“Did you turn off your cell phone?” Lucas immediately asked Ellena a question, when he just got home.

That’s because this morning he tried to call Ellena’s contact number repeatedly, but no one was connected. Of course he became confused, the reason Ellena didn’t activate her cellphone. In fact, until earlier before he came home from work.

“Is there something important? Why don’t you just call the landline?” Ellena asked back, without giving a clear reason for her attitude that chose to turn off her cellphone.

“That doesn’t matter to me!” said Lucas. “It’s just that your friend asked about your new contact number,” he added later.

“Filia?” Ellena confirmed.

“Yeah, looks like she has something important to say.” Lucas had an even expression.

Yes, right. This morning, Filia did seem to be trying to approach Lucas and ask about Ellena, even though she was hesitant and afraid to confront him. It seemed that she had something important to tell her friend. Otherwise, how could she dare to face Lucas.

From there, Lucas became curious and wanted to prove that Ellena’s cell phone number was really inactive, as Filia said when suddenly asking him for Ellena’s new contact number.

Ellena was silent for a moment. She seemed confused about what to answer. However, she immediately opened her mouth again and said, “I’ll call her later, thanks for telling me.”

Ellena had a nervous look on her face. She couldn’t possibly tell Lucas that the reason she turned off the phone was because she wanted to avoid Keenan. Besides that it wouldn’t be an important matter for Lucas, nor did she want Lucas to know about it. It was enough for herself and Filia to know about it.

“Give me the bag, I’ll keep it in your workspace.” Ellena reached out for Lucas’ bag. It seemed like she was deliberately diverting the conversation.

Instead of giving his bag, Lucas gave her a black paper bag that he carried in his right hand.

“What’s that?” Ellena was stunned for a moment looking at Lucas questioningly. She still didn’t want to reach for the paper bag.

“You can use this to call your friends.” Lucas’ answer suddenly made Ellena’s brow furrow in surprise.

“Take it!” Lucas asked later, when Ellena just didn’t budge.

With some hesitation, Ellena reached for the paper bag.

Ellena then opened it and reached into it. She took out a rectangular box with a picture of a new smartphone, different from the one she has now.

“Why did you buy me a new cell phone? My phone is still working fine. You shouldn’t have to waste money like this?” It wasn’t laughter or a happy smile that radiated from Ellena’s face, but a series of protests that she threw.

“Can’t you be polite?” said Lucas who suddenly glared at Ellena’s face. Of course he was disappointed because Ellena did not accept his gift well.

“Have you never been taught how to be grateful?” growled Lucas.

Ellena looked down. Again she was made to shrink by Lucas’s piercing gaze.

“Th-that’s not what I meant. I didn’t ask you to buy me a new cell phone. You should have discussed this with me first,” she explained later.

“How much money I spend on that phone, it’s none of your business!” Lucas kept his words firm.

He didn’t just want to buy Ellena a new cell phone. He had a reason to do that, because he felt sure that Ellena turned off the cell phone was not without reason. Until in the end, he decided to buy a new cell phone as well as a sim card for Ellena.

“There’s already a new sim card in there, you can use it,” Lucas said as he handed his briefcase to Ellena. “Please, keep my bag in the workspace,”

“Fine. Thanks for the phone,” Ellena answered quietly.

Ellena felt bad, because Lucas had spent too much money on her and her family. And this time, Lucas had to spend more money on her for a cell phone. She knew very well how much the phone cost. It probably wouldn’t be worth the two months she’d been earning at Lucas’ company. Because, the salary is much lower than the price of the phone. In fact, all she needed was a new sim card, not a new cell phone.

***

During the few days of living in her new home with Lucas, Ellena was bored. Because of Joana’s presence in the house, she had nothing to do but eat, sleep and watch. Only occasionally does she cook in the kitchen. It only takes one to three hours. Other than that, she uses her time to relax and it’s very boring.

“Ah, this is so boring. I can’t go on like this.” Ellena got up from her bed. She seemed to be pacing incoherently in the room. Of course it was because she was thinking of ways to get her to have other activities besides just sleeping and eating.

“My body aches all, if I just stay at home,” she complained, holding her forehead. Meanwhile, her legs still haven’t stopped moving to and fro.

“Lucas, why isn’t he home yet? Isn’t he usually home by this hour?” Ellena stopped in her tracks. She looked up at the clock hanging on the wall in her room.

The time has shown at 04.00 p.m. It’s quite late. She should have been home by now. However, I don’t know this time. Apparently, the man was busy at the office, so he came home late. Or maybe because Lucas was having a meeting outside?

“Could Lucas have given me permission, if I asked to stay at her company?” she said thoughtfully. “There’s no harm in trying, maybe she will understand what I mean. Besides, I also have to consider the fate of my life after divorcing him. I’m sure he can’t allow me to work in his company, after we divorce. And my family is the victim, huft!” Ellena cursed her own fate. Instantly she exhaled heavily.

“Or should I just call him?” Ellena thought for a moment, before she finally decided to call Lucas.

She reached for the phone that was on the table. The cellphone Lucas gave him which only had three contact numbers in it, namely the number of Lucas, her mother, and Filia.

Ellena was just about to make a call to Lucas. However, suddenly an incoming call from a new number appeared on her cellphone screen. She paused, staring at the phone screen. Of course she was confused. ‘Whose phone number is that?’ she thought. In fact, the sim card he uses is still very new, and has only been active for two days. However, why does anyone else know the number, other than the three contacts stored on her cell phone.

With a little hesitation, Ellena shifted the green icon on her phone screen. She quickly turned the phone screen to her ear.

“Hello,” said Ellena to someone on the other end.