I open my eyes at exactly 10am. It's Sunday and I have to go to work tomorrow. After yesterday, I feel so strong that I feel like I'm ready to move mountains. I get up and pull my laptop closer to me. There are no new emails. So De Niro has no way to counter my argument that he killed my family. I was harsh with him, but he deserved it. No tenderness with cannibals, only pressure and rudeness.
Encouraged by my thoughts, I go downstairs and see two new people in my family's kitchen. Jack is holding Mia's hand and sipping hot coffee, and Daphne is helping Anya set the table.
"Miss Kruger, where are you from?" I smile.
"Actually, I came for the ball. The letter about its cancellation never reached me, so here I am. I wanted to leave, but Mrs. Grey said that there is enough room for me here. And my brother is delighted with Phoebe, - Kruger smiles charmingly.
- Can you imagine, Daph, the Grays have such a beautiful garden, - I hear a familiar voice and turn around.
Isaac holds Phoebe's hand and smiles at his sister. What a meeting! My former bottom and my sister. Phoebe looks charmed, and the guy can't take his puppy-like delighted eyes off her.
- Isaac, come in, sit down, - I salute him with a cup of cocoa. He sees me and winks.
We have breakfast as a friendly family and chat about trifles. Daphne is a very sweet and simple girl with a charming smile and infectious fur. She has a great personality.
After breakfast, we go up to my place, and I show the presentation, where I describe all the advantages of our cooperation. Daphne watches attentively, makes comments, bargains and asks the right questions. I am amazed at her professionalism.
- Good job, Miss Lincoln. You are great. My board of directors would be happy to make a deal with you. I think we can discuss everything in London. Can you fly out at the end of the week? - Daphne copies the presentation onto a flash drive.
- Sure, - I've never been to London.
I've always wanted to go there, but it never worked out. And now I can fulfill my long-time dream and even work there more.
- I'll be waiting. See you at the ball, - Daph kisses me on both cheeks and we laugh.
From then on, Sunday brings only positive emotions. Elliot is organizing a barbecue in the garden, and I am happy to help him with it. The Krugers are enchanted by us, especially Isaac. He doesn't leave Phoebe's side and constantly tries to touch her. I'm happy for him. I don't know his story, but something tells me that Daphne is not the only one in their family who suffered at the hands of De Niro.
Closer to 9 pm, I pack my things in a sports bag and say a warm goodbye to my family.
Take care, Ana hugs me tightly. The others follow suit.
See you on Wednesday, I whisper to them and walk to the car, where Taylor is waiting for me.
I m home by midnight. I put my things away and check my email. And shit, another email. Guess who it s from?
From: Robert De Niro
To: Elena Lincoln
Date: 07/08/2013 23:08
Subject: my idiots at court.
Elena, I did not order them to kill your family. I only ordered them to bring you to me. It was your uncle who took the initiative and dealt with them. Believe me, my dear, I did not dare kill two prominent inquisitors.
Elena began to shake. She was not dear to him, she was not his, damn that cannibal. But Lincoln pulled himself together and began typing.
From: Elena Lincoln
To: Robert De Niro
Date: 07/09/2013 00:01
Subject: does not absolve you of guilt.
They were killed because of you. Yes, you did not order it, but your servants and my family's suppliers are your fault. Although you don't understand it, you probably killed your father for the throne of Darkness!
Elena pressed the send button hard and a minute later, realizing what she had done, she regretted what she had written three times. She knew very well what Robert had gone through as a child, she knew that the boy from a good Jewish-Irish family lost his parents early and saw the horrors of war. And she wrote him such a thing... Impulsiveness and lack of restraint had always been Elena's hallmarks. As a teenager, the blonde fought like hell, was abrupt and sharp-tongued. The Grays also got it, especially Phoebe and Teddy, who had a happier childhood than Miss Lincoln. Elena hated Phoebe for being able to feel motherly love, for her image of a good girl, for receiving more love from Ana and Christiana.
Only at 14, when Phoebe started covering for Lincoln, who was returning from drinking in the early morning, Elena realized that her hatred was stupid and childishly absurd. Phoebe started teaching her how to use makeup, worked on her style, learned to use feminine tricks with boys. It was easier with Theo: they agreed on their love for motorcycles. This happened after Elena became the bottom Hyde and learned to control.
And now 10 years of work on herself went to hell. Elena waited a long time for an answer from De Niro, but when she didn t get one, she took a shower and, tossing and turning until 2 a.m., escaped the light liquid and the sad feeling in her chest that she had touched a bleeding wound in the cruel heart of the Leader of the Cannibals The morning began with rain, a cup of coffee and scrambled eggs, which Elena managed to oversalt for once. The blonde drank coffee and watched the economic news. Her excitement went away. Big deal, I was rude to a cannibal. He didn't deserve anything good, only death. He was impossible to fix or understand. He was a monster.
With such influence, Elena went to work in an Audi that started on the first try today.
At work, everything went according to plan. Nixon was preparing for a meeting with the British, Welch was collecting a dossier on the entire Kruger House, and Constance was still making delicious coffee in the office.
Elena's POV
Exactly at 2:00 PM, Constance came into my office, holding a huge pink bouquet. I raised an eyebrow. No one had ever given me flowers. Roses are beautiful. Scarlet aromas, they exude a strong scent.
"Who is this from?" I asked, taking the bouquet. Inside the bouquet was a note: Have a nice week, Miss Lincoln. I would be glad if you stopped by my office for lunch at five o'clock.
R.E. De Niro.
So, he hasn't forgotten about me. Great. I'm ready to throw the roses in the trash, but then I calm down, conjure a vase and put it on the table. After that, I sit down at my laptop and type a letter.
From: Elena Lincoln
To: Robert De Niro
Date: 07/09/2013 14:05
Subject: I don't go on dates.
I stand out with cannibals over 70. The flowers are cute, but clearly not your style.
I send the letter and immediately receive a reply.
From: Robert De Niro
To: Elena Lincoln
Date: 07/09/2013 14:09
Subject: Date?
Lena, are you flirting with me? I never even thought of asking you out on a date. I just want to discuss your late-night letter and work with Daphne. I don't bite, don't be afraid. You can take Nixon with you if you're so afraid of me.
Lena... Damn... No one has ever called me that. As far as I know, Lena is the equivalent of my name in English. And God, I'm scared, but I really want to go to Robert and talk. I'm a little ashamed of yesterday's letter, and I want to look his executioner in the eye and tell him that I'm not afraid of him. I've always loved risk, and now I think it would be appropriate.
I'm typing a new letter.
From: Elena Lincoln
To: Robert De Niro
Date: 07/09/2013 14:15
Subject: Business Lunch
I'll be with Edward at your office around 17:30. Send me the address.
He shows up with his fears in his face. And I'm sure that I'll emerge victorious from this fight. Whatever it takes.