Chapter 3

When Daniel turned her around, she was at a loss for words. She knew that a day would come when she would have no choice but to face him. But never had she ever thought that the day would come so early if anyone could call six years soon.

Ella looked at him in the eyes hesitantly, and there were tonnes of emotions flashing.

It stunned her.

No words were being exchanged. They were only looking at each other, trying to remember what they had been like six years prior to this day. It was as if the time had stopped and they were the only two people standing.

“Danny,” she whispered without realizing it. She wouldn’t be surprised if he did not hear her.

Daniel doesn’t look that different, apart from his face. Unlike before, he had faint stubble growing, which made him look even more attractive.

On the other side, Daniel was still not able to believe that his Ella was standing in front of him. It has been six years since last he saw her. She was as beautiful as she had ever been. Her hair was, however, longer than before, and he desired nothing but to run his finger through it.

How is it possible that even after so many years, one can look so beautiful, if not more?

But there was definitely something different about her. Even as they looked at each other, his mind was swimming with so many emotions and questions, and there was only one person who had the key to his troublesome questions, which had not let him have a good night's sleep for more than half a decade.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw her gaze down slightly, as if she were trying to get away from him. But he knew his Ella. Even today, he could read her with ease. Just like he had predicted, there was something that made her leave him, and meeting him again was never her plan.

What are you hiding, Ella?

His train of questions and their gaze were interrupted as the owner of the café reached.

“I see you have met the manager of this cafe, Mr. Daniel Ashfield.”

“Manager?” He repeated. He couldn’t believe what he heard. What the hell is Ella doing as the manager of ‘The Brunch'?

It made no sense to him.

“Yes, Mr. Ashfield. She is the manager of ‘The Brunch," Rowan Nelson repeated.

But before Daniel could wrap his mind around this new-found knowledge, his best friend showed up, equally shocked to see his long-lost friend.

“Ella?” Timothy called her name in disbelief. “Shit! Is that really you?”

Daniel could see that even his best friend didn’t expect to see Ella here. Even though it was not a professional reaction, he could not blame his friend. Anyone would have been baffled to find Ella in this café.

"Uh, hey, Tim.” She tried to smile, but it came out more like a forced expression than she would have liked to give her old friend.

He, however, did not pay much attention to her reaction and immediately went to embrace her in a warm hug. “God! It is so good to see you after all these years. You have no idea how much I have missed you.”

But before he could further inquire about her presence, Rown Nelson spoke, “Well, I see you guys know each other.”

“Now that would be an understatement, Mr. Nelson. We have been really good friends since our school days. In fact, best friends.” Timothy replied with a smile. He does not know how to express in words how relieved and happy he felt to finally find Ella. However, her presence in Rosewood did not make sense to him either.

“Well, then I won’t hesitate twice to sign these deals if your proposal appeals to me. Trust is an important factor to me in this business, so if Ella trusts you, then I am bound to. And please, call me Rowan,” he said.

“Of course, Rowan. We won’t disappoint. Our firm aims to please.” Timothy said.

After a brief internship at one of the companies in Pelican City, Daniel and Timothy decided to take a chance and start their own architecture firm. They were still establishing their own footing to establish themselves, and in the short time since they began, they have created a strong network.

It was their good fortune and connection that one of their clients recommended their name to Mr. Nelson.

“Sorry, I am late. I hope I didn’t miss much.” A girl with red hair suddenly appeared. She looked a bit out of breath.

“Of course not, honey. Mr. Ashfield and Mr. Bason, this is my daughter Aubrey.” Rown Nelson introduced her.

“Hello!” Aubrey smiled. “I might be his daughter, but I am completely aware of the ins and outs of this business, so do not underestimate my skills.”

“My daughter might not look like a tough cookie, but she sure knows how to run a business.” Rowan Nelson proudly praised her daughter. She might look like a fragile lady, but she is certainly a tough lady.

Daniel, however, could not help but look at Ella as Rowan, Timothy, and Aubrey exchanged a few words. He was quite taken aback when he saw her beautiful smile with unshed tears and mixed emotions on her face. He was aware of how much Ella craved her father’s love, and witnessing the connection between Rowan and Aubrey would have stirred up those suppressed feelings.

Despite his curiosity and will to drag her away to demand an explanation for the reason for her running away, first and foremost, he wanted to hug her. But he refrained from doing so. It took all his strength not to touch her or pull her towards him.

“Why don’t we all sit and commence our meeting?” Rowan Nelson led the way to a cozy spot next to the window, where they all sat comfortably.

It was a round table with Ella in between Rowan and Aubrey and Timothy sitting next to Rowan with him.

Except for the questions running through him mentally, the meeting discussion between them was crisp and to the point. Dan and Timothy explained to them their entire plan and future outlook for their project. They explained to them the process of their expansion and the benefits of it.

Besides this cafe, there is a small, empty cottage owned by Nelson's. Daniel and Timothy suggested extending their land by including the dwelling, which would provide them with the extra area for this café.

At present, this cafe only has a small library, but they can also add a musical area for karaoke nights. Music is the soul of life, and there is nothing like good music that would help someone ease themselves from their stressful life. The room would, of course, have soundproof walls so that other customers wouldn’t be disturbed. A small section could also be dedicated to students who wish to use computers at a reasonable rate. It would really benefit teens, locals, or even tourists. A backyard for small stage shows, community nightouts, or events could also be built. He also gave the idea of having Friday night as a stage night where people can perform and showcase their talent for one day a week. Even though it would be quite work, it will be worth it in the end. This investment could not only benefit the town members but would also provide extra income and profits to the Nelsons.

“What do you think, Rowan?” Daniel asked him, praying that he would agree.

Unlike before, he needed a reason to stay in Rosewood. Business was the last thing on his mind. He needed this time in Rosewood for Ella.

“It really looks interesting and promising and the amount quoted by the two of you is in our budget,” he replied thoughtfully.

“Dad, I think it will be great for the cafe. What do you think, Ella?” Aubrey asked her best friend.

“I agree, Aubrey. This really looks good.” Ella replied. However, she sounded hesitant.

She was not sure if signing this contract with Daniel and Timothy would benefit her as much as it would for the Nelsons. They had a history, and she had a secret. She would neither be able to run any longer from the truth nor would she be able to successfully hide her truth from Daniel any longer.

“Then it’s a deal. Even though I will be constantly present every step of the way, I want you to contact Ella and Aubrey about everything. Both of them will be in charge of this project.”

Daniel and Timothy were both pleased.

Daniel might not be aware of their present complicated status with Ella, but fate has definitely given both of them another chance. He really hoped that their encounter was not for the sake of closure.

Ella, on the other hand, was afraid.

This project would take almost a year to complete, if not more. She did not need to be involved with Daniel and Timothy personally to know that they would personally be involved in every step of the process. She was confident that until the work on the café was done, both of them would take a temporary residence here. Further, much to Rowan's pleasure, they chose to involve most of the local contractors.

How the hell is she supposed to deal with it? Spending time with Daniel for one entire year. She can’t even back out or give any excuse because this cafe means a lot to her, and she cannot disappoint Rowan. She can't run away from this place. The people here are someone whom she has come to call hers.

Rowan has been a father figure to her, more than her very own dad. Cora, his wife, is like her own mother, whom she never had, and Aubrey is her best friend and sister, not to forget Ron. She won’t be able to leave them. They have been more than her adoptive family. They have given her and Lily stability, and for her own selfish reasons, she cannot take that away from her daughter.

She needs to act like a grown-up and deal with this. She couldn’t run away again. She needs to face her past. She just hopes that, in the end, she still has her daughter Lily with her.

Her only reason for living. And hopefully, this unfortunate situation won’t affect her and her daughter emotionally.