You can say it

Ella looked up at old master McCann, "Grandpa is well and hasn't aged even a bit I see" she commented, and everyone laughed. "Always with the sweet mouth, did you have ice cream before you come here?" asked old master McCann with a faint smile. He couldn't help but marvel at how grown this child was and how much she looked like her grandmother. He couldn't wait to tell his comrades about his granddaughter-in-law, especially that fool old man Heed. Ella laughed and nodded. Old Master McCann had always been secretly giving her ice cream before dinner and he would say, 'it's to make your mouth sweeter when speaking with your grandma.'

The head maid announced dinner was served. Everyone collectively stood and made their way to the lounge. As everyone ate and talked about business and everyday life, Ella could not balance her thought process in her previous life. Some upper-class families hated her because she was engaged to Xavier, some because she was a whiz with numbers and that is how she made her capital to start her fashion line and the rest because she was a successful fashion designer at her age. But this family, they had loved her from her tantrum throwing toddler self to her business running mogul stage and never had they forsaken her, it was she who'd ignored them. as if Xavier could sense her mood change, he placed some of her favourite and foods and asked if she wanted some wine or tea. Ella said tea and a maid served her tea.

"Ella, are you free on Saturday?" asked old madam. "Yes gran, is anything the matter?" She responded. A different voice was heard "Gran is holding a garden tea party, won't you come and keep your elder sister company. those young misses will only come in hopes of capturing my brothers' hearts they have no interest in this old woman." said Xena sounding pitiful and everyone laughed. "I would love to gran; can I bring a friend?" asked Ella. Xena squealed and a big smile spread across her face "send me your sizes and I'll have everything ready, you must come and get ready with me!" She replied. The family dinner concluded on a happy note.

Xavier took Ella home, on the way home he was still wrecking his brain to think of way to ask Ella if they could register their marriage. He was happy that she'd had a pleasant dinner with his family, but he still couldn't shake the fear of her leaving him. "You can say it." Xavier was drawn back from his thoughts by Ella's voice. "Did you have a good dinner?" he asked. "hmmm." hummed Ella, "What's going on in that head of yours?" she asked straight forward. "I wasn't eavesdropping, you called me, and I heard you're not going to marry me anymore." Xavier said with a sulky face, "But Ella, I didn't do those things she accused me off. I don't have any relationship with Amina, only reason she's working in the hospital is because she's the best in her field." He hurriedly explained.

Before he could continue to plead his case, he heard a loud boisterous laugh coming from Ella. "Xavier, I will marry you with or without your approval. I can only be Xavier's wife, no one else." Said Ella as she patted his hand on the gear box. "Maria wants to sow discord, I only said that so she could continue with whatever plot she has. I want everyone to see her for the person she is, not the person I think she is." To say Xavier was shocked by Ella's revelation is an understatement. He looked at Ella as if she was some new wonder of the world. "Ella, are you serious? You will marry me?" He asks. "What do I have to do for you to believe me?" asked Ella. "Lets get our marriage certificate tomorrow!" stated Xavier. "Ok." replied Ella.

Xavier hit the car breaks hard and fast that they were both launched forward as their bodies tried to catch up with the motion. Fortunately, the roads were fairly empty, only God knows the kind of disaster that would have occurred had Xavier done this at peak hour or even just daylight. "Really?" He asked. Ella punched his arm "What was that for? Why would you break in the middle of the road? do you want to kill me? Xavier, I'll tell you now, I won't let be a widow at such a young age. You better drive carefully, otherwise I'm getting a driver." Ella was livid, she thought she saw her life flash before her eyes. 'I cannot die until I've avenged my family and myself. I won't let that witch get a penny from my father' thought Ella.

Xavier came to and realised what he'd done, he moved to the parking bay and asked Ella to repeat what she said. "What was..." she begun "not that part, the part before that." he cut her off. "OK?" She asked questioningly. "As in ok, let's get our certificate tomorrow?" he asked. "Oh yea, that, yeah we can go do that." stated Ella. Xavier was so happy he could barely contain his excitement. Xavier hugged Ella and began driving again. Xavier and Ella woke up the next day and as per agreement and went to get their certificate. They had agreed that Ella would remain in her family home until their wedding day.

The rest of the week went by uneventful and the Saturday of the garden tea party came. Ella had someone drop off 6 dresses for her and Alice. Alice had been spending time with Aunt Josie and eating with the Palmer's. Maria was shocked when she initially saw Alice and she even tried being friendly, but Alice would not play ball. Maria had even pulled Ella aside and told her to tell Alice to leave before she brought them problems. Ella told Maria that Alice couldn't leave as she was her guest and would be staying until her wedding day. Ella did not miss the anger that flickered in Maria's eye.

As the dresses were being delivered, Maria told the service girl to put them in her room. This has previously happened therefore the girl did not question Maria. If only someone had told her that those were not the dresses the girls had intended on wearing but were actually Knock offs of some Brand B from country E. Maria thought, she'd thwarted Ella's plan to bring Alice with her. She got dressed for the tea party intending to get there first to play her usual tricks. Maria requested a driver for the event. The event would not be commencing until 2 pm it was only 11am but Maria had prior engagement to attend to.

3 hours earlier....

Xavier and Xena picked up Ella & Alice. they were to have a spa and champagne breakfast before getting dressed and dolled up. Ella hugged Xena and introduced her. "Sister this is my best friend, Alice." Xena made eye contact with Xavier who nodded. A big smile spread across Xena's face; she hugged Alice "Nice to finally meet you, Alice. I hope you don't mind that I hugged you." Alice still dazed and wondering what just happened. Did she just meet thee Xena, youngest Master of Fine jewellery craft. Ella waved her hands in front of her friend "Hello, earth to Alice." Alice had this daydream look on her face when turned to Ella and said, "Sorry Ella, I thought I met my idol XO designer Xena." before she realised what she'd said Ella had knocked on her forehead and she heard Xena and Xavier's laughter. Alice went beet red from face to neck. they boarded the car and went to Xena's beach house. Xavier left them as he had surgery and follow ups to undertake at the hospital. Alice got over her embarrassing moment and her and Xena got along like a house on fire. When they were done, Xena's chauffer drove the girls to the McCann's mansion.