THE GIRL FROM ROOM TEN

Chapter 16 — The World Between Them

Six months passed quietly in Mabini Valley.

For Ellie, life had begun to feel almost ordinary.

She attended college during the week, helped her parents whenever she could, and spent her evenings with Ethan.

And Lucas had become a steady presence in their lives.

He called almost every day.

Sometimes, 6he spoke to Ethan for hours about science and machines.

Sometimes, he called Ellie simply to ask how her classes were going.

He never demanded anything.

He never asked her to forget the past.

He simply kept showing up.

And slowly, Ellie began trusting him again.

But there was one thing neither of them had talked about.

Lucas's world.

The world he had returned to after leaving Rosewood Apartments.

The world of wealth, business, expectations, and family obligations.

Ellie knew he was wealthy.

She had always known.

But she had never truly understood how different their lives were.

Until one afternoon, she saw it for herself.

---

Lucas arrived at the university to pick her up.

Ellie was carrying several books when a black luxury car stopped near the entrance.

She immediately recognized him.

Lucas stepped out.

Several students turned to look.

Ellie sighed.

"You didn't have to bring that."

Lucas smiled.

"I thought you'd appreciate not taking the bus in the rain."

She looked at the expensive car.

"Everyone is staring."

"Let them."

"You say that because you're used to it."

Lucas laughed.

"Fair point."

He took her books.

"I can carry those."

"I know."

"But?"

"I want to."

Ellie smiled.

"You're becoming difficult."

"I learned from you."

They walked toward the car.

Before Ellie could get inside, a young woman approached.

"Lucas?"

He turned.

The woman's expression brightened.

"I didn't know you were here."

"Victoria."

Ellie immediately noticed the change in Lucas's expression.

He looked uncomfortable.

Victoria glanced at Ellie.

"And you are?"

Lucas answered immediately.

"Ellie."

Victoria smiled politely.

"I see."

Ellie could feel the tension.

Lucas opened the car door.

"We should go."

Victoria looked at him.

"Your father is looking for you."

"I'll call him."

She nodded.

Then she glanced at Ellie again.

"Nice meeting you."

Ellie returned the smile.

"You too."

The car drove away.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Finally, Ellie asked,

"Who was she?"

"A family friend."

"Just that?"

Lucas glanced at her.

"Why?"

"No reason."

He smiled.

"Are you jealous?"

Ellie immediately looked out the window.

"No."

"You're definitely jealous."

"I'm not."

Lucas laughed.

"Okay."

Ellie crossed her arms.

"Don't make me regret sitting in your car."

He laughed again.

For the first time, their conversation felt like it used to.

Light.

Easy.

It's almost playful.

---

That evening, Lucas received a call from his father.

"Come home."

"Why?"

"We need to discuss the foundation."

"I'll come tomorrow."

"Tonight."

Lucas sighed.

"Fine."

When he arrived at the Valmont residence, Richard was waiting.

"You've been spending a lot of time in Mabini Valley."

Lucas sat across from him.

"Yes."

"With Ellie?"

"Yes."

"And the boy?"

"Ethan."

Richard studied him.

"You intend to make them part of your life."

"They already are."

His father sighed.

"Lucas, the family has expectations."

"I know."

"There are people watching."

"I don't care."

"You should."

Lucas leaned forward.

"What exactly are you asking me to do?"

Richard hesitated.

"Think carefully before making any public announcement."

Lucas frowned.

"What announcement?"

"About your relationship with Eloisa."

Lucas's expression hardened.

"We're not married."

"I know."

"Then there is nothing to announce."

Richard looked away.

"You know how people will react."

Lucas stood.

"Let them."

---

Meanwhile, Ellie sat on the porch with her mother.

Margaret noticed her expression.

"Something happened."

"Nothing."

"You've been saying that since you were eighteen."

Ellie smiled.

"Mama..."

"You saw something today."

Ellie sighed.

"Lucas has a complicated life."

Margaret nodded.

"I know."

"He belongs to a world I don't understand."

"Do you love him?"

Ellie froze.

The question was direct.

She stared at the fields.

"I don't know."

Margaret smiled.

"You do."

Ellie looked at her.

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"That I'll never fit into his life."

Margaret took her hand.

"You don't need to fit into his life."

"What do you mean?"

"If Lucas wants to be part of yours, he must learn how to fit into it too."

Ellie smiled faintly.

"You make everything sound simple."

"No."

Margaret shook her head.

"I simply know that love shouldn't require you to become someone you're not."

---

The next weekend, Lucas arrived with an unexpected invitation.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"My father's birthday dinner."

Ellie's eyes widened.

"Absolutely not."

Lucas laughed.

"Why?"

"Because it's your father's birthday."

"Exactly."

"I'm not part of your family."

Lucas looked at her.

"You're important to me."

Ellie shook her head.

"Lucas..."

"Ethan is invited too."

She became quiet.

"He is?"

"Yes."

"Did your father agree?"

"Not exactly."

Ellie stared at him.

"Then why are you asking?"

"Because I want you there."

She looked down.

"What if they don't like me?"

Lucas smiled.

"Then they'll have to get used to you."

Ellie laughed.

"You make it sound easy."

"It isn't."

He extended his hand.

"But we can face it together."

Ellie looked at his hand.

Then she took it.

"One dinner."

"One dinner."

---

On the evening of the dinner, Ellie wore a simple blue dress.

She stood in front of the mirror.

She didn't look like the girl who had once worked in the bar.

She looked like a woman who had survived.

Ethan came into the room wearing a small suit.

"Mom."

She turned.

"You look handsome."

"You look pretty."

She smiled.

"Thank you."

Lucas arrived shortly afterwards.

When he saw them, he stopped.

"You both look incredible."

Ethan grinned.

"Mom picked my clothes."

Lucas looked at Ellie.

"She has good taste."

Ellie smiled.

"Let's just get through the dinner."

Lucas offered his arm.

She hesitated.

Then, I took it.

---

The Valmont residence was enormous.

Ethan stared at it.

"Lucas, do you live here?"

"Sometimes."

"Wow."

Ellie whispered,

"Don't stare."

"I'm not."

Lucas laughed.

Inside, several guests turned toward them.

Whispers began almost immediately.

Ellie noticed.

Lucas noticed, too.

He placed a reassuring hand on her back.

"Don't worry."

"I'm trying."

Then Richard appeared.

His eyes moved from Lucas to Ellie.

Finally, he looked at Ethan.

For a moment, his expression changed.

He seemed to understand what the boy represented.

Richard approached.

"Eloisa."

Ellie nodded politely.

"Mr. Valmont."

Richard looked at Ethan.

"And this is?"

Lucas answered.

"My son."

The room became silent.

Ellie looked at him.

Lucas didn't hesitate.

He had chosen them publicly.

Richard stared at Ethan.

Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

"Welcome to the family."

Ethan blinked.

"Thank you."

Ellie felt tears gathering in her eyes.

Lucas looked at her.

He didn't say anything.

He didn't need to.

For the first time, he had made his choice clear.

He wasn't ashamed of them.

He wasn't hiding them.

He was proud.

And as the evening continued, Ellie realized something.

Perhaps she had spent too long worrying about whether she belonged in Lucas's world.

Maybe the real question had never been whether she belonged there.

Maybe the question was whether Lucas was willing to make room for her in his.

And tonight, he had answered.

Yes.