Chapter 11

Elena sits in her big leather chair. The room is quiet after Vanessa storms out. Her hand hurts from slapping Vanessa’s face. She shakes her fingers and looks at the tabloid on her desk. The words say, Power Couple or Power Play? She pushes it away. It slides and almost falls off. Her phone buzzes. Derek’s name shows up again. She stares at it but does not answer. The diamond ring on her finger shines in the sunlight. It feels heavy, like a chain. The ocean hums outside the tall window. It crashes on the rocks below. She likes the sound usually, but today it makes her mad. It reminds her of when she loved Derek with no worries. She rubs her head. A headache starts. Horizon Resort’s office is big and fancy, high above the California coast. Her dad built it. She runs it now. She will not let Vanessa ruin it.