"... she said to herself.