5
1130 Words
PAMELA'S (ELLA) POV
°°° THREE YEARS LATER °°°
As I stepped out of arrivals, cameras flashed and voices rose, the waiting crowd parting as my assistant hurried forward to take my luggage.
She led me towards the group of people watching me eagerly.
“Welcome, Miss Ella,” they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully as they held up signs bearing my name.
They held welcome signs with my name on them.
I nodded in response. A majority of them here worked for me, although a few of them were from my business partners. They had come to this country weeks ago to get the new branch for my start-up running before I came.
One of them handed me a bouquet of red roses. I thanked them and accepted it, followed my assistant outside where a car was waiting to take me.
The welcoming group followed after me. My assistant put the luggage in the trunk and got into the passenger seat beside the driver. I climbed into the back.
I rolled down the window. “Thank you so much for welcoming me. Tell your bosses that Ella appreciates their kind gestures.”
They bowed again. The driver rolled the window up and drove us away. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
I was so anxious to be back here.
“Some of the investors have responded to your proposal. A few are willing to work on your terms and negotiate,” my assistant Jenna said, giving me my tablet.
I tucked my jet black hair behind my ear and pored over the files on my tablet.
The first thing I had done to erase Pamela was cut my long hair into a sharp bob and dye it jet black- a stranger staring back from the mirror.
My phone began to ring and I put the tablet down, answering it. “I suspected that you wouldn't be able to resist calling me the moment you knew I was here,” I said, a small voice on my face.
He briefly chuckled into the phone. “You know how it is between you and I, Ella. I wish I was there to pick you up but the business overseas is taking my time.” he replied. “Did you get my flowers?”
I glanced down at the red roses laying in the seat behind me, finally noticing the note. I took it out: TO NEW BEGINNINGS - K.H.
Kael Hawthorne —Alpha of the Nightingale Pack, one of the most powerful Alphas on the continent… and the man who had rebuilt me from nothing.
“They're really pretty, thank you.”
Kael was silent for a while. “How does it feel to be back in this place again? To be here as Ella, not Pamela.”
For some reason, hearing his voice relaxed me.
To the rest of the world, I was Ella and this was my first time in this country. The only people who knew the truth were Nina and Kael. Kael had somehow found out who I really was.
And since then, he's been the best support and shoulder as I grew into Ella, a cybersecurity prodigy whose skills had made governments and billionaires seek her out.
“I don't know,” I confessed. “I'm still a bit confused. My main goal here is Elias. But fighting for him means revealing everything that I've worked so hard to hide.”
“Don't rush anything, Ella. Not until you're ready. And when you are, I'll be right next to you to support you.”
I could almost see Kael sitting next to me. I would sigh and lean my head on his shoulder. Instead, I leaned my head on the window.
“Thank you,” I said, “for everything.”
“Don't start,” Kael said, faking a stern voice on me. “I've got to go, but you're on your way to the villa, right? My Beta is expecting you.”
“Actually, I fixed a few meetings for today. I'll stop by the new office first before I go home,” I replied.
I waited for him to scold me for not resting. Instead, he said, “Always the workaholic.”
“I learnt it from you,” I smiled and we hung up.
It wasn't too long before we found the office. It was a stunning six storey building with reflective glass. I didn't oversee any of the construction or design. I only worked with pictures. I pushed this town away as much as I could.
A few of my workers recognised me and greeted me as I passed. I gave them small smiles, taking in everything as I walked to the elevator. My office was on the last floor and Jenna pushed the button.
However, I pushed the button for the first floor. “I'm going to take a look around to make sure everything is running smoothly. You can keep my things in the office and come join me if you want.”
My employees looked surprised to see me in person. The ambitious ones left their seats and came to talk to me, accompanying me even when I said it wasn't necessary.
They turned into my tour guide at some point. I was proud of what I’d built here. I’d gone from being a disrespected Luna to being a successful hacker who ran two branches in different countries. Billionaires looked for me and begged me to work with them.
No one here would dare call me useless.
That thought alone caused my spine to straighten.
As we turned the corner into the reception area, my steps faltered. A familiar figure paced near the windows, tall, broad-shouldered… impossible to mistake. I froze, my whole body reacting before I could.
He was still tall and confident. One hand was in the pocket of his trouser while the other was holding his phone. My heart lurched before I could stop it- a reaction I had trained myself for years to suppress.
But then, I remembered everything he’d done to me and suddenly, I wanted him out of here.
“Who let him in?” I asked no one in particular.
“He's been waiting a while for you, ma'am,” the chief operating officer spoke up. “I suggested that he come up here and wait.”
Even while my COO spoke, my eyes were locked on him. I felt that familiar tug towards him that had been buried for so long.
His brows furrowed and I watched him search the sea of faces before his eyes landed on me.
I steeled my nerves and lifted my chin.
His eyes widened, “Pamela?”
- Writer
