Chapter 7 Ella Walker

Ella Walker The nightmares haunted me almost all night long. I had to get up once more to drink some water, feeling my body even more anxious. I pulled the pillow off my head and looked at the ceiling, and the memory of the previous night filled my mind. How is it possible that just knowing he was there affected me so much? After months of therapy, I should be feeling a little better about this. But no, the fact that he was only a few meters away left me terrified and cowardly. I looked to the side and saw that it was already morning. I sighed and decided to get up, since I knew everyone here wakes up early. I went to the closet and chose a pair of jeans and a knit shirt. I smiled as I slipped the bunny-shaped socks back onto my feet. Thank heavens my face was less swollen after all the crying, the cold compress had done its job well. I put on some light makeup and left the room. As I approached the stairs, I could already hear the voices of my Aunt Larissa and her husband, Dylan. I hurried down to greet my aunt. I had missed them. "Did you really think it was a good idea to take your cousin, who was already exhausted, to a nightclub?" I heard her scolding my cousins "I had nothing to do with it. It was Olivia’s idea..." Lucas said calmly. "That’s a lie, Auntie! It was his idea!" I said loudly and was immediately hit by a flying piece of toast from Lucas. "Don’t believe her!" I looked at my uncle Dylan, who seemed to glance at his son with irritation. "I'm joking. He offered to go to protect us," I said as I hugged my aunt, who held my face in her hands. I saw in her eyes the concern of a mother. I sighed and smiled at her tenderly. "I'm okay!" "Are you sure? Do you want us to find a therapist?" I thought about it for a moment. I knew it was the best thing to do. If I said no, I was certain my aunt would call my mother, and within hours, Madame Amélie Walker would be walking into my grandmother’s mansion. "What if I say no?" I asked, just to be sure, and saw her make a face. "I think it's better if you don’t!" my aunt said kindly. "Alright, you can find one!" I said and walked over to my uncle, who hugged me. "Everything okay, princess?" he asked, touching my face. "Yes. Things will get better later..." After that brief conversation, I sat next to Olivia, who placed some pre-cut fruit in front of me. I noticed Lucas had cut and set them out for his sister, just like their father had done for their mother. "Want to come with me to the office, since your classes start in a few days?" I looked up at my aunt and thought about it. I didn’t want to spend my days at home, lost in thoughts about Leon, especially now that I knew he was here in Chicago. I sighed and looked at Olivia sitting next to me. She gave me an encouraging look. "I’ll go to work!" I said, giving my best smile. "Great because your father just woke me up..." My grandfather’s voice made all of us laugh. "Why did he call you, Grandpa?" "Apparently, your father wants you focused and not distracted by anything..." I sank into the chair and went back to picking at my fruit. Looks like everyone already knows my torment is closer than I imagined. "I don’t have anything to distract me, except for Lola, who probably needs a vet. She’s been looking sad!" I tried to change the subject. "Just like you. But finish your breakfast and go get changed, unless you’d rather go to Walker dressed like that," my grandfather said, and we all laughed. The conversation shifted to finding a vet to take care of my bunny and how I had barely arrived and was already being forced to work. I went upstairs to change and picked one of the Miller atelier dresses. It went down to my knees and hugged all the right places, accentuating my waist and lifting my backside. I grabbed a coat, wrapped a scarf around my neck, and wore the Louboutin my father had gifted me. Ready to start learning about my future profession, I headed downstairs and found Lucas adjusting his watch with one hand and holding his briefcase with the other. "Are you being dragged along too?" I asked as I stopped in front of him. "Since I turned eighteen..." he laughed, and we left the mansion. Olivia was at college and would only go to the office in the afternoon. For me, it would be different in a few days. My classes were in the afternoon, and in the mornings, I’d be working with the family. I stayed quiet as Lucas drove us to Walker headquarters, but something was bothering me. "Did you know he was there?" Lucas sighed, and I saw his shoulders slump slightly. He let go of the wheel and leaned his elbow against the window, resting his head on his hand. I kept my eyes on his face and was surprised when he nodded. "Why didn’t you tell me? You all know how much it messed me up..." I stopped when I felt the tears starting to form. I turned my body toward the window and looked at the scenery outside. Then I felt his hand holding mine. "Even though half the family doesn’t approve of this connection, I think you two should talk. Leon has something to explain to you." I turned to him, surprised by the shift in his tone. "Interesting... Yesterday, you were protecting me from him!" "No, yesterday I created space for you to process the fact that he’s here. I wasn’t trying to keep you away from him. Like I said, that just wasn’t the right time for a conversation." I kept my eyes on my cousin. He had the signature good looks of the men in our family, striking blue eyes, a neatly trimmed beard that framed his face and gave him a sexier look, and perfect lips. Lucas was every woman’s temptation. No wonder his parents kept a tight leash on him, terrified he might accidentally father a child somewhere. "Do you think I should go after him?" "I don’t think anything. You’re young, and even though we all know you love him, the choice to chase after that love is yours alone." I nodded, feeling my body relax a bit. I squeezed his hand and went back to watching the landscape change into smaller buildings, and soon we were in the heart of Chicago’s business district. Tall buildings and busy sidewalks filled with people in suits and skirts. Something caught my eye. A delivery guy carrying a massive bouquet was walking on the sidewalk across the street. Lucas pulled into the underground parking lot, and as soon as I got out of the car, I felt the freezing temperature. "I should’ve worn thermal tights!" I complained as I buttoned up my coat. "Get ready, it’ll be snowing in just a few days." I closed my eyes in dread. Unlike my mother, I was not a fan of the cold. I liked the heat and the beach. I always ran off to sunny places during school breaks, hoping my skin would tan and not end up looking like a boiled shrimp. We went up to the executive floor, and I smiled at the secretary who greeted my cousin, who in turn winked at the woman, she must be a bit older than me. "He’s no good..." I muttered and quickened my pace. "Ella Walker!" he scolded. "Miss Gringio, don’t take her seriously." I smiled, realizing he was flirting with the poor woman. Little did she know my cousin was a one-night Casanova, and most likely, after she slept with him, my aunt and uncle would fire her. "Did Lucas stop at Miss Gringio’s desk?" my aunt asked. I glanced around at the decor in her office and smiled, nodding. I walked over to the large window and tried to imagine my father, years ago, standing in this same spot doing the same kind of work. And who would’ve thought I’d be the first one to come back home and train to one day do what he now does in Paris? "That boy is still going to give us a lot of headaches..." my aunt muttered. While I was looking at the various framed photos on the sideboard, I heard my cousin walk in. "I already told you I don’t want you messing around with Julie. I explained why!" he said. At that moment, I turned to my aunt. "Now I’m curious, what happened?" I asked, looking between the two of them. My aunt looked at me and let out a heavy sigh. "She was abandoned while pregnant and lost the baby after being kicked out of her house by her parents." My cousin looked upset, and I figured it was best not to push the topic any further. My aunt started explaining what I was supposed to do. Today, I’d just stay in her office, learning how to locate everything needed in the balance sheets. After a little over an hour sitting beside her, her secretary entered the room carrying a huge bouquet. "Miss Walker, these were just delivered for you." I stared in surprise. "It must be for my aunt..." I tried to convince myself she was mistaken. "Ella Miller-Walker?" I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly who had sent the colorful roses. I stood, smiled politely, and took the bouquet from her arms. I pulled out the card and set the flowers on the couch. Then I sat back down and shifted my focus to my aunt the moment I felt her eyes on me. "Aren’t you going to open it?" I shook my head. The last thing I needed right now was to cry over whatever was written inside.