With a spatula in one hand and a pan in the other, Elena expertly flipped the pancake while simultaneously stirring the scrambled egg. Multitasking came naturally to her, even in the chaotic realm of the kitchen. Though she may not have been a culinary genius, she made up for it with her efficiency.
As soon as the pancakes reached the perfect shade of golden brown, Elena switched off the stove with a swift motion. Placing the fluffy pancakes on a plate, she followed with the scrambled eggs. Carrying her coffee and breakfast to the nearby table, she sat down and dug in with a pleasant smile, devouring the food as if she hadn't eaten in days.
Her eyes flicked between the morning news on her tablet and her plate, absorbing both simultaneously. Elena's ability to juggle tasks seamlessly was truly a sight to behold.
Taking a sip of her coffee, Elena's lips burned as she read the headline of an article on her tablet.
"What in the world?!" Elena exclaimed in surprise as she read the article about Jack, the mayor's son, which was the top developing story in the country's news. Her eyes blinked in confusion as she absorbed the shocking information.
"The mayor's son, Jack Carter, was discovered near death at the outskirts of the abandoned steel factory, The Circles Townhouse," Elena read aloud from the article. "The 30-year-old man, known for his prestigious background and family upbringing, is currently battling for his life in the hospital with fractured bones, severe blood loss, and facial injuries. Paramedics came to his aid late at night. The mayor is expected to address the situation later today."
Elena's eyes widened in shock as she read further, "In addition, the head of the federal police department has issued a statement regarding the ongoing investigation to apprehend the suspect." She held the tablet tightly in her hands, the gravity of the situation sinking in as she reflected on how surreal everything seemed since her last interaction with Jack.
Struggling to recall her last interaction with Jack, Elena found herself unable to remember, leaving a strange and uncomfortable void in her mind. Closing her eyes tightly, she tried to delve into her memories, urging her mind to recollect, but the sudden sound of her front door opening startled her.
"Mom?" Elena muttered in disbelief as she saw her mother entering her home. Martha's eyes reflected sorrow as she approached her daughter.
"My Elena! I was so worried about you! I feared the worst after hearing about your fiancé!" Martha muttered, pulling her daughter into a tight hug.
"Mom! Is it really true? He's in the hospital?" Elena asked, her voice filled with uncertainty as she struggled to come to terms with the unfolding events. Martha took a step back, meeting Elena's confused gaze with a solemn expression.
"Yeah, I just spoke with Lea, Jack's mother, and she confirmed everything about the terrible situation," Martha replied, her voice heavy with concern.
"He's in critical condition and fighting for his life at this very moment," Martha said, gently stroking her daughter's hair. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her heart, reminding her of a time when she had faced the fear of losing a child herself.
"That's just terrible. Who would do such a horrible thing to him, and why?" Elena muttered, her eyes filled with frantic concern as she tried to make sense of the unfolding situation.
"Go and get yourself ready to head to the hospital. We should be by their side, especially since you're technically his fiancée," Martha said anxiously, tears welling up in her eyes. Elena gave her mother a quick nod before rushing towards her room to get dressed.
As they approached the hospital, dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, casting mysterious shadows on the ground. Elena's gaze lingered on the pack of paparazzi gathered near the entrance, a sense of apprehension growing within her as she realized this would mark the soft launch of her relationship with Jack to the media. Martha observed her daughter's unease and, sensing her discomfort, reached out and gently took Elena's hand, causing her to meet her mother's reassuring gaze.
"Relax, this will be a good move on your part. The Carters and the public will see what a good friend you are to Jack by showing up," Martha said softly, offering a reassuring smile. Stepping out of the car, they were greeted by a barrage of camera flashes as they held onto each other, making their way into the hospital.
"Sir!" Elena exclaimed in surprise as she noticed her father's presence. James smiled warmly as he saw his wife and daughter walking into the private waiting room.
"I'm glad you're here, Elena. We should all be concerned about Jack; he's in critical condition, and we may lose him soon," James said, his eyes reflecting deep concern, knowing the impact it could have on his plans. Elena pressed her lips together anxiously, recognizing the gravity of the situation for her father. She could discern his attitude and behavior when it came to his personal interests.
"James, why are you always so pessimistic? How can you say that?" Martha interjected, her tone tinged with annoyance at her husband's tendency to focus on things that didn't align with his plans.
"Martha, the man was brutally beaten with a golf club, fracturing his ribs and perforating one of his lungs! He also has internal bleeding and suffered a concussion," James muttered in a somber tone, his eyes filled with fear and concern for his future son-in-law. Elena gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth in disbelief at the severity of Jack's injuries as relayed by her father. Martha wrapped her arms around herself, overwhelmed with sorrow at the thought of Jack's struggles in the hospital bed.
Suddenly, Mrs. Carter entered the room, her puffy eyes deeply sunken as she took a seat. Tears streamed down her face like a river. James gently squeezed his daughter's shoulder, silently urging her to offer comfort to Lea.
Elena approached Jack's mother, slowly kneeling before her and bowing her head in a gesture of respect. Lea offered a broken smile at Elena's show of support.
"You're a remarkable woman, the best friend my son has had in years! You're the perfect match for my son, and he deserves someone like you by his side," Lea said in a shaky voice, gently holding Elena's chin to meet her gaze.
"Mrs. Carter, how is he?" Elena inquired, her curiosity tinged with concern about Jack's condition. Lea choked up slightly, her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at Elena.
"The doctors said that if he doesn't regain consciousness, they may determine his condition to be brain dead," Lea explained, tears flowing uncontrollably. Elena felt a heavy weight settle in her chest at Lea's words. Without hesitation, Elena leaned in and enveloped Lea in a tight embrace as she wept openly, the weight of the situation bearing down heavily on her as the mother.
Throughout the day, Elena and Martha remained by Lea and Gordon's side, offering unwavering support. Gordon had returned to his wife after addressing the city, issuing a stern warning to criminals and potential attackers of his son, promising severe consequences for those who endangered the city's residents. Elena sighed, glancing at her watch; it was already four in the afternoon, and there was still no news about Jack.
"I'm going to get some coffee. Would you like one, Mr. and Mrs. Carter?" Elena asked politely. Lea and Gordon both shook their heads in decline. Elena understood and smiled before redirecting to her mother.
"And you, Mom?" Elena asked, her gaze shifting towards her mother. Martha smiled and nodded slightly. Elena returned the smile and quickly headed towards the door. As she made her way to the coffee machine at the far end of the aisle, her phone suddenly rang. She reached into her purse and saw Kelan's name flashing on the screen.
"Hi," she said with a small smile on her face. Kelan smiled back as he heard her smooth voice through the phone.
"Good afternoon, Miss... I've been thinking about you all day," he said, lying shirtless in bed after taking a shower upon returning home from work. Elena chuckled softly, her cheeks turning red within seconds. His seductive and eloquent tone of voice caused her to blush even more.
"Oh, how sweet of you! Is this one of those calls where you'll try to swoon me and have me at your mercy?" she teased, leaning against the wall as she spoke. She heard his laughter on the other end of the line, which brought a smile to her face.
"In fact, this is my first call to you, and I've been rehearsing what to say for the last two hours in my room! But now, I can't seem to say anything because I've forgotten everything the moment I heard your voice. You make me feel like a boy all over again whenever I think about you," he confessed.
"Hearing your voice is such a wonderful feeling right now," she said, closing her eyes to savor the moment. Kelan frowned slightly but continued talking.
"Did something happen?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. Elena bit her lip and purposefully denied it.
"No... I'm just tired, that's all," she said, tilting her gaze downward. He smiled softly, understanding the weight of her responsibilities as the boss of a big company like Active Balance.
"Well... what if I take you out for a well-deserved dinner around the city?" he said enthusiastically. Elena's face didn't quite reflect the pleasure she felt at his proposal. She longed to be with him, but given the current situation she found herself in, she just couldn't.
"I... I'm sorry, Kelan! I'm just really exhausted after a day filled with back-to-back meetings, it was crazy!" she lied, feeling remorseful for turning him down. Kelan sighed in disappointment as his smile slowly faded.
"Oh, I get it! I truly understand!"
"Or you know what, I could just cook for you at your house. That would be less of a hassle for you!" he suggested excitedly, offering an alternative way for them to spend time together. However, Elena was apprehensive about the idea and quickly responded, trying to cut the conversation short.
"Kelan, I have to go now... my mother is here with me and she's calling me outside! Let's plan that for another day, okay? Bye!"
"Elena?" he whispered into the phone after the call ended abruptly, a small ache tugging at his heart.
First date just indirectly rejected. How sad! 😔
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