CHAPTER 9
1256 Words
-WINNING THE BET-
Ella woke up quite early and went to sit at the balcony chair. She enjoyed watching the sun rise and in the process she found herself thinking of last night's events. Truth be told, she had a good time. What she couldn't dismiss from her mind is how Arthur really wanted them to kiss.
With each moment that he got, he really wanted to use that to kiss her.
She needed to be more careful around him. This was a game but she was not willing to just kiss. This will be going against whom she really is as a person.
Ella was about to go in and take a shower when someone knocked her door. She decided to go and get it immediately.
" Arthur,hi?" Ella greeted him as soon as she found him waiting.
" Hi, can I come in?" He asked.
" Of course. Come,"Ella said.
" I really want to thank you for last night. I have never had such kind of fun in ages," He confessed.
" Oh well, than you," Ella mumbled. She thought that that was all but it was not. Arthur had something else to add.
" I have invited a couple of my celebrity friends to hang with us today. I hope that is not a problem," Arthur said and Ella had to act alright despite the fact that she was disappointed. She wanted a break to recover. She is an introvert and she clearly has to go out of her way to relate with the so called friends.
" It's okay. We will have a good time," Ella said forcing a smile.
" Cool, let me go and get ready for breakfast," Arthur announced.
"Okay, sure," Ella said. As soon as she locked the door behind her. She cursed.
"f**k it!" On in all, she had to do this even if she didn't want to. It was part of the game.
Ella and Arthur met for breakfast. They were done eating when Arthur's celebrity friends arrived.
Ella almost dropped dead when she saw June Ambrose. How is this even possible? She was among Arthur's friends. Ella had literally looked up to her because she is among the best celebrity stylists in the world. Ella was star struck the entire time that they were hanging out.
"Are you okay, you haven't said much," Arthur called Ella to the side when he realised that she was not quite okay.
" I am fine. It's just that I have seen Jill Ambrose and I really look up to her. I wonder what she will think when she sees the designs that I have been working on," Ella said.
" That's easy. Jill, come here please," Arthur called casually adding to Ella's anxiety. How is this happening? Someone pinch her because she does not really think that it is indeed a reality.
" What's up Arthur, talk to me," She said in a calm tone.
" Meet my friend, soon to be girlfriend Ella. She is our stylist. She really wonders what you would think of her sketches," Arthur said and at this point Ella was so nervous and it felt so awkward.
"Hi Ella, nice to meet you. Will it be okay if you show me your designs?" She asked and Ella was so excited.
" I will be happy to. Give me a second. " Ella said before going to her room to get them.
She came back with the folder and handed it to her. Jill was so kind and cool, she really took her time to go through her sketches.
" What do you think?" Ella asked. At this point butterflies were dancing in her tummy. She didn't know what to expect.
" The designs are nice," She said and stopped a bit.
"Really?" Ella asked. That is the validation that she really needed. Maybe this is what it will take to kill her imposter syndrome.
" Yes, you are so talented. That is for sure," She said and Ella shed a tear of joy.
" Thank you so much, this means so much to me," She told her the truth.
" I don't know if this is the right time for this but I have to critique something," She announced and Ella asked her to go ahead and do it. There will never be progress without critique.
" You should be unique. Take the time to find your voice. I know that it will take time for you to do that but practice. Show your masterpieces to the world and along the way your voice will find you," She advised Ella and this is what Ella needed to hear. She thought that she was not good enough but clearly she is . She should never be afraid of showing her beautiful pieces to the world.
" Thank you, thank you so much," Ella thanked her and they ended up hugging.
They hung out together and had a good time. This day was so worth it. It is one of those days that has literally changed her life.
In the evening over dinner, Ella decided to thank Arthur. She wanted him to know how much he changed her life.
" Thank you for the trip. This means so much to me," Ella went ahead to thank him.
" You are welcomed, anything for you my dear," Arthur said. On his part he was so happy that Ella thought highly of him. He felt that he was a step ahead of the brothers.
Later that night, Ella was able to draw even more designs. She had this new inspiration and for the first time ever in so long she felt that her designs were nice. She might not have found her voice yet but her designs are perfect.
She teared up a bit just thinking of how this has taken a toll on her but somehow, somewhat , that burden has been lifted from her shoulders. She is free like a bird and all that she can do is to bloom in her new career. The world is her playground. With this mindset she will be among the best stylists in the world.
She never knew that it would get to a time whereby she would pick sides but what she felt strongly is that she was never going to forget the favour that Arthur has done in her life. Maybe she has to find a way to pay him back so that it does not bar her from carrying out the revenge that brought her to this town in the first place.
Ella found herself texting him.
" Are you asleep?" She asked.
" No, not yet," He said.
" Come, let's go for a drink," Ella suggested and this was music to Arthur's years.
The two of them met and went upstairs. They got the first round of booze but it turned out to be the second and the third. This is because they both felt the need to celebrate.
Arthur was celebrating getting closer to Ella than his brothers and Ella was celebrating finally losing her imposter syndrome.
Eventually they had to leave the club. They held each other's hands.
Arthur wanted to ensure that she was all tucked in her bed before leaving but she made one thing clear.
" Arthur, I don't want you to leave. I want you to spend the night with me," Ella announced and Arthur knew that this was it, he was winning the bet.
- Writer
