THE ELITE AGENT

45. RISE OF STARS.

Alex's POV:

Silence.

Skin-trembling cold painful silence. A quietness after the storm. But all of us had erratic heartbeats. My jaw drops as shock registers in my brain leaving me paralyzed. Why did Ben have to say that?

The rest of the members had similar reaction. Jessica was frozen and Jen had her hand against her mouth. Jayden and Liam looked shocked as well. But Elena had the worst effect of his stabbing words.

Whatever biting comeback she had died in her throat. Her widened eyes shows how taken a back she was. She blinks to confirm she was in real world. When his words settled in her, she stumbled back.

Like she was shot by him.

Millions of emotions passed through her face. Shock. Bewilderment. Pain. Sadness. Ben shakes his head with guilty expression as he tried to reach for his sister. Elena was quick to take two steps back as she looked away from Ben's sorrow-filled expression. She takes a deep breath with her eyes clenched close as she nods her head.

"Right," Her voice cracks as she kept her gaze away from her brother to the floor. Her hands were clenched close as her face flushes red. My heart involuntarily clenched watching her trying to hold her emotions back.

"Elena, I didn't mean it. I—I am sorry. I didn't—" Ben repeats, his tone persuasive as he tries to make Elena understand that it was a slip of words.

"It's okay," She whispers. Fight leaves her body as she stepped away from Ben. She walks towards the stairs, her shoulders which usually are held straight with pride is now hunched in pain. Her head which was meant to be held high was low as she had her gaze locked on the floor, her arms wrapped around herself as if she wants to prevent herself from spilling her emotions.

How had this day ended so bad?

Ben tries to run after her, but I stop him. His red rimmed eyes look up to meet my red ferocious eyes.

"What were you thinking?!" I spit the words in anger. Of all the people in the world, Ben was never in the list to hurt Elena. And now, here he's standing with remorseful face for his actions.

"I-I wasn't... I don't know. Let me just talk to her."

"You have talked enough, Ben."

I say as he looks away, unable to meet my eyes. I shake my head in disgust as I walk up the stairs. Should I talk to her or let her be? Would it be right to help her when all she would want is to be left alone?

I remember when Meghan revealed her true face making me stunned and devastated. But when I left that place, it wasn't because I want to be alone. It was because what I was watching and realizing is too much for me to handle. But when Elena was there to support me, there wasn't anything else I needed more.

Everyone needs someone to talk to.

I wanted someone to talk to.

And she was there.

How could I abandon her now? I stand in front of the room she's using. I raise my fist to knock but pause. Should I really go inside? What if I wasn't the person she wanted to talk to? How would I console her? What will I tell her?

I shake my head. Overthinking has never in its history solved a problem. And it's never going to. I bring up my fisted hand to knock but just as I placed my hand, the door opens. My eyes narrow.

She didn't lock the door.

I take a small step and push the door open. I tilt my head and peep to see her not inside. My brows furrow as I walk in to look around to see the well kept bed against the wall, a nightstand beside it, a door to the bathroom across it and a few bookshelves. I take a few more steps towards the balcony which had a small sofa where she sat. She was staring into the open air, immersed in deep thoughts. I slowly, carefully take another step forward. Her shoulders were tensed as she rested her hands on her lap.