With Love, Elena

18

Elena held him close and when he had calmed down, he looked at her.

"I know that she kept telling me it wasn't mine but when the baby came looking like me, I put my selfishness aside and I was ready to become a father," he said. "I know the possibility of the baby being mine hurt you but I...I was ready to be present."

"I know," Elena said. She wanted to be happy that the baby was not Charles' but seeing him looking this defeated, it made her wish things were different.

"I love you, Elena," he said out of the blue. Then he went down on his knee, pulling a small wedding band from his pocket. "Please marry me."

She stared at him, not daring to breathe.

"Elena-"

She brought her trembling hand forward.

Charles looked at her. "I need to hear you say the words," he whispered.

"Yes," Elena breathlessly whispered.

Charles fit the band on her finger and then suddenly scooped her up into his arms, kissing her like his life depended on it. He pulled her on to his lap, slipping his length into her already sleek heat, both groaning at the contact.

"Isn't this lovely?" someone suddenly said, startling them.

Elena and  Charles froze, none of them daring to move.

"Nurse Elena," the voice continued and Elena looked in the dark towards the car where a figure leaned, watching them.

Charles frowned.  Then he slowly turned. "Osam? What the fu-"

Osam came out of the shadows, lighting a cigarette.

Elena slightly recoiled. Charles looked at her and he realised that she looked terrified. He quickly fixed himself up, zipping his pants as Elena got off him. He stood up, irritated that he had to deal with blue balls for the rest of the night.

"What are you doing here?" he asked his friend. "How the fuck did you even know that we were here?"

Osam looked at him and grinned. "Ain't a reporter for nothing," he  said.

"I thought we were done with the investigations," Charles said, feeling Elena's hand slightly tugging at the hem of his shirt.

"Oh, we're done. With your business, not mine."

"What business do you have-"

"Elena. We have unfinished business," Osam interrupted Charles.

Charles turned to Elena who was visibly clinging to him by now. He held her close. What was going on?

"Elena-"

"Thomas Francis representative," she croaked, holding Charles' hand with her trembling one.

Charles was puzzled. Osam was his friend and he absolutely hated Tommy. How could he be Tommy's representative?

Osam walked over. "Charles...my business with you is finished. I'm here to finish our hospital business with nurse Elena."

"I don't want anything to do with you," Elena said. "When you disappeared, that contract was as good as over."

Osam chuckled. "There is nowhere that the contract stated that. Thomas's disappearance simply bought you time. Now, he's here to collect what is owed to him-you."

Charles spoke up. "You're not taking her anywhere!" He pulled Elena behind him. "You'll have to get through me first before Tommy gets his hands on her."