Another customer entered the store after they had been talking for approximately 15 more minutes. Emily’s break had ended, and it was a good time for Ella to leave.
Ella stood. “I’ll be off then.”
Em hugged her. “Thanks for coming to see me.”
Emily had been busy with the ball coming up. Ella hoped they could squeeze in a movie night soon.
Ella finished her shopping and made a quick stop at the nearby bakery for some bread to have with her soup. She made a large amount and decided to share some with her parents. Taking a large container from the cupboard, she filled it and then departed from the loft. After storing hers in the fridge.
Mother did all the cooking at home now Ella had left home. Taking them some soup would give her a break. Ella didn’t cook every night. Sometimes it was just a case of taking a homemade precooked meal out of the freezer and heating it up. Grabbing a sandwich if she wasn’t that hungry.
Choosing to walk, it only took 20 minutes on foot. She bumped into Stephen on Main Street as he exited the pub with some friends.
Regrettably, she experienced no emotions at all. This only demonstrated her lack of emotion towards their breakup. It saddened her because she had almost married a man she didn’t love. She had at one time been fond of him. Could have called him a friend.
Looking at him now, she only felt disappointment in his poor judgment regarding Ava. He had fallen for Ava’s charm. It was only skin deep. Ella expected he will realise soon enough. Ava could only hide her true colours for a short period. It would be tough for her to conceal her true nature. Until after the marriage license was signed.
“Ella! How are you?” A flush of red appeared on Stephen’s face. They had only crossed paths a few times since he told her he couldn’t marry her and explained why.
“I’m great, Stephen, thank you. I’m taking this soup I made to my parents.” Showing him the container she was holding. Seeking a reason to escape this encounter.
One of his friends mumbled, “Yeah, no point giving it to Ava. She will only throw it up.” Said a voice from behind Stephen. It was Dave Stephen’s best man. Well, Ella was pretty sure he wouldn’t change his mind about his best man. Regardless of who he was marrying. In Stephen’s case, changing brides was his thing.
Stephen turned to glare at his friend.
Wow! looks like Stephen’s friends didn’t like Ava. The appeal of beauty had its limitations, and ultimately, people saw past it. If Ava saw Stephen’s friends as beneath her, it would be hard to hide her snide tongue.
“Are you coming to the ball?” Stephen asked her.
“No, Stephen I’m not.” Thank god. She thought. Anxious to distance herself from him and his friends. Who stood behind Stephen, watching their conversation with interest? Talk about embarrassing.
She couldn’t believe how difficult it was just holding a conversation with him? It was awkward. Perhaps it won’t be as bad in a few years.
“That’s a shame Tate was really hoping you would be there.” Stephen let her know.
“Another time, maybe. I’d better go. Enjoy your weekend.” Walking away, Ella didn’t look back. She was full of regret for nearly marrying Stephen without realising her lack of love for him. Not until they had ended their relationship. Had she come to realise her lack of true feelings? She idealised the concept of love.
Entering her family’s home through the back door, she could hear voices coming from the front room. Ava’s voice, brimming with anger, stood out, leading her to groan silently.
Did she really want to be here right now? Standing up against Ava was something her parents really needed to do. Saying this to her parents was pointless. They needed to figure it out their selves. She had tried to suggest it in the past without success. This was the monster they had helped create. Let them deal with it.
Placing the soup in the refrigerator and leaving was an option for her, but she recognised it as cowardly. Glancing around the kitchen, she waited for Ava to finish. Her parents’ kitchen needed an update. It was clean and tidy. Just a little dated and worn looking.
Ella moved to the sink and put away the drying dishes. This done, she could still hear Ava. The drama created by Ava did not sit well with Ella. Opting to enter the lounge, she found her mum and Ava sitting face-to-face. Jenny was trying to reason with Ava.
“Mum. I don’t care she is not wearing that to my wedding. I’m not having anyone stand out but me. At least I don’t have to worry about Ella. Anyone with some common sense would not give her a second glance. The only reason Stephen even asked her out was because his mother liked her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given her the time of day. She is that dreary.” Ava was so loud, Ella wouldn’t be surprised if the neighbours could hear her.
Ella raised her eyebrows. Ava gave the impression that Ella had no positive aspects in her life. Which wasn’t true! She was shy when compared to Ava, rather than naturally outgoing. Compared to Ava, a showgirl would be considered shy.
Ella was eagerly counting down the days until Ava got married and moved out of their family home. Ava caused additional stress for their parents. Not like Jenny Conners complained. With a deep breath, Ella stepped further into the family room.
When Ava noticed that Ella must have heard everything she said, she didn’t appear embarrassed at all. Jenny’s face was flushed with redness.
Ignoring Ava’s comments, Ella calmly went to her mum and planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Hi Mum, I brought you some veggie soup.” Ella explained her presence.
“Great, miss goody two shoes has arrived. Instead of making soup and being so god damn boring, how about you get a life?” Ava stormed out, forcefully closing the front door behind her.
“Bad Timing?” Ella knew that any moment could be a bad time if Ava was in a mood.
“You know how brides can be this close to their wedding. Ava’s upset because Penny, your cousin, wants to wear a red dress for Ava’s wedding.” Jenny let her daughter in on the current drama.
“Well, it’s not white Mum. I don’t see a problem.” Ava wasn’t a virgin or that it mattered in this day and age.
“Yes well, Ava’s worried it might be to eye catching.” Jenny put her hands together in worry.
Ella snorted. “Anxious about someone else looking good. Like Penny.”
“Ella!” Jenny wasn’t happy with her daughter’s reaction.
Ella frowned. She hadn’t heard her mum reprimand Ava for her comments about her, but anytime she said something against Ava, Jenny would jump all over her.
“I’m surprised she hasn’t demanded to see what I’m wearing.”
“Oh, she isn’t worried about what you are wearing, honey.” Jenny let her know.
Ouch! that hurt more than she was willing to share. “Thanks Mum!”
“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that,” Jenny realised how it sounded.
That’s just it. She was sure her mother did. It hurt because parents should love their children unconditionally. Beauty wasn’t just on the outside. It’s possible that Ella’s mother, just like everyone else, forgot about her being an identical twin.
“It’s ok.” Lying because she couldn’t stay, not now she was too upset. “I have to go. I’m meeting with Emily.” Ella hadn’t planned on heading back to Emily’s shop. Leaving the house, Ella stopped on the way home to see Emily.
“I didn’t expect to see you again.”
Luckily, Em had no customers. “I have changed my mind. Let’s go to the ball.”
Emily was left speechless, mouth agape. “You’re serious.” “As a heart attack.” Ella was angry with not just Ava but also with her family for accepting the status quo of Ava’s behaviour. “Not that I’m complaining, but what changed your mind?” “Ava. I don’t want to go into why.” It was explanation enough, Ella thought. “Ok, will you let me get you ready?” Emily didn’t push for more details. Just glad Ella was going. Ella thought for a minute. Why not! If you’re committed to something, you should fully commit. “Yes” Em clapped in excitement. “Ashwell will not know what hit them.” Standing in front of the mirror, Ella was completely taken aback by her reflection. This couldn’t be her. She looked completely different from both her twin sister and her usual self. Ella even shared her feelings with Emily. Which Em had replied there was a difference between class and cheap. Ella had all the class and Ava had all the cheap. Ella couldn’t believe the ball was tonight. After telling Em
Inside the ballroom of Blackwater Manor, Stephen and Ava accompanied Nick. Ava would soon be his friend’s wife. Nick had instantly taken a dislike to the woman. She was rude and self-centred. He had watched how she acted in the absence of Stephen. Marrying this woman would bring about some challenging experiences for his friend. Nick had arrived only yesterday. His intention was to keep a low profile in England for the upcoming weeks. His father was attempting to arrange a marriage between him and his ex sister-in-law. After his brother’s untimely death 8 months ago. The pressure had increased significantly recently, and stumbling upon a naked Sophia in his bed had been the last straw. Sophia was ambitious to be queen one day. After Nick’s brother had passed away, she had easily transferred her interest to him. He was worried she would do something that would tip his hand. Leave him no choice but to marry her or step down. Let the crown go to some cousin. His mother’s presence coul
“Cindy. My name is Cindy.” She said breathlessly. “Smile Cindy, we are about to enter the lion’s den.” He took her hand and led her towards Stephen and Ava. Ella breathed out. She could do this.Would they be able to identify her by her voice? It wasn’t anything like Ava’s. Ava had one of those high pitched girly voices. Ella saw no need to increase her volume so everyone around her could hear everything she said like Ava did.It was too risky to talk normally, just in case. Ella would intentionally pitch her voice lower to keep others from guessing.The decision to use the ball to seek revenge on Ava was a big mistake. She found herself in a position where she had to cooperate with this stranger. Her mind was racing as they reached the other couple.Nick placed his hand on her lower back on her bare skin, making her breath catch. His hand was hot, and it did something to her she hadn’t experienced before. It was all she could do to keep her smile in place when facing Stephen and Av
Ella’s attention was caught by Ava and Stephen as they stood near the edge of the dance floor. She sensed her sister’s extreme anger, and Stephen was discreetly trying to calm her down. Ella had doubts about its effectiveness. It wasn’t just her who was looking towards them - others were, too.“I give that marriage a year at most.”Even though she felt sad by his statement, Ella believed he was likely correct. Stephen will go to great lengths to maintain their unity after marriage, but if Ava continues to embarrass him and his family. There is a possibility that he will have to reconsider.Everyone knew that the Blackwater’s upheld traditions in the community, which were old-fashioned. She knew how Stephen would feel about public scenes or even PDAs (public displays of affection). She was desperately wishing for the prenup to be watertight.“Really, all couples fight Nick. My parents have been together for a long time, but they fight. Rarely grant you.” Looking back at the other coupl
Nick lifted his head, then kissed her quickly on the lips before dropping to his knees in front of her. Slid his mask to the top of his head out of his way, still holding her dress up to her waist. He ran his other hand up her long legs, caressing her smooth skin. She was like silk. Her hands fell to his shoulders, not following his instructions to not move. She cried out.“Shh,” he said before moving forward and placing his mouth against her most intimate part, running his tongue over her silk and lacy underwear. She gasped in surprise, making her other hand grip the back of his head and bringing her up to her toes. Her intoxicating aroma overwhelmed him, arousing his senses. Nick ran his tongue over the damp area on her underwear, a result of her craving for him.She was so responsive, so sensual, and so very sexy. Nick knew there was no way he could leave her now. He had wanted to take her in a bed, not against a gazebo wall in the garden where a party was taking place a few hundre
As they walked back to the manor, Nick led Ella to the side entrance so she could go to the ladies’ bathroom with no observers. She really needed to clean up.“Do you want me to wait here for you or meet you back in the ballroom?” Sliding an arm around her waist, pulling her in close.He had put his mask back in place and, like her, she could only see the lower half of his face. Yet, the sight she beheld during their rendezvous under the moonlight was breathtaking. His eyes were as dark as his hair. With a soft touch, Ella traced her hand along his sculpted jaw. She loved the sensation of his stubble grazing her fingers.“I think we both have been away too long. You go back. I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Leaning in, he kissed her hungrily. Not wanting to let her out of his sight even for a minute.“I’ll be waiting for you. I also think we need to talk before the night is over.” Giving her one last kiss before turning and heading down the stairs to the ballroom.Ella entered the bat
As he ran to the top of the stairs leading to the grounds surrounding the manor and driveway. Nick looked both ways, scanning cars and pathways, looking for Cindy everywhere. Starting down the stairs, he kept looking, hoping to spot her bright hair in the moonlight.He moved at a fast clip down the driveway along the line of cars. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing she had run from him. Needing to know what she had heard. Was it just he was a prince?Nick heard footsteps, turning to see Stephen running to catch up to him. “Do you see her? Tate just told me your date has run off.”“No. I can’t find her.” Nick didn’t see any cars start up or lights turn on.“Do you know why she left like that? Phone her. Ask.”“I would if I knew it.”“She was your date. How do you not have her number?”Frustrated, Nick said, “she wasn’t my date. I tried to stop a scene I could see brewing with Ava and I was trying to help. Cindy is a local.”“No way mate, I don’t know a Cindy and I
It wasn’t until the next morning Nick found out why Cindy must of ran and he was mad as hell and ready to kill Ava. The only thing that was stopping him was his friendship with Stephen. Ava had found out from Stephen that he was getting pressured to marry his sister-in-law and was currently hiding out in England. The little bitch had thought this gossip too good and had spread it around.Like any piece of gossip, she had told the story wrong. She had told everyone he was to marry Sophia. Had that been why Cindy had run? Had she heard this rumour?Sitting down with Stephen and Tate having breakfast the morning after the ball, his friend couldn’t apologise more. But now he needed to find Cindy because the damage was already done.He struggled to comprehend her virginity. She had been so sensual, so tantalising and exotic. Their sexual chemistry was like he had never experienced before.He would not let her slip through his fingers once he found her. If he was being forced to marry. Why