El was utterly shocked when she saw Dwane.
She held the staircase tightly.
She felt drained and exhausted at the sight of him.
Dwane looked at both of them, Alec was shirtless, only wearing his boxers. El had Alec's shirt on above her underclothes.
"I thought you left for Barnesville yesterday." Alec said.
Dwane scoffed.
"That vixen has been toying with me all this while. But no more."
He sneered with anger, his veins visibly popped from his forehead.
The couple stood at the same place on the stairs.
Ignoring Dwane, Alec held El's hand and walked her back to their room.
El was still stupefied.
"Wear something, let's go out for lunch." Alec told her as he dressed himself.
"I'm tired, Alec. She sat as she dropped herself on the bed.
"My whole body hurts."
She didn't mind her pain earlier but when she saw Dwane her agony intensified in ten folds.
"I don't want to leave the room."
Looking at her exhausted face, Alec replied,
"Sure. I'll have Patty get you something to eat and I'll be back in a few minutes."
He kissed her forehead and left.
El couldn't let herself rest, she had to know what Dwane was up to now that her plan had failed.
She reluctantly dressed herself and walked downstairs enduring through her pain.
"You should be resting." Alec said looking at her pale face.
"I'm fine" her voice was low and hoarse.
"Fine, but don't strain yourself." She nodded and they took their seats.
"She has been in South-Hills all this while. I won't fall for her lies again." Dwane growled.
"What do you mean?" Alec asked.
"It's all a ruse, a Long Elaborate Ruse." He scoffed aloud.
"I really underestimated her, that whore is really smart, I'll give her that."
"It'll be more fun strangling her now, I understand her plans now, this time I'll catch her by surprise." A menacing smile crept on his face sending chills down El's spine.
"I'll find her this time, soon. And fu.."
"Dwane..." Alec stopped him remembering Ricky's words about El's sensitivity towards Dwane's harsh words.
"Let him speak," El said as she confidently leaned back and crossed her legs, surprising both of them.
"Tell us Mr. Farehya, what is it that you plan to do?" She asked him directly without any care in the world.
She was fed up with fear and anxiety overwhelming her. Letting go of her fear she asked him,
"How do you plan to kill Michelle Ford?" Her pale face exuded exhaustion as well as a laid back nature.
"Stop it El." Alec said.
"You are tired, go take some rest." She rolled her eyes and rubbed her forehead.
"I'm starving." She said ignoring his words.
******
That evening,
"He finally saw through your plan. But you can't let him get into your head, stay calm junior." Mark said.
"I'm calm. I don't care what he is up to, he can't reach me" She said.
"Good"
Mark gave her a new phone, "Only Isobelle and I have the number. Give it to your grandma but see that no one else has it." Michelle nodded.
*******
The next evening,
' We have a charity event to attend, be ready when you arrive.' Alec texted El. She reached Alwils Villa after completing her routine with Mark.
"You are late." Alec said. Ignoring his disappointment,
"I'll get ready soon," she said as she hurried to her room.
An hour later, The couple arrived at the charity event.
"You guys are so late." Ricky exclaimed.
"Nice meeting you too Ricky." El rolled her eyes at him.
The events had guests from the most prominent business and family backgrounds and popular celebrities.
Alec introduced El to a few of the guests she didn't know. He made her engage in small talks with the guest for the sake of socialising and she did it with grace.
"I hate this." She told Ricky in a low voice.
"You and I both, sister." He replied.
El and Ricky stood at a corner chatting while Alec spoke with his business associates and other guests.
A few minutes later, El and Ricky were still struck in the same spot, busy talking and making jokes, ignoring everyone around.
"El," Alec called out.
She turned and looked at him with the same calm smile she always had plastered to her face.
Everytime Alec saw her, everything else ceased for a moment and he was captivated by her tranquility.
"Uh," he shook his head, getting back to reality.
"Meet.." he turned to his side and El clearly saw the person behind him.
It was Daniel Ford. El was stunned as the smile disappeared.
"Meet Mr. and Mrs Ford. You know grandma Alexandra's son. He is one of the top billionaires from Barnesville.
And this is my wife, El Wilson." Alec said introducing them.
El's face was still ashen. For four long years she hadn't seen or spoke to her parents. She stood still without responding. It was like time had stopped and life had played its cruel game again.
After a few seconds, "You've got a beautiful wife, Alec." Lyla said.
"Thanks aunt Lyla." Alec replied.
"Thank you for being a good host to my mother." Daniel said, looking at Michelle. She still stood wordlessly in front of them.
"It was my duty." Alec replied, sensing El's silence.
Seeing that their daughter didn't wish to say anything Daniel and Lyla excused themselves.
"what's wrong El? Why didn't you say anything?" Alec asked.
"Stop grilling her, she is not used to such a social atmosphere." Ricky defended her being aware of her state of mind
"Let's go, I don't feel fine." El said, looking at Alec.
"But.." Alec was hesitant
"I'll drop you." Ricky volunteered.
"No need." Alec wasn't willing to let go of El.
"I'll come with you, let's leave." He said.