5 CHAPTER:5

"Did you forget something Naia?" -Elara questions, as she hears the door open and shut again. When Elara turns her head around, she turns to face

Marshall.

He's wearing a formal royal blue tuxedo. And the tuxedo seems to be bringing something out of him, his demeanor full of self-respecting pride and confidence. His eyes, fierce as always. An his presence, full of authority.

To Elara's surprise, he doesn't seem fazed. His expression, like always, is quite unreadable. After what felt like an eternity of the both staring at each other, Elara speaks out; "Naia has already gone down to the ballroom. If you're lost, it's the room on your left when you go downstairs."

"I'm not here for Naia." -Marshall says.

Elara looks at him, not uttering a word. But her expression telling him to continue. And, as if on cue, Marshall resumes speaking; "I was hoping to find you, actually."

Bewildered, Elara points to herself, "Me? Why me?"

"I wanted to ask you about her boyfriend. Have they broken up. I did my part of research and it seems they were in a relationship for some time now. So, if she goes behind our backs to meet with him, after this marriage, it'll be a disaster. My family has a reputation to uphold."

Elara bites her tongue, wishing to not end up saying something messed up. This guy only cares about his reputation, not anything else. No other humans' feelings. How could he be like this? And though, it frustrates her so much, she gulps in air and grits through her teeth, replying; "They've broken up. You do not need to worry about anything."

Hearing her words, Marshall sighs of relief, and excuses himself.

And Elara thinks to herself,

This man, is not a human.

______________________

The event went smoothly, everything happened accordingly, and thankfully no mishaps occurred. As the night draws in, and a lot of the guests start saying their goodbyes and departing, Elara finally walks up to her uncle, letting her presence be known among the few others. Her uncle, Mr. Valdivia who seemed busy chatting with his fellow business partners, didn't even seem to notice her at first. But when one of the men questioned; "And who might you be, dear child?"

Mr. Valdivia turned around, and nods at Elara to come closer. She obeys, and stands by his side, curtsying the other men.

"This is my niece, Elara."-He says, introducing her to everyone.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen. There's something that requires my attention immediately. So I must take my leave. Please, enjoy yourselves."

As they excuse themselves, he makes his way to Naia, but stops mid-way and turns to speak to Elara; "You can go wait for me at my office. I'll be there shortly."

Elara simply nods, and makes her way to his office upstairs.

Ten minutes turn into fifteen, fifteen into thirty. Elara steadies herself as she gets up from the chair, and as she walks over to open the door, the doorknob turns and her uncle let's himself in. Elara takes a few steps back, and continues to stand on her tip-toes. Mr. Valdivia makes his way over to his desk, and takes a seat.

"How have you been?" -he begins.

"I've been good. The business is doing great too." -Elara replies.

"I didn't ask about that 'thing' of yours." he emphasizes, when he speaks of her café.

Fighting the urge to start arguing with him, Elara questions, "Why was I not told of Naia's engagement? You asked me to come by today, and when I get here, I see the manor full of people and party."

As her uncle massages his temples, he speaks; "It must've slipped my mind or something. Event, or no event, I still needed to meet you."

"About what?"

"The lawyer came by, a few days ago. He's asked me to hand you these papers." -he says as he rummages through his drawers looking for the papers. Once finding it, he extends his hand with a file, to Elara. She takes it, no questions asked.

"Some.. Some properties your parents left for you. And the keys to their bank locker. Meet with the lawyer tomorrow, and he'll help you sort all the things. Here's his business card, it has his private number on the back."

Elara studies the file, and the card her uncle handed her, and asks him; "Why am I being handed all these now? I thought I got all the legal documents when I turned 18?"

"I do not know either. Your mother put in such bizarre conditions. None of us knew anything of it until a few days ago. Heck, I wonder if your father knew." -he says, his voice coming out lower in the last sentence.

Elara's thoughts begin to run around, she continues to ask herself, what will she find in the bank locker? What new information will she take in when she reads this file? What new misery will she have to fight?

As Elara continues talking to herself, a knock on the door abrupt her thoughts.

"Come in." -She hears her uncle's voice.

And as the door opens, Marshall lets himself in, closing the door behind him again.

Oh no, not him. Not right now.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." -he says, smiling slyly when he finds Elara standing there.

"No no, not at all. I'm actually glad you're here. Have you met Elara?" -her uncle asks.

"She's acquaintances with my grandfather, I believe. I've met her once, at her café, for business purposes. What a coincidence, that you turned out to be Naia's cousin!" Marshall replies, smirking, hiding the actual truth.

"Is that so? Elara, why didn't you tell me?"

Elara simply smiles, her mind is blank, and she cannot seem to be coming up with any perfectly woven lie. "I was pretty shocked to see Mr. Marshall here today too. What are the odds, you're marrying Naia, isn't it? Indeed, what a strange coincidence!" -Elara replies, slightly glaring at Marshall, who doesn't seem to notice.

Her uncle, who seems to be lost in his own world, simply nods, "Yes yes, coincidences."

"I've asked the maid to bring in tea, I hope that's okay with you all." -Marshall continues.

"It's fine. After all, I should get to know my son-in-law." -he says letting out a hearty laugh, gesturing Marshall to take a seat. Elara finds herself wincing to the word 'son-in-law', but she lets it go, As he walks over to take a seat, Elara voices; "Right, as my presence is no longer required, I'll be excusing myself. I have to go."

"Elara, sit. I also needed to talk to you about something else." -her uncle interrupts.

Finally, taking a seat, Elara asks, "What else?"

"When do you intend on getting married?"

"I'm sorry what?"

"You know I don't like having to repeat myself Elara. I asked when do you intend on getting married?" -her uncle says once again, agitated.

His question has shocked Marshall too, it seems. But he clears his voice, and looks away. But still prying onto the conversation.

"I do not intend on settling down anytime soon. I'm happy just the way I am. And I'd very much like it if you do not question me on the same subject again." -Elara says, straightening her back, bringing out her infamous 'royal' voice.

"Why not? The last I heard of, that guy is still out there to get you. If you'd just listen to me and settle down, he wouldn't chase after you anymore. Don't give him more reasons to continuing pursuing you." -Her uncle reveals, in front of Marshall. Not caring, one bit.

Elara looks over to him, if he's reacted in any way, and he has. The conversation seemed to have interested Marshall, as he continues to study the uncle-niece duo.

She feels her ears getting hot due to embarrassment and anger, she clenches her fists, balling her dress. "I do not appreciate you revealing my private matters, to someone who is practically a stranger to me." -she simply says. To which Marshall straightens his tie, and looks over to her uncle. His expression, saying the same.

"You care about someone knowing your private matters, but you couldn't care any less on how your matters are affecting our family!" -he roars.

"I didn't ask for this. If we're done here, I'd like to go back home. Now, if you'll excuse me." -Elara says, as she gets up and walks towards the door. Jolting it open.

"Tea anyone?" -Alice says, as the door is opened.

Elara, once again, excusing herself, walks down the stairs, hurriedly. Determined to make it back home as soon as she can.

As she reaches the main gate, the chauffeur pulls up, opening the door for her, she looks around and finds Marshall's grandfather nodding at her, smiling gently.

Elara smiles back, thanking him. And takes the car ride back home.

___________

Elara walks the familiar streets of her home, and comes to a stop in front of her café, she finds a huge bouquet of red roses with a card attached to it.

She looks around, fear setting in her. She slowly kneels in front of the flowers, and takes the card in her hand, she reads it;

'MISSED ME, MY LOVE?'

She feels her body going numb, the fear and panic all rushing in, and her mind, filled with only one thought;

"He found me again."