CHAPTER SEVEN – A NEW BEGINNING
659 Words
The next morning, the sun that passed through the large windows was what woke Elena up, soft light coming in shining on the walls and curtains. She just laid there, listening and enjoying the scenery. No yelling. No footsteps pounding outside her door. Just stillness.
Then she heard it, a knock finally broke the silence.
“Come in,” she said, her voice still sounding sleepy.
The door opened and in walked a lady—tall, elegant, beautiful with dark hair tied neatly at the back of her head. Her features were gentle, but sharp when needed. Even though she was dressed and looked so simple, Elena could feel the quiet authority from her presence even with that silver chain across her neck.
“Hi Elena, I’m Sofia,” she said, her voice kind but firm. “Leonardo has asked me to check on you this morning. How are you doing?”
Elena sat up quickly, brushing her hair back. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know I had overslept.”
Sofia smiled faintly. “There’s no such thing here. Not in your own home.”
My own home.
The words settled strangely in Elena’s chest. She didn’t quite believe them yet—but she didn’t dismiss them either.
“I’ve prepared breakfast for you in the sunroom,” Sofia continued. “You should freshen up and I’ll walk you there.”
Elena nodded, rising slowly. She had always done everything herself and wasn’t used to being helped, but here Sofia was and she didn’t feel overbearing, if anything she felt… steady. Like someone who could command a room with just a glance but never needed to raise her voice for anything.
“How long have you been with the gold family, Sofia?” Elena asked, trying to make conversation.
As they walked down the hallway together, Sofia spoke gently. “I’ve been with the Golds for twelve years. Leonardo is… a rare kind of man. He chooses loyalty over convenience.”
Elena glanced at her. “And you trust him?”
“With my life.”
They reached the sunroom—windows and a table already set. Elena’s eyes widened.
“It’s just for me?”
Sofia gave a small nod. “Leonardo prefers you start your days calmly. He thought this space would suit you.”
Elena was truly surprised. No one, not even her own family had ever considered how she might want to start her day.
When she sat down, Sofia poured tea and sat across from her.
“Take your time, you really don’t have to rush anything, Elena. I know things moved fast. But this house isn’t like the world outside. It doesn’t run on fear. It runs on trust.”
Elena looked down at her cup, different emotions bubbling in her chest. She had not expected this amount of kindness. Not from these strangers.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Placing her hands gently over Elena’s, Sofia added. “You’re not alone here. Not anymore.”
Just then, they heard the sound of a knock at the door. One of the guards stepped in, bowed slightly, and handed Sofia an envelope.
“This came in for Mr. Gold,” he said. “It's urgent.”
Sofia’s eyes narrowed slightly with understanding as she took the letter. “I’ll give it to him.”
Elena caught the subtle change in her expression. Something had shifted.
Sofia stood, smoothing her dress. “Please enjoy your breakfast. And I’ll see you later.”
And just like that, she left the room, the letter held tightly in her hand.
Alone once again—but this time, it didn’t feel lonely. It felt… like a beginning.
It felt like something in her life had finally begun to change.
She tried to think of the letter, who had sent it or why it looked urgent.
Then she had this feeling, this could be the calm before the storm.
- Writer
