Chapter 32

Ella

It’s been a couple of days since that fateful night with me and my brothers and while I had wished that I had more time with them I knew that I couldn’t be selfish and knew it would have to wait until they had gotten back. Each of them having important business to attend to for the next three days while I was in the middle of trying to graduate.

Graduating, I muse, having been lucky enough to pass all of my exams regardless of the family drama that was my parents' deaths. My eyes now taking a glance over to a calendar that I now had hanging up next to my desk, a desk that Reece had thought was necessary for me to have when it came down to studying for school exams.

Funny how things can slowly take a turn for the worse or for the better in just a matter of weeks, I ponder, now realizing that I only had 1 week left before the big day. 1 week until I would finally be able to graduate from Valley View Academy once and for all.

Giggling now at the thought, I move to text Reece knowing that he was with Dylan and Caleb since the three of them had left extremely earlier that morning, each promising that they would either call me or text me once they had landed in New York City. Caleb taking a different plan during one of their mid stops as he would be flying to North Carolina to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series: Drive for the Cure 250. One of his many passions in life which would take place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Smiling at just thinking about him racing I move to text Reece.

Ella: Miss you Mio Amato (My Beloved) along with Cuore Mio (My Heart) and Mondo Mio (My World)

Knowing I was now being mushy with calling each of them a different name, I moved to hit send. For when it came down to each of them, each of them were my beloved, my heart and my world now and forever and I would be damned if I let someone take that happiness away from me.

Feeling the slight buzz of my phone do I move to look down.

Reece: We miss you too Agapi Mou.

Ella: How’s the flight to New York?

Reece: (sighs) Not good Agapi. We had a last minute delay in Maryland. But it shouldn’t be much longer until we’re finally in New York.

Curious about the sudden delay in flights I try not to think about it and instead I move to ask about Caleb who should have taken a different flight to North Carolina by now.

Ella: Did Caleb take his flight to North Carolina already?

Reece: Yes, but he told me to tell you that he misses you already. We all do actually.

Unable to resist the smile that was beginning to form upon my lips do I move to send them each a selfie picture of me. Knowing that they would love it as much as I would had it been from them as I was theirs to love and cherish. Feeling my phone buzz again I move to see it’s from Reece.

Reece: Beautiful Agapi. Wish you we were there with you instead of miles apart.

Knowing what he meant I can’t help but feel a slight tug at my heart string. Wishing I could have gone with them as well, but instead I was stuck here waiting for them to return home. Biting my lip I move to tell them exactly what I was thinking on the matter.

Ella: I could have gone with you, it’s not like I had school or anything ;)

Adding the winky face at the end of my message I knew I was now being childish but I truly didn’t care. My brothers meant everything to me and being separated from them was going to be tough as they wouldn’t be back until Friday and it was only Tuesday and to me that was a super long time to be away from them, even if only for three days.

Feeling the buzz again, I move to see who sent the message. Reece.

Reece: We would have loved that little one, but school is more important for you right now. Besides, once you graduate you’ll finally be able to attend my Masquerade Ball as well as Dylan’s Met Gala event that he host’s once a year. Caleb even wants to take you to one of his national races.

Hearing about all of that I can’t help but truly smile then. A Met Gala, A Masquerade Ball as well as a Race. Boy was I going to be one busy person for a while. Having heard all about them from Grant and Hayden which only left me craving more.

Ella: Can’t wait :)

Hitting send again, I can’t help but think of Hayden and Grant and how both have always been leaving the house to see Kris. Frowning, I move to look over at the last message she had sent me. A message she had sent me nearly a week ago.

Kris: Of course, it’s what any good friend would do… Look… I know I fucked up, and in a major way too so I’ll understand if you never want to see me again ever, but please know it was never my intention to hurt you, I hope some day you’ll be able to forgive and we can still be friends… I’ve already spoken to Grant and Hayden and they both agree it would be best if I do not come around right now, and that instead they’ll come to me instead.

Fighting back tears I can’t help but cry. Knowing it had been almost a whole week since we’ve spoken to one another and it was beginning to take its toll on me. The need to hear her voice driving me insane as I sigh, knowing what it was that I had to do.

“I should probably just text her. See how she’s doing and all. Because I’m beginning to miss her like mad” I mutter, moving to send her a quick text to her phone, hoping she would reply back to me.

Ella: Hey! Just wanted to see how things were going with you? Haven’t heard from you in almost a week. I was kind of hoping that we could maybe plan out our graduation party together, interested?

Unsure of what else to say or add I move to hit the send key, an unknown number now popping up on my phone once I do. “Huh?” Suddenly curious, I move to open the message from the strange number only to feel my blood run cold. My eyes now the size of saucers as I move to read what was inside the message.

Unknown: Hello Ella or should I be calling you Principessa? Either name sounds fitting for a beautiful young lady like yourself.

Scared, I moved to reply back.

Ella: Who… Who is this?

Barely a second later after hitting send does the number move to reply back to me, fear now gripping at my heart as they did.

Unknown: No one that concerns you as of yet Princess. Just wanted to send you a quick little message to say hello and to let you know that I’m always watching you. Even when you least expect it. And right now I can tell you that I know you're home alone. Your brothers gone. And no one is there to watch over you currently.

Ella: How… How do you know that?

Unknown: I have my ways. But for now just know that I’m watching you and soon not only will you become mine but so will your daddy’s company as well.

Feeling my breath now catch within my throat do I move to grab my bear, my body now racing for Reece’s room. A room I’ve felt safe in since my arrival and while I could have ran to Dylan’s or Caleb’s room too, Reece’s room was the room I wanted to hide in at the moment.

Upon entering his room do I move to close his door, my body now rushing for his bed before move to curl up into a ball, my bear held tightly within my arms as my mind currently wanders to that of the unknown text, my body freaking out at who it could possibly be.

Reece… Dylan… Caleb… Please hurry home, come my panicked thoughts as I continue to hold my bear, attempting to think of nothing else for the next three days until I was finally safe within my brother’s presence yet again.