Close Surveillance

Inanna

Wrapping up the weekend, I was dying to get back to work. Since we decided not to leave the attic after all, I decided that it wouldn't hurt to start teaching again. In addition, Melina also had to go back to school, and since she did not remember the events of the night they kidnapped us, she became angrier every day. With each passing day, Melina became more confused and agitated and I felt crazier, which only caused the memories of the entire experience to grow.

So, on Monday morning, I got dressed for work.

“Where are you going?” Elon asked, looking up from his newspaper as I entered the room.

"I have to get back to work," I said. —I can't use a substitute forever. Tomorrow, maybe Melina should go back to school too.

Elon's icy gray eyes widened. She threw the newspaper on the floor and stood up abruptly, shaking her head. -You can not go. It is dangerous.

"Elon, I'll be at a school a few blocks from here in the middle of the afternoon," I told him. —There is a security guard on campus who watches everything. I will tell you the situation so that you can be alert to any problems.

For a few moments, the alpha billionaire stared at me while gritting his teeth. I raised my head to show that I wasn't going to back down; Despite what happened almost two weeks earlier, I was no damsel in distress and I had a job to do.

Finally, Elon seemed to see that I wasn't backing down and he sighed, rubbing his hand over his face.

“Take one of the bodyguards with you, then,” he said quietly. "Take Darren." He will protect you. In fact, I'll drive with you too. Before he could say anything, Elon ran into the hallway and started putting on his shoes. I watched as he pulled two surgical masks out of his pocket and handed me one along with my wide-brimmed hat. -Take. To protect your identity during the ride. We'll come out from behind and if you put your hair up, they'll be less likely to see you...

“Elon,” I said exasperated, “wait.” I'll walk with you and wear the costume, but I can't bring a bodyguard to school. Darren is big and menacing looking. He would scare the kids, and I don't even think the principal would allow it. Besides, I want to walk, not by car. I feel locked in.

Elon stared at me for a few moments. I realized right away that he wasn't going to give up the bodyguard, nor was he likely to give up most of his stipulations. But I thought it was worth a try.

Finally, after a long moment of silent contemplation, Elon seemed to relent a little.

"I know you feel safer with Ethan and Kelly in jail, but it's still dangerous for you out there," she said firmly. —But how about this: Can you let one of the bodyguards take you? They can wait in the car and watch the school entrance while you work. If you allow me, I promise I won't bother you anymore.

I bit my lip for a moment, thinking. Elon was right; He was still dangerous, and even though no one knew I was the Golden Wolf yet and I wasn't yet at risk of being chased, the paparazzi were in another frenzy over news footage of what happened at the warehouse. Finally, I nodded and sighed.

"Okay," I said. —I'll let one of the bodyguards take me.

-Thank you-. Elon let out a small sigh of relief, then walked over to me and kissed my forehead. I felt myself blush a little; He had been much more physically affectionate since I marked him, and I had to admit that he was quite enjoying it.

"And Melina, can she go back to school too?" I asked, looking at him.

Elon nodded, although a little hesitantly. "I'll talk to Melina today," he replied. Secretly, although he wasn't going to pressure him, he hoped that he would also talk to Melina about what had really happened and what her mother really was like. However, he doubted she would do it so soon. A part of me thought that I should arrange therapy for Melina in advance, since the news would undoubtedly be a hard blow for her. She might even resent him for lying to her. Melina was a smart girl, not just an airheaded girl who couldn't understand such complicated topics. She deserved the truth, but the truth would have unforeseeable consequences.

As I thought about this, memories of seeing Melina's sleeping little body tied to the chair in the warehouse flashed through my mind suddenly and unexpectedly, followed by images of Ethan pointing the gun at my face. I felt a pain in my chest, as if something was weighing me down and preventing me from breathing. For a brief moment, I felt like I was there again... In the warehouse, with the bright white spotlight pointed at me.

—Inanna?— Elon's voice brought me out of my daze. —Inanna, are you okay?

When I came back to reality, I blinked the tears out of my eyes quickly and nodded, forcing a smile. Elon looked at me worried.

“I'm sorry,” I said, hoping he hadn't seen my tears. -Thank you for being so comprehensive.

Elon looked at me for a moment with a worried look. I thought he had noticed my memory and that he would tell me not to go, but surprisingly he didn't say anything. He just nodded his head and got into the elevator with me. He said goodbye with another kiss on the forehead and then I watched his face disappear into the distance as the bodyguard walked away.

Those memories had been happening more and more frequently as the days went by. It was strange, but they almost seemed more vivid as time went by, as if the horrible experience of what had happened in that warehouse had been blocked in my mind at first, but was now returning. I thought it was from being locked in the attic... It had to be.

I'd probably feel better after another few days of work.

But somehow, no matter how much I told myself things would get better, there was a part of me that wasn't so sure. And as the bodyguard drove me to work, I began to wonder if he would have a memory while he was teaching. He knew he'd be able to handle a simple flashback if one occurred to me at work, but lately I'd been feeling like I was losing control during some of the worst flashbacks.

I hoped it wouldn't cause an involuntary change in me.