Obsession (Endurance) Read Online Free PDF

there was a mix of employees I loved and
friends of my parents I knew but wasn’t really ready to see. 
    I
was suddenly very nervous, putting my good foot on the floor to stop the
chair.  It jarred me sharply and I hissed in pain. 
    Bianca
was in front of me instantly.  “These are people you know ,
Ellie.  No one will hurt you, nor even be allowed to touch you if that is
what you wish.”  I was humiliated when my eyes filled with tears, blinking
furiously to keep them from falling.  “Ellie, take a deep breath,
love.  There are no injuries visible with exception of your casts. 
Your face is completely back to normal and you look beautiful.  You can do
this.  Yes?”
    I
nodded and lifted my foot from the floor.  I felt Padme touch my shoulder
on one side and Fiaaz on the other.  They gave a small squeeze of support
and released me.  My mother and father saw me as they turned.  I
forced a smile as they hurried to my side. 
    “Ellie,
you look so lovely, princess.” 
    “Thanks,
Dad.”  I pulled him to me and whispered, “Thank you for the
apartment.  I’m so happy to be home with you both again.”  My mother
was kneeling and hugged me.  I touched Dad’s cheek and he leaned into my
palm with his eyes closed. 
    I
knew both of them were on the verge of losing their composure completely. 
“Enough.  We’re together and we’re safe.  I love you very much. 
Help me get through this.”
    The
visitors to Elysian Fields Estate ranged from long-time business associates to
men and women who’d attended Oxford with my dad or Yale with my mom.  Most
of them had been at my christening and all of them knew I’d been brutally
attacked. 
    Over
the course of the cocktail hour I was asked if I would like to use Dean Marcos’
ninety foot yacht to get away for a while.  Nelinda Baker and her elderly
husband reminded me of their private island in the South Pacific that was mine
for the asking. 
    Tuscany
villas with fortress protection, castle style ski lodges in Aspen, and
bulletproof motor homes for a cross-country jaunt were offered up.  There
were multiple offers of vengeance and Dad rushed to assure them it was being
handled to which heads would nod with cool calculation.
    The
media portrayal of the uber-rich focused on those selfish bastards who lived
only to spend their money.  My parents made it a point to keep such types
out of their inner circle.  Their friends were socially aware and generous
to a fault – a fact I had always appreciated.
    I
didn’t have to fake enjoyment of their company.
    I
was so tired by the time Mrs. Safoya announced dinner.  I asked to sit
near my mother with Bianca and Padme on either side of me and Fiaaz
close.  It was arranged instantly and I was relieved to be assisted into a
normal chair.  Course after course of my favorite foods were served. 
    I
was jittery and ready to crawl out of my own skin.
    When
my entree was placed in front of me, I worried for a moment about being able to
cut the filet wrapped in filo dough.  I shouldn’t have given it a second
thought.  Mrs. Safoya and Cook had pre-sliced my food with knives so sharp
it still looked whole. 
    I
glanced up to see the housekeeper looking at me with a smile and I mouthed
‘thank you’ to her.  To my pleasure, she blew me a kiss down the
table. 
    My
first speed bump occurred when everyone was finishing their meals.  For
the past several years I’d become a wine connoisseur.  Though I rarely
drank, I had Dad’s discriminating palette and it was unknown to see me consume
a meal without a glass of something from my collection. 
    Dean,
one of the most observant men I’d ever known, asked quietly, “Elliana, is there
a reason you’re not partaking of your lovely wines?  We’re fortunate to be
enjoying your favorites.”
    “I…I…”
the question had taken me so by surprise I was unsure how to answer.  I
blushed violently.
    A
deep voice that sent chills through my body spoke directly