His Accidental Heiress

Elena’s POV

It takes a whole month for Elliot to visit Café Black, but when I see him stride in through the doors, the memories from that night come flooding in. And it has nothing to do with him. His eyes scan the room until they land on me, serving the same student with her eyes glued to the screen of her laptop.

He waves at me, and I wave back, before heading back to the counter for a coffee refill. When I attempt to serve the other tables, he waves me over.

“Someone else can handle this,” he says. “Come sit with me.”

“But…the manager….”

“Yeah,” Elliot chuckles. “I should make him attend to the tables one of these days, don’t you think? That’s a great idea, Elena.”

"No!" I shake my head once as I slide into the booth with him. "That isn't what I meant. He doesn't like me doing other things while working."

“Well, this isn’t other things,” Elliot answers, shrugging. “You are helping your boss plan out something important to him.”

Elliot calls over one of the other attendants and has her take the tray from me. She doesn't look too happy about that, but when Elliot introduces himself, she does a double-take, forces a smile my way, and then walks away.

She probably thinks being in my good books is better than becoming an enemy simply because it seems I am friends with the owner of the café. She couldn't be any more wrong.

“How are things going around here?” he starts, leaning into the seat.

“Great,” I answer, hoping he doesn’t make me say more than that. But with Elliot’s uncanny ability to look into my eyes and tell that there is something else I am not divulging, I don’t stand a chance.

“Come on,” he drawls. “Tell me. I can’t trust the words of my manager, especially when it comes to human management. And honestly, he seems a little scary.”

“He is scary,” I blurt, then hold my hand up against my lips. “I’m sorry. I should never have said that.”

“I wanted to hear it, Elena. And maybe this is the sign I have been waiting for to ask him to leave. I have heard rumors of his maltreatment from some of the customers, but I have never witnessed it before. If you fear him this much…"

"He makes us fear him," I sigh, allowing the gates to push open. "And then, I run more shifts than I am supposed to, even though it doesn't reflect in my pay at the end of the day,"

“I’m sorry about that, Elena.”

I wave his apology away. "It is worth it, I guess, because I have met some nice people in here as well. Like that student doing her assignment. We barely ever speak to each other because she is always busy, but I like her a lot."

“I’m glad to hear that.” His tone becomes serious as she slides to the edge of his seat. “I need your help, Elena. Remember the girl from the other night? The one who came to meet me?”

I nod.

"Her birthday is coming up soon, and I have no idea what to get for her. I was hoping you could give me some pointers, since you know…"

I don't know why a part of me assumed that Elliot's visit had something to do with the man from that night. He got up before I opened my eyes, and I haven't seen him again since then. Before Elizabeth came to get me, I tried asking around, but no one seemed to know who he was.

Elizabeth said she couldn't remember who was sitting next to me, but she knew that everyone in that circle was a close friend of Jaden, with whom she spent the night. I am just so happy for her that her crush hasn't been in vain.

“What does she like?” I question, trying to sound excited.

“Flowers, a lot of food, great clothing, vacations….the typical girl stuff.”

I stare at him blankly. I am a girl, and I don't think those are the first things that come to mind when anyone asks what I like.

I enjoy some peace, I like Yoga, learning new things, hiking, swimming… But then again, maybe all of these things would have been mentioned if I had grown up rich.

"Why don't you do all of these things as one then?" I suggest. "You could take her out of the country. I heard Japan has great scenery. You can take her shopping in preparation for the trip, get her flowers during a nice date night there, and get her meals. The spa sessions, swimming together, and all of that have to be included."

“Japan,” he muses, stroking his chin. “Why did I never think of that?”

"Hey," Elizabeth chirps as she strolls in unannounced, as usual. I am about to make a comment when the wave of her perfume hits me, and suddenly, it feels like my insides are fighting against each other.

I stiffen for a few seconds, just as my eyes widen. Elizabeth stops. “What is wrong with you, Elena?”

But I do not have the time to answer as I race into the bathroom at the speed of light. I hear someone follow closely behind, but I am more focused on not getting the contents of my stomach on the gleaming marble floor.

Reaching the bathroom, I sit on the floor and throw up into the toilet bowl, retching out the only meal I have eaten all day. Elizabeth grabs some toilet paper and cleans up after me, watching me warily as I lean against the tiled wall.

I have been feeling sick since yesterday. Maybe I should see the doctor.

"What is happening, Elena?" Elizabeth asks quietly. "I noticed this yesterday, too. And you have been complaining of fatigue."

“It could be stress,” I murmur, feeling another wave of nausea hit the moment she steps closer to me. “Or your perfume.”

"I have been using the same thing for years now, and you have never reacted this way to it before."

She stops just as our eyes meet in the huge bathroom.

“Elene, are you…”

I shake my head. No. I can’t be.