The following week unfolded with a mixture of excitement and tension. The mural project was progressing beautifully, but the atmosphere was noticeably charged whenever Ethan was around. He had been more withdrawn, and Elara sensed an undercurrent of jealousy brewing beneath his surface.
One afternoon, as they took a break from painting, Luca caught Ethan staring at Elara and Adrean, who were laughing together while discussing their next mural design. Luca nudged Ethan with a playful grin. “You look like you just bit into a lemon. What’s up?”
Ethan sighed, crossing his arms. “It’s nothing. I just… I don’t get it. Why is Adrean so close to her? They’re practically inseparable.”
“Because they’re working on a mural together? That’s kind of the point,” Luca replied, feigning innocence. “Unless you think he’s plotting to steal her away for a secret art heist?”
Ethan shot him a look, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. “I’m serious, Luca. I just don’t want him to get too close.”
“Jealousy is a nasty green monster, my friend,” Luca teased. “If you don’t watch out, it might just eat you alive. Just remember, you can’t cage a bird that’s meant to fly. Besides, do you really think she’s interested in Adrean like that?”
Ethan frowned, considering Luca’s words. “I don’t know. They have this connection I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s like they’re in their own little world.”
Luca smirked. “Well, you could always swoop in like a superhero and save the day. Just wear a cape and call yourself ‘The Jealous Avenger.’” He struck a heroic pose, making Ethan chuckle despite himself.
“Maybe I should,” Ethan said, his tone lightening. “But really, it just bothers me. I like Elara, and I don’t want her getting swept away.”
“Then show her what you’ve got!” Luca encouraged. “Be the fun guy you are. Make her laugh. Who can resist a good dad joke?”
As they laughed together, the tension between them eased, but Ethan’s thoughts lingered on his feelings for Elara. He knew he had to figure out how to express himself before it was too late.
Meanwhile, Elara was at home, navigating her own challenges. Her parents had called an unexpected family meeting, and she sensed that the topic at hand was not going to be light. As they gathered around the dining table, her father cleared his throat, a serious expression on his face.
“Elara, we need to talk about your future,” he began, glancing at her mother for support.
“What about my future?” Elara asked cautiously.
Her mother smiled warmly but with an undertone of urgency. “We believe it’s time for you to consider marriage. We’ve discussed it, and we think you’re at an age where it’s appropriate to start thinking about settling down.”
Elara’s heart sank. “Wait, what? You want me to get married?”
Her father nodded. “We’ve given this a lot of thought, and we have some candidates in mind. We want to ensure you’re making the right choice.”
“Candidates?” Elara echoed, incredulous. “You can’t just pick someone for me!”
Her mother placed a hand on her arm. “We just want what’s best for you. We’ve narrowed it down to a few young men we believe would be good matches.”
“Who?” Elara asked, bracing herself.
“Andrew Luke, Asher Jake, Rayden Kyle, Kevin Alfred, and Hayden Row,” her father listed, each name feeling like a weight in the air.
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Adrean And Elara : Shades Of Destiny | Og
Romance»»----> ✧ Love Story In English Version ✧ <----«« In a vibrant city where art breathes life into every corner, Elara, a passionate muralist, finds herself at a crossroads. When she confesses her feelings for her close friend Adrean, a talented paint...
