4

Ella's involuntary flinch spoke volumes, a visceral reaction to a situation that was sadly not unfamiliar to her. The skepticism regarding her intelligence had become an unwelcome theme in her life, and this encounter was merely another stanza in the ongoing narrative. The origin of this doubt traced back to the painful period following her father's demise. In the aftermath, Ella found herself thrust into a household dominated by a stepmother and stepsisters who seemed to derive a perverse pleasure from disparaging her intellect. The insults, a relentless barrage, were like a ceaseless storm, eroding any semblance of self-assurance she had left. Her stepmother and stepsisters seemed to revel in the cruel sport of undermining her, turning her once nurturing home into an emotional battlefield where taunts were the weapons of choice. It was a hostile environment that Ella had navigated for far too long, leaving an indelible mark on her psyche. The echoes of those insults reverberated in her mind, shaping her responses and reactions, making even innocuous inquiries trigger an instinctive defensive reflex. This moment, when someone questioned her intelligence once again, felt like an unwelcome but familiar refrain in the symphony of doubt that had been playing in her life since her father's untimely demise.

What this man didn’t understand was that Ella had learned to be strong in the face of put-downs, even when it took an immense effort.

‘I appreciate what you’re saying,’ she conceded after a slight pause. ‘But I don’t intend to go anywhere until we’ve spoken. If you truly want to be alone, I suggest you listen to me. The sooner you’ve heard me out, the sooner I can leave.’

She’d surprised him. ‘Who do you think you are to come into my home and start delivering ultimatums? I could have you arrested.’

You could,’ she confirmed with a slight nod, trembling inwardly. ‘But that would take longer and involve more people. Whereas I don’t intend to stay a moment longer than this conversation requires.’

It was very obvious that Xenon Skartos was not used to being challenged. If Ella’s whole future and livelihood weren’t hanging on his acceptance of her proposal, she’d have enjoyed the way his jaw was spasming with the effort of staying calm. It was fun to rile him, and she suspected he needed it. But this was too important—she couldn’t go too far.

‘I really won’t take up much of your time.’ She switched to a conciliatory tone of voice. ‘It’s getting dark and I don’t much like the idea of tackling that road in the evening.’

‘An excellent point,’ he murmured, casting an eye towards the windows. ‘And a storm is coming. If I were you, Miss—’

‘Ella Armstrong.’

He nodded once. Despite having prompted her for her name, he looked impatient at the interruption. ‘I would leave while you still can. I’m going to take a shower.’

Ella stood there, her jaw dropping in sheer disbelief, as her carefully orchestrated plan had backfired in a spectacular and unforeseen manner. In her quest for information about this enigmatic man, she had sifted through fragments of data, trying to piece together a profile that would aid her in the delicate task of securing a pivotal role as the events coordinator for his sister's wedding. However, amidst the limited information at her disposal, one beacon of positivity had shone through the murky waters of uncertainty – his sister's glowing testimonials about him. During her meticulous research, Ella had stumbled upon accounts that depicted a close-knit relationship between the elusive man and his sister, a bond characterized by warmth and admiration. It was a detail she had noted with cautious optimism, believing that it could be a potential avenue to establish rapport and sway him in favor of her proposal. Little did she anticipate that her attempt to leverage this information would result in such an unexpected and counterproductive outcome. The revelation left her grappling with the consequences of her misjudgment, realizing that the intricate dynamics of their relationship were far more complex than her initial assessment had led her to believe. As she navigated this unanticipated turn of events, Ella couldn't help but reflect on the unpredictability of human connections and the challenges inherent in unraveling the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, a lesson learned in the most unexpected and humbling of ways.

‘So you don’t care what I came here to say?’

‘Isn’t that obvious?’

‘Despite it involving your sister?’

Xenon paused. ‘What about her?’ Every word was sharpened like a bullet.

Ella took a step closer, then wished she hadn’t, when a hint of his masculine aroma reached her nostrils. He wore a cologne that was all citrus spice, but beneath it there was a muskiness that was all him. This time, her response was unmistakable. Desire snaked in the pit of her stomach. She stopped walking and planted her feet firmly on the parquet floor of the library.

‘Your sister is getting married and you’re responsible for organizing the wedding.’

There was a slight pause, as though he was going to argue. ‘Did you come here to state the obvious?’

Again, a flicker of hurt lashed Ella. Not because of this man’s words but because of words she’d heard far too many times in her twenty-five years.

‘I believe I can give your sister her dream wedding.’

‘You and every event coordinator think so,’ he responded with a curl of his lips that only made Ella more determined.

‘The difference is, I’m right.’

She turned and walked towards a stunning carved table beneath a large window that overlooked a densely wooded forest. ‘I know you’d agree if you’d take ten minutes to review my plans.’

‘Wedding planning submissions are to be sent over email.’

‘I know that.’

‘So why are you here?’

Because I desperately need this job.‘My proposal is too big for email.’

‘Then you should hone it further and submit it when you’re done. I don’t have time to read thirty pages of nonsense because you have difficulties being succinct.’

She gasped. ‘You really are—’

‘Yes?’ he demanded, holding her eyes. Her heart thumped, and her knees felt all tingly.

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