Rejected: A love story-Chapter 32: Ella Visits

I was in my room when a knock came on the door. I dropped my notes and went to open it.

"Hi, Mrs Keith."

"Oh Fiona, call me Anna or mom," she said with a smile. I only nodded.

"We’re all heading out to the beach. Do you want to come?"

"Um... I’d love to, but I have to study."

"It’s alright sweetheart. Are you sure you won’t be bored? I can have the driver pick you up once you’re done."

"Um... actually a friend of mine is coming to help me prep, so we’ll be studying together."

"Oh okay dear. Take care of yourself then, and make sure your friend is comfortable. The servants can get you anything you want."

I smiled at her. She was so caring.

"Sure. Thank you Mrs... I mean Anna."

She smiled and left, and I slowly shut the door.

I couldn’t lie, I was living the dream life. If only Nathan and I weren’t pretending.

I let myself fall onto the bed, the scene of us kissing replaying in my head as I slowly closed my eyes. My phone rang, snapping me out of it. I sat up and picked it.

"Hey bestie!"

"Ella," I said, keeping my voice low.

"I just boarded a taxi. I’ll be there soon."

"Oh okay. I’ll tell the servants to let you in once you get here."

"Servants?" she laughed. "Girl, you’re living the dream."

We both chuckled.

"Just get your ass here quickly," I teased, and she hung up.

I hurried downstairs and told Emily that I was expecting a visitor. She nodded and headed toward security.

Not long after, the doorbell rang. I rushed over and opened the door.

"Bestie!" Ella squealed as we hugged tightly.

When we pulled apart, she looked around, completely mesmerized.

"Wow. It’s bigger than I thought," she exclaimed.

"Wait till you see my room," I said, grabbing her hand as we went upstairs. She kept admiring everything as we walked.

I opened my door and she gasped.

"Girl... you sleep alone on this huge bed?"

I nodded, chuckling.

She sat on it, staring around. "Fiona, trust me, you’re so lucky. I’m glad you ran away though."

We both laughed as I sat beside her.

"Okay, enough chit chat. We have to study, and you’re here to teach me."

"Right," she said, pulling her backpack off and opening it, bringing out her notes and textbooks.

"Let’s start with Prof Thompson’s lecture on microeconomics. We covered market structures."

I groaned. "Ugh. I hated those."

Ella laughed. "I know, but they’re not that bad. Let me show you."

She pulled out her notes and started explaining, using simple examples and diagrams. Slowly, my confusion cleared. Ella had a way of breaking things down that actually made sense.

"Okay," she said, writing on a sheet of paper, "remember perfect competition and monopoly?"

I nodded. "Yeah... I think so."

"Now let’s talk about oligopoly. Think of it like a market with just a few big players..."

I listened carefully, asking questions as she explained. Before I knew it, I was nodding along.

"Oh. I see," I said, smiling. "I get it now."

"That’s what I’m talking about," she grinned.

Just then, there was a knock.

"Miss Fiona, I brought snacks."

"Come in," I said.

The maid placed a tray of snacks and a bottle of wine with two glasses on the table.

"Do you need anything else, Miss?" she asked, her head bowed.

"No, thank you."

She nodded and left.

"You’re addressed as Miss?" Ella said, eyes wide.

"Pinch me, girl," she teased.

I chuckled. "You promised you wouldn’t scream."

"I meant in public. This is private property," she said with a grin.

"Let’s go back to studying. Exams are coming fast," I reminded her.

She nodded.

We moved on to other subjects. Literature. Statistics. Ella explained everything so easily it almost felt unfair.

When we finally finished, I leaned back, relieved.

"Thanks, Ella," I said. "You’re a lifesaver."

"Anytime, Fi," she said, packing her things. "That’s what friends are for."

I reached for the tray and picked up the wine bottle.

"I can’t believe we get to drink wine," Ella laughed.

"I just hope it doesn’t have much alcohol."

She took it from me, popped it open, and poured some into both glasses. We drank at the same time.

"Tastes like expensive perfume," we said together, then burst out laughing.

We ate the truffle-infused cheese and crackers, gisting and laughing.

"That reminds me," Ella said, "The Apex are hosting a concert in LA next week. Tickets are almost sold out."

"The Apex?" my eyes widened.

"Yeah. Plane tickets are expensive, and concert tickets are almost gone. They’re $200."

"Almost the entire school is going," she added. "You remember Sarah and her clique?"

"The spoilt rich brat?" I asked.

"Yep. She’s going. Catherine too."

"We should go," I said. "Our pop star crushes are performing."

"Except tickets are probably sold out," Ella sighed. "I told my dad. He said it was a waste of money."

"Don’t worry, El. I could talk to Nathan," I said, surprising even myself.

"Really?" her face lit up. "Maybe he can pull a few strings."

"I can’t promise. But I’ll try."

She hugged me immediately. "You’re the best girlfriend ever."

Then she pulled back, grinning.

"What about his brother? He’s single, right?"

I pushed her arm lightly. "Ella."

"What? I’m sure he’s as cute as his brother."

I just gave her a look.

Ella had just left when I heard the sound of a car pulling in. Moments later, the front door opened.

Nathan was home!

I went downstairs and saw him step inside, loosening his tie. He looked around, slightly confused.

"Where is everyone?" he asked.

"They went to the beach," I replied.

"All of them?"

"Yes. Even Natasha."

He nodded, then picked up his suitcase and started heading upstairs. I don’t know what came over me, but I rushed forward and grabbed the suitcase from his hand.

"I’ll take that."

He stopped and looked at me, clearly surprised. "You will?"

I nodded quickly and walked ahead of him. He followed without saying a word.

When we got to his room, I dropped the suitcase by the door. The moment I turned around, we just stood there, staring at each other. The silence was heavy.

Nathan looked at me like he was trying to figure me out.

"Um... do you need anything?" he asked, raising a brow.

"What?" I replied, nervous.

"Are you okay, Fiona?" he asked again.

I laughed awkwardly. "Of course I am."

He didn’t say anything. Just took off his suit jacket and tossed it on the bed.

"If there’s something you want to say, say it," he said, sitting down and looking at me.

I shifted on my feet. He noticed everything. The way I kept pressing my lips together. The way my hands wouldn’t stay still.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked.

"Yes," I blurted out.

My eyes widened immediately and I covered my mouth. I sighed.

Nathan chuckled. "Alright. Go on."

"My friend Ella," I started, then paused. "She really wants to go to the Apex concert in LA next week. But tickets are sold out. I was wondering if... you could help."

He stayed quiet, watching me.

"Well?" I asked softly.

He smiled. "Is that all?"

"Yes?" I replied, confused.

"Then it’s done," he said casually, standing up. "I’m going to take a shower now."

He paused, then added, "You can watch if you want." He winked.

I froze as he started unbuttoning his shirt. My breath caught. His chest. His abs. Everything.

"Like what you see?" he asked.

I gasped, covered my eyes immediately, and turned around.

"I’m leaving!" I said, rushing out and shutting the door behind me.

From inside the room, I heard his laughter.