Nick was with his friends in the bar who was the only gloomy face among the group. "Hey bro, what has got you in so bad today? Enjoy the day man. This the last night of you here!" one of his friends Rick said sloppily, who was already down with the excuse of giving him the last treat for the day. Frankly Nick didn't care. He wasn't in any mood after last night. Never had he thought that he would feel something so strong that she kept on coming conquering his thoughts, even then. He just hoped he could have spoken more reasonably, as only in the morning he realized that he had made her feel more hurt than himself. He was such a looser sometimes. To prove that her words constantly resonated in his mind, 'For someone as narrow-minded as you, who looks over the world in black and white phase, I should have expected it that you would pass your own judgment.' She truly thought right. Judgmental Nick. That made Nick feel gloomier.
He had hoped to relieve his mind from thinking anything, but as he saw the drinks today, he was reminded of the last night when he vomited all the contents after he drank too much. And that was enough to repel him from touching the drinks for a whole week.
The four of them including Rehaan and Sid had jammed their asses in this place. Ella found Nick munching on some fries while she found him. She went straight to him and right then the conversations at the table stopped abruptly; Must she say her appearance indeed surprised him. She liked to give surprises that way, when it's usually so unexpected. Not caring about other's reactions Ella spoke looking directly at Nick, "I need to speak with you."
Nick was still sitting stupefied looking at Ella, his eyes taking own time to stare at her. He had thought he wouldn't be able to ever meet this raven-haired, light-brown eyed beauty. He kept on staring down to her lips which weren't very plump, but firm enough to be kissed thoroughly. He went on down to her neck. "About last night," interrupted his thoughts, making him look straight into her eyes. He saw the need in her eyes but it didn't seem like the one he was hoping her. She most certainly seemed worried. Worried about him? He doubted that. Especially after last night.
"Lost your tongue?" asked Sid who was sitting adjacent to him. "Don't wait your lady, bro! Bad Manners! Get her before anyone else do," Rick patted on his back. Before he could say anything else, "So that's why you weren't there at the hostel," Sid interrupted innocently, which Nick knew was anything but.
Nick glared at all of them and looked at Ella. She understood and went outside the place to wait for him. Nick hurried up after her to mend all the problems. The least he wanted was, both of them to not part with troubled paths. As he reached her, "I'm sorry for last-" "Sorry Ella, I-" Both of them smiled at each other. "Guess we know what other wants to say," mused Nick.
"Walk with me, Nick?" He nodded and went along with her.
"As you know about me, does anyone else know?" it was a prime question going through Ella's mind as she conjured her mind thinking about that until now. She looked at Nick for the answer."No Ella. I didn't speak to anyone about it."
"Then how did you inquire that it was me?" Was Nick being too stupid to like her direct approach all the time. It was just so different from what he had felt from many girls that it seemed like a whole new world. If only all were like that. Well, maybe he won't find anyone like her.
"Nick?" Ella persisted growing more and more worried. Again, Nick scolded himself for spacing out on her.
"When we met, you seemed familiar to me. Moreover, I didn't understand why I never met you before. I mean I've been in London my whole life, and I know who are around me. When I couldn't recollect where I met you, it intrigued me. I searched about you that whole day. With no social media, no background of yours here? It made me kinda suspicious and I dug deeper. It was when I searched through my contacts and photos, that I came across an invitation which was forwarded to me by one of my cousins; It was the birthday invitation from two years ago." As Nick finished, Ella didn't expect to be reminded of that day when her whole universe went upside down.
"So... You just had the photo, for two years?" asked Ella dejectedly, at the same time curious to know his answer.
"It all gets automatically saved in the cloud, and I never went to that party, but I knew you existed Ella, unlike how you are behaving to be now."
Ella was quiet about it. As they had walked the lane and came back to the same bar, she decided to leave. "I would be grateful of you, to not disclose anything about me to anyone. It would create too many problems for me Nick. That would explain the deliberate measures taken by me to cover where I came from," Ella smiled at him softly.
"Ella, are you in danger? Is someone following you?" Nick suddenly asked, grabbing her shoulders in process. "I can help. I can keep you safe, Ella. You just have to ask." Ella held his wrists with both her hands and slowly pulled it away from her shoulders saying,
"You would go against the Kings'? Also, the fact being your uncle is a part of it," Ella stated. While on her way to find Nick; Mike had passed over the complete profile of Nick. Now that's what she would say as efficiency. She knew he was a part of the corporation, or related to. It was established yesterday itself that Callie could be his cousin and confirmed today in his profile; about his uncle named William Brooks being registered as a member of the Kings'. Nick was shocked, just how she had been the previous night. He didn't know whether to applaud her or be wary of her, after all it was expected of her. Blood flows thicker than anything.
"You don't have to worry yourself, Nick. I'll take care. Just keep your end of the deal and we will never meet," even if it was the truth they had anticipated long enough, it was harder to put it in words and accept it.
"I'm genuinely sorry for yesterday, Ella. I should have listened to you! I should have given you a chance, but I just snapped. Because..." He sighed and continued, "Because I knew then that you were already taken. Whole London knew about the rumors between you and him. And as much I have seen and known Roy Knight, he doesn't give away what he claims. That was the last straw to break me."
"He doesn't claim me. I think that was established the moment the rumors stopped," Ella said calmly and firmly, though internally she was fighting her biggest turmoil. The whole country had anticipated them to be together like a beautiful fairy tale with a Happy Ending! It just made her more and more nauseous.
"I wish I can know you better Ella. Can we meet, whenever I come here?" Before Ella could interject, he continued, "We'll meet at the shop as a cover. Please just say yes, and I'll do everything. I did mean us as friends. I know I've been a shitty one lately, but can we start over?"Ella looked at him, having a strange expression like a child who will cry if his ice-cream is taken away from him. She agreed, "Alright, when you come here."
His eyes lighted up saying "Yes!" a number of times while hugging her suddenly. That was the closest she had been in contact with a guy for the past two years. So, it seemed awkward to her for a moment, after which she hugged him back, smiling at his childishness.
"When will you be leaving?" asked Ella after pulling back from Nick.
"Uh, tomorrow morning. At 10."
"Join me for dinner tonight, Mr. Brooks?" "Why, thank you, Miss. Queen. I would be most delighted." Nick winked at her, which made her laugh lightly, so overwhelmed with his playful ways. Ella was happy to have met Nick, she wasn't this happy since a very long time. She looked into his eyes and grabbed his palms saying, "Thank you," wanting to let him know that he meant a lot to her. It softened Nick and before he knew it, he was already aware, that he has gone under some deep shit, and it seemed very difficult for him to come back. Not that he wanted to. He would stay there for as long as his heart was beating.