Chapter 4

ELEANOR.

Eleanor pushed Sebastian away with a force she didn't know she had, her palms stinging from the sudden impact. Her eyes widened in shock as the sound of footsteps grew louder on the stone pavement. Her gaze met the small figure of her son walking toward her.

She sighed in relief as she lifted him, his tiny hands wrapping around her neck. She stared back at Sebastian, whose gaze was fixed on her son with confusion. "Leave!" she shouted, pointing out of the gazebo. The chirping sounds of birds and the cool breeze from the garden reverted her senses to reality. "Now!"

She watched as Sebastian tried to approach her again. She stubbornly waved him away, her hand trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "I don't want this to ever happen again. I have a new life now and a family. Please, I want you to respect that." Sebastian looked from her to her son, his eyes lingering on the little boy before he turned and left. Eleanor sighed in relief as she sat down on a bench, exhaustion washing over her like a wave.

"Mom, who's that man?" her son asked.

"He's your father's friend, that's all," she replied, caressing his dark brown hair. "Go play with your twin. Mommy will join you shortly."

As her son ran off, Eleanor felt a sense of unease wash over her. She couldn't continue living like this. She had to do something.

****

Eleanor didn't know what gave her such discomfort as she got out of the car alongside Lucas. She felt a sense of unease wash over her. The warm evening air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, but it did little to calm her troubling thoughts. She had been thrilled when Lucas invited her to a dinner date for old times' sake, but now her worries were threatening to consume her.

The dimly lit restaurant was adorned with rustic wooden tables and vintage chandeliers, casting a warm glow over the calm atmosphere. She felt comfort as Lucas's hand rested on her back, leading her toward the table reserved for them.

As they collected their menus, Eleanor smiled at Lucas. He was her everything. He had helped her and her mom when they were struggling. He had been her strongest supporter when she needed support the most.

She couldn't let the past jeopardize the future she had worked hard to build. She had to act fast. The soft jazz music played in the background, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation, creating an interruption to her unsettling thoughts.

She reached across the table and took Lucas's hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you for tonight, Lucas. I needed this," she said softly, her eyes locking with his.

Lucas's expression softened, and he brought her hand to his lips, kissing it tenderly. "Anything for you, Eleanor," he replied.

She smiled genuinely as their food was brought to the table. "How did you meet Sebastian?"

"Well, my hotel in Africa needed some creative touch, so I asked my PR management to find me the most renowned, best exquisite artist in the whole of New York City," he paused, taking a sip of his wine. "And I found Sebastian Anderson."

Eleanor nodded, her mind racing with worries. She tried to focus on the conversation, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Sebastian and Marcus.

"I have been meaning to tell you," she paused, trying to grab Lucas's attention. "I want to start working again. I want to go back to my job as a fiction editor."

Lucas stopped eating, and she watched as his expression darkened.

"There's no valid reason for you to go back to work when you can get whatever you need with just a snap of your fingers."

"Lucas, you understand quite well that's not why I want to continue working," she stared at him, tense. "I love my job, and you know it."

"You can't go back to work. I can't allow what happened before to happen again. I can't tolerate another pervert boss assaulting you again. And besides, I bought your writing firm," he stated nonchalantly.

"You did what?!" Her voice sounded pissed as she faced him squarely, ignoring the buzzing incoming messages on her phone. "You don't own me, Lucas, and just because you have so much money doesn't mean you can throw it in my face."

He stared up from his food at her. "There's no problem with working under me, Mrs. Kim. I'll just simply be your boss's boss's boss," he said jokingly, but his humor hit her hard.

"You're so despicable," she scoffed as she stood up, glaring at him annoyed, and hurriedly walked into the restroom to pick up her phone call.

As she entered the restroom, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been building up all evening. It was as if she was being watched. The soft hum of the breeze from the window and the quietness of the restroom slowly calmed her down.

Eleanor took a deep breath as she picked up her call. She removed the cell phone from her ear in haste to avoid her best friend Tessa's voice from damaging her eardrum with her scream.

"Girl, you better start spilling all the tea... what's going on in your life?" Tessa asked, her voice booming through the phone.

Eleanor laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "It's a hell of a rollercoaster, Tessa. I'm so exhausted. I need one of those spa massages you normally organize, and get my hair done, nails done, and look like the sexy ass Eleanor of before."

Tessa squealed with excitement. "Yes, girl, that's what I'm talking about! I miss you so much, Else. It's been so long."

Eleanor smiled, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, I promise I'll visit...," she trailed off as someone entered the restroom.

"Babe, are you there? Don't leave me hanging," she heard her friend say over the phone as she looked over at the person who entered wearing an ash hoodie, dark cargo pants, and a mask. Eleanor's heart raced as the masked figure began to wash his hands in the sink.

"I'll call you back, Tes," she whispered. "Give me a minute." And with that, she ended the call. She scanned the restroom, realizing she was the only one there besides this mysterious figure.

Calculatively, she took her bag, adjusted her black long curvy armless gown, and was about to leave when the figure pulled her back by the hair. "Where do you think you're going, Elle?" he growled.

Eleanor struggled as she realized it was Marcus. He dragged her by her hair tightly, locking the door to the restroom. "You're coming with me."

Eleanor struggled, trying to free herself, but Marcus's grip was hard on her hair, dragging her toward the restroom window. It was a two-sided window, with one side facing the restroom and the other side opening onto a small balcony or ledge. The ledge was just large enough for someone to climb out onto, and Eleanor knew that was exactly what Marcus had planned.

"Marcus, please... you can't keep doing this," she pleaded as she felt his grip softening on her. "Can't you see I love you?" he muttered.

"Can't you see we're meant for each other?" She used this opportunity to jerk free from his grip, using her heels to hit him in the groin from the back. He let loose his hands on her hair as she sprinted to her bag, searching for the panic button Lucas had bought for her.

"That was years ago, Marcus," Eleanor whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "We've both changed. You have to let me go." Marcus regained his strength and grabbed her hair from behind once more.

Slamming her head onto the mirror glass in the restroom, Eleanor's head spun, her eyes closing from the loss of blood as he landed a slap on her cheek twice, angrily. "Do you want me to tell your little secret to the whole world? Huh?!" she heard him say, his voice echoing in her mind as she struggled to stay conscious.

Eleanor became a bit relieved as she heard the noise from the entrance of the restroom as they tried to break through the restroom door. She tried breaking free from his grip as she bought time for them to open the door before he could drag her out through the window.

Abruptly, the door burst open with a loud crash as Lucas charged in alongside his bodyguards. "If any of you move any closer to me, I'll kill her!" Marcus snarled, his voice low and menacing as he held a pocket knife close to Eleanor's throat. The cold metal pressed against her skin, making her heart race with fear.

Lucas's voice was firm and commanding, his anger visible. "Let go of her, now!" he thundered, his eyes blazing with intensity.

Marcus's gaze darted around the room, realizing he was surrounded. A sly smile spread across his face. "I'll come right back for you, my sweet Elle," he whispered, his hot breath on Eleanor's ear making her shudder.

With a sudden movement, Marcus threw her toward the door as he jumped right out of the window. Eleanor landed hard on the ground, the wind knocked out of her.

Lucas rushed to her side, his strong arms lifting her. "Find him, search every nook and cranny. Find that scumbag!" Lucas growled, his voice echoing off the walls, as he gazed out the window where Marcus had escaped.

Eleanor's strength was fading, her vision blurring, and she tugged weakly on Lucas's arm. "Don't.." she pleaded. "Please don't go after him." Her hands slipped from his arms, and she felt herself falling, but Lucas caught her, holding her close.

"Tighten security around the perimeter, make sure no one goes in and out of the estate without proper check," Lucas instructed, his voice firm and commanding as his two bodyguards called backups The alarming moment caused disruption around the restaurant.

"Eleanor, stay with me, we'll get you to a doctor soon." Lucas reassured her.

As he attempted to stand up, Eleanor clung to his chest, her fingers digging into his shirt. "Lucas, don't leave me, please don't leave," she begged.

“I won't go anywhere where”, he whispered “I promise”, his voice soft and reassuring, as he held her tightly. Eleanor felt a sense of safety wash over her, as she smiled up weakly at her husband, her eyes felt heavy and she felt herself drifting away, her vision fading to black as she took in a calm breath and let the darkness embrace her.