Concealed Love

Chapter- 19 "A Fairytale Like That... "

The next noon Ella got up to the sound of the ringing doorbell, she walk to down to the kitchen and towards the front door, it was Iri who was carrying a bunch of flowers.

" Ah that's right I forgot to give you the new keys" Ella said still a bit dazed.

Iri looked at Ella, she was a bit pale and looked tired, " Are you okay? You look exhausted ".

She had still not gain full consciousness, she sat at the table and leaned her head on her palms, " I'm fine, what's that flower for? ".

"Oh these? I was sure that there will not be anything to place on our vases so I bought some fresh flowers and also for tonight's dinner". Iri placed the flowers down at the table and spread them out.

She continued after hearing an 'oh' from Ella " By the way what are the preparations for today? Have you made any? ".

Ella barely lift up her head to look at her and than fix it towards the flowers, " I have asked an acquaintance of mine to come help prepare the dinner settings, she should be here soon".

"Okay! I'll quickly get changed and be out" Saying so Iri hopped in towards her room.

Ella stood up took a tulip from amongst the flowers and was lost in throughs staring at it. Hearing Iri's humming from her room brought her back to her senses and she looked clearly at the flower on her hands that had already withered, seeing that she scoff at herself and went off to her room.

Iri went out of her room and went to the table to put the flowers on the vases, the faded flower was still there, she picked it up and threw it away not thinking anything deep about it. In fact she knew it was strange, the flowers she brought were all fresh and top class that could be kept without withering that badly for days.

She thought to herself " Is Ella okay, I hope I'm not thinking too much about it"

Before she could think further, the doorbell rang and she went to open it. It was Rita who was holding loads of stuff on her big basket. She was a bit surprised as the one who opened the door was not Ella but soon her reason for surprise changed.

Rita saw Iri and gave out a small happy squeal and chirped " Irene!!? "

It was quite a common sight for Iri seeing and hearing people in shock when thew saw her. She gave the chirpy woman a bring smile and asked " I'm guessing you are Rita? "

Rita tighten her hold on the basket and affirmed happily with a blinding grin " Yes that's me. "

" Come in, we've been expecting you, Ella said you will be coming. She's up in her room and will be down later, please make yourself at home". Iri welcomed her warmly and showed her the way around the kitchen.

" Okay then, please don't mind if I do. By the way can I ask you about your movies? I'm a huge fan of yours and your movies" Rita's eyes glowing with excitement which could be seen through her behavior.

Ella laughed and said "Sure, thank you. Oh by the way, I heard your a florist can you help arrange the flowers on the table? I'll bring to you the vases, you can keep it wherever you think is best".

Rita agreed cheerfully " Sure leave it up to me".

They were hurrying on preparing for the evening dinner and talking and chatting over stuffs about each other but all through the preparation Ella didn't appear. The doorbell rang when they were making food, it was a delivery guy holding a wooden box.

He was a bit flustered when he saw Iri but maintained a calm composure. He said " It's a delivery for miss Ella, is she in? ".

It was not rare for Ella to order stuff online, most of the time she order her stuff online as she is too lazy to go out and also for her privacy.

Before Iri could receive the box Ella's voice came from behind " That's me, I ordered it".

The delivery guy looked at the almost pale woman coming to the door and hand over the box along with the paper to sign and went away right after getting his work done.

Iri looked at Ella who was looking bright and good but still with a chilly air. They went to the kitchen and laid down the box.

Ella saw Rita in there and said " Sorry for not helping, I could not finish my work on time so I had to rush it today".

Iri thought to herself ' haha work, lol', she knew Ella and also that Ella never worked hard or long, she signed when she wants to and look over stuff when she feels like it. She had never had a job to rush for.

But in her contrast Rita, who was a good oblivious cheerful woman smiled " It's okay miss, miss Irene here helped me out a lot and everything is well, I just hope they suit your taste".

"I'm sure it will Rita, thank you. But is your son be okay at home? I'm sorry I didn't consider him when I asked you to help out here. " Ella ask as calm and smooth as always.

" Oh it's fine miss, my neighbour have a kid his age and they willingly agreed to look after him. The kids are so close that it's hard keeping them from playing together to go home so I'm sure my son is fine. " Rita chatted with a motherly manner.

Iri smiled and said " Your son must be very good and lovely, just like you ma'am ".

" Oh you flatter us, he's a very playful and mischevious kid. And miss I told you it's okay to just call me Rita". She chirped away.

" Haha, okay than Rita"

Ella opened the box which had Rehoboam wine bottles inside and took it out one by one.

Seeing her Iri asked " Oh you ordered wine? " It was not very often for wine to be in the house.

" Yea, I forgot to buy it yesterday. I thought it'll be good to get some for later". Ella spoke wiping the bottles placing them down.

" Oki, I'll get the glasses down. " Iri got them and they set the table.

After the food was done Rita prepared to ho home. Ella and Iri asked her to join them but she refused " I can't get in the way of you youngsters " Saying that she gathered her things as well as the fruits that the girls forced on her and walk out happily.

" Well than ladies, enjoy your night, I'll be wishing you luck. " She winked playfully and got into the taxi Ella called for her and went away as the girls thank her.

Not long after she left, the doorbell rang, it was Minerva, who had become a part of their small circle and hence invite to the small dinner party as well.

She handed Iri a gift bag and said " It's a small gift for you guys, the others said they'll be here in a short time. "

"Oh, thank you Minerva, let's sit in the living room while waiting for them, make yourself at home. " The girls chatted in the room.

Soon Al came followed by Simon and Jace. Jace came in and told them that " Dane sent his gift, he apologized for not being able to make it today, he's out of the country for company business. Says it was an emergency but the guy takes his job as his life unlike a certain laid back someone". He rambled directing his gaze at Al.

Al who was known for fooling around avoided the gaze and shrugged off his words.

The others laughed and got ready for dinner, while the ladies were setting up the dishes, the guys helped in pouring the wine.

They had a joyous dinner laughing and talking. Ella and Al also acted like nothing ever happened between them and just laughed along, Ella as always listening to the others without talking much.

After dinner they had some fruits and after that they stood up to leave. Ella and Iri dropped them off at the gate, they each left with their own cars and Al was the last one who had still not left. He turned to Ella without a word, Iri took the hint and said " Well than, I'll be going in first, good night Aldri. "

Al bowed and wished her a pleasant night. The mood turned serious as soon as Al and Ella was left alone.

Ella spoke first " If it's about last time, can we not talk about it? " She didn't look at him and instead fix her gaze somewhere on the side.

" I'm sorry but I wanna make it clear, I know it was haste of me to say it suddenly like that and so selfishly and halfheartedly at that. " He said it like it was directed at himself as well and like he was scolding himself for it.

He continued " But, I want you to know that I'm serious, you might not believe me and I'm still being selfishly thinking of myself but I like you. I don't care that you're different and you had a long past I really like you and hope that you'll believe me, at least believe that I'm being sincere. I won't for you for an answer now so can you at least please think about it?".

Al spoke as if he was afraid that he will be avoided again or get rejected directly, his gaze unfocused and his words rushed.

Ella listened to him and, with one hand holding the bar of the steel gate. She looked up at him, whose face could only be partly seen from the dim streetlight and opened her mouth " I do believe your current words but time won't change my mind. I can never and will never be in a relationship with you, one day, soon, you will understand if you're bound to, but I do hope that the day for you to understand never comes."

Al tried to refute but Ella stood firm with her stern voice " Go back Al, wait some time and the answer will find itself to you. You will wish this day, this moment had never come to pass".

Al knew Ella was speaking of the things he had seen but had yet to understand and find out about so he agreed. " Fine, I'll go back but if the time comes and my feelings remain then, I hope you'll consider it. Good night Ella". He said her name so endearingly and left.

Ella spoke to herself seeing him leave " A fairytale like that can never happen" And went inside closing the gate.