The Price to her name.

‎Elena

‎      The city hums before sunrise,that low restless sound that never sleeps. My alarm goes off,the light flickers once and I tell myself it's going to be a normal day. Numbers, Receipt,quiet.

‎     As usual I have woken up earlier than my work time. I did my prayers and of course,did my morning routine. While I was enjoying my toasted bread with mayonnaise,my phone rang. Guess who,it was my girlfriend,Lucia. Lucia has been my bestie since high school. We too went to the same college and after we graduated,we have been pursuing our dreams. She's a Screen writer whereas I'm an accountant. I have been working in this company since I graduated. It's been 3 years since I graduated.

‎   "Hey girl, What's popping?.. I have missed you; Lucia exclaimed.

‎"yh exactly what you have been saying for the past one year yet you haven't come to see me. I don't think you still consider me your girlfriend or has your Man refused you coming.

‎    "Not actually, we've not been on good sides for the past one week. So I don't think that's my problem. I'm just too busy with work that I haven't found time to come visiting;she replied

‎    "Oh really,do you still want me to get my own Man when all you do is to tell me how you guys quarrel all the time. I think being single is the best thing for now at least. I'm still trying to find myself after what happened.

‎     " Yes, that's true. I still can't believe that mom is still in the hospital and not even recovering. We have done what we can do but yet,no improvement. I just hope everything will come to an end soon.

‎  "Well what can I say". We just keep trying and hoping. I'm just hoping I could find another source of income to suit the bills. if I say that I'm not tired of all this ,then I must be lying .

‎   "That's true. I understand. I got your back. But all this aside,girl,you seriously need a man in your life. At least,you won't have to suffer all this alone. I know I'm with you but it can't be compared to when you will have a more capable and stronger hand. Someone who would be there all the time and you won't have to be lonely. You have been inside for a long time,you need to go out and have some fun.

‎  "When you mean fun,what kind of fun. Do u mean partying or drinking or what. You know I don't do those. I'd rather stay inside and write to my journal than go out to the party".

‎  "That's not what I mean". When was the last time you had s***. Okay, let's start with the basics,when was the last time you were kissed or touched. And here you are,as if everything is okay. You have your own life Elena,you should enjoy it. I am your bestie and I won't lead you astray. It's not as if you are still a kid you know.

‎   "I get it". You want me to have a one night stand with a guy because I don't see a reason why I would be worrying about those when I don't even have a man in my life. Till when I get one,I can now worry about things like that, Okay.

‎    "Yes ma'am". So what's up. Aren't you going to work today. It was then I remembered I had work to do. Luckily enough,there was still time as I woke up earlier than before. I hurried with my dressing,bid her goodbye and left for work.

‎     At the office,the air smells like printer ink. My Boss is already pacing,the phone glued to his ear, whispering like the walls will snoop. Or maybe they would.

‎  He shoves a document to me,"Make sure the ledgers are done before the client arrives. He mentions the word client more than anyone.

‎  I became busy with the documents, looking through each page carefully to avoid being on my boss's bad side. Every word seems to ring in my head as I compute it. I was making sure no stone was left unturned.

‎  "Miss",...

‎  "Miss Elena",... I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I forgot I was working in a company and might have other things to attend to such as welcoming a guest.

‎"Yes",I answered while looking up only to see every other staff member standing except me. I didn't even wait to see while they were standing and just stood up too only to meet with the gaze of a man whose aura was dark and fearful. I bowed my head to greet but he just stood there gazing at me.

‎   "What insolence" What were u busy doing that u didn't notice the presence of a notable client. This was my Boss speaking.

‎  "Sorry Sir". I was dealing with the folder u gave me that I didn't notice anything.

‎  "Are u saying that I'm too little to be noticed,Young lady"? The Man asked.

‎No Sir, Pardon me if this is what it sounded like but it was not what I meant. I'm Sorry once again.

‎  "Hope the deal is ready"?If then, let's head to your office. The Man said to my boss while smiling at me. Soon they left the office and we all settled down to continue what we were doing.

‎    While sitting,I pondered on what my boss would say to me after the incident that played just now. I was just hoping it won't spoil his deal with this client whom he respected so much to avoid shortage in my salary.

‎    A few hours later,I was done with the documents as well as the ones given to me the day before. I was contemplating whether going into the office to present them to my boss is a good idea or wait till the client leaves. But then,I was called into the office to give back the documents. I hesitated but went on after all. On entering the office,I met with the client's gaze again but one thing was strange. He seemed like he had been waiting for me. After the submission,I left the office without being scolded thanks to the client's presence.

‎I didn't care much about his gaze but darted back to my desk to finish my work.

‎By 5:30,we closed for the day and everyone went to their evening business and as usual,I went home.

‎

‎ *****************************************

‎     My Boss usually receives mysterious clients,One of whom turned out to be This client. And of course,I didn't know his name. My Boss didn't come in today, Maybe he was busy with something else that he hasn't checked in today,So I thought.

‎  While in the afternoon,after we had gone for lunch,I came back to my desk to continue with my work. Just when I was busy with my daily schedules,A client came in. It was the same Man From yesterday. I told him to wait while I called our boss as I was his secretary but he was unavailable. All I was left with was a message that came in from my boss. It was to inform me of his absence to work today due to some personal issues and I was in the position of attending the client. It was then it dawned on me that I was in for a big trouble. I went back to my desk to figure out what I would do to avoid having a talk with him but at that point,no idea came to my mind. My head was totally blank. I decided to go and explain the situation to him and ask him to come back some other time.

‎      "Good afternoon Sir". My Boss won't come in today because of some personal issues,so I suggest you come back some other time.

‎    "Hmmm". I don't think so. I'm aware he won't be in today,he said you would take care of it. There's something about you that made him trust you to have a meeting with me and I would love to see that.

‎At that point,I knew there was no going back. I ushered him into the meeting room. He didn't even wait for me to ask him to sit and just sat down as if he owned the company.

‎      The Man in front of me was like a god to be feared. His aura was not as ordinary as men. He looked violent yet charismatic. I was visualizing what kind of a Man he would be and why someone like him would be cooperating with our Boss. Because he looked like someone who could control the whole city. His demeanor was like that of a Prince. Lost in my thoughts,I have forgotten I was to have a meeting with him. I was awoken by his voice.

‎  "Do you prefer to sit the whole day looking at me or do the needful". He giggled.

‎I didn't even remember that I was looking at him."Sorry Sir ". I said almost immediately and then glanced at the file on the table. It was a file for a Man named Mr.Dominic Moretti. I looked at him and asked if he was the one and he nodded. Then we commenced the meeting.

‎

‎     "Okay". Thanks for your help. Now I see why he trusted you with this. I already made the payment to your Boss so you don't have to worry about it. I will leave now.

‎      " Okay Sir". Thanks for partnering with us. Feel free to come back next time.

‎"Of course". Why won't I. He smiled at me.

‎I followed behind him. As we walked,the workers were muttering words like they had seen a ghost. They were moving aside From him like he was some sort of danger. Since he was an important guest, I escorted him to the company's exit door. I saw a man come out and open the door to his car,he went in and they zoomed off.

‎     Upon coming into the company where I was sitting,one of the staff members asked me why I was being so casual with the Man. If I knew him. I told her I was just meeting him today or will I say yesterday. Then she said, "You are being too friendly and nonchalant to such a Man. I hope you don't regret it".

‎    I sat down pondering what she said. And before I knew it I found myself wanting to know more or maybe find out more about him. Something about him was intriguing.

‎  It was closing time and everyone left except me.

‎I had to finish my schedule before going back. I couldn't do that during working hours because of the meeting with this strange client. After I was done I went home.

‎On her way home...

‎      "Stop there or I shoot you". A man shouted.

‎I turned around only to see another man rushing towards me. I wanted to run or hide but it was too late. I just stood there confused, hoping the ground would open and swallow me. Luckily the man ran past me and I got my breath.

‎   Looking around,I saw people shouting and scattering around. At one corner was an open store,the owner stood there perplexed. From the look of things,it seemed like he was robbed by the man who just ran past me. A group of men was running after him and eventually they caught him. They took him inside a vehicle and zoomed off. It was there I learnt that they were the Ravens. The street soldiers.

‎      I went home without even considering what happened because obviously it wasn't my business. But on a second thought,I decided to go see my mom who was in the hospital.

‎Upon reaching there,She was asleep. Looking at her sound asleep was reassuring. I hoped she would still wake up the next day and keep on living for me,she's all I have got.

‎    Finally,I went home after a few minutes of sitting next to her and admiring how beautiful this mom of mine is. I was exhausted to the point I couldn't even eat dinner and slept off, hoping tomorrow would be a great day.

‎