The Clash, Book One

Chapter 22: Eloise Gardener, Part A

Alena took a deep breath as she came to stand in front of Riley's Records and CDs. The store wasn't quite open yet, but the blonde needed to talk to Riley before work.

She knocked on one of the windows and Riley turned that way. The black-haired woman tilted her head before she came over to the door.

She unlocked it before she opened and greeted, "Alena? What are you doing here?" with a look that was somewhere between confused and curious.

Alena took a deep breath before she told her, "I have a business proposition for you, if you'd like to hear it."

Riley tilted her head once more in reply. After thinking it over for a few moments, she nodded before she let Alena into the store.

Alena drummed her fingers nervously against the folder in her hands before she began, "Before we get started, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Riley questioned, a note of concern in her tone.

"It's nothing for you to really worry about," Alena assuringly began before she took another deep breath and admitted, "I'm the one who paid your debt so you wouldn't have to sell to Victoria Belfry."

Confusion and disbelief clouded Riley's features as she asked, "Why would you do something like that?"

"It's like I told you - I can't stand seeing someone lose something they love. This store is your livelihood, and it means so much to you. I couldn't watch Victoria Belfry take it away from you," Alena stated, taking a deep breath as she finished. It took everything she had in her to keep the emotions at bay.

Belfry may not be the one behind this curse, but she was no innocent victim either.

Riley regarded Alena - and her words - for a few minutes. She then disbelievingly spoke, "I still can't believe you'd do this for me."

Alena was quiet for a few moments as she thought over what she could say. She then spoke, "I want to do my part to help this community grow. I want it to be something that everyone who lives here can be proud of. It's my job - and more than that, it's my passion," taking another breath as she finished.

Hyperion Heights may be cursed, but Alena would still fight like hell to ensure that her family and friends could find the smallest bit of happiness until the curse was broken.

Riley looked thoughtful for a few moments before she smiled. The blonde couldn't help but smile back before the dark-haired woman continued, "I was happy to have my store back."

"Well, I was more than happy to help," Alena replied. She then paused to consider her words before she offered, "And on that note, I would like to talk about this official business proposition."

With a nod, Riley then asked, "What were you thinking?"

"An investment," Alena stated before she explained, "I want your store to be part of my company - ELJ Corp. I would get a small portion of the profits, and I'd do what I could to help your business when needed."

Riley began fiddling with her hands as she took a deep breath and admitted, "It sounds like an amazing deal, but so was the deal that Belfry offered my landlord. I think you know how that turned out."

The blonde was silent as she thought of a way to be reassuring. She then reasoned, "That's why I'm leaving this up to you. My original goal in paying your debt was to help you. I thought you had been treated unfairly, and I wanted to help make it right. I'm completely okay with just being the reason you got your store back - no business deals attached."

Riley crossed her arms as she regarded Alena once more. She then spoke, "You really mean that, don't you? You really do just want to help?"