Concealed Love

Chapter- 20 The one you choose

Ella got back to her room which was still a chaotic mess, the splashed paint on the canvas, the fallen painting brushes and the splashed colors on the floor from the fallen colors, which were all still lying on the floor.

She was holding a wine and a glass, she put it down on the table among some pile of half painted paintings on the table which were also partly scattered around the room. She poured herself a glass and sat down when Iri knocked at the door " Ella? Can I come in? ".

" Mmn" Ella only gave out a small hum and continued to have a sip of wine, appearing quite thoughtless.

Iri entered and witness the messy scene in front of her with the owner of the room in a mindless state. She had been long used to seeing Ella and her room in this state but the half paintings of the same person on every paper disturbed her, even more so after seeing the big ruined painting on the canvas which had been purposefully ruined by it's painter.

She walked over the messy floor picking up some papers along her way and sat down on the seat opposite Ella turning to her appearing quiet serious.

Ella saw her mood and laughed without any real emotion. "What's with the face? Looking all serious and gloom, love problem? Is Jace not giving much attention to you? " She rambled on like a drunk but she was a person who never got drunk, her self healing abilities didn't let her get drunk also making her immune to all poison or toxic chemicals.

Irene pouted and said in a childish manner " Noooo, stop teasing meee.... Hmp" She acted mad but right after she put on a serious face again and asked " Forget that, let's talk about you, is everything alright? ".

Ella was sipping her wine and her face looked dazed like she was dreaming about something, swirling her glass about she asked " What about me? Everything is as always. "

Iri could not keep silent so she persisted Ella " I'm talking about your recent condition and also..... About you and Aldri what's going on between you? "

" Hmm Al? Nothing is going on between us why? "

"It's just that ever since you left together last time you've been acting weird, did you guys fight?". Ella asked, unsure of the problem.

Hearing her words Ella laughed, this time looking towards Iri with her head resting on the back of her palm " Oh Iri, you sure come up with the wildest ideas, why would you think that Al and I fight? We've been acting the same as always. "

" Yes acting, that's what it seems like you're doing ever since I came back here, it's like you're forcing yourself even at the dinner earlier. " Iri let out a sigh and continued " Ella, I want you to tell me , I want to know the things that you're going through, you might not have anyone to depend on till now, but now I'm here and I'll be here as long as you want me to. "

Ella was still dazed " You're overthinking this, there really is nothing goin on, go to bed, it's late. "

Iri tried to brighten herself up a bit and said " Haaa... Always treating me like a child, I'm asking because I'm worried and I told you I'll be leaving for Japan tomorrow. ..... Hey Ella?, I'm just guessing this but did Aldri by some chance confessed to you? "

Ella's mood changed, pouring herself another glass and turning sideways from Iri " Leave the matter alone, it doesn't concern anyone. It will all quite down after some time. "

Iri was a bit shocked as Ella had most likely admit that her suspicion was right, she said softly " What do you mean it doesn't concern anyone, it concern me a lot, as well as our friends, they will be and are also concerned for you guys, everyone will be happy to see you guys going out. "

Ella let out a mocking chuckle " Concerned, hahaha.... Oh Iri, you don't know the real faces of humans, you don't know how their concern turn to fear and later to hatred. Those friends you speak of will be the first to brand me a monster, and his confession is the most fleeting of them all, he's still ignorant and blind towards his coming reality and no matter what, he another human. "

Iri was taken back by Ella's sudden confession, she didn't know every details of her past, her happiness and her sufferings but still she wanted to change Ella's mind and pull her out of her hatred " They are not like those people Ella, you can thrust them, at the least trust me and Aldri, can't you trust us? you know the rumours about him are all made up and far from truth. "

" Iri, it's because I know the truth and because I know him best that I can tell, his feelings are temporary and his fate already lies somewhere... Far from me." Her mood changed from time to time, from dazed to funny to serious than anger " And Iri, you as well, you will live your own separate life soon, you'll most definitely change your mind, influenced by those selfish, greedy humans. "

Hearing Ella's distrust to her Iri was broken and mad at Ella, she bend at the table pouring out her words at the brink of tears " How can you say that... I... I will always be by your side, why can you not believe me, I don't care what people say, they can't change me".

Ella was still keeping her eyes away from Iri, not looking up at her and remaining firm like she didn't care. Seeing her unmoved Iri felt more broken and unwanted droplet of tears ran down her cheeks " I .." She hold back her sobs and said in a low voice " I hope you can see that there are good people by your side Ella. "

Iri could no more keep herself composed and walk out of the room in hurry.

Ella turned to look at Iri leaving in hurry, her eyes unfocused and her lips barely keeping themselves from breaking apart. After some time she laid her head down the table, staring straight at the ruined painting on the big canvas.

She stared and tighten her hold on the wine bottle. No matter what she did, her hands froze before she could finish painting him and she could no longer see his image in her heart or imagine it on the paper.

The reluctant lips finally parted and the words came out from her mouth almost unsounded like a silent whisper " I can't even see your face anymore, I can't even trust myself anymore. Sorry....this is the first time for me to not believe you. But, I won't be the one you choose, right? Al, the you in the present is quiet funny, he seems to think he likes me hahaaaa... He also seems to have a lot of friends and feelings, when you come back, you'll be happier Al. "

A small tear escape her eye intertwining with the other as she continued speaking to herself " As for me, I'm still a selfish girl, I still seem to feel emotions, at this rate I will be useless again Al I'm sorry. But she's also here, lady Min also is living as beautiful and graceful as always, you'll love her all over again, I hope you get to be together this time.... This time, I'll be stronger, I'll protect you and the people around you. So Al can i please enjoy your current ignorant self's affection? please forgive me for selfishly staying by your side. "

* * * * * * * * * *

The next morning when Ella woke up Iri had already left, not forgetting to prepare Ella's favourite breakfast.

Iri woke up early and got her things to leave for the airport. She didn't wake Ella up as she didn't want to disturb her and also because her mind was not very clear, she didn't want to make to have another argument with Ella again so she left.

She was dropped off by Jace at the airport and as they arrived a bit early they spend some time talking.

Seeing Iri's downhearted face Jace asked what was the matter and she sighed, she needed to someone talk about it in order to relieve herself a little of her worries " It's... I just had some disagreements with Ella yesterday and... I don't know what to do, I wish I can help her but I don't know anything I can do for her, it's just so... Haaa she is always helping me but I can't do anything. "

Jace put an arm around her shoulder holding her tight and said " It'll be fine, a little argument is needed for the friendship to become stronger, besides I'm sure you also help her a lot to keep your friendship this long, it's just that you don't realise. "

Iri finally let out a faint smile and looking up at him she said " I hope so, Thank you Jace. "

Jace rubbed her shoulder to comfort her and didn't ask further about why they fought. He tried to brighten the mood so he changed the topic " So besides that Iri, what about us? " He smiled a cheeky grin.

Iri immediately focused on the new topic, acting ignorant she asked " What? What us? ".

Jace acted like he had been wronged and pouted " So mean, the last time, before you left my house you said you'll think about it . You don't love me? "

He said it childishly and Iri who was smiling on the inside acted tough "Hmm...I'll give you a proper reply when I get back. Now it's time for me to leave, time's up. "

Jace pouted further and grumbled saying " Promise? "

Iri couldn't hold back her laughter anymore, she smiled looking at the big boy acting like a child and said " Prooomiisss! "

The big child finally smiled and said still a bit down " But it'll be so long till you come back. "

Iri acting like a mom said " It'll only be for some few weeks, be patient. I'm leaving now. "

Jace smiled and with his normal composure gave Iri a big hug " Take care, my lady. "

Iri hugged him back and said " Okay, you too. "

Her assistants took her luggage and she entered the gate.