Ela stared at the window, her vivid memories keeping her awake and still in her bed, walking down memory lane felt uneasy but nothing compared to the walk he took through those corridors almost 6 months ago, almost being able to feel again inside the house that had welcomed her with open arms for a month, it was evening, and the cold early November breeze was impatient, but seeing her friend Effy near the balcony on the second floor smiling at her made her happy, although she was still not accustomed to a routine where she was not constantly looked down upon by her parents and questioned about her beliefs, instead, being cared for and feeling invited felt all too strange for her.
At the time any loud noise, the wind running wild on the nearest pines, the branches cracking loudly, the dogs barking away at the moon still startled her, making her believe they were coming, they'd be close, just around the corner to grab her and look her down for good, but it had been 30 days already and no sign indicated her parents knew where she was.
She joined Effy on the balcony and accepted the warm cup of tea she offered to relieve the cool weather they'd surely have to endure for the upcoming months, but in her friend's company, she felt at ease. Ela could still remember the light conversation they had about their childhood, such mischiefs they undertook running around in Ela's family's extensive mansion lawn with the state's dogs back when it all felt grounded but possible, exciting, and promising, instead, everything had changed all too quickly and become grim and obscure. And just when Effy was comforting her, letting her know that even if the situation was far from perfect, there was still life ahead and people like her who would always love Ela, they heard loud footsteps from climbing the stairs.
Ela immediately froze, as it was too loud and sudden, and thought the worst, but when Effy's husband appeared clearly on the doorframe she felt a small relief, his sudden outburst and expression told her there was danger ahead.
-"Ela, we don't have much time, I was just informed!" he said gasping for air as his race had left him gasping for air as much as his disbelief but immediately the Alpha in him noticed the smell in the room was a strong mix of fear and anxiety.
At that moment she just knew, she knew her time in that house was up, her panic set in, and her breathing quickened, but she froze in place loathing her lack of luck, locking herself inside her head.
-"What is it love? What's happened" she heard Effy say from her side, even when the ringing in her ears from the fear was increasing by the second which Jonah continued to notice since her strong scent of dread kept on growing, he was sure the smell could almost drown the entire house and it almost made him fear for his own life and it was too potent.
-"Her parents know she's here, we have to hurry, Ela the staff is packing your bags as we speak, but we have to hurry, get you out of here, we only have a few hours head start".
-"Oh Christ! But where will she go?! it's late at night and we have contacted no one to take her in" Effy's voice was hurried and unlike her ladylike tone, it was clear she was anxious and horror was setting in for her as well, fearing for Ela's life and what lay ahead. And her wife's terror only increased the already heavy stench of terror that suffocated the air. They all felt it, it was impossible for them not to feel almost smothered in the room, and Jonah knew he had to veer the conversation to ease their fear as both women were Top Omegas, so their scent reactions were more intense than most.
-"I have an idea, it's not fancy but it might just work out perfectly love" Jonah said to his wife who still looked agitated.
-"Ela dear" Now he was in front of the statue of a woman who had been his dearest friend, he shook her lightly for her to regain conscience, she startled but her eyes refocused on the present time "Remember when you said to me after abandoning your titles that you'd take any decent job if it meant a life away from your parents?" she shook her head lightly with tears at the brink of leaving her eyes suddenly looking much fragile than her usual nature "there is such a job, far enough from you family's circle and distance that they'll never think of it, it'll be a simple life, but a free one dear", Ela composed herself, regained her composure and dried her eyes, her strong self coming back to life and the words were enough to lighten the mood and ease her scent as well as Effy's. She nodded at Jonah and the three of them started walking fast to her chambers to gather the last items from her vanity, put them in her handbag, and hurried to the car that was packed with all her belongings.
Their large coats and hats protected them just barely from the freezing air as they drove away in the dark of night.
-"Tell me love, where is it that we're going? what is this job you spoke about?" Effy spoke in an endearing tone having recovered her lovely calmness back.
-"I must apologize as I don't have all the details, my love, as the hurry was grand, there was only time to confirm the main prospects of it, but it is decent as can be, there's a motherless child that needs taken care of by a wealthy father who's recovering from the grief of her loss burying himself in work" Effy squeezed Ela's hand in reassurance as she knew Ela would be more than up for it since it involved children who she loved to be around "they boy needs a tutor but more so a nanny to love him, and it's said to be paid well, quite above the average for such a job, it's a live-in arrangement on the mansion too so we won't have to worry about that"
Ela sighed in relief, it sounded like the perfect situation, a simple, common job that'd never cross her parents' mind, and if it was far enough from them, she'd be away from their claws for good, to find freedom and build a life of her own.
-"Jo my love, that sounds perfect, but did you find such a job in so little time?" Effy said hugging him excitedly.
-"Oh Honey, that's the part where this idea of mine will disappoint you, and it's also related to where we're going," he said in a shy voice, having both women wondering what he meant.
-"Ela dear, you'll meet the boy's aunt the day after tomorrow in Birmingham for her to interview you to get the position, if she agrees to it you'll move with to the mansion 5 days after," he said slowly and the women still couldn't understand what was the problem but knowing there was still more to be said.
-"Do you mean to say we're going to Birmingham? I don't see the disappointing part of that Jonah; you can't know how grateful I am for how you're helping me" Ela said wholeheartedly to his dear friend and Effy also nodded in agreement.
-"Well, that's just it my dear, you'll still remain in London for the night, and another car will take you to the interview two days from now as I could not arrange any sleeping quarters with the time in hand" Ela panicked at the statement, to stay in London almost two days with her family looking for her was too dangerous.
-"Jo dear, but where will she stay to ensure her parents don't find her? they have too many acquaintances here, where are you taking us that is safe?"
Jonah shifted uncomfortably in his seat and sighed loudly, knowing the reprimand that would follow after he spoke his next words and the women could smell the uncertainty he felt.
-"We're on our way to Camden Town" he said as composed as he could manage.
A gasp escaped Effy.
-"The breadmaker" she also said so low it was almost a whisper, and Ela could hear Jonah sighing again.
Ela could just wait for them to explain because she didn't understand the problem still. Sure, Camden town was mostly a factory town, but she saw no great problem, it would be actually ideal since her parents would not guess that's somewhere she'd hide. But the mention of a breadmaker was nothing she had heard before that would cause someone distress as her friend was showing.
Ela looked between them both without getting the explanation she surely needed and instead noticed how Effy's eyes were lost in thought until the realization hit her suddenly and she spoke again.
-"If we're meeting that highly improper man and you discovered the job from him, then the father of the child Ela would be taken care of is..." Effy said still not fully believing the situation they were in.
-"Yes love, Ela would be working for Thomas Shelby himself" Jonah said in defeat, and although the name rang a bell in Ela's mind, she could not quite place it.
Effy moved a bit away from her husband, she managed to get enough restraint to prevent an argument that would take hours to resolve knowing that under the current circumstances and lacking any other options of her own to help Ela, she could hardly say anything on the matter, but Johan had been right, disappointed she was indeed, and although she would not say anything on the matter, the space she had put between them said it all, not to mention the scent of anger, bitterness, and fear that came out of her was clear as light and Jonah could only let her be.
Ela could not miss the change in dynamics, it was obvious the subject was intricate, and despite the fact it involved her more than any other, she remained silent for the rest of the ride, since it would only cause further tension to inquire about it. But puzzled would be an understatement to express how confused she was, and on the little information she had, she felt fearful, even if Effy's reaction had proven that she could hardly concur with her husband's plan, her lack of discussion on the matter was also proof that Effy knew it was also the lesser of two evils compared to what expected Ela if her parents ever grab hold of her.
Ela could only hope that Jonah's idea would save her, instead of dooming her. But she knew her loyal friend would always have her best interest at heart and prevent her from going back to the hell she had once called home.
Less than an hour later Jonah indicated to Ela to get hold of her handbag as they were arriving at the night's destination.
By the looks of it, they were surrounded by warehouses and Ela couldn't imagine who lived in them. Their design was so industrial she didn't understand how a person could call it home, but she was in no place to question anything, for the time being, she'd only have to wait and find out.
As they approached the entrance of a large warehouse that looked old and dusty, Jonah turned off the car's engine, and just as Ela was about to step outside the car he spoke.
-"Ela dear, let me explain a couple of items before we go in" She removed her hand from the door and asked him to go on, ready to know everything she could on the matter.
-"The man we're about to meet is a friend of mine" Effy scoffed loudly from her seat and Ela was surprised to hear it, it was not often that she'd incur in such behavior, much less towards her husband, both Effy, and herself had been raised to be extremely devoted Alphas, so to dismiss and disagree with her husband so openly was too uncharacteristically for her, Jonah growled in discomfort but refraining to lash out his anger initiating an argument Effy had already prevented from happening once but he was clearly too annoyed already with his wife's reaction, although he was kind and gentle, he was also an Alpha and the nature in him was to dominate and control, be respected was a must, but his logical mind came to be and he continued only this time his voice had grown low. "He's not a common man, and to be honest you might think at times he's rather insane, but he'll help for the time being" his reassuring words helped Ela accommodate her mind.
-"Ela sweety, although it pains me to admit, I'm certain this man will help our cause" Effy said trying to ease everybody's mood as she knew her attitude had not been helping, and she loved her husband and knew she was telling the truth but she would also be honest with her friend, so she continued
-"but you'll need to be careful, he's not only insane as can be, he's a powerful alpha, not a top, but quite strong, he's also a criminal running an illegal operation, so for your sake, please remember to always refer to his business as bread trade, and in regards to your future employer..." Effy hesitated not knowing what to say exactly so she decided to be clear since she firmly believed honesty to be the best policy
-"I might not even have the right words to describe how careful you'll have to be, from Gypsy upbringing, he's a gangster like no other, sharp mind as the blades sown in his cap to be sure, and ruthless to whom he despises, he's renamed Top rated Alpha too, and although I believe him to be in favor of Omega-rights make sure your contract includes clauses on the specifics of your heat season, you'll be spending them in our house at no debate" Effy finished with a small smile and leaned back to hug her friend tightly and lovingly, but Ela could only process so much information at once, her mind was swirling with all the new facts and she could barely grasp the reality she was under, nonetheless, she trusted god and her friends and would make the best of her situation.
As Effy let go of her embrace Jonah spoke once more, having recovered his natural tone.
-"Dear Ela, it's time for us to part ways now, Mr. Salomons insisted on meeting you without our presence in the room, but there'll be a Beta chaperone guarding your stay at my request, he's a good man and a close friend of the Shelby family, I believe he's on excellent terms with your current host and will never leave your side".
As they were saying their last goodbyes an average-height hefty man approached the vehicle and opened Ela's door offering a hand for her to step outside while greeting her happily.
-"Hello miss, I'm Curly, I'll take you to meet Mr. Solomons, hello there Jonah sir," he said with a warm smile and Ela immediately noticed he was sincerely an innocent soul she could trust. She nodded and greeted the kind man who was no doubt the Beta who'd join her.
-"Curly Sir, do tell the breadmaker if he insults Ela in any way possible, no place will a good enough hideout from my wrath" Effy said pointedly to the startled-looking man.
-"Oh, Mr. Solomons is a good host ma'am, he he he would not insult her" he stuttered a little and Ela wondered if he could protect her from the dangerous company she'd be keeping.
-"Do give him my message anyways" said Effy holding her dangerous look to her eyes.
The man nodded and started guiding Ela to the entrance while other hard-working-looking men unloaded her baggage. She took one more look at the car behind her and the last thing she noticed was a decided look in both her friends' hands that gave her strength to move forward on her journey to freedom, dangerous as it might be.