The time went through fast then, after Ella left for the shop. As expected, the sales had doubled for the day. She shut the bakery half an hour earlier as she had to go out with Nick. This would be her last chance to persuade him to be on her side.
After buying a hearty meal for Mrs. Willow, she ensured that Helen was well fed. Only then did she go home; Not before packing some pastries and muffins which Helen suggested her to take for Emma. The same was with her mother who asked about her employer the moment she entered the house. Ella shook her head slightly at it. As Ella told her mother that Helen had sent her treats, she lighted like a Christmas day, snatching the bag from Ella's hand and looking into it. Ella shook her head slightly.
Seemed like only both the ladies felt for each other, while she was left chaperoning them. But who was she to take away the little happiness, her mother shared? After they both had gone into hiding, her mother wasn't the same. Now, no matter of jewellery or gems would melt her, rather she missed interaction with the world. This had her mother wanting to spend time with Mrs. Helen Willow, especially when she was aware that Helen wasn't part of her past life. Desperate things lead to desperate measures.
Ella headed her room to change saying Emma, "Don't make me anything tonight. I'm heading out."
This made Emma stop midway from tasting the cakes, surprised she asked, "What? Who are you going with?"
Well, it wasn't just Emma, but Ella too had cut off all ties with the outer world. So it was certainly a surprise for Emma. Many a times, Ella's mother had suggested her to go and find some friends or someone to talk to, but she had avoided them at all costs.
"It's necessary. I have to ensure something", answered Ella not saying anything completely while leaning at the doorway of her room. Her mother looked at her and walked to where she was, asking, "Are we in trouble, Ella?"
"No, mom! Didn't you say that I should find someone now and start a new life here, so that's what I'm trying. It takes time, though. Now you go, I have to change", said Ella a bit hurriedly, while she hoped her mother didn't pick on that. Lying becomes very difficult to do with you loved ones! Emma wanted to believe her daughter, but she knew that she was not only her daughter but her father's too, which worried her, as the both father-daughter would shame the same trait of a calculative mind. The both of them knew how to favour the situation on their sides. She just wanted her daughter to be careful. Truth was, that Ella loved her mother dearly, though she looked up to her father; which could explain why Ella was ensuring to make her mother happy by taking away all their worries.
"Ok. You enjoy your night. Come back tonight though. I know I said you to move ahead, but you have to be careful, child."
"Of course, mom, I'm your daughter. Have faith in me", winked Ella and kissed her mother's cheek.
Ella closed the door and locked it while taking deep sighs, after her mother left the room. It has to work today, even she will have to start loving Nick. She had seen the obvious desire in Nick's eyes which meant that he was feeling attracted to her. Her mother was the most important now, followed by Helen. And she will have to protect her women. Anyhow.
Ella has been sacrificing so many things since the very beginning. She had given her whole life to the company on a golden platter, then she gave her trust, her heart, everything. What remained was her self-esteem, which motivated her to stand up and keep on fighting. And this time she has to sacrifice her feelings, she has to start to love again. It was the least she could do to ensure safety.
Covered in a deep blue dress, with the V-shaped neckline deep enough to hint her cleavage and V-shaped back length of the dress deep until her lower back, remaining tight-fit around her waist and the rest of the material flowing till her toes. It looked fine on her; Dressed not too much or too less.
Ella let her hair down which covered the bare part on her back. She applied her gloss and adjusted the pendent around her neck. As much as she liked the dress on her, she wasn't very comfortable with having people always to stare at her. That used to be the case previously. But this wasn't the same now. She had to be careful.
Leaving the house, she booked a cab to reach the shop. Though she could have walked like usual, she didn't want anyone recognising her. Goodness! The night has not yet started and she was getting scared at every point of the time. For a moment, she considered cancelling all her plans now, but she didn't want to risk Nick searching for her the whole night.
They had agreed to meet up at the shop and from there Ella would take them to a place for dinner. As she lived here now, she was well aware of the places that would be safer for them to dine. This way she avoided any chances of exchanging numbers or any other personal info.
When Ella reached the shop, she was greeted with Nick waiting for her; Ella checked her phone and was surprised to see him up there earlier than decided. He was dressed in a shirt and coat, simply looking handsome. His hair wasn't combed, rather it was run through with his fingers. He was still doing the same as she was looking at him. He was a good-looking one, thought Ella. She wondered what made him feel so attracted towards her. He could have had anyone, as she never dressed attractively in the shop. It was the cakes and muffins that were supposed to look attractive in order to make money! She called him while remaining seated in the cab, "Hey!", waved Ella to which Nick hurried up to her.
"You surely have your own way of giving a man, nightmare. I almost thought you stood me up", said Nick after seating inside the cab.
"Can't blame me, when you were quarter to an hour earlier", Ella argued with her brow raised.
"Oh! Yeah, actually I thought I might miss you", said Nick while scratching his neck at the back. Both of them stared at each other then, each pair filled with their own emotions. One of belongingness while the other of wariness.
"Where to miss?", interrupted their thoughts and Ella passed the address to the driver. The whole ride was silent with Ella looking over to her side of the window and Nick glancing at Ella occasionally.
Nick felt in a trance, while staring at Ella from her hair to her eyes which had no make-up, not that he was complaining, she looked beautiful just the way she carries herself. His eyes stared below to her lips which were shining, all the more making Nick imagine them kissing. He closed his eyes shook his head slightly and looked back at her now following her neck to her collar bones which were clearly visible, in that dress; The more Nick was looking at every part of her, the more he was squirming in his seat. His fingers ran through his hair, calming himself down in the process. With much difficulty, Nick willed himself to look away from her and towards his side of the window.
Oh god help me, thought Nick.