ELLIANA'S POV
I and my mum went grocery shopping.
We walked through the mall, the Christmas music playing in the background. I tried to focus on the shopping, but my mind kept drifting back to the encounter with Richard. I had to make a decision, and I had to do it soon.
As we were walking by the food court, I saw him. I froze, not sure what to do. He saw me, and he stopped, a smile spreading across his face. I felt a knot in my stomach, and I knew that I couldn't run away again.
My mother must have noticed my hesitation, because she stopped as well. "Elliana, do you know this young man?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words.
"Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is Richard." She looked him up and down, her expression inscru
