Being invisible and unheated, like a monster haunting the same places she was supposed to be, was something Elena had always experienced. However, last night had been entirely different.
Strangely, she has anticipated opposition, perhaps even indignation, as she told them yesterday. Her parents had grinned. Why!? Their happiness was suffocating her. Of course, it had nothing to do with her or her marriage. Their joy stemmed from the fact that she had finally served them. Not because she supposedly found love.
That indeed choked her the most.
Her mother's words from last night kept reverberating in her head. "You're finally making something of yourself, baby. You're so clever!" If she was hearing this in the right situation, she would've been over the moon. But they carried a condensation that wreaked her heart completely.
She had tossed around her bed awake all night after she returned from Sienna's. She absentmindedly counted the bulbs in the chandelier, thinking about all the time she wanted their approval on things that mattered to her. Every moment came back in painful flashes. She remembered those days she would win awards for her paintings, and all she got was, "That's nice, dear, but when are you going to focus on something that matters?" Every time her father had casually dismissed her thoughts and opinions with "Not now, Elena. Your brother is speaking."
She had thought ignorantly that one day she'll be seen by them. But last night gave her a clear picture of her place in their lives. They had seen her for what they felt she had always been meant for. A mere pawn to be played in some games she never signed up for.
The next morning, she dragged herself to work, and her bones were weak and tired. The office was as buzzling as always. All she heard were fainting hum of printers and click of heels against the floors.
Always, except for now, she kept up, she walked with purpose as elegant as a queen. But now, she just left herself go.
"Good morning, Elena."
She halted and turned to see Maggie, Adrian's sister, giving in her small smile as always. Maggie was her brother's untitled assistant. She was whoever she wanted to be around him. Some days, she's his right-hand assistant. But every day, she's the one person in the world who probably tells him off and gets away with it. They shared a genuine love bond like herself and Ethan.
"Good morning." Elena mumbled her words, trying to fake a dry smile before walking towards her desk.
She plopped on her seat and then she realised it was going to be a long day. She didn't feel the usual energy to start her day.
She was gong through emails she hadn't opened all weekend when a familiar voice snapped her out of her screen.
"Elena, you okay?"
Ehe turned to see one of her colleagues and a classmate from high school, Rachel. She was peering with much concern written all over her face.
"You're anything but yourself today."
She hesitated before giving in a nod. "Just tired."
Rachel didn't seem convinced, but she knew better to let go, and Elena returned her face to the screen. Her long nails hovered around the keyboard, but her mind was left behind.
Focus. Elena Caldwell, Focus.
Could she really focus?
After all that happened last night? Impossible!
The first time she knew was it meant to be an afterthought, she was just ten. Her brother, Ethan, was unboxing his birthday presents and there was a telescope in it. Their dad had a special interest in him becoming an astronomer, and he was always inspiring him with toys.
Where was she to draw her own inspiration from?
Ethan always beamed at his toys, and their father ruffled his hair lovingly. It was a habitual thing for their mom to kiss his forehead, saying, "Our brilliant boy, I know you'll be so big in this autonomy."
Elena would wait for her own gifts, and she always got something she had outgrown. She stopped having regards for birthdays because of her family. Even though Ethan now tries to make her feel special. They're not as special to her as they were to him.
Years later, she didn't get the support she needed from them when she got into her art school. Her father had muttered, "Not a real profession." Was it when she got her first job? Her Mom said, "At least you won't be lazying around at home."
And now, after all these years, she's finally pleasing them because she's marrying a billionaire to secure their own future.
That realisation left her cold.
"Elena!"
That voice brought her back from her reverie.
Looking up, she found herself staring into the eyeballs of her fiancé and her boss.
The office seemed to seal up the air when he entered. Adrian had that domineering effect on people. You just have to give him that attention. He was dressed up in his usual suit, and his tie perfectly aligned.
"Yes, sir." She managed. Her voice sounded small, and she hated it.
His gazed fixed into hers, and for a moment, she wondered if he could see straight through her exhaustion.
"My office. Now."
There was no room for any other thing.
She walked slowly behind him. She was aware of the stares she was getting from everyone, but who cares?
His guard pushed the door for both of them to enter his office, and he didn't sit behind his desk as usual. He leaned against it with his arms crossed and brows furrowed.
"I'm not going to work with this distraction you came to work with." He said plainly.
She blinked.
"I..."
"You don't have to explain." His voice was calm but firm. "I really don't have that time, and I'm sure you don't."
Ouch. She swallowed hard. Unsure of what to say.
"Your distraction shouldn't stop you from being a functional employee around here." He tilted his head slightly.
There it was. The usual Adrian Sinclair coldness.
Today, it didn't irritate her one bit. It exhausted her even more.
She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "Most of us don't have it all figured out like you do."
Adrian studied her expression before he responded, "You think I care?"
She hesitated with her lips parring slightly. She couldn't expect any consolation from a cold man like him simply because they were to get married. He was never the type to entertain personal conversations.
Look what frustration had done to her.
"It doesn't matter." She said with her emotions getting the best of her. "I guess we should focus on work."
Adrian continued to stare at her and he just nodded in a way that dismissed her from the office.
She stood still, lost in her thoughts.
"Fine! Get back to it!!"
She turned without another word.
She knew he was still looking at her so she didn't turn back.
Elena wondered again...
What kind of man is she about to marry?
She blamed her parents again!