Elena- Paradox

1 month later,

My heels clicked against the glass floor. The sound of my steps echoed through the grand hall of Zhao Mansion. A big huge Bungalow belonging to my parents. It was as empty as I remembered. The big hall had fully furnished sofa's, a table centered between perfectly. Above that lingered the huge chandelier, the same one where it all began. It was as if all over again, I was at the same crossroad. Or was it a crossroad at all? This time it seemed a one way, which wad equal steps back and equal steps forward.

My steps halted as I turned to look up, admiring the grand decorations. There was a deafening silence, no chatter of workers as I remembered. No small steps of my grandmother. Nobody calling my name out loud for me, lovingly. It was just me and the huge hall. Memories kept flushing back, of childhood, of the early stages of my teenage, of the time spent in chasing my cousins around. A smile formed on my lips as I took a look around. My hands grazed against the expensive leather of the couch as I walked about it.

"Finally, my daughter has made time for her poor parents." My mother's voice echoed behind me. It snapped me out of a trance. I snapped my head back towards her, stepping down elegantly from the far right stairs. She never made a sound when she walked, she was as beautiful, as elegant and as slick as I remembered her. No wonder her and Madam Liang were such good friends. She walked towards me with a smile.

"Yes." I wanted to hug her, yet something held me back. I never hugged her. It wasn't the family's tradition.

"How was your trip?" I asked her as she held my arm gently and guided me to sit down across from her. The bustle in the background distracted me from the uncomfortable feeling in my chest.

"It was the best vacation me and your father have ever had. He was truly content and so happy that you were back. He even wanted to fly in earlier to see you but then we knew you wouldn't like it." She said, crossing her legs. I nodded gently. A small huff of laugh left my lips.

There was silence for a while. The tea was served. As expected the young, youthful servants dressed neatly in black. Three cups. Father would join us?

"You said on call it was something urgent, what is it mother?" I asked leaning back. And then I noticed how her smile faltered just gently. She looked down for a second and then back up. Something passed her eyes as she tried smiling.

"I was just like you Elle. None of us would really like to comply to a man. I preferred chasing my dreams, working. When I got married to your father, I did not have much choice. I do not come from a rich family, neither did your father. We built this together, as you know." She pressed her lips tightly together, yet smiling.

"Yes." I added. My eyes starting to glide over her features, noticing and wondering.

"Unfortunately I was unable to bear any more children. You are the only heir Elena, you are the one we can ever have expectations from. But running this alone, is going to be difficult. In last couple years, a lot has happened in the company. Our shares have gone down and your father and I are afraid this will only get worse. But our age has passed, we have lived. It is about you, who has to take this further."

"What do you mean?" I frowned. I can do this alone.

"Liangs have always been an ally, and we want to make this alliance into a stronger one. You knew this when you were young, you know it now." I did. But I guess it did not matter how much I regret it now; to know and to understand. I remembered her words when I was eighteen, when I chose to fall in love with Johnathan. When she had asked me, 'If you ever get to marry brother Liang, would you?'

I had nodded without a doubt. And somehow I should not have. I knew where the conversation was heading was no good.

"You're going to marry Johnathan Liang." My father's voice snapped from a distance. It was loud, it was clear and it was a statement. My chest tightened. I had known this would happen, I had prepared for if this happened but not this way. I had not thought that it would be this early, not when I hadn't proved myself. I hadn't thought they didn't trust me enough to give me a chance. Johnathan? Who looked at me like a menace, like he resented me. The same Johnathan who had broke my heart, chose someone else?

"No!" I whispered. As if he heard it, his stature walked over, taking a seat beside my mother. His hand rested behind her shoulders and he stared at me with amusement.

"You don't like the surprise Elena, but I guess we had a talk about it before you chose to run away." His eyes were cold, reminding me of how hurt he was when I chose myself.

"If you didn't leave, we would trust you. If you didn't just walk away, we wouldn't even be in such a critical condition." He sighed, pushing his spectacles up his nose. His tone was crisp. A finality was there in his words. He was not lying. But did he ever care about what I had been going through. How difficult it had been for me to breathe the same air as them. I looked down. My eyes stung with heat.

"This is what is important, and this is decided. If you want inheritance, I have given you a way. For once Elena, choose your family over your own interest." He said. I noticed my mother's sadness flickering in her own eyes. She held his hand over my father's rubbing it. I turned my eyes to him and I saw finally, the gentleness beginning to form on my dad's face.

"But dad, Johnathan would never agree. He loves somebody else." I added.

"The relationship ended sooner than it started Elena." My father's voice was filled with irritation. What?

"And he has already agreed. In fact the Liangs are just waiting for us to give them a date for the engagement."

Why would he agree? Why would he put me through this? Why would he just let me go? He knew better, what he had done. Then why?

"Okay." I gulped. A ripple of pain ripped through me. My shoulders felt heavy. I couldn't breathe as if somebody has strangled me. There was so much ache spreading across my neck and my spine. I looked down.

"You two will get engaged next week. Your mother will tell you the rest. I am happy Elle." My father's voice softened. I smiled back gently. Three of us had a shared misery. When my eyes went to my mother's face. I saw the underlaying truth she had realized. Something along sympathy and empathy danced in her eyes. My chin trembled but I smiled.

"I choose you guys." I said, My voice almost broke but I held back. I got up and started walking away. None of them called for me, none of them pulled me in their arms. This wasn't fair but it was the only way. I took slow and measured steps outside, wanting to run away from the truth all over again.

***7 Years Ago***

"ELENA" a loud voice echoed through the bungalow. I rolled my eyes to myself. My eyes turned away from the page of the books to the door of my room. Mom again?

5,4,3,2 and 1. The door opened with abruptly. I smiled gently.

My mother's serious expression never failed to amuse me as much as it should have been scary. "Yes Mom?" I asked back. "Your cousins are waiting. Madam Liang wants to see you, her and your brothers are finally back from the states." She said. Her tone was cold.

"You better put yourself together and get downstairs." and with that she left.

"Close the door." I said but the door was still ajar. She did that every time! My blood pricked at the thought how in this household they didn't ever prioritize privacy and alone time. I did not want to see anyone that day. Moreover, I felt drained enough after spending the whole day with my cousins. I put the book aside, leaving my bed. I slipped into my shoes and headed downstairs.

As I descended the stairs, just as usual, something was starting to build within my chest. Was it anxiousness? Why? I had grown up with Johnathan and James. They were my friends. Maybe it was because I had not seen them in three years now. I turned my head gently as I stepped down. In the huge hall, the usually silent place was replaced with a chatter and full of people. My eyes shuffled through the faces.

My eyes met with a pair of brown eyes. They were staring right at me. I watched, slowly noticing the face. Johnathan. A slow flutter rose in my chest. His face had changed, he looked more boyish, unlike the kid I had seen when he left. He was taller, even while he sat with my cousin. His built had changed too. He was hardly an year older and yet he looked older than all of my cousins sitting there.

Johnathan's eyes didn't leave mine. It was I who looked away. My throat felt dry as I headed closer. There she was, Madam Liang. My favourite aunt. I smiled at her and without a wait she pulled me in her arms. I shut my eyes briefly. "You're back." I said. My smile turning to a grin.

She looked up and down at me a couple time, holding my arms and keeping me at an arm's length.

"God Elle, you have grown up beautifully my dear." She said. I looked down. Heat crept my cheeks. I just wasn't aware if it was her compliment or her son's burning stare on me.

"Come on, Johnathan has turned into an even handsome young man." My mother exclaimed. Once again my eyes met his. I smiled gently this time. He did not. He just nodded his head in a short curt manner. With that I was seated there, right beside Madam Liang and Her son sat across. "How old are you?" Madam Liang asked.

"I turn 19 in a couple months." I smiled.

"She doesn't act like it." My mother claimed. "You don't even get dressed properly." Her voice carried irritation.

"I did not feel like. I am not giving you a chance to drag me outside. I am tired." A frown formed on my face as I gestured my hand towards my cousins giggling and talking. They were in their own world. I bet it was also because Johnathan was there. Madam Liang dismissed my mother's remark.

"Where is James?" I asked.

"He wasn't feeling well. You all should visit us this weekend. I have brought gifts for everyone." It was Madam Liang who replied. I nodded gently.

With that, the womanly conversations continued. I just sat there listening, stealing occasional awkward glances at him. He smiled in midst and we both knew why. It wasn't awkward but rather funny how we just sat there, quiet, all changed, with nothing much to discuss. "Elena." He called my name. I looked up from my intertwined hands.

"hm?" I raised a brow.

"Let's take a walk outside. This is boring." He said. I smiled at him, as gently as ever. There was a feeling of warmth that I felt from his stare. I nodded as we both walked outside in silence.

"I did not expect you to return." I said and to which he huffed a small laugh. "Me neither. Guess I did not have a choice."

"So, what are you planning? Anything Special?" He asked.

"Not really. For now I just want to study and help dad with work." I replied.

"How was your high school here? Mine was wild, it's completely different in the states."

"Boring. I just got through. Since you and James left, I was left with Liam. You know him, he is such a pain in the ass and is always about girls. You can imagine." I rolled my eyes. I heard his laugh. It was light. It was contagious. The throaty laugh I did not expect. His voice was deeper than I remembered.

"Did you not date?" He asked.

I shook my head gently. "Not really. You?"

"I had my share of experience I guess." He said, pressing his lips in a thin line. I nodded again.

I gulped. There was nothing more to ask, or say. I looked at him again, and his eyes were on me. "What?" I asked. He shook his head gently not saying anything. But I saw it in his eyes that day. And the same reason made me nervous. I couldn't help but notice him. The way he walked, the way his hands had grown bigger, his shoulders were broad. I inhaled a tight breath and looked away. No way I felt attracted like this to him. It was such a nuisance because how visible it was. I clasped my hands together.

"Elena, don't catch feelings. I…" He said abruptly. And then silence again. I chose to ignore what he said. I looked at him and then paused in my steps. My eyes met his again and a smile bloomed.

"Like I would." I turned around and ran back inside. My heart was beating tight against my chest. Who knew Johnathan was going to be back this changed?