Behind the marriage

* * * * * * * *

Elaine fell to the wet ground, her knees cascading roughly on the floor. Her eyes were closed now as she sobbed bitterly, and her palms were clenched on the ground. The downpour became so heavy that it began hurting her skin, her bald head increasing the impact of the rain.

She didn't care about how she looked or the pain she felt, all she wanted was to get through to her sister who stood, watching her from above. Unlike her, her sister had an umbrella and wasn't drenched like she was. She knew how dangerous it was for her to reappear, but she felt like she had no choice. So she became oblivious to her suffering, what she wanted was more important.

Elaine attempted to reach out to her sister by touching her feet, but she was brutally rejected. Her hands were booted back in fury, Elaine kept her hands to herself. Her tears continued pouring out without warning, but it was hard to single them out because of the rain. Elaine could feel the cold settling in, she had begun to shiver. Her lips were trembling softly, her eyes were heavy and she had lost feeling in her nose.

* * * * * * * * * *

" Elaine, stand up this instant! "

Elaine shook her head, " Please... please I'm begging you. "

" Fine, kneel if you want. But you're not gonna change my mind, you're crazy for coming back here. "

Elaine sniffed, " I'm sorry, I made a... I made a huge mistake and I want to take it all back, please... " Elaine heard her laugh softly, " I don't wanna do this anymore. "

" Did your cancer somehow mess with your head? because I think it did. "

" I'm begging you, "

" The same way you begged me six years ago to help you? is this how it's gonna be Elaine? do I have to keep dealing with you? "

Elaine bit her lips tightly, " I want her__

" You GAVE HER AWAY! "

Elaine shook at the sound of her sister's Thunderous voice.

" I know... I know you took advantage of my situation. I just want to__

" I don't give a shit about what you want. Listen to me, you can't just come back after six years and expect things to go the way you want, not after WHAT YOU DID. "

" Please... " Elaine looked up to see her sister's expression, and as she feared, it was void of any emotions, " I don't want to do this anymore. "

" You don't have any choice than to do what I tell you to. This is your final straw Elaine, I don't wanna set my eyes on you EVER AGAIN. "

" Don't do this to me, WE have to stop this. "

" There is no WE, I did my end of the deal, I paid you and it's time you do yours. DISAPPEAR from my life for good. "

" I don't want your money. " Elaine whispered.

" It's too late for that is, remember how you BEGGED for it before? "

" Why are you so heartless? " Elaine asked still in tears.

" I sent you another money__

" I don't want__

" Shut the fuck up Elaine, don't try to act smart. I know why you're here, you could have just told me you wanted money, don't ever pull this trick again. "

" Why can't you just believe that I want to end all of this? "

Elaine saw her sister bend in front of her, now they were face to face with each other.

" Here's what will happen to you if you DISOBEY ME, I'll go to the police. "

Elaine's heart skipped a beat when she heard the name 'police', she shook her head in disbelief.

" No you wouldn't, you promised me__

" Yeah I did, and YOU also promise to never return. "

" You'd put me behind bars? " Elaine still couldn't believe her sister would do that to her.

" I'll do what I have to do Elaine, you know I mean it. I'll make sure you spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars, that's if cancer doesn't kill you first. "

Elaine felt her heart sink, " You... you can't do this to me. "

" I CAN, and I WILL. And don't even try to plead self-defense, nobody will believe you. You did run away after all. "

" You're a MONSTER. " Elaine retorted.

" Great! That's one thing we can agree on. "

" Why are you doing this? " Elaine sobbed as her eyes followed her sister when she got back to her feet.

" I cleaned up your mess, I SAVED you, I can make all that go away. And let's be smart here, is it all worth it in the end? You'd be in jail, you won't get anything. Use your brains, last I checked, you had breast cancer, and your brain is functioning well, isn't it? "

Elaine felt her sister's words stabbing her like a million needles in her chest. But she knew one thing, her sister was right. If she goes to jail, then all she wanted would be worthless, it was a devastating realization. Elaine staggered to her feet, " I never should have listened to you. "

" Well, you did. Take the money and leave, FOREVER this time. "

Elaine nodded slowly, she had lost the fight.

" And here's a piece of warning, DON'T you EVER return. I won't care that we're blood-related then. "

Elaine rubbed her wet palms together as she nodded.

" Goodbye, sis. "

Elaine watched in dismay as her sister disappeared.

(Lori's POV)

* * * * * * * * * *

Lori paced around the place she called shelter as she watched the rain increase. This is what she gets for filling in as her mom's delivery guy, she should know by now that it wasn't an easy job. But what was she to do? since she graduated from school and moved back to the U.S, she hadn't been able to find a job. So for the time being, she had been helping out in her mother's bakery. She was multitasking most of the time, she would be a waiter, a baker, and a delivery guy, depending on the situation.

But there was a light at the end of the tunnel, she wouldn't have to multitask for long. Johnny, one of her best friends who was a top chef for a well-known restaurant had promised to squeeze her in for an interview. This was her first opportunity ever since she returned, she didn't want to screw it up. Yes, she was confident in herself, and she was an excellent cook.

She'd always have her praises rained on her whenever she cooked at home or with friends, but this was different. Not only was Heart culinary a national treasure, but it was also number three on the top five influential restaurants in the state, Heart culinary had its show on the Food network.

Landing a job there would kickstart her journey and she would be able to invest in her mother's bakery. She'd been preparing for the interview, and Lori had broadened her knowledge of cooking. She knew the determinant was going to be a cook-off, and Johnny had pitched in that it might be broadcasted on their show.

So until then, she had to put up with multitasking. It's not like she had any other choice. Lori stared up in frustration as she concluded that she couldn't wait for the rain, she placed her scarf over her head and dashed inside it. She made her way to her bike which was soaked already. Lori proceeded to start the bike, but unfortunately, it wouldn't budge.

The downpour became even heavier, and Lori was becoming highly concerned. She gave her bike a few more tries but to no avail. Lori paced around the bike in search of her next line of action. She realized the only option she had was to walk while rolling her bike of course.

* * * * * * * *

" Need a ride? "

Lori turned to see a car parked beside her, a woman was riding.

By this time, Lori was breathing heavily. She paused running her eyes around her environment in confusion.

" Common, " The woman in the car shrugged, " The rain is not gonna stop any time soon and you need a ride. "

For all Lori knew, the woman might be a serial killer, but she wasn't bothered about it. She NEEDED the ride or else she would have to spend two hours walking back home. And an extra two because she was rolling her bike.

* * * * * * *

Evelyn shoved her bike inside the boot and got into the car. She got a better view of the woman, she had hazel-colored eyes and she was bald.

" I'm not from around here, so if you could__

" 46 Wilham street, google Maps. " Lori replied shivering.

" How long have you been in the rain? "

Lori scrutinized the woman and found out that she was also drenched, " Couple of minutes, you? "

" An hour or two. "

Lori launched the woman with a perplexed look, she was wondering why the hell she was in the rain for two hours if she had a car.

" Don't even ask why. " The woman shrugged.

" Aye, aye. " Lori obeyed.

* * * * * * * *

" Thank you for the ride. " Lori told the woman as she came to a stop.

" You're welcome. " The woman beamed at her.

" You're a lifesaver. " Lori opted to part ways.

" I didn't get your name, " The woman called back.

" Lori! " Lori screamed at her as she ran into her abode.

( Elaine's POV)

* * * * * * *

Elaine stared at the blue scarf in front of her with tears standing at the bridge of her eyes. The young girl she just gave a ride to had forgotten her scarf, was it a sign perhaps? A sign meaning that she should stay back? that she should defy the consequences and linger back in this town?

She knew her sister's wrath will descend heavily on her and she was terrified of it. She had a lot to lose, no doubt, but maybe it was finally time to stop running.