Jason's penthouse was sleek, modern, and minimalist – like him. Glass walls framed the New Jersey skyline, a different kind of horizon. Cold light poured in, casting sharp shadows on the marble floor. The air was crisp, untouched. A faint scent of leather and wood polish lingered.
He led Elena in, not looking back. Footsteps echoed, hers softer, his purposeful. The door closed with a quiet thud. The hum of the city outside was a distant murmur.
No warmth. No clutter. Art pieces hung precise, abstract shapes in muted tones. No photos. No personal touches. Just space.
He stopped at the living area, expression unreadable. Elena glanced around, uncertain, eyes touching on the city view, then him. Her gaze lingered, searching for... something.
Jason walked to a window, gaze falling on the city. Outside, the city pulsed. Inside, stillness suffocated. The contrast was stark.
Elena spoke, breaking the quiet. "So... this is it." Her voice echoed slightly.
Jason didn't turn. No response. The only movement was the faint play of city lights on the glass.
After a moment, he turned. "Your room's this way." Tone flat.
He led her down a corridor, stopped at a door. Opened it. Flicked on lights. A neat, impersonal bedroom.
Elena stepped in. He turned away.
"Jason?" Her voice.
He didn't look back. Walked off, footsteps fading.
The door closed softly behind him.
Jason's footsteps faded down the corridor. The door closed softly behind him, leaving Elena alone.
She turned, taking in the room. Neat. Impersonal. A bed, a dresser, a closet. Clean sparkling windows. The lights were dim, artificial.
She moved to the dresser. A small note lay there.
"Clothes in the closet."
Elena's eyes narrowed.
She opened the closet. Clothes hung neat, tags still on. Expensive, stylish – like they'd been picked for her.
She pulled out a dress. Black. Like his mood.
The silence in the penthouse pressed down.
Elena's fingers ran over the dress, the fabric smooth and cool. She hung it back, eyeing the other outfits – all similarly chic, impersonal. No hint of her taste.
She checked the time – 7:45 PM. Early evening. The penthouse was quiet.
Moving to the door, she tried the handle. Unlocked. She stepped out, corridor stretching before her. No sound.
She walked towards the living area, drawn by the city's lights. Jason stood at the window, still.
Elena stopped a few feet away. "What's going on, Jason?"
He didn't turn. "You need to eat. There's food in the kitchen."
She only looked at him.
Silence.
Elena's anger hung in the air like a challenge.
She stalked angrily into the kitchen, finding a spread - untouched food well covered. The aroma of grilled meat hit her, she became hungry immediately.
She quickly ate the food in the kitchen, the she washed the dishes.
When Elena walked out, Jason was no where to be seen, "such cold guy" she thought as she walked back to her new room knowing fully well that she would not be able to sleep
She decided to go back to her father's the next day to pack her stuff, they were too important for her to leave behind.
Elena picked up her phone and placer a call to Adam, immediately, he picked up.
"Are you back?" She asked softly.
"Yes boss, I arrived in the morning."
She paused for a minute before she spoke up. "You remember that apartment I wanted to buy at that time?"
She wanted somewhere save for her work equipments.
"Yes, ma'am." He answered professionally.
"Get it immediately, if it's still available." She then hung up as she thought she heard footsteps, but the noise disappeared almost immediately
Elena laid on the bed, feeling quite disappointed and at the same time- resolved, at first when she had just consented to the marriage, she thought Jason had already agreed to it, who would have thought he was been forced by his father with the company shares?
And now, all blames were on her, he looked at her line some gold digger, she shook her head in self mockery.
"Very fortunate, indeed." She yawned and then closed her eyes to sleep to wake up the next day as mrs Alan.
The day morning, Elena woke up at five in the morning, she felt disoriented. Where was she? The previous day's events flashed through her mind, she was in her matrimonial home.
She got up immediately and ran to the bathroom to freshen up.