Ella looked down at the word she had scribbled on the paper and giggled softly. "Ellanay." It was a playful mix of her na "Ella" and Sidney’s—her first love. She never imagined she would et him like this, especially because he invited her. In her daydreams, Sidney was always the hero, coming to rescue her from danger from all those imaginary villains. But now, she was the one going to help him, and it felt both exciting and a little strange.
She stared at the na again, feeling a mix of excitent and nerves. eting Sidney felt like stepping into one of her young adult fantasies when she’s just started to learn what love was. And until now, no one had been able to take his place. She knew of course that Sidney and her brother were enemies, but she couldn’t help herself from fantasizing about Sidney.
As she waited for him to arrive, she could not help but wonder. "What was Sidney’s connection to Serena? And why had her father insisted she send Serena’s picture to Sidney without telling anyone about it? It was a strange request, but she did it anyway. She felt like she had no choice. No one in the family really cared about her the way she wished they did. Aiden was the only one who paid her any real attention, taking care of her needs and supporting her dreams but that was simply because he felt it was his duty.. Grandma seed to care too, but Ella knew she was still second to Aiden, and now, Serena. Her mother didn’t seem to care much either, focusing all her hopes on her ’precious son- Nathan.’
And so, despite the nurous doubts plaguing her, she was doing this. She knew Nathan had refused to help their parents. At first, she didn’t want to help them either, wanting to stay away. But when would she ever get another chance to et Sidney? The opportunity was too tempting to pass up, so she did what she had to. If she had a chance with him, maybe he would fall in love with her and then she would be able to leave everything and every hurt behind.
Ella folded the paper with the ’equation’ of their nas and placed it under the glass before quickly standing up and walking to the washroom. Once there, she walked over to the mirror, checking her reflection carefully. She leaned in closer, making sure her makeup was perfect. Her eyeliner needed to be just right, her lips the perfect shade of pink. She wanted to look her best.
Once assured that she looked perfect, she patted her stomach to calm the butterflies there and made her way back. And almost stumbled when she saw that he’d already arrived at their table and was sitting where she had been monts ago. Thankfully, the glass had not moved and she could still see the tissue paper sitting there untouched.
He looked so handso that it made her breath catch and she had to remind herself to keep breathing normally. Even just sitting there, looking around, he made her heart flutter.
"Ella," he said, standing up and offering his hand as she reached the table. "It’s been a long ti."
His voice was smooth, almost velvety, with just the slightest hint of sothing she couldn’t quite place. She took his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm against hers, and tried to steady her racing heart. He had such warm hands... And then, he did sothing that almost made her faint. He stepped forward and kissed her cheek, as he muttered," Last ti I saw you, you were still a school going kid. Though now... you’re all grown up..."
Ella almost choked and hurriedly sat down, feeling a bit conscious, on the chair he’d pulled for her. She was still a student...To distract him from her age, she smiled and answered casually," Yep. I..I uh saw you at the celebration but before we could et, you’d already gone away."
"Really? You’re telling , I missed my chance to dance with you because of work? What a sha.."
"Yes," she managed, her voice a bit breathless. "It has."
Ella clasped her hands in her lap as she wondered when he would start questioning her about Serena. Unexpectedly, instead of asking her about Serena, be made general talk and orderd food, making her wonder if he even wanted to know about her.
It was only after the waiter had left that he turned back to her,"So, Ella. You shared a picture with recently. It was a bit blurry, but it seems you know the whereabouts of the person I am looking for."
Ella nodded and was about to tell him everything when she paused, wanting to ask him sothing. She hesitated and then, answered his question with a question of her own.
"Are you related to Serena in any way?"
Ella failed to realize that she’d sohow caught his attention then. Sidney had never taken Serena’s na but by bringing her up directly, she had confird his suspicions.
Instead of the calculation in his gaze, she felt that he was looking at her and she felt a bit giddy. But then he answered," Yes. I am looking for her... On soone else’s request. So, do you know where is Serena? Can you show a clearer picture of her so that I can make sure she is indeed the one I am looking for?"
Ella nodded. She’d expected that and been prepared for it. Opening her phone gallery, she quickly pulled out the picture from the many photos they’d prepared as part of the wedding photoshoot and slid her phone across the table. While he picked up her phone, their fingers brushed and she felt a shiver go through her. It was the slightes touch but so electrifying. However, she was so entranced in watching his hands... as they cradled her phone... that she failed to realise all the ’electrifying feelings’ were from her end only.
The man’s expression had already changed from gentle to ruthless as he looked at Aiden holding Serena intimately.
Finally, when he slid the phone back to her, she
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