Ellie DeWitt Bukater: Part II

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Ellie

Hours seemed to pass as I let my feet take me wherever they desired. I did not have a particular destination in mind, i just needed to walk off my anger. If that took all night, then so be it. Adrenaline was flowing through me and I had no plans of settling anytime soon. That was one of the comforting things about the city- it never seemed to settle. No one would stop to question you if you were just out walking around at night. It was easy to blend in anonymously. Late night food stands were up and running, the sounds of factories humming in the distance. Many seemed to just be getting off of work, some were heading to the night shift. The pubs were just starting to fill with tourists, and those who just needed to loosen up after a long day's work. Grabbing a drink was tempting, but a lone woman in a pub was just asking for trouble. Instead, I decided on a large pretzel from a food stand outside Central Park and started my way through. I wasn't surprised that I ended up here, it was one of my favorite places to visit after all. You didn't have much nature to enjoy in New York obviously, so the park was always a nice retreat. You could always see people picnicking out in Sheep Meadow or the Great Lawn, or you could see a play at Belvedere Castle. It was certainly a tourist attraction, but I enjoyed the open space.

My favorite spot was the garden and glass houses that held numerous flower beds and plants. You would have to walk pretty deep within the park to find them, and it always seemed to be sparsely visited. The area was lush, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful.

Luckily for me, no one was around as I approached the gardens. The door to one of the glass houses had been left ajar, maybe by accident. Taking a large bite of my pretzel, I slipped my way through, setting my suitcase down at the door. Skyscraper lights and moonlight beamed through the glass roof, bouncing off the flowers and plants, vines clung their way all around the walls. I paced through with racing thoughts, allowing my fingertips to graze the yellow and purple perennials. It was calming to me.

Of course I felt guilty about all of this. I knew I should have told Tommy about the necklace before we even stepped off Carpathia. That was wrong of me. But I was appalled how he could accuse me of trying to live out some poor girl fantasy, as if I asked for that. I wasn't trying to use him as a pawn to get away from my family, I truly loved him. Yes, he happened to be poor. But that wasn't what drew me to him. Growing up with the experiences he had made him the person I fell in love with. I wouldn't have him any other way.

I was so angry with him as his words stuck with me still. But I still loved him.

Now that he knew of the Heart of the Ocean, a decision on what to do about it would have to be made. There was no way I would be comfortable with selling it- at least not until I talked to Rose first, wherever she was.

Tommy was right though. Having that necklace could change our lives. Would it be wrong to just let it sit there?

All of these questions wouldn't matter if he didn't want to be with me anymore after this. This was a huge thing I hid from him, and I wasn't sure if he would forgive me. I could barely forgive myself.

Sighing, I took a seat at the edge of the flower beds, shoveling down the rest of my pretzel in an aggressive manner as I stewed.

He would have to forgive me. After everything he said to me, he owed me an apology anyway. It was only fair.

Suddenly, I heard the door of the glass house creak open. I jumped up, ready to defend myself if needed. It was a public place, sure. But in darkness, I was on my guard. It was possible there were officers out doing their rounds.

"Hello?" I called out, swallowing the last bite of my pretzel nervously, "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be in here during these hours. I was just on my way out."