No Happily Ever After

Chapter 10

Nicholaswas placed at the head of the dinner table, opposite Thelma, asthough he were some sort of royal guest. Nobody bothered tointroduce him to Ella as she served them all dinner and then took aseat herself. But he watched her intently while the Dark womenprattled incessantly. Luckily they didn't seem to notice he wasignoring them in favor of staring at Ella. And the feel of his eyeson her made her shiver deliciously.

Ella sat quietly,picking at her food. She wouldn't look directly at him, but she kepthis every move in her peripheral vision.

Finally when therewas a miniscule lull in the chatter, he spoke.

"Hello, I'mNicholas Monarch," he said cordially, extending a hand acrossthe table toward Ella. "And you are?"

All three of theDark ladies' heads swiveled toward Ella. They each wore disgustedexpressions and glared open mouthed at her. His blatant departurefrom their conversing suddenly made them get it. He didn't care atall about what they had to say. Ella's heart sped up as she lookedfrom Dark to Dark to Dark.

Finally she met hiseyes and shook his hand quickly. "I'm Ella Cinder," shesaid, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't foresee it beinga problem often, but just that moment, she wished he'd stop staringat her.

Instead, he gaveher a smile so warm, it melted her heart. "Nice to meet you,Ella Cinder."

All she gave himwas a quick smile and blazing red cheeks. Then she dropped her eyesto her plate. The uncomfortable silence remained, and she knew thatthe Dark women still stared at her. But after a few excruciatingmoments, they resumed their useless chatter.

After everyone hadfinished eating, Ella rose to begin clearing the dinner dishes. Nicholas leapt up too, and began reaching for plates. His nicemanners provoked uproarious laughter from Brittany and Lexi.

"Oh, sit downNicholas!" Brittany cried.

"Let Ella getit," Lexi agreed.

He caught Ella'seye once more, but she quickly looked away.

"Oh that'sOK," Nicholas replied politely. "I'm perfectly capable ofhelping."

Ella's cheeksreddened again and she rushed to grab everything before he could.

Brittany and Lexistood, both of their expressions darkening. "No really,"Brittany said, her voice taking a snide tone. "Let Ella do it."

Nicholasstraightened his shoulders rigidly and his polite smile dissipated. "Does Ella live here, or is she a paid servant?" His tonewas icy and he sarcastically emphasized the word "paid."

Because of coursehe knew, she wasn't.

"Mother!"Lexi whined shrilly at Thelma.

Thelma studied Ellawith a shadowy frowning face. Then she flicked her wrist at Lexi. "We will all clear and clean our own mess," she said,leveling a cool gaze on her daughters.

But instead,Brittany and Lexi shrieked their protest and stormed from the room. Thelma withered Ella for a few fleeting seconds with an evil look,and then took her leave as well.

***

"So what'syour story?" Nicholas asked, as they resumed cleaning thekitchen.

Ella knew sheshouldn't talk to him. It wasn't worth the fall out it wouldcause. The twins obviously craved his attention and Thelma neverwanted her to have a friend. Talking to him could only lead tohorrible things. But... She found him irresistible.

"I, um... Mymother was sick for a long time and passed away when I was eight. Mydad, he... He just... He couldn't face life without her," shemurmured. She didn't go on to reveal that he'd killed himself, butthat truth was evident behind the emotion in her voice.