LOST

Chapter 3

Ella’s POV

My head was pounding, and my eyes felt like they were glued shut. I forced them open, only to be blinded by the harsh sunlight streaming through the window.

“Damn…” I groaned, rolling onto my side and blinking through the blur.

Standing up was a challenge. The room spun, and I stumbled as I tried to find my footing.

Fuck… I’m never drinking again. Ever. This hangover felt like a personal attack.

Dragging myself to the kitchen, I was surprised to find Alex already up, casually making breakfast like she hadn’t been out all night.

“Okay, tell me this,” I grumbled, flopping into a kitchen chair, “Why do you look completely fine? Why are you not dying like I am?”

Alex burst out laughing as she came closer.

“Darling, when have you ever seen me suffer from a hangover?” she asked with a smug little smirk.

“That’s not fair,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “We drank the same amount last night. I look like a zombie, and you look like you just came back from a spa.”

She shrugged dramatically. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just blessed with excellent genes.”

Rolling my eyes, I watched as she poured some strange greenish liquid into a glass.

“Here, this will help,” she said, handing it to me.

I stared at the drink like it had personally offended me. “What is this?”

“Oh, just my special hangover recipe,” she replied sweetly.

“Yeah? And what exactly is in your special recipe?”

“Ugh, do you have to know everything?” she groaned, then rolled her eyes. “Fine. Wintergreen leaves with a little honey.”

“Now drink up.”

I took a hesitant sip and instantly regretted it. It was so bitter I nearly gagged, but Alex didn’t let me off the hook, she basically shoved it down my throat.

“God, I hate you,” I groaned.

“And I love you too,” she said cheerfully. “Give it a few minutes, you’ll be a new woman.”

Surprisingly, she wasn’t wrong. In just a few minutes, the pounding in my head dulled, and the dizziness faded.

“Wow… it actually works.”

“Told you. Works like a charm every time,” Alex said as she placed a plate of pancakes and sausages in front of me. “Eat up. We need to get something into that sad little stomach of yours.”

I didn’t argue. I picked up my fork and started eating.

“So,” Alex asked, “what’s the plan for today?”

“Nothing special. I might just head to the flower shop,” I said between bites. “Evelyn probably hates me now. I left her to handle everything on her own.”

“She’ll understand,” Alex said. “Besides, you pay her, right?”

I nodded, chewing.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen, an unknown number.

Frowning, I picked up. “Hello? Who is this?”

“Hey, it’s Arthur,” the voice on the other end said.

“Arthur…” I repeated the name, trying to place it. I racked my brain, but nothing came up.

“Sorry… I think you’ve got the wrong person. I don’t know anyone named Arthur.”

“Oh, I figured you wouldn’t remember. You were kind of drunk last night,” he chuckled. “We met at the club. I know I probably should’ve waited a bit longer to call, but I just couldn’t wait to hear your voice again.”

My eyebrows shot up. Did I give my number out to someone last night?

“Sorry, I still think you’ve got the wrong number,” I said again, more cautiously this time.

“Wow, you really don’t remember, huh?” he asked.

And honestly, I didn’t. Last night was still a hazy blur.

“You gave me your number after you kissed me,” he added casually.

My eyes widened as the memory came flooding back.

“Oh my god… the guy from the club,” I whispered, then turned to Alex, half-yelling, “It’s the guy from last night!”

She rushed to my side, practically bouncing, trying to eavesdrop.

“Oh hey… it’s you,” I said into the phone, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Yeah, me,” he said with a laugh.

I coughed awkwardly, struggling to believe this was actually happening. I barely remembered the kiss, let alone giving out my number.

“So, I don’t know if this is too soon to ask…” he began, and I could hear the nervousness in his voice.

“Ask me what?” I whispered.

“Well, I was hoping you’d agree to go out to dinner with me sometime.”

I froze. “You mean… like a date?”

“Yeah,” he replied. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

Alex was already jumping up and down, nodding like a lunatic, silently urging me to say yes.

But I wasn’t sure. Do I really want to go on a date just a month after breaking up with Liam?

The silence stretched between Arthur and me. Alex kept mouthing say yes with increasing urgency.

“So, what do you say? Should I take your silence as a yes?” he asked, a bit amused.

“Arthur… I don’t know. Can you give me some time to think about it?” I said softly.

“Of course. No problem,” he said warmly. “You’re worth the wait.”

That made me smile. “I’ll text you soon, okay?”

“Looking forward to it,” he said, and we ended the call.

I turned to Alex, who looked utterly devastated.

“Come on, Ella! You’re killing me here! It’s just a date!”

“But don’t you think it’s too soon? A month after my breakup?”

“No way,” she said firmly. “If anything, it’s the perfect time. Liam was a jerk. He doesn’t deserve to keep you from living your life.”

I sighed and buried my face in my hands. “Ugh, I don’t know…”

“What don’t you know? Arthur seems sweet,” Alex said, clearly exasperated.

I groaned louder. “I just feel like I need to think it over…”