"Finally, you're come here, Elle!

" Briana exclaimed as she approached her daughter as soon as she saw Ellena who had just arrived in front of the house.

"Yes, Ma'am. Sorry, I'm late. You must be very worried,

" said Ellena, shaking her mother's hand.

"Are you all right, Elle? Where have you been all day?

" Briana asked interrogatingly.

This immediately took Ellena by surprise. Why did her mother suddenly ask such a question, as if she already knew something about him?

Luckily, after getting out of the car, she had time to tidy up her clothes and hair, which were a mess because of the two men. At least Briana wouldn't suspect her because of her unkempt appearance.

"I'm working late, Ma'am,

" answered Ellena, not daring to look at her mother.

"You're lying, Elle!

" Briana said, suddenly making Ellena even more surprised. How did Briana know if Ellena was lying?

Ellena froze. He didn't know what to say. If her mother already thought she was lying, then what should she say, while her mother's accusation was true.

"Mr. Richard was here earlier.

"

Ellena jumped, before she managed to respond to Briana's earlier words. No wonder her mother knew that she was lying, it turned out that Richard had come to see her mother. Ah, that man must be really worried about her.

"What do you want Mr. Richard to come here for?

" asked Elena curiously.

"He was looking for you, he said you suddenly disappeared,

" Briana replied.

"Yes, I do have activities outside with Rully, my co-worker. I forgot not to tell Mr. Richard beforehand, Ma'am. Maybe he really needs my help, that's why he looked all the way home.

" Ellena explained casually. It is also impossible for her to tell all the events of today to her mother.

Briana had been waiting in front of the house. However, Ellena still didn't show up which made her worried. Yes of course. Especially when Richard came with bad news. Of course what was in her head were only negative thoughts.

"Yeah, I'll take a shower first, Ma'am.

" Ellena whispered as she was about to leave her mother.

"Elle, wait!

"

Ellena stopped her legs that had just swung one step away.

"What else, Ma'am?

" asked Ellen, frowning.

"What's that on your cheek?

" Briana pointed when she noticed the remaining duct tape on Ellena's cheek.

Ellena just realized this, she swiftly covered her mouth and rubbed it slowly.

"Oh, maybe leftovers, Ma'am. Yes, I'm going to take a shower first.

" Ellena replied casually and immediately left the place, avoiding her mother. Not knowing what else to say, that's all in her head.

Ellena immediately rushed to the bathroom without doing anything else. After almost a quarter of an hour she spent cleaning herself, she was finally done with the activity and now the two had changed clothes.

There was nothing else she wanted to do, other than lay down to rest her body which was still aching from the two men's actions. She really felt as if her body was crushed from head to toe.

The actions of those stout hands managed to make it seem as if she was helpless anymore, even though she had relaxed her body by taking a cold shower. However, the slap was still hot on her cheek. Luckily Briana didn't notice the red marks on her cheeks.

Before lying down. Ellena opened her cell phone first, checked some message and call notifications from Richard. It turned out that not only dozens but more than a hundred notification calls from Richard. Even 5 minutes ago Richard was still trying to contact her. Ah somehow the man is feeling now, must be very frantic because he is worried about her.

"I'm so sorry for him, he must have been busy looking for me earlier.

" Ellena whispered, looking at a series of call history from Richard.

"Ah, how about the meeting with Mr. Adley? Could they possibly cancel the meeting? Arrgh!

" She added with a frustrated sigh.

Ellena placed her cell phone on the table, intending to ignore Richard's unread message. She then lay curled up on the bed while remembering the events of a few hours ago. Ah, if only she had managed to meet Adley, she might have met Lucas by now. However, even if that happened, her future fate would not necessarily be good. Maybe getting away from Lucas was the best way for her right now. At least he would live a much calmer life.

Not until 5 minutes Ellena lay down, suddenly a knock on the door echoed. It was clear who had created the commotion in the room.

"Come in, Ma'am!

" asked Ellena, shouting a little.

Not long after, the door to the room opened and Briana appeared from behind the door. Ellena was still in the same position, sleeping on her side with her hands used as pillows. She seemed very reluctant to get up, even though now her mother had approached and sat on the edge of the bed near her.

"You didn't eat first?

" Briana asked softly as she rubbed Ellena's back gently.

"I've eaten, Ma'am.

" Ellena replied, forcing a little smile. She had to lie, in order not to make her mother worried.

"I'm so tired I want to go to sleep.

" She added.

Brianna took a deep breath. A sad look went to Ellena's face as if she knew what her daughter was going through right now.

"In front there is Mr. Richard waiting for you,

" said Briana which suddenly made Ellena instantly rounded. However, she quickly changed her expression as best he could, in order not to make her mother suspicious.

"Mr. Richard must be worried because he thinks I'm missing. Ma'am, please tell him that I'm fine. Also tell him that I'm asleep. I'm really sleepy, I don't want to see anyone.

" Ellena explained as best she could. looks suspicious.

Briana smiled. However, deep down she was really worried about her daughter.

"Okay.

" She said as stroked Ellena's back one more time, then got up and left the place.

Meanwhile, Ellena was still in the same position. Instantly clear liquid filled the corners of her eyes until it was unstoppable and spilled in seconds.

***

In the morning, as usual, Ellena left for work, although her body still ached in several places. Not to mention puffy eyes from crying all night. However, that did not defeat Ellena's enthusiasm to keep going. There is something more important and needs to be fought for than just her feelings, which is family.

Ah, if she had a lot of money, she might have called Martin and asked him to go home or asked her younger brother to transfer to another university that was there, so that she would no longer burden her husband, when he himself was no longer devoted to the man.

Ellena stepped slowly, but surely into the office building. Her steps stopped in front of the elevator doors, just before the metal doors opened automatically. In a flash she stepped inside and as fast as lightning the elevator took her to the 3rd floor.

Her steps swayed again when the iron door opened again. Ah, somehow she had to face Richard today. She must have asked her a lot of questions. Ever since she woke up, she thought about it. However, until now still have not found an answer.

Surrendering her fate completely to God was the path she chose at this time. Hope God will help, somehow.

Before Ellena could end her daydream, she suddenly jumped in surprise when she just opened the door and entered the work room. On reflex he took a step back while stroking her chest. How come? Anyone would be surprised when suddenly found the boss who was sitting back in his work chair.

"M-Mr Richard?

" Ellena muttered as she pursed her lips which had been flabbergasted.

"Why do you look so surprised, Patricia?

" Richard asked, staring intently at Ellena, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Good morning, Sir.

" Ellena greeted softly as she bowed slightly, as a sign of respect.

With a feeling of doubt, Ellena stepped back to the desk where Richard was, after she managed to close the door to the room again tightly.

"How come you've arrived at the office, Sir?

" Ellena asked pleasantly, trying to suppress the tremors that had not been absent from her body since she had found Richard there.

"Sit down!

"

Without another word, Richard immediately asked Ellena to sit down. The gaze of the pair of eagle eyes is sharp, as if it is aiming for its prey.

Ellena sighed heavily as if she already knew what she was about to experience a moment later. She forced to land in front of the desk opposite the chair that was supposed to be her current seat, but Richard had already taken the seat.

"I'm sorry, Sir.

" Ellena relented, trying to suppress Richard's escalating emotions.

"No need to apologize. You just need to explain, where did you go yesterday that you had to leave the meeting that was in sight?

" Richard replied emphatically.

Unlucky. What should Ellena answer? In fact, she didn't know where the two men had taken her. Even if she knew that, it would be impossible to tell Richard. So what should she say to her boss? In fact, finding a reasonable excuse was not easy for her.

"Patricia, answer my question!

" said Richard as he sat up and lowered his hands from his chest.

"Hm ... th-that, Sir ....

" Ellena hung her words as nervous feelings were attacking her body and soul. Even she couldn't concentrate properly because of that. The proof until now she still can not find the right answer.

"What? Answer!

" Richard firmly didn't want to give Ellena another chance to think.

"I-I … I went—

"

"With Rully? Employee in this office, huh?

" concluded Richard who suddenly made Ellena rounded.

Ellena immediately thought that Richard knew about it from her mother and Richard seemed to believe it, but she just replied casually to her mother. Even the figure Rully mentioned, she didn't know him at all. However, Richard's question seemed to suggest that there really was an employee named Rully in the office.

Ellena swiftly nodded, confirming Ellena's words.

"In fact, there's no employee named Rully here, Patricia!

"