16 "Now we're getting somewhere ...

Alice listened to him her face showing no emotions. Ella watched her friend. Ella thought how selfish she had been in her previous life but before she let her thoughts wondered further, she heard "it's a good thing you sold me, I don't believe I'd have weak a father for the rest of my life. My mother was a fool to have been bedded by coward like you." Said Alice then disconnected the call. She gave a weak smile to her friend. "I'll have another bath; can we go to the shops so I can buy some clothes?" She asked.

"Alice you insult me, have you forgotten who I am? How can you call yourself my friend?" Pouted Ella. "Your line of clothing are too expensive, I think I can possibly afford all of 1cm of your threads." Alice poked her tongue out at Ella and ran to the bathroom.

Ella picked up her phone and dialled Xavier's number, just as the call rang through there was a knock on her door. The person did not wait for Ella to invite them but opened the door. Ella placed her phone on her bed and looked up. Maria with her fake guilty face came to Ella's view. "I'm sorry for today little sis, I was wrong." She said but internally she cursed the day Ella was born and wanted to wring her hands around her neck.

What Maria did not know was that Ella was well aware that this was all an act. Ella put on her sweetest smile and said "I trust my sister would never want anything bad to happen to me." Maria walked up to Ella and held both of her hands, gave them a gentle squeeze followed by a sweet smile. All Ella could think about was crushing Maria's hands, bone by bone, plucking her finger nails one at a time but she controlled herself and returned Maria's smile.

"But sister, why would you do that? Why would you go around telling people that you're Xavier's fiancé?" Tears fell down Ella's face "do you know how humiliating it was for me to have everyone to call me a liar?" Ella tears fell unrestrained down her face. Ella weeped for how stupid she had been in her previous life to have trusted this woman, she weeped for the betrayal she afforded her family, she weeped for allowing herself to be played a fool.

"I was worried about you. You know that Xavier is a very respected Doctor. Don't you think he would lose face in front of his staff if his fiancé never visits him? They might start saying you're not worthy of him, that you're good for nothing spoilt rich missy. I thought that if I showed my face and told them that I was his fiancé and was friendly enough, they'd at least respect you." Maria stated innocently, as if she deserved and award for her "good" deed.

"Oh, now I understand better." Ella put on her grateful smile, through her tears although her eyes showed no warmth. 'This one clearly takes me for a joke' she thought to herself. Maria thought that Ella had fallen for her lies. She went on "Ella, I need to talk to you about Xavier."

'This bitch really won't let up. She really thinks she's still dealing with the fool I was in my last life.' Ella thought to herself. "What about Xavier elder sister?" Hesitantly asked Ella.

"Do you know Dr Amina? The oncology department head? The one in Xavier's hospital oncology department?" Asked Maria.

Ella appeared deep in thoughts before shaking her head appearing confused "Dr Amina? No I don't know her. What happened?" She asked. Maria snickered internally and replied "Oh, I forgot you never go to Xavier's hospital to visit, how could you know her. Well, she and Xavier studied abroad together. I suspect they have a thing going on. She's always ordering his lunch and giving him heart eyes" Maria hid her jealousy and pretended to be concerned about Ella.

'Now we're getting somewhere' thought Ella to herself. 'That was a very round about way to tell me why she came to my room' she giggled in her heart. This was why Ella had ran away from her wedding in her previous life. She had hugely misunderstand Xavier and ran away in anger and disappointment.

In fact, Maria isn't wrong. Amina does love Xavier unfortunately for her, it's a one sided love. Come to think of it, Amina has loved Xavier for as long as Ella could remember, it's just that Xavier has never even looked at another woman other than Ella, let alone loved. Ella's mistake was believing Maria's words in her previous life. Ella couldn't believe how she had blindly trusted her elder sister. Ella knew that Amina was nothing more than Xavier's high school & varsity fellow alumni & current colleague. Maria could not remember Amina because Amina was in the genius class, no matter how hard Maria worked she could never score the entry score.

Ella did not show an ounce of suspicion of Maria's true intentions.

Alice peeped through the bathroom door. She was afraid to be seen by Maria but she couldn't help but marvel at Maria's cunningness.

Maria thought that Ella believed her, so she continued "one day I saw her with my own eyes. She was hugging Xavier" she said with a pitiful expression on her face.

Ella turned on her water works and tears fell down her face "How could Xavier do that to me? My parents trusted him!" She sobbed. Maria was so happy seeing Ella like this, she could've thrown a party in her underwear. "I will not marry him" said Ella in between her cries. When Ella said she would not marry Xavier it was like someone poured honey and warm milk in Maria's heart. She felt so happy. Maria took care to hide her joy in front Ella, or so she thought she took care to hide it.

Maria put on a sympathetic voice and said "Calm down Ella, you have to find a way of not marrying that cheater. What if Amina is not the only one?"

"I want to be left alone." Sobbed Ella. Maria believed that Ella was sad. Maria knew how hard headed Ella could be so she said "okay sis, I'll check you later!" And left, she was not aware for Alice's Persia's she did not linger to see who came out of the car earlier. Just as Maria closed her door, Alice opened hers as Ella plonked herself on the floor and broke out in fits of laughter. She had forgotten about Alice & Xavier who'd been on the phone the whole time. Ella laughed so hard, Alice watched until Ella had had enough.

Ella stood up and made eye contact with Alice, only then did she remember Xavier's on the phone. She jumped on her bed and picked up her phone only to see he'd long disconnected the call, Ella sighed. Ella thought 'oh well, I'll explain to him later'.

Alice asked if she was ok. Alice had always know that Maria is not to be trusted but she had never thought that Maria would be so gutsy. Ella assured her friend she was fine, that she trusted Xavier and nothing would happen. Alice turned to Ella and said "I've thought it through." Ella asked what she'd thought through. Alice said "Ella I can't remain in this country, at least not until I can face these people. I've decided to go find my mother. From the sound of Ramona, she's still alive."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Asked Ella. "No, you've done enough. I will go do my bachelors in Biochemistry and look for my mother in between. Ella, I could never thank you enough. One day I will return this favour to you." Said Alice. "Hey what are friends for? How about I loan you your start up fees for your new life? You can charter my jet anywhere you wish to go but only if you promise to keep in touch." Said Ella.

Alice knew she needed the money more than anything. And what Ella asked in return was not unreasonable. She agreed straight away. Alice told Ella she would enter the army so the fees wouldn't be a problem. Ella and Alice spoke for a while longer. Ella sent a message to the kitchen requesting 2 plates of food be brought to her room.