Whispers in Secret

16- Unsettling

As they continued their casual conversation, Ella felt the tension from her encounter with James lingering in the air. She took a sip of her soda, then turned to Blake, her expression serious.

“Blake, can I be honest with you about something?” she asked, biting her lip.

“Of course,” he replied, leaning in slightly. “What’s on your mind?”

“It’s just… I don’t know. I get this really uneasy feeling whenever I’m around James,” she admitted, glancing away as she spoke. “I know he seems friendly, but there’s something about him that just doesn’t sit right with me.”

Blake nodded, his brow furrowing in concern. “I get that vibe too. He seems a bit too... eager, maybe? Like he has ulterior motives.”

“Exactly! It’s like he’s trying too hard to get my attention,” Ella continued, grateful that Blake understood her instincts. “I mean, I appreciate him reaching out, but it just feels off.”

“You have every right to feel that way,” Blake said, his voice firm. “It’s important to trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is.”

Ella sighed, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. “I just wish he would take a hint. I’m not interested in him at all, especially with everything happening with Lucien.”

“Maybe he doesn’t realize that,” Blake suggested, his tone softening. “But you shouldn’t feel pressured to hang out with someone just because they ask. You have every right to set boundaries.”

“Yeah, I know,” Ella replied, appreciating Blake’s support. “I just hope he doesn’t keep pushing. I really want to focus on what I have with Lucien and not deal with any drama.”

“Lucien is a great guy, and he clearly cares about you,” Blake reassured her. “Just keep being honest about how you feel. If James keeps bothering you, I’ll be your backup. No one messes with my friends.”

Ella smiled, her heart warming at the thought. “Thanks, Blake. That means a lot. I just want to make sure I’m doing things right, especially now that I’m starting to really open up to Lucien.”

“Then focus on that,” he encouraged, raising his glass again. “Here’s to your happiness—and to dealing with any unwanted distractions.”

Ella clinked her glass with his, feeling a sense of camaraderie. “Cheers to that!”

As they continued their meal, Ella felt reassured knowing that she had Blake in her corner, ready to help her navigate whatever challenges lay ahead—especially when it came to trusting her instincts about James.

James sat in his SUV, the engine idling as he observed Ella from a distance. His gaze was fixated on her as she laughed with Blake, their friendship radiating warmth and ease. He felt a rush of jealousy flood through him, mingling with his growing obsession. Every smile she shared with Blake felt like a dagger in his chest, igniting a fierce determination to make her his.

“Just wait, Ella,” he murmured to himself, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “You’ll see how perfect we could be together.” He had meticulously crafted a plan to win her over, convinced that his persistence would eventually break down her defenses. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, like an unseen threat loomed nearby.

What he didn’t know was that Lucien’s men were also watching him closely. Hidden in the shadows, they maintained a vigilant presence, keeping tabs on James and ensuring Ella’s safety. Lucien had been clear in his instructions: **Ella was to be protected at all costs**.

One of Lucien’s trusted associates, Emilio, leaned against the wall of a nearby building, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the scene. “That guy is definitely up to something,” he muttered to another agent. “I can feel it.”