On reaching their destination, Ella got out of the cab along with Nick, when Nick went over to the driver with money, thinking to pay for the ride. "I already paid", interrupted Ella while clutching his arm to stop him. The situation led them to be close enough that Ella could smell his perfume. She moved her hand back and waited for Nick to come along with her. Such awkwardness! thought both of them.
It was the place chosen by Ella where she had once been with her mother. The place was finely built with antiques decorating the interior and plants, bushes gracing the exterior. Ella went with Nick upstairs which had rooftop view. "Impressive choice milady!"
Ella was about to get the chair to sit when she paused. Nick noticed that, and couldn't help asking, "What is it Ella?"
Ella recovered herself and went to sit at the table which was centred in the middle, Nick followed her behind and sat opposite of her. Then Ella said quietly, "Don't call me that." If Nick hadn't been staring at her lips, then he couldn't have made out what she said. Nick understood that she didn't want to talk about it further. He was finding it really difficult to get to her. All the time through their ride, both hardly spoke anything. And now it seemed he again did something wrong.
At the same time for Ella, it was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on the present, when she was hearing his voice echoing in her ears calling her, 'Milady'. "I'm sorry. It's just everything new to me. I haven't ever been through dates or something. I don't know!", blurted Ella who was feeling nervous by the passing minute.
"Hey, hey, you don't have to go through the old rules. Just be who you are", soothed Nick.
"Did you say we are on a date?", asked Nick innocently, but he was smiling through his eyes. It improved Ella's mood.
"Are you implying anything less?"
"Oh no non, why would I?", Nick said hurriedly and murmured to himself, "Which idiot would!"
"Did you say something?"
"Um, yes, as you are new to this, I think I will have to teach you some points to be noted while being on a date." Nick cleared his throat to speak when Ella beat him,
"You said no rules."
"Ya, I said, but just know it for your knowledge, haha."
Ella looked at him patiently, leaning back on the chair after bringing her hair to one side in the front, while indicating him to continue. Nick was about to start when a waiter arrived at the table. The man came by and stood close to where Ella was sitting, then spoke, "What can I get you?", glancing from him to looking at Ella and stopping there. It irked Nick. This was when he was going to sway Ella and only now, did he have an unwanted pest around her. If it would have been London, this man wouldn't have been seen again in the city. But any chaos made by him here, would only bring attention to Ella, which he can't afford. Something told Nick that if he betrayed Ella, she would be lost to him forever. He would rather have her kill him, than never being able to see her.
"Please come after ten minutes. We need to decide", said Ella to the pest which puffed his chest with pride and longing. He didn't miss the fallen face of the waiter when he went away. Ella looked at him and continued, "You were saying..." Nick turned his focus from the waiter to her completely.
"Yes, I was saying that there are many rules but commonly these are the ones which have been applicable mostly. First, the guy will buy the food for the both of them. You might think it to be sexist but that's the way it had been since forever. It is like a first impression of showing belongingness to his girl." He paused, expecting something from Ella, but she kept looking at him silently. He then continued, "Next the guy should respect the wishes of his girl and always ask the lady for what she wants than imposing it on her." At this Ella raised her right brow and heard him. God, she looked the queen of elegance, now. Nick shook his head and concentrated, "Um, they talk in order to know each other and thenkissandstaythenight", finished Nick. He took his glass on the table and drank it completely. After he downed the glass, he found Ella leaning her neck slightly with her scrunched eyebrows. She was about to ask him the last part when the waiter returned. This time he waited no time to get that one sweet-talk his date, but already mentioned a varied menu involving spring rolls and crispy meat fritters. As soon as he finished, the waiter was going to look over to Ella to start a conversation when he asked Ella, "What would you like darling?", clearly Nick was stating that she was his girl and that one should back off.
Ella answered, "Same as him. And some champagne." "Add that one for me too."
"Are you alright?", asked Ella.
"Yeah! I'm on top of the stars", Nick smiled broadly at her.
"What if two girls went on a date?"
Nick's smile vanished with her question. "Well, uh, I guess anyone can do the part. I didn't exactly inquire in that context..."
"That's because your rules seemed baseless. I think that the both of them should be able to balance it together, than having to show each other who was the dominant one!"
"I guess you know better about it than me, when it's you who is learning." Ella only smiled at that.
"Oh, what was it you said the last time? I didn't exactly catch it."
"Nothing, not that we have to follow all the rules. After all I sucked really bad now."
"Hey, Ella. You're never coming to London again?", Nick asked longingly.
"No. I can't. What awaits there is only a prison. Not a suitable place for me."
"Will I find you the same place here? Please don't run away from me."
"I'll be here", Ella assured him.
"Why didn't you come to that party? My birthday party", Ella asked him indicating the time two years ago.
"I was off to another one, with my friends. Your friends do miss you, specially Kelly. She had been a fit since you have been gone. Once she had went on with her clutch at Roy and-. Sorry didn't mean to-"
"It's okay. I'm not like a porcelain doll. About Kels, I had to leave her behind. This life here is not something anyone expects to live. That was the least I could do for her."
"You know you shouldn't let anyone control your life just like that. I don't like to see you like this Ella. I can help. I can spy. Get you information if you need. Anything for you."
"Thanks Nick. But I have to stay put for five more years." Nick looked at her questioningly as he didn't understand the connection in that.
Ella was about to explain when their meals arrived. She waited for the man to leave and only then she continued, "The heir or as we say as the chairperson in the business language has the most influence in any decisions made. Kings Corporation has its policies articled, that the next heir is to ascend only when the previous one is dead, no matter at what age the predecessor dies. If the successor is an infant when the previous heir is dead, then that leaves the corporation to come to a standstill. All the activities that were going through until then, shall continue and no other different decision would be made", Ella spoke, the whole time looking at Nick's eyes, making sure he understood the gravity of the situation in order to avoid making mistakes.