Chapter 64
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
ELENA
It had been three weeks since the incident, and I’d been working nonstop from home. Orion wanted to talk, but I told him I needed a little more time.
The ordeal regarding the sex video and the kidnapping took a toll on me.But I also wanted him to have time to deal with his family crisis. After learning his cousins were behind the horrendous crimes, I knew his father needed him.
Mynew phone buzzed with a message from Orion:
Orion: Can I stop by on Saturday? Please?
Elena: Okay.
Orion: I’ll bring dinner.
Elena: Okay. See you then.
When he’d brought me home from the hospital, he told me the video was fake. Chantel and Jonah had used AI software to create a deepfake of him. But we never had time to talk about what had broken my heart.
I’d asked Orion and Reid to keep the kidnapping from my mother. I didn’t want her to worry.
Nerves churned in my stomach.
What now?
After having gone through what felt like an entire soul makeover, I was afraid of the signs from my body.
The past few times I was nervous foreshadowed horrific events. But I remembered my grandmother saying that a warning was just preparation.So I prepared my mind for whatever was to come.
I knew Orion still had feelings for me. But what if he suddenly decided to live in Sweden or somewhere in Europe to be closer to his father? I heard their relationship had improved, which made me extremely happy.
My phone buzzed again, and I grinned at the text message from the girls.
Vivian: I have an impromptu charity event at the top of the Skyline Building. Can you attend to do a write up? It’ll be great for Musepaper.
Audri: I’ll come! What’s the event?
Kiera: Dress code?
Vivian: Black tie with a dinner from the recent winner of Best World Chef.
Audri: I won’t miss that!
Michelle: Sorry, Viv. I’m in Iceland right now.
Natalie: I’ll be there.
I smiled as I watched the messages pop up one after another.
Vivian: Where’s Elena?
Elena: I’ll be happy to attend. Just give me the time and date.
Vivian: This Friday at 7pm. Thanks, babe!
Kiera: So how are things with you and Orion?
Elena: I’m meeting him on Saturday.
I still loved Orion, but my insecurity had gotten the best of me. If I didn’t tell him what was bothering me, it would linger like a dormant virus. Better to face the issue now and heal once and for all.
At a glance it seemed stupid and silly. But for someone in love, these little things mattered.
Natalie: He loves you.
Michelle: We can tell.
Elena: How can you tell?
Audri: Orion made a character of you in his video game! Remi showed me.
Natalie: Yeah. Grayson was playing the demo.
Michelle: A man who makes his woman a main character in his video game is a keeper.
Kiera: Madame Sarcasm kicks ass!
I laughed, wondering exactly what I looked like in his game. I’d forgotten he was working on it, along with everything else.
Vivian: Do you love him?
Wasn’t it obvious?
Elena: Yes.
Vivian: Then there’s nothing to worry about. You’ll move past this bump.