Unexpected love | Carlos Sainz Jr.

Chapter 30

— Ella POV —

I'm nervously waiting in a small coffee shop, I don't seem to remember why I thought it was a good idea to meet him. I could still get up and make a run for it, why would I even do this. I was looking down so I hadn't noticed that someone had already approached my table.

'Hi Ellie, good to see you.' I look up at the familiar voice. 'Hi Derek, good to see you too.' He reaches over to give me a hug. ' you look great Ellie, how have you been?' Why does it feel so awkward between us, everything used to be so easy between us. I give him a small smile, 'I'm fine , how about you?' I was 't going to tell him how I actually felt. I didn't want to let my guard down. He was up to something, I could just feel it.
'I'm glad you sent my a text after my little package. I tried contacting you but it seems I'm not able to reach you.' Is he seriously trying to make me feel bad for blocking his lying ass. 'I know Derek, I just needed some distance from you. And I didn't know how else to do it.'

I see him shifting uneasily in his seat, 'I read an article the other day, that you and a certain formula 1 driver where seen getting cosy. Did you also block him everywhere since he dumped you.' I was chocked by the brutal comment, did he really think he has the right to lecture me about this. 'I don't think that really is any of your business, if that is what you wanted to discuss then I will be leaving.' I say in a cold tone. Why in the hell did I agree to this.

'Sorry Ellie, that's not what I meant, I just wanted to catch up. How have you been, how is work are you still doing the same job?' I decided to let it go and just have a civil conversation. So I told him all about my promotion as team lead, he always understood how passioned I was about my job. After that our conversation just flowed. We kept talking, before we knew it we had been sitting there for 3 hours.

'I really should be going home know, I'm meeting with Lottie in an hour. It was really good seeing you.' I was genuinely happy how today went. 'It was really good seeing you, and maybe you can think about unblocking me? It would be easier to reach you in the future.' He says hopefully. I give him a quick nod and a kiss on the cheek and head home. I was meeting Lottie for a debrief of today. While waiting I decided to unblock him on instagram. That was a small first step.

I make some dinner for me and Lottie, I'm almost done when the doorbell rings. Lottie is just right on time. The instant I open the door she says, ' okay spill, what did the bastard want?'
'He was actually really nice, we just talked about everything that happened this last year. At first it was awkward, but after a while we just went back to how it was. We just kept talking for hours. It made me realise how comfortable our relationship was and how good we know each other.' Lottie is looking at me like I confessed to a murder. 'You have got to be shitting me, one drink with the men and you forget everything he did to you? Your relationship wasn't just comfortable and easy it was also a lie. He used your trust to just do what he wanted. You shouldn't let him in again.'

'It's not like I will be getting back together with him, it was just drinks.' I say defensively. 'For know, that's his first move before sneaking his way back into your life. Let's drop it for know and just eat.' We sit at the table and an awkward silence falls between us. I don't want Derek to come between us. 'So how has Lando been doing.' I ask trying to lighten the mood. It works like a charm and Lottie starts talking all night about everything that happened between them.

After we say our goodbyes, I check my phone. I have 1 message on instagram. It's from Derek, ' thank you for unblocking me. It was great seeing you today, I really did miss you my love.'
I can't help a small smile reaching my face when I read his message. It reminds me of how happy I was back then.