Prank - Chapter 4

Ella - POV

As Mr. Miller folded his umbrella, he joined me under the bus stop shelter. The scene was undeniably awkward, and I found myself focusing intently on my phone screen, attempting to pinpoint the location of my incoming cab. According to the app, my ride was still two minutes away.

"Why did you come back to New York if you were in California?" Mr. Miller asked, trying to cut through the uncomfortable silence. I glanced at his profile, his gaze fixed on the relentless rain.

"I came back because my father needed my help," I replied, double-checking the taxi's status on my phone.

"I see..." Mr. Miller let his sentence trail off, his glinting gaze leaving mine.

"Were you assuming that I came back for you, Mr. Miller, just like Mr. Evans suggested earlier?" I asked, annoyed at their presumption.

"What did he say?" Mr. Miller inquired, his eyes still scanning the wet streets.

"You should ask your best friend about what he said. I don't wish to talk with you unless it's related to work," I responded. Seeing the nonchalant expression on his face, my irritation resurfaced, and I was dangerously close to losing my cool.

Just then, I spotted my taxi approaching. As I stepped out from under the shelter to get into the cab, Mr. Miller extended his umbrella over me and opened the cab door. The gesture was unexpectedly considerate. However, once inside the car, I urged the driver to move, ignoring Mr. Miller altogether.

I glanced out of the cab's rear window and saw Mr. Miller looking after the departing taxi. His presence stirred a confusing mix of emotions in me. Still, I reminded myself that his manipulations wouldn't fool me again. Now, I had James in my life, who brought me nothing but joy.

Overwhelmed by a longing for James, I decided to call him. "How was your day, babe?" Hearing James's voice provided the perfect antidote to the day's stress.

"It was fine, but hearing your voice makes it so much better," I replied, a smile spreading across my face.

"You're such a sweetheart, Ella. I miss you so much. I wish I could've come back to New York with you. This potential promotion to CEO is keeping me here, but as soon as I get the post, I promise I'll come back," James's voice conveyed his desperation, which made me chuckle.

"If you were here, I'd hold you, cuddle with you, and... well, you know," I teased, hearing him groan in response on the other side. I tried to suppress my laughter but didn't quite succeed.

"Babe, please, stop it," I chuckled, hearing James groan.

"How long do you think until the promotion is finalized?" I asked as I stepped out of the taxi, paid the driver, and walked toward my apartment building.

"The decision should be made this week. The other two candidates and I are all vying for the same case to win for our law firm," James sighed. The stress in his voice was palpable.

"James, I have full confidence that you'll win the case and secure the CEO position. Don't stress about it," I reassured him as I fished my keys out to unlock the door, assuming my father was already asleep due to his medication.

"Babe, I appreciate your faith in me. It's not just work that worries me; I want to be there for you, Ella, when you need me most. But for now, I'm stuck here in the office." His voice was sincere and full of longing.

"It's only a matter of weeks before you can travel to New York after your promotion. I'm eagerly waiting for you." I placed my handbag on the table and checked on my father, who was fast asleep, as expected.

"Speaking of, how's your father doing?" he asked.

"He's sleeping soundly," I answered as I went to my room.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do for you, Ella. I love you."

"Love you too, babe. Goodnight." The conversation with James managed to push the day's earlier events to the back of my mind. Exhausted, I skipped dinner and fell into bed.

I was startled awake by the doorbell. Seeing the darkness outside, I checked the time on my phone; it was 3:00 a.m. Who could be at my door at this ungodly hour? I approached the door and peered through the peephole, spotting a familiar blonde-haired woman with brown eyes, shivering in the relentless rain. It was Hana, my best friend. I quickly opened the door.

"What happened?" I asked in surprise as Hana stood on my doorstep, teary-eyed and holding her luggage.

"Ella, I'm sorry for intruding like this. I found out that my husband was cheating on me. I had nowhere else to go... my parents aren't... I..." Hana was crying so hard she could barely speak.

"Hana, calm down. You did the right thing by coming here. I can only imagine what you're going through... Let's get you settled into the guest room and I'll make you some hot chocolate," I said, guiding her towards the room. As I prepared the hot chocolate, I heard footsteps and turned to see my father walking into the kitchen.

"Ella, I heard some noise. What happened?" My father looked concerned.

"Dad, don't worry. Nothing happened to me. Hana is in our guest room. She needed a place to stay for a while, so I offered her ours." I added a few marshmallows to the hot chocolate to lighten Hana's mood.

"Oh... I was worried thinking someone had invaded your privacy... Is Hana alright?" My father asked, his expression softened.

"Hana found out her husband was cheating on her, and she came here..." I started. I knew all too well what it was like to be deceived by a loved one. Seeing the sympathetic look on my father's face, I realized that my expression must have given away my feelings.

"Oh, poor Hana... Ella, she needs your support now more than ever. If you need anything, just ask, alright? And please, no more sad faces; I don't like to see you upset," Dad said, approaching me and kissing my forehead. I managed a smile at his concern, and he reciprocated with a smile of his own, leaving me with two steaming mugs of cocoa.

Now dressed in dry clothes, Hana sat curled up on the couch, her gaze fixed on the heavy rain pouring outside, her tears mirroring the weather.

"Hana, please, drink this. It'll help soothe you." I gently handed her one of the cocoa mugs, her hand trembling slightly as she took it.

"The pain... it's so deep, I can't put it into words," she whispered, her small voice choked with tears.

"I understand what you're going through, Hana. You were there for me when I went through the same thing. It's a good thing you came here. I'm here for you, for anything you need. Just say the word," I assured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She pulled me into a hug then, crying on my shoulder.

"Thank you, Ella. I... I need some time alone right now. I can't talk," Hana managed between sobs. Nodding understandingly, I gave her the space she needed and retreated to my room with my mug, my heart heavy for my friend.

Checking my phone, I noticed a new message from an unknown number. Curiosity was piqued, and I opened it.

The text message read,

"Are you awake, sweetheart? If so, there's a gift waiting for you at your mailbox."

"Who is this?" I texted back, my heart pounding in my chest. I wondered who this mystery person could be. Was it a stalker?

"You don't need to know who I am yet. Just check your mailbox," came the response.