Chapter 0148
Ella POV
I would be starting my new exercise regimen with Alexander in the morning, which made me more nervous than I wanted to admit. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it–after meeting the trainers, getting a tour of the gym, and putting together a workout schedule, I needed to head home. Elizabeth was coming over for lunch today, and I didn’t want to be late.
We hadn’t seen each other much recently, and I was eager to catch up. Still, I wasn’t sure how much I could really tell her. After all, it was that text, supposedly from her, that had led me to the hotel where David attacked me.
Though I knew now that the message wasn’t from her, a seed of hesitation lingered. Elizabeth had always kept at good reputation, and being close to me seemed to complicate things for everyone. I genuinely liked her; the last thing I wanted was to drag her into my chaos.
I was surprised to find Elizabeth already at the house when arrived. She sat in the living room with my mother, sipping tea, looking perfectly at ease.
“Am I late?” I asked, stepping in and glancing between the two of them.
“No,” Elizabeth replied warmly, her smile welcoming. “I just decided to come early. I didn’t realize you’d been in the capital.”
“Where she usually is these days,” my mother chimed in, a playful glint in her eye. “She and Alexander are becoming quite inseparable.”
“That’s an exaggeration,” I said, a little flustered.
“Is it?”
my
mother challenged, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve been there every day this week.”
“And I’ve been here every day this week too,” I countered, Hands on my hips.
“Just long enough to have dinner and sleep,” she teased, asmirk tugging at her lips.
It was all in good fun, but I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
Elizabeth jumped in, her eyes sparkling. “It seems we’ve both been busy. I’m glad we could finally meet up. We have so much to catch up on.”
“Should we go up to my room until lunch is ready?” I suggested.
“That sounds perfect.” Elizabeth stood, thanking my mother with a sweet smile. “Thank you for the tea, Luna Rowan.”
“Anytime, dear. You two have fun catching up,” my mother replied warmly.
As soon as we entered my room, Elizabeth flopped onto my bed with a dramatic sigh. “Finally! We have so much. to gossip about.”
I rolled my eyes, stifling a laugh. “Gossip is exactly what I need after a morning filled with doctor’s appointments and setting up gym memberships.”
“Gym membership?” Elizabeth repeated, giving me a curious look. “Trying to get into wedding shape already?” “Something like that,” I replied, feeling a familiar heat creep into my cheeks. “Alexander wants us to start training together, so he took me to his gym today and introduced me to a few personal trainers.‘
“Training together, huh?” Elizabethrarched an eyebrow, her tone thick with skepticism. “Sure…”
Chapter 0140
+25 BONUS
“Oh, it’s not like that,” I said quickly, waving a hand dismissively. But my cheeks betrayed me, growing warmer at her implication.
“Are you sure?” she teased, leaning in closer with a mischievous smirk. “Maybe that’s his way of… keeping things interesting.”
“Alexander doesn’t need an excuse to flirt,” I muttered under my breath.
“Aha!” Elizabeth laughed, her eyes sparkling with triumph “I knew it. He’s so effortlessly charming; it’s practically a talent. And that kind of charm? You can’t fake it.”
I sighed, considering her words. “You’re not wrong about that,” I admitted, sinking down beside her on the bed. But enough about me. What about you? You’ve been so busy lately–I feel like we haven’t had a proper catch–up in ages.”
Elizabeth’s gaze flickered, and she looked up at the ceiling, a blush creeping over her cheeks. She bit her lip, as if weighing something carefully. Finally, she turned to me, a gleam of excitement and nervousness in her eyes. “Can I tell you something? You have to swear not to breathe a word to anyone.”
