Chapter fourteen

Elana is seated in front of Keneth. He is talking to her about every little detail, and she can feel the satisfaction rising up inside of her. Keneth ends his word with a smile, waiting for her to respond. Elana nods her head slowly and inhales deeply.

"Okay, I'll take it," she giggles. He smiles relieved and sits forward.

"Elana, you have an amazing gift. I want you to use it, okay?" He says. She nods with a sweet smile and sits back looking around in the bar. "So, would you like me to show you around?"

"Sure," she nods and gets up. He gets up as well and takes the lead by walking in front of her and showing her where everything is.

Jordan looks at the time around his watch and then up at Elana that came to him. His eyes grows round on her. He gets up from his seat until she makes it to him.

"Hi," she greets him happily with a little hug. She's dressed in a pair of black jeans and a grey shirt just as she was with her interview.

"You cut your hair," Jordan chuckles and touches the ends of her hair. He admits that she looks almost prettier in short hair.

"You like it?" She asks and takes a seat. He takes a seat, himself burrying his eyes on her.

"I love it," he winks at her. A smile crosses his lips. "How are you, Elana? We haven't spoken in a while."

"I just thought it'll be better to sort myself out before I involve you further," she says and lean forward against the table. "But I'm doing very well. What about you?"

"I'm good," he nods with a sweet smile and inhales deeply. Elana glares at him and reaches out to take his hand. Jordan gives his hand and holds hers. He inhales deeply and shakes his head. "I'm not good."

"I know," she replies and puts her other hand on his. Jordan looks at their hands, bringing her hand up with his free hand and kissing it softly. "Jordan, what's happening?"

"I walked into Eleanor last night," he replies and looks at her. Elana looks surprised at him. "She acted as if she never did a thing wrong asking if she could see Joe."

"Well, maybe she wants to fix things with your son," Elana tries to comfort him. He raises an eyebrow at her. "Don't you think Joe's heart in the matters more?"

Jordan feels a little annoyed, but deep down, he can agree to her statement. "I'm not saying you should introduce her to him, Jordan. I'm saying that you should sit him down and talk to him about her. I kept quiet about Liam's dad for too long. Our relationship is so much stronger now."

"So you suggest I ask Joe what he wants and then tell Eleanor whether she's allowed in our lives or not?" He asks. She nods her head and looks worried at him. "She was never there, Elana. She didn't give a fuck in the first place. She deserves no chance in his life. Why don't you go ahead and let Ralph into your son's life if it's so easy?"

Elana's eyes grows round. Jordan has suddenly become so cold all of a sudden. Perhaps the absense of a woman in his life threw him out of how to treat one, but that's not an excuse, is it? No, one of the important things when talking to a woman is to watch your tone, your words and then how you say it.

"Jordan, I get that your mad at her but there's no excuse to bring Liam's father into this," she says getting tears in her eyes taking her hands back slowly. That's probably why she never could come close to anyone? One wrong move and her guard is up.

"What's the difference, Elana?" He asks harshly. "They were both never involved with our kids and we both have the chance to allow them to be."

"Well, there is a difference between them," she says getting upset from within her stomach. "Ralph doesn't know about Liam, Eleanor knows about Joe. Even if they were both absent in their lives, at least Joe have the chance to have a mother, Liam will never have a father."

"She chose to walk out on us," he says giving her a serious look. Elana raises an eyebrow and glare at him. He just stares at her in quiet.

"Oh my gosh, this isn't about Joe, is it?" She asks softly. "This is about you. You're not over her."

"Of course I'm over her," he immediately reply so defensive as if just answering her won't be convincing. Can you ever even convince someone that you're over your ex?

"No Jordan, you're not over what she did and the fact that she freely wants to return with the 99% chance of leaving again," she barks at him. He looks confused at her shaking his head slowly. "I get it, okay? You were in love and she hurt you. It's okay to feel hurt."

"I don't give a crap," he says straightforward. She looks shocked at him. "Don't tell me what I feel. Try to introduce Liam to his father then talk to me."

"Right," Elana shakes her head and open her handbag getting into her wallet. "I can't say I'm surprised at how our meeting went. I'm just surprised at the fact that Ralph always have to be involved with every fucking conversation we have. I'm getting sick of it, Jordan." She takes out her car keys and look at him. Jordan looks unhappily at her trying to read through her eyes. "I don't want to see him, hear about him or ever talk about him. Eleanor is nothing like Ralph. She didn't rape you or did you forget?"

"Elana..." he reaches out to her, but she pulls away immediately.

"I'm sorry my advice isn't as great as yours. Because you really helped me get through what I couldn't for seventeen years. I'm grateful for that, but I had to choose to be helped. I can't help you or give advice if you're not willing to listen," she says and sighs. "Goodbye Jordan."

She throws her handbag on her shoulder and walk off. Jordan watches as she leaves. Somehow he can't find anything he said as wrong. He tried to help her feel what he feels, but involving Ralph was a mistake, that he can admit.

Elana gets in her car and throws her handbag on the passanger seat. Angry at herself and Jordan she rest her hands on the steering wheel and her head on her hands starting to cry. Just as she began to open up to him, considering taking the step, this happens. Does this mean their chance to be happy together isn't happening?

Joe looks around him then at Liam that came to him. They greet each other before starting to walk down the corridor trying to get out.

"My mom got a job," Liam tells his friend when they finally got outside. "She's officially singing."

"That's awesome!" Joe says happily and laugh awkwardly. "Now you guys can stay in your home and you don't have to worry about college. Will she become famous now?"

"Well, she's just performing at a bar, but I'm sure something more can come from that," Liam smiles proudly and look at his mother's car that stopped there then at his friend. "So can we hangout this weekend?"

"Knowing our parents, probably," Joe chuckles. They do their handshake before Liam walks off to his mother's car. He gets in just as Jordan's car stops behind them. Elana looks through her rear view mirror and decides to drive off when there was no traffic. Liam looks worried at his mother who seemed awfully quiet.

"Hey, are you okay?" Liam asks worryingly. Elana looks at him with a little smile and nod her head as she looks in front of her again. "Are you sure?"

"Jordan and I had a little fight," she tells him and sighs. "It's nothing serious. The rest of my day was great. I had the interview with Keneth and I'm very excited to start. Only problem is it's nightly so from six to eleven at night. During the day I have rehearsals to make sure everything flows and I'll be performing as well. So singing and playing dress-up."

"I hope you and Jordan can sort it out," Liam says and smiles at his mother. "On the other hand, I'm glad your day was well. As long as the money is worth the time and talent," Liam chuckles softly. "My day was good as well. There's a new girl in the eighth grade and she's so beautiful. She almost looks like you."

"Oh," Elana laughs and glance over at her son then back at the road. "Guess I have to accept the fact that I'm in competition now."

Liam bursts out laughing with his mother. He silence which broke through shortly after got his attention. With a soft smile Liam touches his mother's hand that was rested on the gear.

"I'm proud of you mom," he says. Elana inhales deeply feeling the goosebumps spreading through her body.

"I'm proud of you too, my love," Elana smiles at him and take her hand out under his. She covers the back of his hand with her and place it on the gear.