CHAPTER 6
Derek's presence in Elle's life stripped her of whatever peace she had in her.
She had thought being with Nicholas would keep him away but it only fueled Derek's urge to come after her even more. Elle couldn't go out without the fear of Derek stalking her or showing up at the exact place she's going to.
If he wasn't doing something along that line, he would be sending her texts or calling her at ungodly hours just to stir that fear inside of her.
Elle brushed her hair softly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She just had her morning bath but even the cold water wasn't enough to calm the heat inside her. As she styled her hair into a ponytail, her phone vibrated on the table.
Elle lowered her head to see who the text was from and if it wasn't the devil she was thinking about.
Elle let out a soft sigh in frustration as she lifted her head back up to apply some lotion onto her face.
"You will not trouble me today Derek, send as many texts as you want, I won't reply." She muttered a resolution as she got herself dressed to resume work.
As she adjusted her short sleeved pink shirt, the phone vibrated again. This time, it was ringing.
Elle slid a palm down her face, her brows pulled together in annoyance and panic.
She bit her lips nervously as she gathered her thoughts, she picked up the phone, without checking the caller's ID.
"What the fuck is your problem? Why the hell are you bothering me?" She snapped immediately when the call got connected.
"Behave yourself." The familiar deep voice from the other end of the line sent shivers down her spine.
'shit shit shit' was the only word ringing in Elle's head. She quickly pulled the phone away from her ear and straight to her eyes.
Upon the realization that she just talked rudely to her boss and supposed husband, Elle felt like disappearing into thin air.
'Think of something, say, something!' her mind urged her to come up with the perfect excuse but she was blank.
"Uh- Um- I didn't mean- I thought you were- It was a mistake. I'm sorry," Elle stuttered herself through the half baked excuse her brain could come up with.
"Oh you will be sorry the next time you talk to me in that manner."
Even though Nicholas was only talking to her through the phone, Elle still stood as stiff as she would if he was right there in the room with her.
"Ye-yes sir," She nodded briskly in response.
"Don't come to meet me at the office, I'm at the restaurant where we'd be having the meeting. I'll send you the address, and be there in fifteen minutes."
That was all Elle heard before the beeping sound of a disconnected call.
Elle heaved a sigh of relief after the call, she massaged her temple as she paced back and forth in the room.
"Ugh! Derek is making a mess of my mind!" She complained aloud.
With clenched fists, she quickly picked up her small black leather bag resting on her red mattress. Elle dashed out of her home and she was lucky enough to find a cab stopping right in front of her.
"Hashrig's Cuisine, W street, block 12," Elle stated as she plopped into the vehicle.
There was no response from the driver but Elle wasn't interested in his response anyway. She placed her head on the car's headrest in a fit to calm her mind but a throbbing part of her heart kept reminding her that she needed to take care of Derek real soon or he could ruin her completely.
Elle shut her eyes for a while, letting her subconscious enjoy the movement of the cab on the road.
Minutes ticked by and Elle opened her eyes, she was staring out the window when she spotted the restaurant she was headed to.
Her heart skipped a beat, "Um- driver. I think you just drove past my destination."
There was nothing but silence.
Elle's paranoia started kicking in but she took a few deep breaths to stay calm.
'This better not be what I think it is.' she thought.
Elle stretched her hand towards the driver seat, "Driver, didn't you hear me? I'm talking to you. You just drove past my location and-"
The moment Elle's eyes caught a glimpse of the driver, she jerked back in fear.
"De-De-You!" She gasped in shock as she stared at him through the rearview mirror.
"Surprise, surprise!" Derek's evil grin made Elle's stomach twist into knots.
"What the fuck are you doing here? Stop the car right now!" Elle yelled.
Derek pulled over by the roadside, "What's with the drama? Didn't you get my message? I told you I'd especially come to pick you up myself if you didn't respond to me."
Elle's heart raced so fast, it looked like it was going to pop out her ribcage.
'How did he even get my address?' she wondered.
With every passing day, Derek was getting more dangerous and daring and Elle wasn't sure she'd be able to cope with any of it.
"This is so unnecessary. Why are you bothering me so much?"
"Don't act oblivious, Elle, we have unfinished business," Derek rubbed his chin deviously as he finished.
"But I've pleaded with you, I've begged you to keep my secret between us but you refused. So why are you after me? What exactly do you want? Money? Name your price." Elle demanded like she wasn't aware of how wealthy Derek was. Money would be the least of his problems but it was worth giving it a shot.
The next sound that filled the car was Derek's hysterical laughter, "You didn't tell me you found a career in comedy, what a joke."
Elle jaws clenched together in embarrassment, "Detek please. I'm in no mood for these talks. I have to be at a meeting in fifteen minutes. If you don't want anything from me, can you stop with the threats? I'm sick of it."
"You better not be in a hurry because I might just decide to send your beautiful pictures to your loving husband. I'm sure he'll love them." Derek chuckled.
Elle's eyes widened in fear, "No please don't do that…just tell me what you want and If I'm capable of doing it, I will."
"Stop talking like you have a choice. You only have two options, Elle. Spend a night with me or Nicholas finds out about your secret."