Elisya was stunned to run into Brigetta. She hadn't expected to encounter her so soon. After learning about the affair between her and Arteus she never wanted to see her again.
"What do you want Brigetta?" Elisya asked icily. She had no desire to engage with someone who had schemed to ruin her life, out of jealousy.
"What do I want? Do you even have the courage to ask that?" Brigetta spat in a loud tone, drawing the attention of those around them.
"Ely, let's leave here. I don't think she is worth our attention," Eithan urged as he grabbed Elysia's hand, ready to leave. But Brigetta wasn't finished.
"Look at her, a married woman having an affair with her own brother-in-law," she said, her words dripping with malice and disgust.
Elysia couldn't believe what she had just heard. The pot called the kettle black. What an irony. Brigetta, of all people, accusing her of wrongdoing.
Instead of crumbling as Brigetta had expected, Elysia advanced toward her with a steely glint in her eyes.
"Brigetta," she began, her voice dangerously calm, "Your lies are as clear as your motives. I refuse to be dragged down to your level of pettiness. You can slander me all you want but know this—" Elysia paused, placing a firm hand on Brigetta's shoulder, "When I strike back, you won't be able to show your face to the world.
With that, Elysia turned away, held Eithan's hand, and walked away, leaving Brigetta stunned in her place.
= = = = = =
Elysia stopped in the secluded area of the building. Her heart raced after the confrontation. She took a deep breath realizing Eithan's hand, and attempted to steady herself.
"Woah, what in the world was that Ely?" Eithan said with a face full of surprise.
"Eithan, I couldn't stay there letting her spew nonsense and even dragging you in the mess," Elysia pronounced. "I think she is living in a twisted reality where she thinks she is a victim."
Eithan nodded in understanding, "I get it, but you handled it gracefully. You didn't let her trample over us."
"Thanks, Eithan, Let's just leave her behind and see the broker," she showed her gratitude to Eithan and walked away from there with him.
As they toured around various places and studios for Elysia's future office, none of them seemed to match the taste she wanted. Each location had its flaws, whether it was too small, lacked natural light or the atmosphere didn't fit.
Elysia sighed in disappointment and frustration, "None of these places are according to my preferences."
"It's alright. We will look around a few more places and find the perfect place eventually," Eithan reassured Elysia. "Why don't we have something to eat before heading to office hunting?"
Elysia's eyes lit up at Eithan's suggestion. "That's wonderful! I almost forgot about the lunch amidst all this stuff."
"I knew it, when you put your head in something, you leave everything behind even your health." Eithan chuckled and led the way out of the studio where they were at.
Eithan brought her to a nearby restaurant, and they both found a corner seat, avoiding all the hustle and bustle.
A waitress came to take their order. Eithan was the one to order the food for both of their tastes.
"Damn! You know me really well," Elysia smiled and sipped some water that was already prepared on the table.
"Yes!" Eithan exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air triumphantly. acting as if he had accomplished something big. "So, you are finally ready to ditch my brother and recognize the goodness in me?"
"What?" Elysia couldn't help but laugh at this. She was about to say something when her cell phone started to vibrate. She took out the cell phone from her purse, and a bright smile appeared on her face.
"Speaking of the devil," she said and waved her cell phone before picking up the call. "Hello," she greeted Trustin.
"How is your day going? Did you find your pick?" Trustin asked calmly.
"Oh no, it was a disastrous day," Elysia complained to Trustin and continued to do so. "You know, I ran into my sister at the broker's building, she accused me of something I never did, and then my whole day was ruined. I couldn't find a suitable place for myself."
Trustin patiently listened to every word she had to say without interrupting her. "So, you were bullied by a gold digger and didn't get any result of your trip, but amidst all these, did you eat something?" He inquired after Elysia was done complaining.
"This is the only good part of the day," Elysia smiled as she glanced at Eithan. "Your brother took me out for lunch and now he is suggesting me to leave you and marry him instead."
"What!?" Tustin's voice changed from calm to confused.
Eithan was taken aback when Elysia told Trusting about their casual conversation. He snatched the cell phone in a rush and glared at her.
Elysia was shocked! He had never looked at her with those angry eyes before. She didn't say anything and sat there in silence.
"Brother, please do not take her words seriously. I was just joking around her," Eithan's head started to sweat as he tried to clarify himself.
"Why are you telling me this?" Trustin asked nonchalantly.
"Well, you know, these things happen between friends. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be saying this to your wife," Eithan apologized, even though Trustin hadn't said anything. He didn't want anything to cause a misunderstanding between them.
"Eithan, you are my baby brother and I know you and Elysia are friends, and kidding around is common between friends," Trustin pronounced. He made sure that Eithan didn't feel any pressure.
Eithan wiped the sweat off his forehead, taking a deep breath of relief, "Thanks a lot, brother. I am grateful for your kind words."
Eithan talked a little longer, exchanging a few more words with Trustin, before finally hanging up the call. He handed the cell phone back to Elysia, whose gaze was fixated on him with a bewildered look.