289 - Ella Carter

289 - Ella Carter
Ella Carter

The days started slipping through my fingers like warm water. Ever since I decided to step away from the company, something inside me slowed down, or maybe it was just my way of protecting myself from the chaos around me. College became a quieter refuge, almost monotonous, and the gym training sessions with Lessie were the only place where I still felt my body and mind in perfect sync.

But even that, now, felt different.

Lessie had changed. Her presence, once light and vibrant, now seemed surrounded by a thick fog. Even though, she continued to train with precision and flawless technique, which was strange for a girl who had never had any kind of training before.

I realized that her body was there, but her eyes were somewhere else, anywhere but with me. It was as if she were carrying the weight of an ocean no one else could see.

I had already overheard Gavin talking to Leon on our apartment balcony one of these nights. His voice was choked with a kind of insecurity I had never heard before in the man my husband trusted the most. I could hear in his voice the full sincerity of his feelings.

"I don’t know what to do anymore, Leon. She’s here, but it feels like she’s miles away from me."

"Maybe it’s just a phase," Leon said, trying to comfort him.

"It’s not. She doesn’t touch me anymore. She doesn’t look at me the same way. And when she tries, it feels like she’s forcing herself to feel something that no longer exists. I think she doesn’t love me anymore."

Those words haven’t left my mind since then. And now, seeing Lessie in front of me in the ring, punching the bag with the restrained rage of someone running from herself, I knew it was time to ask.

"Lessie," I called, raising my guard. "Are you okay?"

She hesitated for a second. Her eyes met mine and quickly looked away, as if the question had pierced a barrier she didn’t want to break.

"I’m focused. That’s what matters," she said, throwing another punch with unnecessary force.

"Your body’s here, but your heart is somewhere else."

She let out a sigh and looked at me. Her shoulders dropped a little. Her guard too.

"Ella, don’t start…"

"I have to. Because I care. Because Gavin is hurting, and I know you are too. Aren’t you?"

The silence between us grew heavy. The sounds of the gym, the clinking of weights, the grunts of other fighters, all seemed to fade away, as if the entire universe was listening in.

"Lessie, what’s going on between you two?"

She bit her lower lip, looking away. Her eyes sparkled with an emotion she had clearly tried to suppress for days. Maybe weeks.

"Can we sit?" she whispered at last, her voice low.

We stepped out of the ring and sat in a quiet corner, our backs against the cold gym wall, our hands still wrapped in training bandages.

For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she took a deep breath, like someone diving into deep waters.

"I didn’t come to New York for sightseeing, Ella."

My eyes widened slightly. I hadn’t expected that.

"I ran away."

"Ran away from what?"

"From a situation that has haunted my family for nearly four decades..." I frowned, trying to understand what she was trying to tell me. "When my grandmother was a child, she and her siblings were kidnapped by a cult that believed they were the embodiment of evil..."

"Wait, are you telling me that a bunch of lunatics hurt three kids?" I asked, struck by the absurdity of it.

"My great-grandparents managed to rescue two of them, my grandmother Jade and Echo, but their brother Axel fell, when one of the men sacrificed himself so at least one of the children would die..."

I covered my mouth with my hands. Even though it still didn’t make sense to me, I could see in her eyes how real this story was. Lessie carried a pain in her voice that saddened me deeply. In fact, ever since I met her, there’s been something about her that makes me want to protect her, keep her safe.

I can’t explain it, but it’s as if I feel responsible for this girl. And it’s not just me. Helena and Charlie orbit around her like ever-watchful, protective satellites. I can see that if Gavin fails, they are ready to do whatever it takes to protect her.

"My family feels the need for revenge, and preferably to wipe out everyone whoever harmed us." For a moment, I saw the shade of her gray eyes shift color.

Not only that, it was as if her entire face twisted, the shape of her eyes shifted, and an orange hue appeared. But Lessie took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and all the chaos inside her calmed down.

But I panicked, I knew what I had seen, and I was certain I wasn’t crazy.

I kept my eyes fixed on the girl in front of me. She seemed nervous, and when she touched my hand, all the anguish and fear I had just felt vanished.

"I would never hurt you, or any of you, Ella…" tears welled up in her eyes.

"I don’t know what I saw, but I feel like I’m not in danger when I’m with you!" I was honest, and a hand came to my face.

"I promise I’ll tell you everything about me and about what I almost revealed… but not today, and not here!" I closed my eyes, and everything inside me calmed down.

"I have to leave." I opened my eyes, startled, and started shaking my head. "I need to finish what I came to do on this continent."

Lessie wasn’t American, she came from Palma, an island near Spain. She came from a wealthy family there, and I was surprised that after all these months with us, her family had never found her.

I knew she had done everything to stay hidden, and Gavin followed her wishes.

"Promise me you’ll help Gavin. I have to go, and I know he won’t let me leave if I tell him."

"Lessie, this is madness. Let our men do what you need. Let them protect you from whatever it is."

I felt tears forming in my eyes and pulled her into a hug.

"I don’t understand the madness I’m feeling. I feel an overwhelming urge to protect you, to put you in a jar and keep you safe, I don’t even know from what…" my voice faltered and I hugged her tighter.

"I see you as my sister. You’re a strong girl, full of life, Ella. And for you, I wish only happiness, a joyful marriage, and children as loving as you are!"

Her words brought a gentle breeze, the sweet scent of vanilla, and the warmth of spring sunlight.

"How does everything you say affect me this way?"

"What my grandmother’s parents were has been passed down through generations. There’s a legend… and I’m part of it," Lessie began. "I’m the nightmare in children’s stories, the character in horror movies or science fiction films."

I fell silent, my heart tightening in my chest. I had no idea something like this could be real, and I was sure not even Gavin knew.

"When Gavin ran me over, something inside me, something I’ll explain another time, told me he’s mine, that he was destined for me. So I set my vengeance aside. But I need to end all of this, El."

"Please, let them help you…" She cut me off, shaking her head.

"I can’t. I need you to help me escape. I need to leave today!" My eyes widened, and I noticed some of our security guards were keeping close watch on our conversation. "Tell him I love him. And when everything is resolved, I’ll come back to him."

"Lessie?"

"Somehow, I felt safe here… and I let Gavin take care of my feelings. But now, I’m afraid. Afraid I’ll hurt him too."

"Lessie…" I whispered, grabbing her hand tightly, "You’re not the same woman who arrived here. And Gavin, even with his impulsive ways, loves you, I’m sure of it. He doesn’t want you to be perfect. He wants you. With all your pain, your scars, and your story."

She turned to me with tearful eyes, kissed my cheek, and then I saw the determination in her gaze.

"I promise I’ll come home. Tell him I love him!"

I watched her stand up and walk to the bathroom. I gathered myself, and when I saw Bear informing her security guard that she was no longer by my side, I called him over to help me with my gloves.

"Let’s train a little more, then take me home."

"Aren’t we going to college?"

I shook my head.

"Not today. A storm is coming…"