Listen

"Adam!" Ella yelled loudly, her voice echoing in the surroundings.

The male in the mask paused, stiffening in his place. Ella panted hard, trying to catch her breath after running so fast. She peeked at the male, who had stopped walking but didn't turn back.

Memories of their first encounter played in her mind, the moment she called him in front of the Bakery to thank him for saving her life. But he didn't turn back then, just like now. She chuckled to herself, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "I know it's him," she whispered.

"Adam!" she called again, but he remained motionless, not turning around.

Ella stood straight, placing her hands on her waist with a huff, "Gosh! He is such a kiddo!" she muttered before stomping towards him.

Standing behind him, she glared at his back, but her pouty expression took over as she mumbled, "Now you gonna ignore me like this?"

Ella waited for his response, but none came. So she raised her hand to tap on his shoulder, but just before her fingers touched his shoulder, he turned away, causing her hand to lightly brush against his jawline. Her breath hitched, feeling the contact, and she sensed his eyes widening beneath the mask. The feeling was new to him, and he bit his lips under the mask, averting his gaze.

Not saying anything, he started to walk away, but Ella lightly grasped his wrist, stopping him in his tracks. "I know it's you, Adam," she pleaded.

"Please look at me... listen to me," she urged urgently, her voice almost a whisper.

The male stretched the hand that Ella was holding, as if trying to break free from her grip, but she didn't let go. Instead, she put her other hand on top of his, holding it gently in both of her hands.

"Please..." she mumbled again, her voice filled with emotion.

But the male still didn't turn to face her. Ella didn't say anything more; she simply squeezed his hand a little, hoping that her touch could convey what her words couldn't.

The male sighed internally, feeling irritated as he turned around to respond to Ella's call. "Could you please--" he began, but his irritation faded the moment his eyes met Ella's bloodshot, puffy eyes.

He instantly stopped, his stern expression softening as he stared into her tear-filled eyes. "I didn't want... any of that... to happen that day," Ella mumbled, her voice trembling as she became overwhelmed with emotions.

The male remained silent, absorbing her words, unsure of how to respond. But Ella's desperation didn't subside, and she continued, "I'm not imagining things. You are Adam, aren't you?"

He frowned, trying to maintain his composure, and firmly replied, "I am not your Adam."

"No!" Ella yelled, frustration boiling over, and she tugged at his hand, trying to get through to him.

Taken aback by her sudden outburst, the male hesitated. "Leave my hand," he demanded politely, trying to regain control of the situation.

But Ella couldn't back down now. "Stop lying!" she insisted, stomping her feet in frustration. She huffed, trying to catch her breath, and then said with determination, "I know you are Adam!"

The male rolled his eyes, trying to dismiss her claims, and pulled his hand away from her grip, causing Ella to release it.

"I am not!" he said firmly, pointing his index finger at her.

"Oh really?" Ella retorted, not backing down. "Then prove it!"

"Yes!" he responded sternly, but his resolve wavered slightly as he looked into her determined eyes.

In a swift motion, Ella grabbed his mask and yanked it down harshly. "Then what is it?" she said angrily, her voice trembling with emotion as she dared him to reveal his true identity.

There stood Adam, staring at her in complete astonishment. "How could she?" was the only thought swirling in his mind as he stood there in pure disbelief.

He was about to say something, but Ella was quick to shut him down. "Now tell me! What's this?" she demanded, her voice fierce and determined.

"Same bed hairs of yours, same honey skin, and same damn silvery orbs!" Ella pointed out, her frustration and anger evident in her tone.

Adam was too stunned to respond. He simply gulped, taking in all her words, trying to process the situation.

Ella continued to glare at him with aggression, her eyes locked onto his. "One minute she is pouting like a baby, and in another moment she is glaring like a maniac," Adam thought, still trying to wrap his mind around the whirlwind of emotions.

"Would you please say something?" Ella taunted him, her impatience evident.

Adam blinked, finally getting out of his trance. He averted his gaze and mustered a response, "Uh-huh, yeah...."

Clearing his throat, he spoke monotonously, "I don't wanna recall anything."

"But let me," Ella insisted, not backing down.

"No!" Adam interrupted, signaling her to stop with his palm.

Ella gulped, stepping back a little in response.

"I hope you respect someone's privacy and personal space," Adam fired back, his voice firm and resolute.

Ella nodded her head in agreement, muttering a low "yes" that was audible to Adam.

"Good," Adam stated before turning away from her.

As he started to walk away, Ella fidgeted in her position while watching him go, her emotions still running high.

"I didn't want any of that to happen on that day!" Ella yelled loudly, her voice echoing with emotion as she watched Adam's stiff figure.

This time, Adam turned around slowly but steadily, catching Ella off guard. He stared at her face for a while, his expression softening as he softly smiled and said, "I know, Ella."

Ella couldn't hold back her tears any longer. They spilled out of her eyes as she asked curiously, gulping down the lump in her throat, "Really?"

"Yeah, really," Adam assured her, still maintaining that gentle gaze.

Ella couldn't help but smile through her tears, feeling a sense of relief and understanding.

Adam and Ella continued to stare at each other for a while, but Adam was the first to break the silence. He said, "Okay then," before turning around again to leave.

"Does that mean we are on good terms?" Ella questioned, seeking some reassurance.

Adam paused for a moment before nodding his head in approval. Ella didn't say anything, but she beamed her signature smile in response to his answer.

Without any further words being said, Adam left from there, leaving Ella to process the emotional encounter they had just shared.

Ella stomps merrily once Adam is out of view. "Thanks to God, it's all sorted," she exclaims with relief. "I am feeling so light," she says to herself as she dashes towards her house.

Entering the house, she rushes to hug her mother. No words were exchanged, but her mother understood everything. She pats Ella's back affectionately and says, "Go freshen up; I will make some waffles."

Ella smiles, feeling grateful for her understanding mother, and gives her a peck on the cheek before hurrying to her room.

In her room, she quickly freshens up and then rushes back downstairs. She enjoys a delicious waffle breakfast with her mother, savoring the moment of closeness and love.

After spending some quality time together, Ella returns to her room. She feels a newfound sense of peace and happiness in her heart, knowing that she has resolved the misunderstanding with Adam. As she sits on her bed, she reflects on the events of the past few days and smiles, feeling grateful for the bond she shares with Adam and the support she has from her mother. With a contented sigh, she opens her diary and begins to write about the remarkable turn of events that led to the mending of her friendship with Adam, grateful for the lessons she has learned along the way.

After organizing her art exhibition work and having a heartwarming conversation with Tori, Ella spent the night cleaning her room. As the night grew deeper, and she was about to place her diary in the drawer, her phone suddenly rang. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, glancing at the clock on her wall, which displayed 12:30 am in the morning.

"This time?" Ella muttered to herself, puzzled, as she made her way to the nightstand to answer the call. Seeing an unknown number on the screen, she hesitated for a moment before picking it up.

"Who is calling me at this hour?" she sighed, a tinge of irritation in her voice, as she answered the call.

"Who is it?" Ella asked, expecting a response from the other side. However, her eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the voice, causing her to exclaim, "You?" She quickly covered her mouth, astonished, and added, "How did you get my number?" The unexpected call had taken her off guard, leaving her with a mix of emotions and curiosity.