Cinderella Rebirth //hiatus

Chapter 9

Seeing Fel's extended hand before her, Ella hesitated before placing her hand in his. Standing up, Ella told her maid Lily to stay in the house. Then, she and Fel went outside.

"So, where are we going?" Ella looked up to Fel. The latter only shrugged. "Weren't you the one who invited me to a walk?"

"Well," Ella started thinking, "that's true enough. Any ideas, though?"

"None." Fel smiled mischievously. He wanted to see where would this beauty take him.

"Then lets go to the farm!" Truthfully speaking, Fel was a bit, no, a lot surprised when he heard this. He didn't think Ella and a farm belong together. And furthermore, she was speaking with such enthusiasm. Maybe she forgot that this was a matchmaking date after all. "Jacob's?"

"Yes! Do you know him?" Ella asked Fel. "No, but I know his son."

"That's just perfect! C'mon! I want to see the horse stables."

Pacing up, Fel began to gain interest in this eccentric young lady. The thing he didn't know was, Ella was purposely acting unladylike, she called it, to make this date fail. Poor Ella. She didn't know Fel was interested in her natural movement. He was sick of those flower ladies who stuck onto him, begging for his attention. If only Ella knew this fact!

"Do you like horses?"

"I do. In fact, I'd like to buy one these days." Even Ella was surprised as how fluent she was able to speak in front of this youngster. Remembering something, Ella asked him. "How old are you, by the way? As for me, I just turned sixteen recently."

"I'm nineteen. Almost twenty." Ella turned her head to him. "You're still young, why are you so desperate to go in these kinds of date?"

"That's funny, coming from my date partner." He blinked. "It's my dad. He wants me to take over as soon as possible, marry as soon as possible, and have kids as soon as possible. He thinks he's too old now to watch over me. He's going to be eighty soon, you know? On top of that, I'm an only child."

"Your parents had you when they were sixty?" He nodded. "Wow."

"How about you? I know you're not volunteering to be my date partner today."

Ella just smiled. Then she sighed. "Even I don't understand my father's thinking anymore."

Fel raised his eyebrows. He teased Ella, "Are you regretting?"

"I don't have the intention to accept this match, I have to say. But you're quite decent, actually." Truthfully, Ella faced Fel. "My expectation was way worse. I was so afraid my father will match me with some baldy out there."

Fel was stunned for a minute. Then he laughed. He didn't stop until Ella punched him lightly.

"Ahahah, I'm sorry. It's just, you're a rare kind of girl." He tried to stop laughing. "I don't like girls that much, you know? Actually I think they are pain in the ass. You're different. You're refreshing." He didn't finish his words as he burst out laughing again. "Anyway, I think we get along pretty well."

Ella chuckled. "Indeed."

On the way to the farm, they talked much. They agreed to disagree with this match. And they agreed that they hit pretty well, and now they were friends. On the stables, Fel even immediately bought the black horse Ella took a fancy to. She named it Blossom. They had to leave Blossom, though, for Ella was going to put Blossom in her uncle's stable.

Now relaxed she wouldn't have to marry so soon, Ella hummed happily. Fel by her side only smiled. Yet his heart hurt a bit. He couldn't help but to think. Am I that unlovable?? Of course, Ella was oblivious to his heart's cry. Little did he knew that originally, Ella intended to turn him into a vegetable. And maybe cook him into a soup.

All the way to Ella's house, the couple got uncountable envy glances. But they had their own thoughts, so they didn't even bother to try to even notice. Ella couldn't help but to soften when she saw children passing by with their parents. Her thoughts flew away to her son Michael. She missed him. Terribly. Unknowingly to her, this look on Ella's face piqued Fel's interest. "You seem to be fond of children." This was a statement, not a question, so Ella only glanced briefly at Fel. "And you seem to yearn for a warm family. No?" Ella laughed. "Who doesn't yearn a warm, loving family? But Fel, my father loves me. My uncle dotes on me. What else do I lack?"

Fel stared unblinkingly at Ella. "You know that's not it. That's not what I mean." This time, Ella didn't answer. "At least, you're missing someone. You got that longing look on your face."

Ella kept her silence and Fel understood. This girl was opening up to him, but not to the degree she could trust him unconditionally, nor to the degree she'd share her burdens and worries to him. This little thought made him felt a bit suffocated. They drowned into their own thoughts, and continued to walk in a silent harmony.

"Miss!" Nearing their destination, Lily frantically called Ella. This made Ella frown. Her personal maid was carefully trained. For her to lose composure was rare. "What happened?"

Lily gulped. "Miss, Anastasia Tucker is searching for you."

Ella frowned harder. "Didn't I already state that we'll have no relation with the Tuckers? Why is she searching for me?" Fel detected animosity from Ella's gaze. "The Tuckers?"

"Just a shameless family..." Ella sighed, then promptly decided to tell Fel their story. "Once, they stayed for a night. Then in the morning, the madame got busted. She had an intercourse with one of my servants. Really. Her husband's bones hadn't even cooled yet, you know."

"And this Anastasia is?"

"Her daughter." Ella nodded. "It's been about two months since the incident. I don't understand her intentions on seeking me out."

"Lets find out then? I'll accompany you."

The three walked and Lily lead them into the garden. There, Anastasia was sitting, her face clearly troubled. Seeing Ella approach, she jumped from her seat. "Miss Leravinn!" She eyed Fel curiously but didn't dare ask.

"Anastasia Tucker. What may brings you here?"

Sensing Ella's coldness, Anastasia shuddered. She knew the distance between them. It was just, she had to come. Even if her mother forbade her, she really had to come. Knowing Ella hated dilly-dallies, Anastasia went straight to the point.

"Miss Leravinn, my mother is pregnant."