Inside the office, Julian was not in the mood for his brother's lecture.
"She saved my life, Marcus. I should show some gratitude at least," Julian said, sinking into his chair.
He looked tired. The search for Elara wasn't going well, and it was wearing him out.
"You showed gratitude by not having her arrested for moving an injured victim without medical supervision," Caleb countered, dropping into the chair opposite Julian.
" Who knows if she's not part of your attackers?" Marcus added.
"Huh, where on earth did you get that idea from?" Julian asked.
This is my problem with you. You have always been the softy pants, and that is bad for business," Marcus responded.
"She picked up your call and gave you the address, Caleb," Julian says, annoyed.
"If she were a bad person, she could have taken my phone, or she'd have left me to die."
Marcus waved a hand dismissively.
"Fine. She's a saint. A saint who has now disappeared. Focus on the business, Julian".
"Guys, I spoke to the detective, and he said they have a lead on Julian's attackers," Caleb interrupts.
Marcus shifted uncomfortably.
"That's good, they need to pay for what they did," Marcus responded.
"They sure do," Julian replied absent-mindedly.
Later that afternoon, Elara was assigned to clear the trash from the executive breakroom.
Julian was standing by the espresso machine, staring out the window.
"How is work going?" Julian said suddenly.
Elara nearly dropped the trash bag.
"Fine, thank you, sir."
"Are you always like this?" Julian asked, finally turning to look at her.
"How, sir?"
"Always jittery and in a hurry. Or is it…me?"
"I don't know what you mean," Elara responded, bowing her head.
"I don't know what it is, but you remind me of someone," Julian said softly, stepping closer.
Elara swallowed hard, taking in the scent of him.
He leaned in, "I'm searching for this person, and I won't stop till I find her."
He walked away, leaving Elara frozen.
"Elara," he whispered as he walked away.
He pulled out his phone and dialed John.
"I don't want you looking at shelters anymore," Julian said
"I want a background check on a cleaner here in Silver Towers called Elena. And I want it within 24 hours."
Upstairs, as Elara pushed her cart toward the supply closet, she saw Marcus Silver standing by the elevators, making a phone call.
"You caused this mess, so fix it." Marcus was saying, looking around to see if anyone was listening.
"He wasn't supposed to survive, but you did a bad job."
Elara's heart stopped.
She had heard rumors that Marcus Silver was a dangerous man, but she didn't expect this.
Marcus turned, sensing movement, but he didn't see anyone.
He looked around, then stepped into the elevator.
Elara rushed to the supply closet and leaned on the wall, breathing hard.
"Julian must never find me," she thought to herself. "These people are dangerous".
As she burst out of the stairwell on the ground floor, heading for the service exit, she heard her name.
"Elena!"
The voice stopped her mid-stride. It was Julian.
He was standing by the glass doors, breathing hard.
"Please sir. I want to go home." Elara whispered, backing away
"I got this for you," Julian said softly, handing her a small bag.
She hesitated.
"It's an ointment for blisters, you need it."
Elara's eyes became teary.
She slowly stretched her hand and collected it.
"Thank you, sir". She turned and walked slowly.
Julian's phone rang.
"Tell me you have good news, John."
"Sir, there is no new cleaner called Elena. The only new cleaner here is Elara. She-"
Julian cut the call.
He dialed a number on his phone.
"I need your help, Caleb," Julian said, sounding desperate.
"Listening," Caleb responded.
"If you see Elara, would you recognize her"?
"Yeah, I guess. Why?"
"Tomorrow, the maintenance office by 9 am, I'm counting on you". Julian spoke with a pleading tone.
That night, Julian barely slept. He had mixed feelings. He wondered why Elara had lied about her name, but he was excited that he would finally appreciate her for saving him.
The next morning, during breakfast at the Silver Mansion, Julian was humming a tune with excitement.
"Someone slept well, I see," Marcus said, stuffing a pancake in his mouth.
Julian ignored him, sipping his coffee.
"He sure is. Seems we've found Elara," Caleb responded.
Marcus' face hardened.
"You're still looking for that girl?"
Julian paused, "Why not?"
"I thought I told you to stop the search and focus on important matters."
"And since when have I started obeying your instructions?" Julian replied, standing up.
"Marcus, just let it go. You know he never gives up," Caleb added, tapping Marcus's back.
Marcus tightened his grip on a cup as his brothers exited the house.
"Can't remember the last time we rode together to work," Caleb said as they entered Julian's SUV.
"I can't risk anything ruining my plans today. I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner," Julian responded.
Julian burst through the doors of the maintenance office.
"Elena… Elena…Where the hell is she?"
Martha came running from a tiny office.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted politely, bowing her head.
"Where is Elena?"
Martha looked confused.
"I mean, Elara," Julian corrected himself.
"The wench resigned this morning. She left about an hour ago."
Julian clenched his fist in anger.
"She's not a wench, woman," Julian responded angrily.
"I'm sorry, sir."
"It's two things, Jules, either she's not Elara, or she's Elara, but she doesn't want to be found."
"I think it's time you let her go", Caleb added.
Julian stood there, frozen.
Caleb turned to go, then paused.
"Martha, did she leave her employee ID?"
"Yes, sir, she did."
"Let me have a look at it."
Martha went into her office and came out with a plastic ID, which she handed over to Caleb.
Boldly written on it was the name ELARA VANCE.
Caleb looked at it and studied her picture carefully.
She definitely is Elara Vance, the one you've been searching for