"If that's how you feel… Here." Noah threw Elle her jacket. "Go on," he urged.
Elle was shocked. She knew she couldn't be alone, with no money, in the middle of New York City.
"New York City," he said, an air of grandeur about him.
"You could… I don't know, become a waitress," Bennett added.
Elle contemplated this seriously. If she chose this, saving Gabriel Gray, she might never see her Daddy again. And, no matter how mean he could be, Elle loved her Daddy. She wouldn't want to disappoint him and this "stunt" definitely would.
But, with Gabriel, she could be her own person. She could do whatever she wanted, go wherever she wanted. If Elle wanted to go the movies to see a ridiculous chick flick and throw tons of popcorn at the screen, she could. They'd probably kick her out, but then she'd be able to say that she was kicked out of the movies before.
Of course, there was the tiny matter of having a place to live. The only person Elle knew in New York City was Gabriel. She didn't think he would mind living with her – she definitely wouldn't mind living with him – but that would mean she'd have to tell him everything. That was something she was not looking forward to.
Her head told her the smart thing to do would be to stay with Noah. Her heart screamed in opposition.
And, for once, she decided to listen to it.
"Fine," Elle said. "Give my regards to my father."
With that, Elle Bishop walked away, unsure of her destination, but confidant nonetheless.
"You'll be back soon, Elle. You can't live by yourself. You don't know how," Glasses called after her.
Elle ignored him and continued walking.
"Damn it." Noah banged his head against the door of the van. Repeatedly.
This was not supposed to happen. Elle was supposed to chose the company over Gabriel Gray. Noah was supposed to convince her to do just that. But he didn't; he couldn't.
Bob was going to kill him.
"Elle!" He called again, running after her this time. He quickly caught up to her, and grab hers arms, spinning her to face him.
"What?" she hissed, looking anywhere but at him.
"Elle, this is your father's doing. He wants to see how far this man can be pushed. I agree with you."
Elle's eyes snapped to his. "You agree with me?"
Noah's grip on her arms loosened and his shoulders fell in relief. "Yes, Elle. I agree with you. I'm sorry I led you to believe it was me, but you wouldn't have listened as well if these orders had come from him."
Her eyes narrowed yet again. "Make it up to me."
Bennet's head titled slightly, out of confusion. "Okay…." He said slowly.
"Help me kill my father."
"Elle…"
"No! Better yet, kill him for me. I'm going to go through with this. I'm sick of this company's orders, through with their tests. Consider this my resignation." Elle walked away again.
"Elle," HRG called softly. She walked back to him slowly.
"Take this," he handed her a few hundreds from his wallet. "Send me your address when you find somewhere to live. I'll uh, I'll try to help when I can."
"Thanks, Noah. I appreciate this," Elle said, just as quietly. She began to walk away for the third time.
"Elle," Noah called again. This time, she simply turned to hi.
"Tell him everything."
Elle smiled, thoughts of Gabriel filling her mind. "I was planning on it."
"Take care, Elle."
"You too."
Noah smiled as the girl he had occasionally thought of as a daughter ran back into Gabriel's apartment.
"Let's see how this will go over with Bob," he muttered.
Noah turned back to the van and drove away, ready to face whatever consequence came from freeing Bob's broken little girl.
