THE UNEXPECTED SNAP

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Chapter Nineteen: The Storm I Deserved

Justin's Point of View

The moment Elena walked out, something shifted in the air.

I didn't expect her to leave or snap out, not like that. Not with her eyes blazing like I'd burned every part of her she trusted me with. And when she banged the door, the sound echoed long after she'd gone. Like it slapped me square in the chest.

I just stood there. Watching the space where she'd stood. Waiting for the weight of the silence to crush me. It didn't. Not yet, because I was finding it very hard to believe she did that.

But something inside me cracked.

She didn't even take her phone charger, I did not know why that was what I thought about. That cracked me up then I remembered She was so serious when she left 

I didn't call her. Couldn't. I was too proud. Too stuck in my own anger. Or maybe it was fear. That ugly kind of fear I never liked to admit I had.

I shoved a hand through my hair, returned my hair into a sleek bun , ate my lunch and grabbed my keys, heading to the office because that's what I knew ,control, structure, tasks. Numbers don't argue or walk out on you. They stay and do as you say.

The office lights hummed quietly as I sat in the silence of my private suite, trying to drown her out. But she was everywhere her laughter echoing down the halls from memory, her scent still clinging to the navy cushion on the couch. I even noticed the mug she always used tucked behind the espresso machine and her anger I found amazing.

Why did she have to push so hard?

And why did I push back harder?

It wasn't that I didn't want her to work. I just… I didn't want her seen. Not the way she is, soft but brilliant, warm but capable. I knew men. Knew what they looked at, what they dreamed of stealing.

And Elena? She was the kind of woman you don't just see, you crave and you love every single piece about her.

I told myself it was about protecting what we had because of the public profile we have to keep up but that's a lie.That if she stayed close, we'd be fine. That if she worked under someone else, they'd notice her. And if someone noticed her long enough… they might take her.

They might get her to look at them the way she used to look at me.

And that was a risk I wasn't willing to take.

But now… she wasn't even here.

When I got back home later that evening, everything was too quiet.

The butler, who was dear to me was wiping a glass when I asked, "Where's Elena?"

"She left this morning, sir. Before you left and I don't have any information about her whereabouts. 

"I've told you to stop calling me sir, you are like a father to me" I said to the butler but he didn't budge, so I left him

I paused. "She didn't say where she was going when she burst off in anger right??'

He shook his head.

That was unusual. Elena never disappeared like that.

I pulled out my phone and called her.

Once.

Twice.

Nothing.

By the third call, the line didn't even ring.

Switched off.

My chest tightened.

It was the first time in a long time that the silence scared me and someone did not pick my phone on the first ring.

I threw my phone on the couch, then picked it up again immediately, logged into the private tracking app I'd once insisted that all the cars had especially Elena's car,"for emergencies." She'd rolled her eyes when I set it up, called it ridiculous.

Tonight, it felt less like precaution and more like obsession.

Her location popped up, Naomi's neighborhood.

Of course.

Without wasting another second, I got into the car.

The drive was short but felt long. Every red light was a slap to my patience, every pedestrian a delay I wanted to curse out the window. When I finally pulled up to Naomi's place, I didn't hesitate. I marched up to the door and knocked, hard.

Naomi opened it.

She didn't look surprised to see me. If anything, she looked unimpressed.

"Elena's not here," she said, blocking the doorway.

"I know she is."

"I said she's not here."

I leaned forward. "Tell her that if she doesn't come out now… her father will pay for it."

My voice came out colder than I expected. Even Naomi flinched. But I meant it. I wasn't here for games.

Her jaw tightened. She turned without another word.

Moments later, Elena stepped out slowly, still holding a throw blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

She froze when she saw me.

I froze too.

I didn't know what I expected her to look like. Angry? Broken?

But she just looked… tired.

And stunning.

Like she'd found a part of herself I hadn't seen in a long time.

She stared at me like she didn't know me anymore.

And for a moment, I wasn't sure if she did.

I walked over and opened the car door for her before I could think twice. The move surprised both of us.

She hesitated, went back into the house to get her bags then got in.

I circled around, got in on my side, and shut the door.

The silence between us was sharp, thick, punishing.

I didn't speak until we hit the highway, and even then, I barely recognized my own voice.

I tried making advances for her to speak but she didn't say anything then I took the lead. without thinking.

"You'll start work on Monday," I said flatly.

She blinked. "What?"

"I want you to take the role of Head Accountant."

Her head turned so fast I thought she'd snap her neck. "You what?"

"I've already spoken to HR. I'll make the announcement Monday morning."

Another silence.

But this time, it wasn't just silence.

It was shock, suspicion, trust and Hope.

I kept my eyes on the road.. My heart relieved at the solution I have to the problem. Thank GOD for that idea!! What would I have done.