Anniversary Gala
Ella’s POV
I stepped out of the taxi, my children’s hands grasped tightly in mine. The bright lights of London’s evening reflected off the wet pavent. Aria and Alex chattered excitedly about their first trip to London.
I smiled, nostalgia washing over . She hadn’t set foot in London since leaving years ago. The hospital’s anniversary gala tonight would be a test of my resolve.
My mother, Victoria, had invited , insisting it was ti to reconnect. Ella’s doubts lingered, but her children’s eager faces reassured her.
As they entered the grand hotel, my poise faltered.
The room sward with familiar faces, wealthy patrons, influential politicians. And billionaires.
My eyes scanned the crowd, instinctively searching for one face. Eric.
Rumors of his success had reached .
Had he changed? I asked.
A gentle nudge reminded of my children’s presence.
"Mommy, look!" Aria exclaid.
I followed my daughter’s gaze to a stunning chandelier.
As they mingled, I sensed eyes on her.
I turned to face Eric.
Our gazes locked.
For a mont, ti froze.
Eric’s eyes widened, his stare drifting to the children.
Surprise. Confusion. Fear.
He took a step back, hesitation written across his face. My heart skipped a beat.
Would he approach ?
Or flee? The uncertainty was suffocating. "Champagne, madam?"
A waiter interrupted the tension. I accepted a glass, my eyes never leaving Eric’s.
The questions swirled in my mind: What did Eric want?
And why did his presence still stir my soul?
I stood frozen, my gaze locked onto Eric’s. The years lted away, and I was transported back to that fateful night. His eyes, once burning with desire, now held a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
My children’s presence seed to stun him. I watched as his eyes darted between Aria and Alex, his expression softening.
Aria tugged on my hand, breaking the spell.
"Mommy, who’s that man?" Alex asked.
I hesitated, unsure how to respond. "Just soone I knew a long ti ago, sweetie."
Eric’s gaze snapped back to mine, a flicker of emotion crossing his face. He took a step forward, then halted, as if unsure of his welco. My heart raced. What did he want?
"Mommy, can we go see the chandelier?" Alex asked, tugging on my other hand.
I smiled, grateful for the distraction. "Of course, baby."
As we walked away, I felt Eric’s eyes on . I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.
We mingled, exchanging pleasantries with the other guests. But my attention kept drifting back to Eric. He stood alone, sipping his drink, his eyes never leaving mine.
The air seed charged with tension. Suddenly, a well-manicured hand grasped my arm. "Ella, darling."
My mother’s voice.
"Victoria," I replied coolly.
My mother’s eyes narrowed. "I see you’ve spotted Eric. He’s quite...interested in you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Victoria’s smile was calculated. "Yes. And he’s not the only one. Several billionaires are vying for your attention tonight."
My instincts prickled. What did my mother have planned?
"I’m not interested," I said firmly.
Victoria’s laughter sent a shiver down my spine. "We’ll see about that." As she walked away, Eric’s eyes locked onto mine once more.
This ti, I saw a spark of determination.
Was he ready to face the past? Or did he want sothing more?
The evening wore on, the crowd growing thicker. Eric and I continued to exchange glances, the tension between us building.
My mother reappeared, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Ella, I have a surprise for you." She said.
Before I could react, she grasped my arm, propelling toward Eric. "Eric, darling, I believe you know my daughter," Victoria said, her voice dripping with malice.
Eric’s eyes narrowed, but he offered a charming smile.
"Ella. It’s been...enlightening."
I shot my mother a warning glance. "Victoria, stop."
But she had already lted into the crowd, leaving Eric and alone.
The silence was oppressive.
"Your children are beautiful," Eric said finally. I softened, my guard dropping.
"Thank you. They are my world."
Eric’s gaze lingered on mine.
"I had no idea," he whispered.
The emotion in his voice caught off guard.
Did he truly care?
Or was this another ga?
As the music began, Eric offered his hand.
"Dance with ?"
My heart skipped a beat.
Should I trust him? Or flee?
I hesitated, Eric’s hand extended before . The music swirled, a sensual lody that seed to pull us together.
Aria and Alex, oblivious to the tension, twirled around us, laughing. "Mommy, dance!" Aria urged.
I couldn’t resist their smiles.
I placed my hand in Eric’s, and he drew close.
Our bodies swayed to the rhythm, the distance between us dissolving.
Eric’s eyes locked onto mine, searching.
For what?
Forgiveness?
Understanding?
Or sothing more?
His hand on my waist sent shivers down my spine again.
"Eric," I whispered, "what do you want?" I asked.
His breath caressed my ear.
"I want to know what happened, Ella. Why you left."
The past surged forward, threatening to overwhelm .
"I couldn’t stay," I replied, my voice barely audible.
Eric’s grip tightened. "Because of ?" He asked.
I nodded, my eyes welling up.
The music swelled, and we moved in perfect sync.
For a mont, the world faded away.
Leaving only us.
And the secrets we shared.
Reviews
All reviews (0)