Hephaestion- Survivor

Chapter 19

"Ella!!!" I saw Jade running towards me. "So good to see you again." She said while hugging me tight.

"The house was so silent without you." I joked.

"Hey Aileen. How are you?" I greeted the woman.

"I'm great. I really enjoyed these weeks." The woman said.

"I bet Ella and Hephaestion enjoyed them too." Jade said.

"A lot." I smiled looking at Hephaestion.

Greeting Nicholas and Alice, I've noticed someone was missing.

"Where's Talia?" I asked.

They all looked at each other, waiting for someone to take the word.

"Let's get inside and we'll tell you." Jade said.

———-

"So she just left?" I asked putting on the plates on the table.

"Let me help you." Aileen offered.

"Don't worry. I'm fine. You must be tired from the long travel

"One night she left us a note, saying she can't stay and waste her life with us, serving in this house. That she wants to be loved and to live what you and Hephaestion have. Talia also mentioned that she met a guy and fall for him so they ran together. She didn't leave any clue, where she went or who the mysterious man is." Jade said.

"That's insane. How can yo ran with someone you've known for how long? five minutes?" I asked.

"Maybe she's happy, have you thought about that? When we left she was destroyed. But before leaving she came to me and I swear I haven't saw her happier." Alice said.

"You're her friend. I guess you know better what she's feeling." I said.

"Betrayed, that's how she felt." Alice said.

"I'll send someone to look for her. She might be in danger." Hephaestion said.

After we finished lunch, everyone returned to their rooms.

"Were you serious?" I asked.

'No, I'm Hephaestion. I think I saw Sirius at the palace." He joked.

(A/N: Sorry, I had to do that.)

"Stop it. Do you really meant when you said you're gonna try to find Talia?"

"Yes. I know her for years and I want to be sure that she's fine."

"I'm certain she is. After all...she told them not to search her." I insisted.

"Does it bother you?" Hephaestion turned and looked at me.

"No but she said she wants to find love. We should let her." I said.

"Are you jealous?" He laughed.

"NO!" I said and wanted to advance towards the window but he gently grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. "Ella, look into my eyes. What's the problem?"

"I think you are too eager to find her. That is the woman that acted horrible towards me since the day I put the foot on this house. Do you...feel something for her? Is that why you want her back?" I huffed.

He rubbed my arms up and down. "She's part of this family like you called them. Everyone has that annoying relative. I just want to be sure that nothing bad happened to her. That's all. You're the only woman for me, Ella. I could never love someone else." He placed a kiss on my forehead. When he wanted to go further down to my lips, a loud knock stopped him. I groaned, making him laugh.

"What have we talked about intimacy?" I whispered.

"I know... It's probably Jade. Let's spend the night in the clearing since it's summer. What do you say?"

I nodded just as he shouted for the person to enter. His prediction was accurate. Jade burst into the room. "Oh sorry." She quickly apologized.

"It's ok. We're done." I said. Hephaestion gave me a knowing look and squeezed my hand.

"I bet it's me you want to talk to." I said. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to my former room.

"I see you've found a new place to stay." She wiggled her brow.

"Yes, Jade. We stay in the same room now." I said.

"Tell me everything, Ella. Everything , everything." She said.

"I love him. He's amazing. He's so sweet and gentle. And urghhh so cute." I said. "What am I going to do?"

"What? Aren't you happy?" She asked surprised.

"I am extremely happy. Of course I am. It's just....all these feelings scare me, you know? I feel like that when we aren't together. When I'm with him, everything else disappears." I said.

"Ella...your whole face lightens up when you talk about him." She said.

"You can't imagine how much I love him. It's like I've never loved before."

The door opened and Alice entered.

"Aileen sent these for you. I'll leave." She place a bowl of cookies on the coffee table next to us. She didn't even look at me and her figure was darkened by sadness. I knew Talia was her best friend and now that she ran she was feeling alone.

"Stay with us, Alice." I suggested.

"I have plenty of work to do." She said.

"It can wait. Come on, have a sit." I encouraged her. I wanted to make her feel good. After all it was kind of my fault for her current situation.

"I have an idea! Let's have sleepover like girls do." Jade suggested.

"Maybe some other time." Alice said.

"Yeah, I also have plans for tonight." I said.

"Oh come on... a girls night. Bonding time."

Jade wasn't a person who you could refuse easily. She would keep trying to convince us until the only thing left to do was to accept. I looked at Alice and we both agreed in the end.