The hug was so tight she could barely breathe.
She would vanish if he loosened his hold.
After what felt like forever, Adrian eased his hold but never let her go.
In the darkness, his obsidian eyes sparkled with a hint of something dark yet hopeful.
You should not even think of leaving me again, Elle.
You are not running away.
In the distance, from a balcony, a phone was pointed towards the couple.
Ji Yan was holding the phone in his hand.
Beside him, Old Madam finally moved away when the couple hugged. She looked at Ronan who was on a video call and then at Ji Yan who was showing the scene to him.
’’Both of you, when were you planning to tell me about this?"
Ji Yan guiltily lowered his head.
"Old Madam, the thing between Ace and Ella is far too complicated,’’ Ronan did not filter his words.
Old Madam sighed, resting her cane lightly on the marble floor. "What you told me about Little Ian’s health—" she hesitated, "—is it related to his emotions too?"
Ronan remained silent, the faint crackle of the video call filling the pause.
"Ella seems like a nice person," Old Madam continued, her brows lightly furrowed. "What trouble can she possibly cause for Ian?"
Ronan and Ji Yan exchanged quiet gazes, seeing the answer in each other’s eyes.
"Moreover, it seems like he cares a lot for her. He even accompanied her through all the meals of the day without a question. Considering his bad eating habits, this is a good sign.’’
Old Madam looked at the man, ’’Tell me honestly about what you think.’’
"It’s true that she has a little impact on him. However, in Ace;s current condition, we cannot decide if it is a good thing or a bad thing to have deep romantic entanglements. If for some reason, he is emotionally burdened tomorrow, then his physical health will also take a hit.’’
Old Madam fell silent for a moment, ’’Ups and downs are a given in any relationship. We cannot prevent Ian from getting in a relationship just to avoid emotional turmoil.’’
When both the men remained silent, Old Madam thought that they agreed with her words.
However, Ronan and Ji Yan exchanged a quiet glance. Only they knew that, with Ella, Adrian’s relationship was not just consisting of ups and downs but rather ’up’—heaven and ’down’—hell.
One wouldn’t be able to tell when one of them died because of the stress caused by the other.
Even though Ella seemed to have changed for good now, given her history, who could be sure about it?
Later that night, after dinner, the old madam kept Ella by her side a little longer to talk about her preferences.
’’Old Madam, it’s time for you to sleep." The Butler softly interrupted them.
The old lady sighed, ’’Look at them. I am getting old but they are the ones nagging.’’
’’Grandma, you should rest more and take care of your health first,’’ Ella smiled, ’’If you want to talk, I can always visit you more often. There is no need to ruin your schedule.’’
As Ella smiled, a sharp gaze brushed her from across the room, unnoticed by the old lady, but not by Ella’s quickening heart.
’’Really?" The old lady who had just stood up turned to her. As Ella nodded assuringly, she looked at the Butler, ’’Did you see that?"
"Miss Yu is considerate,’’ The old butler remarked with a gentle smile.
’’What else? Both my grandsons fail to consider this old lady. Ian is still very busy with the company so I cannot blame him at all. But the younger is even more inconsiderate.’’
The butler coughed, ’’Isn’t the third young master staying in the mansion all day now?"
’’Little Ian must have something to do with his good behaviour these days. Do you think I don’t know him?"
Ella rubbed her nose.
Suddenly a warm palm landed on Ella’s hair.
Old Madam patted her head twice, ’’But finally, there is someone who thinks of me in this family."
At this moment, Adrian, who had left for some remaining work after dinner, walked downstairs, followed by Ji Yan.
Old Madam turned to leave but then, she paused, ’’Oh, I forgot to mention. I have made separate arrangements for your rooms.’’
Adrian halted in his tracks and looked at his grandmother.
’’Ian, since I was redecorating your room for Ella’s use at noon, we cleaned up a guest room for you. You can sleep there for the night.’’
Ella was speechless, ’’That room was... Adrian’s?"
Old Madam nodded, ’’I did not want you to feel uncomfortable in this new place so I cleaned up his room for you.’’
"Now both of you, remember to sleep early,’’ After saying that, the Old Lady turned to leave. Just as the butler was about to follow her, she stopped and turned to him, ’’You take Little Ian to his room and see if everything is up to his taste. If he needs anything, make the necessary changes.’’
The Old Lady left and the living room sunk in silence.
Ella was speechless. That grand princess styled, pastel and bright themed room was Adrian’s? And Old Madam made it as such to match her taste?
She did not remember ever stepping into Adrian’s room in the main mansion but for a fact, she knew that the current state of his room completely varied from his preferences.
When she looked over towards Adrian, his face looked rather stormy.
Wait... why did he seem fine when he was working there at noon?
When their gazes met, Ella smiled at him brightly. A warm smile can after all melt the enemy’s heart completely.
But Adrian’s expressions only got darker.
Ella stiffened. This guy... Must he be so petty ah? So what if his grandma gave his room to her? It’s not like she asked for it!
The atmosphere in the living room grew heavy, the silence so thick Ella no one dared to breathe.
Ji Yan guiltily kept his head bowed.
"Second Master, shall we?" The old butler coughed lightly as he half bowed.
At this moment, there was the sound of approaching footsteps, ’’Ella... Ella! Those maids said Ella is here... Where is she... Ella?!"
Kade descended the stairs but his footsteps came to an abrupt halt when he spotted Adrian, ’’B-Brother!"
Adrian looked over, completely unruffled.
On the other hand, the rest of the people in the living room, Ella, Ji Yan and the Old Butler lost their composure when they saw Kade.
Kade no longer looked like the dignified young master of the King family.
Neither did he look like the charming womanizer of Vermilion City.
A/N: Sweeties, we’re officially at 100 Chapters of Ella’s journey! I didn’t think I would come this far within 2 months when I started writing this. Even if you all have been reading silently, I’m happy you’re here. I hope you’ll stay with me as the story gets even crazier. (And if you ever feel like dropping a comment or review... I’d love to hear from you!)
This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om