Concealed Love

Chapter- 18 don't take it the wrong way

Some time after returning, Ella got a call from Iri. " Hello, Iri? " She asked.

" Where are you? I came back but you're not here. " Iri asked her through the call.

" Oh, I came back to our house I've got something to do so I don't think I'll go back today". Ella told her.

" Okay, but are you okay? Those girls won't appear I front of us anymore, after you left the others made sure to let them know that they're not welcome. But I know that's not enough to let you down so did something happen with Aldrich? ". Iri pretty much have understood her characters and moods by now.

Ella didn't wanna tell Iri about what had happened, as it was something even she herself didn't want to believe so she told Iri that " Nothing happened, everything's fine, you worry too much just enjoy your time alone with him". She giggled

Iri protested " I'm just concerned asni should be and I'm not with Jace, he dropped me off and left".

Ella smirk and said " Who said I was talking about Jace". Iri grumbled and Ella laughed, " Okay okay, rest now".

"Okay you take care too. " Having said that Iri kept her phone.

* * * * * * * * * *

Next morning Ella went to Jace's house and coincidentally he was there as well with Iri.

She sat dow with them and handed Jace some Champaign " Here, I thought about giving it to you the day I came but forgot".

He took it and said " It's fine even if you don't do this but thank you. And I heard about the completion of the house".

" Oh yes, I will be moving back now but since it is not completely done, Iri should stay here for a day more and thank you so much for all your help" Ella said turning to Iri and again to Jace.

Jace answered with a smile " No problem, it's my pleasure. I will be moving back here next week as well so everything worked out well. "

" Oh and Iri can you invite the other guys to come and have dinner at our house tomorrow evening? We promised them we will invite them when we're done" She suggested.

Iri and Jace both exclaimed " That's great" And Iri continued "I'll be contacting them right away in case they make another plans".

Jace: " I'm sure everyone will be more than happy to come, they wouldn't give up on an opportunity like this" He chuckled.

Ella: " Well than, I'll leave it to you guys. Since you both must have work I'll be leaving now".

Iri said she have to go to a photo shoot and Jace saying he will be at the company, they left as well.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ella dropped by the flower shop, before she entered she saw Minerva inside, Ella went in and Minerva looked up at her and widened her eyes with an " Oh" Sound.

Ella bowed her head a little and greeted her " Hello".

Minerva greeted back " Hello, what a coincidence, are you here for some flowers too? "

" Oh no, this is my shop. I just came to see how it is going, Miss Minerva can feel free to look around. " Ella can't help but talk a bit respectfully to her everytime they met.

" Really? That's great, than don't mind if I do so. And Ella I told you to speak casually with me, we're friends right? " The free spirited Minerva said with the pleasant voice she always carried.

" Of course, I will do so than". Ella agreed earning a loving smile from Minerva.

Before long Minerva asked " Umm, can you recommend me some flowers? One of my friend just gave birth yesterday and I don't know what to get for her".

" Hmm, what about the water lilies there, it is commonly used for days like this, it is meant for new beginnings and new life ". Ella suggested.

Minerva: " Really? That's great, than I'll go with this" Cheerfully.

Ella asked Rita to prepare it for the customer and added that she should make it look specially beautiful.

She was going to deny payment from Minerva but the latter insist that since it is from someone else she will pay it herself she also said " Recommending this to me is more than enough, I'm grateful enough".

" Fine than, please come the next time you need recommendations, I may not be here but Rita here knows best about those". She smile and Rita blushed.

" Sure, I'll certainly drop by again. " Minerva having said that prepare to leave and Ella escorted her out opening the door for her.

Outside the shop Jonathan was waiting for Minerva and Ella's eye widened in surprise and panic. Seeing her expression Minerva explained " Ahh don't take it the wrong way, the girl who is giving birth is a friend of Al and mine during College so he send Jonathan in place of him. Besides.... " She told Ella exactly what she had said Al that day O the hospital.

Ella looked at her and said " Is that so but it's okay, you don't have to explain yourself there's nothing going on with Al and me".

Minerva unconvinced asked " But I heard from his friend that you guys were close. "

" We're just friends" Ella denied and Minerva thinking that if the other do not want to tell her than it is not her place to keep asking stopped asking her.

"Fine than, see you next time. " Having said that Minerva got into the car and left with Jonathan leaving Ella standing there by herself.

She was still standing there unmoved when they were out of her view. Earlier her expression was not due to any misunderstanding neither was it because of Al or Minerva. It was because of the aura she felt, she felt the pressure of something stronger than her, it was the same feelings she got when she got home from Old li's shop the first time like she was being watched.

She stared at Jonathan to look for any trace but it was gone like it was never there. Even when Minerva was talking her focus was not entirely with her.

Once they left she searched for any remaining trace but nothing could be felt anymore. She entered the shop again, went up to the room on the next floor and calm herself down, recalling what Minerva had said just a moment ago.

She talked to herself " If she don't like him, does their faith not connect in this life or it's just not time yet? Maybe they'll get together with different reasons this time, they do said it was their parents that set up the whole idea. But this time I'll support them, I'll make sure it doesn't end in disaster like the last. "

She went down the store and and saw Rita asking some customers. She sat down on the chair and waited for her to finish. Once the customer left with a red rose in hand she smiled and asked Rita," is work going well? "

" Yes, it's been so great, the smiles on the customers faces getting the flowers the want are specially the best. " Rita sat with her talking dreamily clasping her hands together and resting her elbows on the table.

Ella, on seeing her so happy smiled " Can I ask a favor from you? "

" Sure miss, tell me whatever " Rita said cheerfully as she had always wanted to repay Ella but the chance never appeared.

" Umm, I'm having some guest over in my house tomorrow for dinner so I wanted to ask you to help me with it. " Ella said, unsure of the answer and not knowing what to do if she declined as Rita is the only person she is well acquaint with.

But to her surprise Rita was more than happy to help her and agreed with a " Sure, my cooking is quite good " She added with a smile.

Ella smiled " Thank you, I'm so grateful, you're a big help. "

" No problem miss, it'll be my pleasure". Rita answered in glee.

Ella gave her a bank card and told her to buy whatever ingredients she is gonna need and also to buy something for herself. Rite took it gratefully and told her not to worry about it.

Instead of going back home after that, Ella went out of town to visit a place. It was a deserted place with a small cave behind the bushes, she entered and lit the place with a fire emitting from her palm.

She looked around the cave and noticed that people have been there and not only that, they didn't even hide the traces, they meant for her to notice their visit.

Her azure eyes turned a little reddish in color and there was an unexplainable monotone expression on her face. She drove back the night itself.