Chapter Two: No Turning Back
Ella’s POV
My heart pounded as I stared at the message from Keith. It felt like a crossroads, a point of no return.
“10 PM, my place?”
The words seemed to glow on the screen, pulling me toward them.
The stranger in front of me was still waiting for an answer, but I barely registered his presence. My focus was entirely on my phone, on the decision I was about to make.
“I’m sorry,” I said, barely looking up as I declined his offer to dance. “Maybe some other time.”
The disappointment was clear on his face, but I couldn’t care less. I was too wrapped up in the storm of emotions swirling inside me. The text from Keith had thrown me off balance, and I needed a moment to process what was happening.
Nancy, always attuned to my mood, leaned over and grabbed my phone before I could stop her. Her eyes widened as she read the message, then she looked up at me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
“He texted back? That’s not a surprise,” She said, her facial expression betraying her. I must warn though, my dad had tried to set me up with
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him before,” Nancy said, her voice a little higher than usual.
“Wait, what? You and Keith?” I felt a pang of something–jealousy, maybe–though I had no right to feel that way.
Nancy shrugged. “Yeah, our families tried to get us together, but neither of us wanted to be controlled by our parents. So, we just played along to make them happy, then went our separate ways. That’s what I wanted to say before you know, the gentleman walked by.”
That revelation made me pause. I hadn’t known about Nancy’s history with Keith. It added a new layer to this whole situation, one I wasn’t sure how to cut through.
“So, should I go?” I asked, my voice small as I tried to mask my uncertainty.
Nancy didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely. Look, Ella, Dorian has already betrayed you. You don’t owe him anything. This could be your chance to finally let go of all the crap he’s put you through.”
Her words resonated with me. Dorian had been the centre of my world for so long, but he’d shattered that world with his lies and betrayal. I reminded myself that I was doing this for me, and encouraged by Nancy, I took a deep breath and made up my mind.
“Alright, I’ll go.”
We spent the next few minutes talking, with Nancy doing most of the reassuring. As I checked the address Keith had sent me, I realized it
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would take nearly two hours to get there. It was a long trip, hopefully it was worth it
“Wait a minute,” Nancy said, stopping me as I started to leave, “You can’t just show up like this. Let’s find you something a little more… alluring.”
She winked, pulling me toward her closet. I hesitated, not wanting to dress too provocatively for this encounter,
“I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. This isn’t about seduction -it’s about making a point.”
Nancy gave me a knowing smile, “Fair enough. But let’s at least make sure you look irresistible.”
We compromised on something simple yet flattering–an outfit that made me feel confident without being over the top. Once I was ready, I grabbed a taxi and headed toward the address Keith had sent me.
The villa garden was even more extensive than I’d imagined. The sprawling property seemed like something out of a movie, with perfectly manicured lawns and towering trees. But as beautiful as it was, I found myself wandering aimlessly, unable to locate the specific villa Keith had mentioned.
The air was chilly, and I wrapped my coat tightly around myself, wishing I’d thought to bring something warmer. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten much before heading out.
Glancing at my phone, I saw it was already 9:50. I quickly texted
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Keith, letting him know I was lost.
Ella: I’m here, but I can’t find the villa. I’m standing in front of a large building with a fountain.
Keith’s reply was immediate.
Keith: Don’t move. I’ll come get you.
I stomped my feet, trying to ward off the cold as I waited for him. It wasn’t long before I saw him approaching, his tall frame unmistakable even in the dim light.
My breath caught in my throat as I took him in. He was even more handsome in person, his features sharp and confident. But what stood out the most was his attire–a simple white T–shirt in this freezing weather?
When he reached me, he wrapped his arms around me without hesitation, pulling me into his warmth. Despite the cold, his body radiated heat, and I found myself leaning into him, grateful for the warmth.
“You’re freezing,” Keith said, his voice low as he held me close.
“And you’re only wearing a T–shirt?” I shot back, trying to hide the shiver in my voice.
“I’m always hot,” he replied with a grin that was more playful than boastful.
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I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help smiling at his confidence. “Show- off.”
My nerves started to kick in as we stepped inside his place. The place was modern yet cozy, with warm lighting and tasteful decor. It was exactly the kind of place I’d imagined someone like Keith would live in -luxurious but not over the top.
My stomach betrayed me again with a loud growl as we settled in. I cringed, feeling my face heat up in embarrassment.
Keith chuckled and headed to the kitchen, returning with a strawberry cake. My eyes lit up at the sight of it. “How did you know?”
“Just a lucky guess,” he said, setting the plate in front of me.
“Go ahead, eat up.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. The cake was delicious, and I savored every bite, momentarily forgetting the awkwardness of the situation. Keith watched me with a smile, as though he was content just to see me enjoying myself.
After I finished eating, I stood up to wash the dishes, but Keith stopped me. He reached over, his hands brushing against mine as he took the plates from me and placed them into the dishwasher.
His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I suddenly became hyper–aware of how close we were standing. Keith must have felt it too because he paused for a moment, his eyes locking onto mine.
Keith broke the silence first, his voice huskier than before. “I have
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something to take care of tonight, but I can drive you home later if you want.”
His words snapped me back to reality, and disappointment rushed through. He was the one who had invited me here, yet now he….
“Why did you ask me to come here if you had other plans?” I asked, unable to keep the frustration out of my voice.
Keith’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “I just wanted to see you.” He took a step closer, his gaze intense as it bore into mine. “But if you‘ re up for it, we could… make some time for each other.”
My heart raced as his eyes darkened with desire, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Where do you want to start? The kitchen, maybe?”
The heat in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, but I shook my head, feeling my nerves get the better of me.
“No,” I whispered, backing away slightly before turning on my heel and bolting toward his bedroom.
The room was just as I’d imagined–spacious, with a king–sized bed that looked impossibly soft. I couldn’t shake the thought that many women had likely been in this very room, on that very bed, with Keith.
I hesitated, my mind racing as I tried to decide whether this was really what I wanted. But before I could second–guess myself any further, I heard the door close behind me. Keith’s presence filled the room, his breath warm against the back of my neck.
“There’s no turning back now, Ella,” he whispered, his voice both a
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Chapter Two: No Turning Back
warning and a promise.
