Bliss

As Ella entered her home, she was still in awe of what had just happened with Adam. She could feel the magnetic pull between them, and the possibility that he might share the same feelings filled her with bliss. However, her romantic thoughts were pushed aside as she noticed her parents sitting peacefully in the lounge. Without a second thought, she rushed towards them and asked, "You two were at home?"

Her dad looked up from his newspaper, casually scanning her figure, and replied, "Oh, you're home?" Her mother's voice carried a sweet yet sorrowful tone as she added, "Yes, we were at home all the time."

Ella's heart sank a little at her mother's response, and she bit her lower lip before mustering the courage to ask, "If you were home, then why didn't you come to my exhibition?"

Her father remained busy with the newspaper and mumbled, "It's clear, I wasn't interested. You chose this profession solely on your own, so you should learn to stand alone in the decisions you make according to yourself, not mine, princess."

Ella was shocked by her father's response and turned towards her mother, hoping for some understanding. But her father quickly interjected, "Don't try to get her on your side. Before your mother, she is my wife, sweetie. So it's clear she will follow me."

Ella was hurt by the continuous use of nicknames and the lack of support from her father. Feeling frustrated and disappointed, she headed towards the stairs, asking, "Why do you act so differently every time I want to do things my way?"

Her father nonchalantly shifted in his seat, grabbing his pen as he replied, "Isn't it clear? You said it yourself, because it's your way, not mine."

Ella sighed, unable to bear looking back at them any longer. She retreated to her room, seeking solace in her memories of Adam and Uncle Daniel. Little did she know that she would end up crying once again, overwhelmed by her emotions.

Ella lay on her bed, tired from the day's events, but a little smile played on her face as she reminisced about her encounters with Adam. His image filled her mind—the way he looked at her when they first met, how his eyes twinkled in the hallway, and the way he stared at her when they were inches away from each other. She couldn't help but wonder why she chose to make his eyes the subject of her final sketch, but she didn't mind the mystery.

As she closed her eyes, Adam's eyes continued to dance in front of her like a swirling tornado, both stern and warm at different moments. She blushed at the memory of their last eye contact, when they were so close that their lips were almost touching. The thought alone made her heart flutter, and she rolled around on her bed, relishing the sweet memories of their time together.

Lost in her own little world of sweet nothings, Ella couldn't help but feel a growing affection for Adam. She didn't know where this journey would lead, but for now, she was content to bask in the warm glow of their connection and the possibility of what the future might hold.

As the memories of Adam's tears flooded Ella's mind, a sense of worry and concern washed over her. She couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had enveloped him, and the questions surrounding his mother's death troubled her deeply. What could have led to such a tragedy? Why was he left to suffer such a painful loss?

Unable to ignore her growing concern, Ella grabbed her phone and dialed Adam's number without a second thought. Her fingers trembled slightly as she waited for him to pick up, her heart pounding in her chest with a mixture of nervousness and care for him.

After a few rings, Adam's voice finally came through on the other end of the line. "Hello?" he answered, and Ella's voice wavered slightly as she replied, "Adam, it's me, Ella. I just... I couldn't stop thinking about you, and I wanted to check in, make sure you're okay."

There was a moment of silence before Adam's voice softened. "Ella," he said, his tone filled with gratitude and vulnerability. "I'm... I'm fine. Thank you for calling. It means a lot to me."

Ella could sense the emotions in his voice, and it only deepened her concern for him. "Adam, if you ever want to talk about anything, I'm here for you," she said gently. "You don't have to go through this alone."

A mixture of emotions swirled within Adam as he heard Ella's words of comfort. He was touched by her kindness and understanding. "Thank you, Ella," he replied, his voice sincere. "I... I might take you up on that offer someday. But for now, I'm just grateful to have you as a friend."

Ella smiled softly, even though Adam couldn't see it through the phone. "I'm grateful to have you as a friend too, Adam," she said. "Remember, I'm here for you, no matter what."

As they continued to talk, Ella's heart felt lighter knowing that she had reached out to him. She knew that their bond was growing stronger, and she was determined to be a source of support and comfort for him, just as he had been for her. In that moment, she realized that their connection went beyond mere attraction—it was a deep and genuine care for each other's well-being. And with that newfound understanding, Ella was ready to face whatever the future held for their relationship.

As their conversation continued into the late hours of the night, Ella and Adam found themselves engrossed in each other's words. The genuine interest and care they showed for one another made their hearts soften, creating an unspoken bond between them. It was a midnight conversation like no other for both of them.

Adam felt a sense of comfort and ease in sharing his thoughts and feelings with Ella. He had always been guarded, but with her, he felt safe enough to lower the walls around his heart. For Ella, the conversation with Adam was a revelation. She felt an undeniable connection with him, one that went beyond mere attraction.

As the night wore on, their laughter and genuine connection lifted their moods. They found solace in each other's company, feeling understood and cared for in ways they hadn't anticipated. With sweet goodnights and promises to talk again soon, they bid farewell and disconnected their calls, both feeling a warmth in their hearts.

As they went towards their dreamland, both Ella and Adam carried a sense of contentment and anticipation. They had discovered something special in each other—something that went beyond mere friendship or attraction. It was the beginning of a beautiful and meaningful connection, and they couldn't wait to explore where it would lead them. With hope in their hearts, they drifted off to sleep, eager to see what the future held for their growing bond.