Page 157 of The Protégé

The ordeal regarding the sex video and the kidnapping took a toll on me.But I also wanted him to have time to deal with his family crisis. After learning his cousins were behind the horrendous crimes, I knew his father needed him.

Mynew phone buzzed with a message from Orion:

Orion:Can I stop by on Saturday? Please?

Elena:Okay.

Orion:I’ll bring dinner.

Elena:Okay. See you then.

When he’d brought me home from the hospital, he told me the video was fake. Chantel and Jonah had used AI software to create a deepfake of him. But we never had time to talk about what had broken my heart.

I’d asked Orion and Reid to keep the kidnapping from my mother. I didn’t want her to worry.

Nerves churned in my stomach.

What now?

After having gone through what felt like an entire soul makeover, I was afraid of the signs from my body.

The past few times I was nervous foreshadowed horrific events. But I remembered my grandmother saying that a warning was just preparation.So I prepared my mind for whatever was to come.

I knew Orion still had feelings for me. But what if he suddenly decided to live in Sweden or somewhere in Europe to be closer to his father? I heard their relationship had improved, which made me extremely happy.

My phone buzzed again, and I grinned at the text message from the girls.

Vivian:I have an impromptu charity event at the top of the Skyline Building. Can you attend to do a write up? It’ll be great for Musepaper.

Audri:I’ll come! What’s the event?

Kiera:Dress code?

Vivian:Black tie with a dinner from the recent winner of Best World Chef.

Audri:I won’t miss that!

Michelle:Sorry, Viv. I’m in Iceland right now.

Natalie:I’ll be there.

I smiled as I watched the messages pop up one after another.

Vivian:Where’s Elena?

Elena:I’ll be happy to attend. Just give me the time and date.

Vivian:This Friday at 7pm. Thanks, babe!

Kiera:So how are things with you and Orion?

Elena:I’m meeting him on Saturday.

I still loved Orion, but my insecurity had gotten the best of me. If I didn’t tell him what was bothering me, it would lingerlike a dormant virus. Better to face the issue now and heal once and for all.

At a glance it seemed stupid and silly. But for someone in love, these little things mattered.

Natalie:He loves you.

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