Chapter 55 In Case You Forgot
The morning sun came through the small window of Mandy’s apartment, lighting up the homey space.
Elena sat at the tiny kitchen table, staring at a piece of toast she couldn't bring herself to eat. The "Project Angel" files were still sitting on the coffee table in the next room, a constant reminder that her life was a lie.
Mandy walked out of her bedroom, tying her hair back. She looked tired.
She checked her wallet and sighed. "I’m a little low on cash today, Elena," Mandy said, her voice soft. "But don't worry. I have a big client coming into the spa later this afternoon. Once that’s done, I’ll have more than enough money for both of us to eat well for the next few days. Business is just a little slow right now, but it’ll pick up in three days."
Mandy had a big spa in the center of the city and drove around in luxury cars.
Somehow, the idea of being low on cash so soon didn't make much sense.
But from when she'd arrived at the small apartment, she knew something wasn't adding up. But Elena was too drowned in her own troubles to start being nosey.
“Hey, are you listening?" Mandy asked and touched her shoulders.
Elena nodded and jerked up with a smile that didn't touch her cheeks.
“Yeah, but there's enough for a few days. We just have to be careful."
Elena felt a lump in her throat. She was used to never thinking about money, and now she was watching her friend struggle just to buy bread.
"I feel so bad, Mandy. I promise I will pay you back every cent. I shouldn't be a burden to you like this."
"Stop it," Mandy said, putting a hand on Elena’s shoulder. "We are friends. You’d do the same for me. Just eat your breakfast and try to relax."
As Mandy went to get her bag, Elena’s phone, which she had kept on silent, buzzed on the table.
Elena looked at the screen and froze. Her heart felt like it stopped beating.
Francis.
“Shit!"
She had completely forgotten about him. Between the discovery in Savannah, the flight, her father disowning her, and the secret military project, the blackmail had slipped her mind.
But Francis hadn't forgotten.
"What is it?" Mandy asked, noticing the look on Elena’s face.
"It’s Francis," Elena whispered. She looked up at Mandy, her eyes wide. "Why is he calling me now? I don't have the strength for this.”
“Oops, you didn't get around to paying him off, did you?"
“Julian took us to Savannah in days, I couldn't stop thinking but then I forgot. I think I've even been missing his calls."
“Okay, relax. But this is bad, really bad."
"I know that. I mean, I don't have Julian to protect me anymore. If I go see him, who knows what he’ll do? He’s a coward, but he’s a mean one."
Mandy sat back down. "Elena, you have to talk to him. If you don't settle this, he will release that video. Think about it. You just left Julian. If a sex tape with your ex-boyfriend comes out now, everyone will think you're just a cheating wife who ran away to be with her lover. Nobody will believe anything you say about Project Angel. You’ll be ruined before you can even tell your story."
Elena put her head in her hands. "You’re right. I have to sort this out. I have the money Eva gave me, or at least most of it. I was hoping I could just give it to him and he’d leave me alone for a few months while I figure out my life."
"Do you have the full amount?" Mandy asked.
Elena shook her head. "No. I had to use some of it to pay for the flight from Savannah, the bus rides, and the food we bought yesterday. I thought I could just take money from my bank to replace what I spent, but I can't. Julian and my father have blocked every single card. If I try to use one, they’ll know exactly where I am in seconds."
Mandy didn't say anything for a moment.
She reached into her work bag and pulled out a small envelope. She opened it and counted out some cash. It was crisp and didn't look like she was running out of cash.
“Are you sure?" Elena asked although she wanted to ask a different question.
"How much are you short?" Mandy asked.
When Elena told her the amount, Mandy didn't hesitate. She handed the cash to Elena. "Take it. Don't talk about paying me back later. Right now, you have to handle Francis. You can't have this scandal hanging over your head while you're trying to hide from a billionaire."
Elena felt tears coming to her eyes. She hugged Mandy tightly. "I have no idea what I would do without you. Thank you."
"Just get it done," Mandy said. "Call him, meet him somewhere public, and get him to delete that file forever."
"Thank you,” Elena sobbed.
"Yeah, call me and send your live location,” Mandy said, hugged her and left.
After Mandy left for work, Elena gathered her courage and called Francis. He answered on the first ring, his voice sounding smug and annoying.
He told her to meet him at a dive bar on the outskirts of the city. At first, Elena was terrified he would suggest a hotel room.
The thought of being alone with him in a room made her skin crawl. A bar felt safer.
There would be people around. It would be a business transaction. She would give him the cash, he would delete the evidence, and she would walk away.
She got ready quickly. She didn't want to look like Elena Vance or anyone fancy, so she put on a pair of plain black leggings and sneakers. She wore an oversized hoodie that hid her shape and pulled the hood up.
To top it off, she pulled a baseball cap low over her face. She looked like just another girl on the street.
She called a cab and gave the address. As the car moved through the city, she kept looking out the back window.
She was terrified she would see a black SUV following her. She was terrified Julian had already found her. But the streets were normal.
When the cab pulled up in front of the bar, Elena took a deep breath. She looked around the street one last time. No one was watching her. She felt a small sense of relief.
She pushed the glass door with a deep sigh. “Let's get this over with."
Then she slipped into the bar.