"Lena, it has been a while. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about our agreement," Mr. Langston's voice was on the phone line, his tone was cool but filled with a hint of impatience.
I hold my phone tightly, taking a very deep breath.
I had not spoken to Mr. Langston since my first day at Elias's company, but his timing was so perfect, as if he had sensed my new found hesitation.
"I have not forgotten, Mr. Langston. I just… haven't found anything useful yet. Elias is very careful. He keeps his files secure, and he does not discuss private matters with me." I said.
There was a pause before Mr. Langston spoke again, his tone was dropping into something very dark.
"Lena, I didn't put you there for some silly excuses. I have seen the reports from your mother's doctors. Her health is already declining her every day without treatment puts her at more risk."
My heart sank. "I know," I replied, barely above a whisper. "But it is not as simple as you think. Elias is… guarded. He does not let anyone close to him at all, especially not a new assistant."
"That is where you are very wrong, Lena," Mr. Langston interrupted me, his voice was kind of a threat.
"He trusts you more than you really thinks. You have been given access to his office, his files. All I need is information from you, anything that gives me an advantage over him."
My jaw dropped. The guilt I had been wrestling with only got stronger.
Elias had opened up to her recently, shared a painful part of his past.
He was beginning to trust her, and here she was, being asked to betray that trust. "Mr. Langston," I started slowly, "Elias is not… he is not the man you have made him out to be. I am not sure there is anything that's there to find."
"You are not sure?" Mr. Langston's voice sharpened. "Let me remind you why you are there again, Lena."
"Your mother's life depends on this. I've already arranged for her initial treatments, but they are not free. I expect those results you are suppose to give me in return."
My grip on the phone tightened, I was feeling very frustrated under my calm voice. "And what if I can't deliver those results on your timeline? I am really doing my best here, but Elias is not careless. He doesn't leave things lying around for just anyone to see."
"Then be more creative," Mr. Langston replied, his voice was unkind.
"A woman in your position has to be very resourceful. You are smart enough to find something if you put in much more effort. Or have you grown too much… comfortable there?"
Her stomach rolled at his words. "Comfortable? This has never been about my comfort. I am just doing this for my mother. But I don't want to destroy someone's life in the process."
Mr. Langston's voice was soft, though it carried a danger underneath.
"And what about your mother's life, Lena? If you are waiting because you have suddenly developed a conscience, remember what is at stake."
"You are helping me protect our company, keep Elias from gaining ground he does not even deserve. You can't afford to let emotions cover your judgment."
I swallowed very hard, looking around the quiet office, my heart racing. "You are asking me to ruin someone who… who has been nothing but just nice to me."
Mr. Langston's laugh was very low and dangerous. "Nice? Don't be fooled, Lena. Elias is just as ruthless as he is. He just knows how to play the part, make people believe he is trustworthy."
"It is all an act. The man cares about profit and power, nothing else. You are just a means to a profit for him, nothing more."
I bite my lip, I was caught between my guilt and my fear of failing my mother. "I don't know if I can actually do this," I whispered, almost to myself.
"You don't have a choice, Lena," Mr. Langston said quickly. "You will either help me, or I pull my support for your mother's treatment. It is that simple."
I closed my eyes, feeling the heavy weight of his words pressing down on me. "That is not fair. You know I will do anything for her."
"Then prove it to me," Mr. Langston replied coldly. "This is business, Lena, and sacrifices have to be made. Get close to Elias, earn his trust, and deliver what I need to me. If you can't… well, then I will have to find someone who can do the job."
My hands was shaking as I held my phone. "Fine," I said through a new found determination to continue. "I will… I will find something. But I need more time."
Mr. Langston's voice was soft, but there was no warmth in it. "That is all I ask. You have one week, Lena. One week to make progress. And remember, if you succeed, your mother's health is assured. Don't let your emotions cover your priorities."
The phone sounded as he hung up, leaving me in total silence.
As I put my phone into my pocket, my mind was filled with emotions battling with each other.
I could feel myself trapped between two impossible choices, loyalty to Elias or saving my mother.
Elias had shared something so real with me, shown me a weakness I had not expected.
And yet, Mr. Langston held my mother's life in his hands.
I was very angry with myself, whispering to myself , "What am I supposed to do now?"
Just then, the office door opened, and Elias walked in, looking my way. "Lena, is everything alright?"
Shocked, I quickly composed myself, putting on a normal smile. "Yes, of course. I was just… organizing some files."
He studied me with a curious, almost seems to know what I was thinking gaze. "I just received a call from one of our board members. They mentioned Mr. Langston has been rather… active lately. Anything I should know?"
My stomach dropped, but I forced myself to keep my expression very calm. "Not the one I am aware of. Why would he be?"
Elias narrowed his eyes, watching me carefully. "Because I can't afford loose ends, Lena. Not now, with everything I have worked for on the line. You will tell me if you heard anything… unusual, will you not?"
I swallowed, my heart was pounding as I forced myself to nod and answer. "Of course, Elias. I am here to help anyway I can."
For some time, his gaze was softened, but his voice was slightly angry or even impatient. "Good. I am always counting on you. Don't let me down please."
As he walked away, I could feel the weight of my situation crushing me from all sides.
I was caught between loyalty and desperation, I knew I had to make a choice and the choice is very very soon.
But with every passing day, that choice felt harder and harder to make.