Concealed Love

Chapter- 11 Are you guys dating?

    When they got into the road it was hotter than she had imagined and she remembered that she was going to tie her hair with that hairpin but Al came before she could.

     She took the wooden hairpin out of her clutch and asked " Mind if I fix my here now? I didn't think it'll be this hot."

     " Sure, you can".Al gave him a short look and smiled before keeping his eyes back on the road again.

     " Ella gave him a grateful smile and tied her hair into a low bun, rolling back the front hairs and leaving some hair to flow freely down to her nape.

     He stopped his car at the Red light and turned to look at her " Woa.. I thought the hairpin looked somewhat plain but it really suit you".

      Ella looked up at him surprised and after a while looked down at her hands and showed a deep meaningful smile saying " Thank you, it means a lot to me".

      " Oh here want a sweet? " Ella took a sweet out of here bag and gestured for him to take it.

Al burst out laughing said " What's with that suddenly "

     Ella with a little pouty face turned away and said " Don't eat if you don't want".

"No no, please give it. I'm sorry it was just too sudden, nobody has ever handed me a sweet like that since forever hehe... Thank you". He took it out of her hands and ate it complimenting the sweet exaggerating its flavour.

Before long they reached the place, there were many reporters and fans waiting to see the stars of the day outside the hall. Seeing that many people Ella was a bit reluctant to walk out.

Noticing her feeling uncomfortable Al handed Ella a silver eye mask " Would you like to wear this? at least until we made pass the crowd? "

Ella gave him a grateful look with a 'thanks' and put it on her. The size fitted her perfectly, she turned to Al and asked "how's it".

" Perfect " Said Al and they both walked out with a smile. As soon as they did all the cameras and the reporters turned to them flashing their cameras and asking questions such as " Mr. Aldrich, do you think today's event will be successful, who is the lady with you, what about Lady Minerva, what is your aim for today's event... and on".

Before they entered the Hall Al turned to them and gave them a short reply " For today's event I'm expecting a success and regarding the lady's identity it will remain a secret" And he added with a grin " For she is a shy one" With that he turned and entered the main Hall.

Ella was chuckling lightly when Al told them bout her and the moment they entered all eyes turned on them. Ella was not the only one wearing the mask, there were some ladies and even man who did, not necessarily to hide their faces but mostly for fashion. They were all gathered on the Hall drinking Champaign and waiting for Al to start the event.

The waiters brought them a glass of Champaign each and holding it Al welcomed them all thanking them for comming and to have a pleasant alluring evening. With that he gave a toast to begin and a person went on stage to announce the events of the day.

They were to move to the back garden after the performance and the auction was to be held there. After he was finished he welcomed Minerva to the stage, there were some murmurs among the crowd 'did she come alone today, was it false rumours that she was dating Al, I heard she came with someone else tonight'. But regardless of these she stood up there holding her violin still looking as elegant as ever and started playing the violin, which was most pleasant to the ears of the listeners.

After her performance they moved to the garden where many seperate tables were kept. When Al and Ella got out, they were invited by Their friends, Iri was with Jace, there was Simon and a girl and also Dane.

They greeted each other and Iri squeezed Ella's hand and whispered "you look so beautiful tonight, oh and everyone was staring at you looking stunned hehe.. "

" Tch, they were just curious and besides I'm wearing a mask" Ella simply shrugged.

" You don't understand, the mask only heightens your beauty by making you seem mysterious as well" Irene hold onto what he saw and Simon interrupted their little chatter saying " So Al are you not gonna introduce us to this special one? ' he said and wink at him while saying special and everyone on their table turned their eyes on him.

Al gave them a smirk placing his hands on Ella's upper arm and said " Well everyone, this is Ella" and with a little softer tone he turned to Ella and said " And Ella, this are... My friends" And he stopped there.

Simon sounding disappointed at Al complained " What, that's it? So mean, I'm not gonna snatch her away at least introduce our names properly".

Ella gave out a small laugh and took out her mask and greeted them " Hello, My name's Ella Gray, it's nice meeting you all".

Al simply looked and the other and shrugged still holding on to her and Simon's attention shifted to Ella " Hello, I'm Simon" He stretched out his hand to shake hands and the others followed up introducing themselves.

The announcement for the beginning of the auction began and everyone's eyes turned towards the stage.

After some time Al turned to Ella when the others were talking amongst themselves and said in a low voice only meant for her to her " Would you mind if I go greet other guest? You can come with me".

Ella not wanting to acquaint herself with others gave said with a smile " It's okay you should go, I'll be waiting here".

Al agreed and pardoning himself from the other as well, went away.

Just than Jace who was busy trying to impress Irene turned to Ella and said " Sorry can I ask you something?".

Dane interrupted and said " Jace don't make problems Aldri will kill you".

Jace shrugged " He's not her so he won't know, this is our only chance" Than he turned to Ella asking again " So can I? "

Ella who had a bad feeling about the question agreed " Sure".

"Than I without wasting time I will straight away get to the point. Ahem, are you and Aldri dating? " He really got straight to the point.

Before Ella replied a woman approached them and said "May I join you guys? " It was Minerva who came after greeting her acquaintances.

" Sure" They replied and she sat down next to Dane, apparently they came together.

" So what were you guys talking about? " Minerva asked and Jace replied flustered " Nothing important, just some useless gossip".

She only said ' Oh' to that and the atmosphere got awkward. Minerva spoke up again, though this time only to Ella " Hello, it's my first time meeting you, I believe? " She spoke politely and Ella thought she really is still a nice lady.

"Yes, Iam Ella gray, nice meeting you" Ella greeted politely.

" My bad I should have introduced myself first, Iam Minerva scar, and it's a pleasure meeting you Ella". She said smoothly and after some time realising that she had addressed Ella so intimately said " Oh, sorry may I call you that? It jus sounded so familiar".

" Sure please do so, it'll make me happy" Saying that Ella though that, no matter in this life in the other this person will always be gentle and I shall never be able bring myself to think bad of her.

They were having a pleasant talk but quite contradict to that the others around them were dying of pressure. The other chase Al openly and the other's relationship with him was a mystery but appeared close. They were waiting for a Catfight but it never happened, they just talk quietly and turned to talked to the others as well and the others internally gave a sigh of relief.

Their attention went back to the stage, they bit on some items from time to time and talk among themselves whenever some topic to get their interest pop up.

At this time Al got back to his seat beside Ella and the internal tension of the others began again.

Al apologised to Ella for taking so long and they converse among themselve for some time with bright faces. The others were sitting on edges not knowing weather to butt in or pretend to not notice anything.

But keeping aside all their worries Minerva asked them " Are you guys dating? " She asked it in such a sweet voice that the others couldn't see any jealousy, hurt or any of the sort they were expecting for in her. But nonetheless it still made them hold their breaths in uneasiness.

" No we're just friends" She replied with equal sweetness and looking at the others act like they are walking around egg shells Al finally decided to clear it up and he continued her sentence " We met some few times for work and event and I suggested Ella for us to be friends, that's how we meet ".

Although this didn't soothe all their tensions it lessen it a little and the other showed an understanding expression and the day evening went on.

When the event was over everyone was very much pleased with the event items and congratulated Al. Ella was waiting for him in as Al asked her to let him send her home but suddenly the alarm in her fon rang, it was an alert signal showing that someone had broken into her house.

She suddenly went to Al and told him she had to leave as something urgent came up and although Al wanted to sent her home, the guest weren't willing to let him go so he gave Ella his car keys saying he'll let his assistant send him home.

Ella ran to the car as soon as she got out of the garden and out the Hall. She drove her car and went away but just before she reached home her arms suddenly ached in great pain and she knew she was fooled.

She right away turned the car and drove back to the place she just left. Al was in danger, they were trying to distract her to get to Al when he was alone.