Chapter 48

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out. Would Ella think it's weird I came back this early? Holding the bouquet, I slid into the car just as my phone rang. It was Christina. "Hey, Oliver!" she sounded super pleased with herself. "Guess what just happened?" I kept my tone calm. "Oh? Something new?" "Ella said yes!" she practically shouted, clearly proud. "What about you?" The car moved smoothly down the street. I glanced down at the flowers I was bringing for Ella, fingers gently adjusting them. "I'll be going to the exhibit in Italy with Ella, Christina. Better be ready for us." But when I got home, she wasn’t there. I placed the bouquet on the table and looked around the empty villa. It felt like it did before Ella ever stepped into this place—dead silent. The couch wasn’t that soft, but I sank into it anyway and just sat there. I didn’t move, didn’t know what to do. Would asking where she is make me seem clingy? Please don’t let her get tired of me… I picked up my phone, hea