Chapter 8
972 Words
Ella stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeve of her blouse for the third time.
A small smile tugged at her lips despite everything weighing on her mind.
Today, Eliora was finally coming home.
For the first time in days, Ella genuinely felt excited.
Eliora had been her best friend since childhood.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Fearlessly honest.
The complete opposite of Ella.
They had only separated when Eliora left to study abroad, but distance had never weakened their friendship.
And right now, Ella desperately needed someone she could talk to freely.
Someone who wasn’t connected to business contracts or arranged marriages.
Grabbing her keys, she hurried toward the airport.
---
The arrival terminal was crowded and noisy.
People moved in every direction while announcements echoed overhead.
Ella carefully stepped around a family rushing past when suddenly—
Someone slammed hard into her shoulder.
The impact nearly knocked both women off balance.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Ella said immediately, bending to help gather the items scattered across the floor.
But instead of accepting the apology, the woman snapped angrily.
“Are you blind?”
Ella looked up slowly.
The woman wore oversized sunglasses and an expensive hoodie pulled over perfectly styled hair.
Her expression radiated irritation.
Ella straightened calmly.
“It was an accident.”
The woman scoffed.
“People like you always say that.”
Ella’s patience thinned instantly.
“And people like you enjoy creating drama for no reason.”
The woman’s face darkened.
“You dare talk back to me?”
Before Ella could react—
Slap!
The sound echoed loudly across the terminal.
Everything around them froze.
Ella slowly turned her face back toward the woman, stunned.
Then, without hesitation—
Slap!
Gasps erupted nearby.
The woman staggered backward in shock.
Ella’s expression remained perfectly calm.
“You hit me first,” she said evenly.
Several men rushed over immediately.
“What happened?” one demanded.
The furious woman pointed dramatically at Ella.
“She assaulted me!”
Ella crossed her arms.
“She slapped me first.”
The surrounding crowd had already started recording with their phones.
One of the men sighed tiredly.
Of course this would become public gossip.
Ella adjusted her handbag calmly.
“If she’s your friend,” she said coolly, “teach her some manners.”
Then she walked away before anyone could stop her.
Behind her, one of the men muttered under his breath,
“She looks soft, but she’s terrifying.”
The woman glared furiously.
“Can somebody help me stand first before admiring strangers?”
The men quickly apologized.
---
“Ella!”
A loud familiar voice rang across the terminal.
Ella turned instantly.
“Eliora!”
The two girls ran toward each other and collided in a tight hug.
“You finally came back,” Ella laughed.
Eliora pulled away dramatically.
“Obviously. My best friend is getting married to a billionaire. Did you think I’d miss that?”
Ella rolled her eyes.
“So you came back for gossip, not for me?”
“Exactly.”
Ella laughed despite herself.
Eliora grinned brightly.
She hadn’t changed at all.
Her energy filled every space around her effortlessly.
As they walked toward the parking lot, Eliora linked their arms together excitedly.
“Okay, first of all,” she began immediately, “how handsome is he in real life?”
Ella sighed.
“That’s literally your first question?”
“Yes.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
Eliora gasped dramatically.
“Ella Nelson, answer me properly.”
Ella tried hiding her smile.
Unfortunately, Eliora noticed instantly.
“Oh my God.”
“What?”
“You smiled.”
Ella immediately looked away.
“It’s not like that.”
Eliora narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“So he’s handsome.”
Ella stayed silent.
Eliora screamed softly.
“I knew it!”
Several people turned to stare.
Ella grabbed her arm quickly.
“Can you please behave like a normal person for once?”
“No.”
Ella sighed in defeat.
Nothing about Eliora had ever been normal.
---
The drive home was filled with nonstop talking.
Mostly from Eliora.
She talked about school abroad, parties, ridiculous professors, and random strangers Ella would never meet.
For the first time in days, Ella genuinely relaxed.
By the time they arrived home, evening had already settled outside.
After unpacking, Eliora dragged Ella directly into the living room.
“Now talk.”
Ella blinked.
“About what?”
“Don’t test me.”
Eliora narrowed her eyes.
“The marriage.”
The excitement in Ella’s expression faded slightly.
She sat down quietly.
“They say he’s cruel,” she admitted softly.
“Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable.”
Eliora listened carefully for once.
Ella looked down at her hands.
“I don’t know what my future will look like anymore.”
The fear in her voice finally became clear.
Eliora’s expression softened immediately.
She reached over and held Ella’s hands firmly.
“Listen to me carefully,” she said.
Ella looked up slowly.
“You are stronger than you think.”
Her voice remained steady.
“And honestly? I don’t care how powerful Andrew Stuart is. If he hurts you, I’ll personally destroy him.”
Ella laughed weakly through her emotions.
“You can’t even win arguments with waiters.”
“That’s not the point.”
Ella smiled again.
Then quietly, she admitted,
“He’s not what I expected.”
Eliora immediately leaned forward.
“Oh?”
Ella hesitated.
“He’s… calmer than the rumors.”
“And?”
“And annoyingly handsome.”
Eliora screamed into a pillow.
“I KNEW IT!”
Ella covered her face in embarrassment while Eliora laughed loudly.
For the first time since the arrangement began, Ella felt slightly lighter.
Maybe because no matter what happened next…
She wouldn’t face it alone
- Writer
