''I'm sorry.'' Andrea said, walking into the room.Elena was content to remain on the ground because she didn't even know what to say or do if she looked up at him. One thing she knew was that she would burst out crying and that was something she didn't want to do. She wanted to appear strong and brave even though she knew it wasn't possible. She missed her father terribly and she knew Andrea knew it too.''I'm sorry.'' he said again.Elena sighed, rising up to her feet to face him but she was quite surprised when Vanessa came running in with a smile on her face. Now, she knew her conversation with Andrea couldn't hold because Vanessa would never allow them to speak in peace. The little girl's inquisitiveness would be the way.''Daddy, why is Elena crying?'' she asked, looking at her father.''Oh nothing is wrong baby.'' Andrea said, giving her a tight smile that was all fake.Even Vanessa could see that it was fake with the way she looked at her father with a cross expression on her

The sudden eruption of violent noise sent shivers down Elena's spine, causing her heart to race with fear. She instinctively grabbed onto Andrea's arm, her eyes wide with alarm.In that tense moment, their conversation forgotten, they exchanged worried glances. The realization dawned on them simultaneously - the source of the shooting was dangerously close, and their lives were in imminent danger. Elena's mind raced as she tried to piece together the situation, realizing that the shooters were targeting them specifically.The once-tranquil mansion now felt like a trap, its opulent halls filled with an eerie silence broken only by the echoing gunshots. Elena could feel her breath becoming shallow, her body trembling with fear. Andrea, ever the composed and resourceful one, quickly sprang into action. His voice, though laced with concern, carried an air of determination."We need to get out of here," Andrea said firmly, his voice cutting through the chaos outside. Elena nodded, her eyes

''What really happened?'' Elena asked.She had cleaned off most of the blood that had clogged on his body and had given him a warm bath which had him sighing in relief. The stress of the past few hours had weighed heavily on him and Elena could see the stress lines in his eyes which was testament to the fact that he had been through a lot in those few hours.''There's a lot I need to tell you but I want to do that when I've talked to Vaness. I need to explain to her that none of this would ever happen again. I know she's scared and she needs the reassurance that nothing like this would ever happen again.'' he sighed.Elena placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as she silently assured him that everything would be alright. She knew how much pain he had passed through and he didn't even wish that for her worst enemy.''Yes, I think that's a good idea. Vanessa needs to know that none of this would ever happen again. She needs some form of certainty and it's only you

''I need to be very careful.'' Elena murmured.After leaving Lauren in the kitchen, she made her way back to Vanessa's room to give her the food and the medications for her headache. As soon as she got there, she was quite surprised to see that she had already taken her bath and was sitting comfortably on her comfy chair while reading a book.''You've had your bath? Well, that was fast.'' Elena smiled.''Yes, i didn't want to eat with a dirty body.'' she chuckled.Elena admired her cleanliness and how well mannered she was. Though she could be a terror most times but still, she couldn't deny the fact that she had a sweet side.''Here, I brought you your food and some drugs for your headache. You'll be alright in no time.'' Elena smiled.She helped her set it up on her small table, making sure that she ate every item on the plate before giving her some painkillers.''Would you like to rest your head for a while?'' Elena asked.''I'm supposed to be in school.'' she sighed.''Well, at yo

''Please can we all sit down and talk about this, It's not as bad as you guys are making it seem.'' Elena said.Already, she was developing a headache and she knew that any moment from now, the headache would come in full force. She knew that Syria was a woman who would never leave a matter unsettled until she came to the final stop and for this, she was ready to drag it for as long as possible.''Please.'' Elena begged again.There were many things she had in her mind but the most important of them all was this issue. She needed Syria to understand that she was here on her own volition and not under duress like she was making it seem.''Okay but just because of you.'' she hissed.Already, Elena could see Andrea boiling with anger and she knew that if Syria had been a man, he would have taken it up with him long before now. He was only respecting her because one, she was a woman whom she didn't know and secondly, he didn't want there to be any trouble. He could cause some troubles for