Lena's POV
I stepped back into the grand hall, my face was really composed as I entered into the crowd.
I had not even gone far before a familiar voice stopped me as I was going.
"Lena."
I turned to find Elias standing a few away, his look was locked on mine.
His usual calm attitude was with something sharper, something that is not readable.
"Yes, Mr. Elias?" I said, keeping my tone normal.
"Can I have a word with you?" His eyes was kind of narrowed at my formality.
I paused for a while but followed him as he led me away from the crowd, he was walking fast.
He stopped near a quiet place, away from many eyes and ears, and turned to face me.
"Care to explain what just happened back there?" he asked me, his voice was low but firm.
"What are you referring to?" I asked carefully.
"You know exactly what I'm referring to, Vivian. What did she say to you?" he said, crossing his arms.
"It is nothing I can't handle. She just wanted to remind me of my 'place.'"
I hesitated, then talked.
"And you didn't think to bring this to my attention?" Elias said.
"I didn't see the need, It is not the first time someone has belittle me, and it won't be the last time." Lena replied.
"Lena, this is not about belittle, It is about boundaries. Vivian has already crossed one." His voice was hard.
"She is your friend, It is not my place to cause trouble between family friends." I said pointing that out.
"And what about you? Should I let her talk to you like that because of some family friends loyalty?" Elias said letting out a sharp breath, he was clearly frustrated.
"I did not say that." I blinked at him, I was shocked by his seriousness.
"No, but you mean it, Let me make one thing very clear to you, Vivian has no right or even authority to speak to you the way she did. If she does it again, you should tell me immediately." he said.
"She didn't say anything I have not even heard before, It is just fine." I said, trying not to take the situation serious.
"It is not fine, You work for me, not her and as long as you do, no one, family friends or otherwise has the right to disrespect you like that." Elias said back, his tone was sharper than I had expected.
I stared at him, not sure of how to respond to him.
"I... appreciate that," I said finally.
"You should not have to, This should not have happened in the first place." he replied, his voice was soft.
Before I could reply him, a familiar voice interrupted us.
"Elias, I hope I am not interrupting." Vivian said, her tone was sweet but filled with lies.
She appeared from around the corner, her expression was too pleased.
"You are," Elias said plainly, his eyes was cold as he turned to her.
"I was just having a conversation with Lena. I didn't realize that would make you angry." Vivian's smile disappeared for a moment before she regained herself back.
"Conversation? Is that what you call it?" Elias repeated, his tone was filled with disbelief.
"If Lena did not understand my intentions, that is not really good. I was just trying to offer some advice about how she sees events like these." Vivian's eyes flashed with so much anger, but she kept her voice very calm.
"Advice? Insulting her in front of many crowd is not an advice, Vivian. It is an attempt to humiliate her. Don't think I didn't notice that." Elias said, taking a step closer to her.
"I was not trying to humiliate anyone, I was just being honest. Isn't that what you really value the most, Elias? Honesty?" Vivian said with irritation on her face.
"What I value, is respect. Something you really lack." Elias said very coldly.
"I was only trying to protect you, Elias. People talk, and Lena's... background raises so much questions. I thought you would want to really know that." Vivian said.
"Don't even pretend this is about protecting me at all, This is about you trying to take control where you don't even have the control. Lena is my employee, not even yours, just stay out of it." Elias said sharply.
"You are defending her? Against me?" Vivian's eyes was narrowed, her voice was very low.
"Yes, And I will do it again if I have to." He replied.
The tension between them was very much and I shifted uncomfortably.
"I see, Well, I hope you know what you are doing, Elias. Loyalty is a rare thing these days." Vivian said, her tone was cold.
With her last word, she turned to leave, leaving a silence.
"Are you all right?" Elias turned back to me, his expression was just so unreadable.
"Yes, You didn't have to do that." I said, though I was feeling far away from what I said.
"Yes, I did, You should not have to deal with that alone." he replied firmly.
"Why do you even care?" I asked, my voice was more quiet than I had planned.
"Because it is my responsibility to make sure my employees are treated with respect. That is just it." Elias paused, then said.
I nodded, though his words left me with much more questions than answers.
"Well, thank you. I really appreciate it." I said after some minutes.
"Don't mention it but remember what I said, if Vivian or anyone else, gives you trouble, you come to me. Understood?" he said, his tone was slightly soft.
"Understood," I said, my voice was steady.
"Good. Now get back to the event before people start asking you questions." Elias studied me for some time, then speak.
I nodded and turned to leave, but his voice stopped me again.
"Lena."
I looked back at him, surprised by the hesitation in his voice.
"You handled yourself well tonight, Better than many would have done." he said.
"Thank you, Elias." A faint smile was on my lips.