Chapter 0003
Chapter 0083
“Then
farmer’s market it is,” I said, smiling
+25 BONUS
She glanced up at me, narrowing her eyes. “Why are you smiling at me like that? Are you making fun of again?”
“Not at all,” I said, my voice softening. “I was just thinking what a pretty puzzle you are.”
Her breath hitched ever so slightly, and 1 saw something in her eyes–a glimpse of vulnerability, perhaps before she quickly turned her gaze away.
The farmers‘ market here in the capital wasn’t like anything Ella was used to back home. It resembled more of an outdoor marketplace than a simple farmers‘ market. Fresh fruits and vegetables mingled with baked goods, but there were also handcrafted items–things people had crocheted or sewn, and occasionally even intricately carved wooden guns.
Ella didn’t seem fazed by the differences, though. The moment we entered the marketplace, a bright smile lit up her features. She looked around with obvious enjoyment, her enthusiasm infectious. Yet, every time her eyes returned to me, something shifted slightly in her expression.
It was reminiscent of how she had looked at me when we first made our agreement–more than a hint of suspicion, but not quite certainty either.
It shouldn’t bother me. We were business partners and nothing more, or so we had just established. But I couldn’t lie to myself and pretend that my heart didn’t ache when she offered me that distant, strained smile.
It was a pleasant day, and we quickly found something for lunch: fresh bread and cheese. We even stumbled upon an older lady selling lemonade, which Ella insisted we get.
“There’s nothing like freshly squeezed lemonade,” she said, smiling kindly at the woman as she offered her money in exchange for two plastic cups full of the cold liquid.
“That’s what I always say!” the woman replied happily. “I hope you enjoy!”
“I know I will,” Ella said, her eyes sparkling as she turned towards me. “Where would you like to sit?”
“I think there are a few tables in this direction,” I said, indicating a side path with the hand that wasn’t holding our bag of food.
“Lead the way,” Ella replied.
But instead of walking side by side with me, she trailed behind.
We sat at the table and unpacked the food. Ella kept her eyes focused on the task at hand as she spread the soft cheese over the bread. She handed a piece to me, but as I took it from her, she pulled her hand away quickly, ensuring there was no contact between us.
The sudden absence of her warmth felt like a chill in the air intensifying the awkward silence that hung between us. I could sense her hesitance, and it made my heart sink
I felt like I had been scolded by a teacher, and I hated it. That heavy feeling of guilt and self–doubt clung to me every time Ella gave me that look or averted her gaze. It was too much like the way that…
I forced that thought away. I couldn’t begin comparing Ella to her. That would only muddle things further.
This was all because of the way I had treated my exes. I enjoyed my time with Ella–I truly did. Even though I knew there was no love between us, I wanted to keep savoring our moments together because this arrangement would last for the foreseeable future.
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Chapter 08:3
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I knew better, though. I wasn’t a child who could let what I wanted cloud my judgment. Ella was behaving appropriately, keeping our relationship within the boundaries we had set. I should follow her lead, not wallow in self–pity.
Perhaps a better defined agreement would make it easier for me to avoid these situations with Ella. I would discuss the matter with August; he would likely have an Idea on how I should approach things. Although I had a pretty good idea already of what he might suggest.
Chapter 0084
