Romanticismo Per Caso ❤

Replacement (Lorena's POV)

One thing my mind could not fathom is the idea that Elias had been involved in stealing from small businesses with his family's company. It seemed incomprehensible, like a contradiction to everything I knew about him. Despite my parents' insistence, a gnawing feeling told me they were mistaken.

Elias had a demeanor that could be misconstrued as capable of wrongdoing, but deep down, I believed he was better than that. Yet, my doubt grasped me, impaling me with knives of uncertainty.

Trust had become a luxury I couldn't afford. My heart tugged me in one direction, urging me to stand by Elias' side and to run back to him. On the other hand, my gut told me to be strong and move on, to protect myself from potential harm.

The ongoing conflict between my heart and my brain left me in confusion. Each offered compelling arguments, and I found myself torn between loyalty and self-preservation.

As I analyzed my struggles on the way home from dinner, I realized the road to moving on from Elias, if it came to that, would be a long and arduous one. It was going to be a painful journey, one that my heart couldn't quite accept as a possibility.

I took one long deep breath turning off my car. It started to rain on the way home from my parents dinner, which caused me to rummage in my car for an umbrella. I was already ready to head straight for my apartment room, encountering no one in the process.

This past year has been a mix of emotions, a roller coaster of the best and worst moments of my life. When I got home, I immediately laid down on my comfy mattress. Scarlett, curled up in a cozy ball by my waist, comforted me. Before I drifted off into a realm of sleep, I noticed Scarlet gently nudging my face.

"Aw, what's up princess?" I whispered, a small smile forming on my lips as she sniffed my face. Scarlet had a way of acting like a dog sometimes, despite not living with one. She rubbed against my cheek, as if to wipe away the tears that had silently fallen from my eyes.

"Thank you," I say in a shaky voice. She responded with a smoothing purr, a comforting sound that made me have joy. At that moment, I found solace in the simple companionship of my cat, grateful for her silent understanding.

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The next morning greeted me with a gentle ray of sun that showed through my curtains. I stretched out of my bed, my muscles still heavy with the remnants of sleep, and yawned. The weight of the day ahead settled on my shoulders. Today, I was going to give the rundown of Offredi's to someone named Rachel, a new face in the mix. I wondered who she was replacing, but those details would surely unravel in due time.

With my work attire already on, I decided to take a moment to sit and gaze outside before venturing into the bustling cityscape. The view from my apartment floor was a mixture of beauty and chaos. The chaotic city below was alive with activity, people rushing back and forth to their destinations, cars honking in the never-ending cycle of urban life. While I appreciated the accessibility of a city, there were some moments where I wished for something quieter, more serene.

As I sat there, I took in the sights and sounds of the city moving. I couldn't help but imagine myself in a small, rural town. A place where the pace was slower, nights filled with crickets, and the slow breeze of wind. A place where you could actually see the glistening stars at night, untainted by city lights. It was a small fantasy, a brief escape from the hustle of city life.

Glancing down at my watch in an instant, I realized it was time to leave. I braced myself for the morning rush I was going to face on the road.  I knew there was going to be a little bit of traffic if I left any later, so I rapidly grabbed my purse with my keys and dashed out of the door.