Xaiden's POV.

That day I helped them to take their first step and now almost all the misunderstandings were cleared. Turned out that my suspicion was right and it was her dad that had created that barrier between them. Ella didn't mention it though but she knew that it was her dad's fault. I was glad now that they were back to normal. I don't know how they managed to spend a whole year without each other and I don't know how Ella survived in that suffocating environment. She was alone and we all left her when she needed us the most.

But now I won't leave her.

I really wanted to meet her and wanted to save her but I don't know how. I don't know how do I manage to contact her dad without showing my identity. He was well aware of me and I don't think my life would be spared if he recognizes me but I had to take that risk for Ella. I sat on my study table and taking out a paper, started writing a letter to him.

Dear Mr. Austin,

I am writing this letter to you to inform you about the danger you are about to face. A great enemy of yours had come across important information that can destroy you. The main concern is that it won't just destroy you but it will hurt your daughter too. That group now knows about your daughter's true identity as well as the name under which she was living her life. All things are well prepared and their plan is close to being complete. Is it to inform you to be cautious and be ready because you might face a war in a short time. You don't need to know who I am but rest assured, I won't hurt you or your daughter. I am not your friend nor your enemy. My only concern was to inform you about the danger ahead of you and I know you knew well what to do next.

I ended it and re-read it to make sure that I haven't mentioned any name. I don't want to clearly mention our Emilaino Mafia group name in the letter. I knew the hint great enemy was enough for him to understand what I meant.

I folded the letter and placing it inside an envelope, I noted their address on it. I stared at the closed envelope, debating whether should I send it right now or not. I wanted to meet Ella but do not know how to. I was sure after reading this letter her dad would never allow her to be out of his sight anymore. Maybe I should first meet her and then I could send this letter? But I don't have enough time to waste.

What should Ido?

I groaned in frustration on not knowing what should I do. I think I needed some help. Taking my phone out, I called Jess's number. I think she'd be able to deduce an idea to help me. She picked up just after the second ring.

"Jess! I-"

"Let me guess! You want to meet Ella?" She said cutting me off before I could even say a word.

"Yes," I answered and she chuckled, knowing that she was right.

"When?" She asked. I rubbed the nape of my neck. I wanted to meet her as soon as possible. I wasn't having enough time to waste. I couldn't risk wasting a mere second now.

"Today?" I said and she didn't say anything for a second. I knew that this was going to be close to being impossible but I wanted to meet her so badly.

"Let me think. I'll inform you," she said and hung up.

I rested my head on the back of my chair and started thinking. I wanted to be with her forever but it seemed so impossible. I don't know how would I keep her by my side. I don't know what should I do to get her. I closed my eyes and raked my hand through my hair. I don't know how would Jess be able to help me. I don't think that her dad would allow her to leave her house and I knew that I couldn't go to her house as well. Ella didn't know anything about my return. She didn't know anything about me because I had told Jess, Sara and Jack to not tell her. I wanted to surprise her but I was not sure whether she would like me or not. I don't even know whether she even liked me now or not. I knew she had never confessed to me but in her eyes, I did sense a feeling deeper than just like back then. But now, I don't know where I stand in her heart and this scares me.

I hope she likes me the same way she did back then...

My phone rang and with that my breath hinged. I sat up straight and hurriedly accepted the call. Placing the phone against my ear, I questioned. "What happened?"

"You owe me now. Keep that in mind," Jess said and a slight smile made its way on my lips.

"What do you mean?"

"Be there at my house today at 3. Bye." She chuckled and hung up. My heart beating in my rib cage and a huge grin on my face. I was going to meet her in two hours. Finally, I'd be able to see her, to hold her. I was overjoyed and couldn't stop myself from grinning. I was going to see her in two hours. How could I keep myself in control? I was acting like a teenager. Impatient and so lovesick. I placed a hand on my mouth to stop myself from smiling but this wasn't helping.

I was going to meet her.

After one year, I was going to see her...

Ella's POV.

I couldn't believe it was actually my dad who set it all up. I didn't believe my ears when Jess told me how they all waited for me for almost a week in the hospital to see me but my dad didn't let them. I apologized to them countless times on behalf of my dad. I was ashamed of myself that I doubted them. I should have trusted them, I should have trusted our friendship. I shouldn't have jumped to the conclusions without hearing the words from my best friend's mouth. I was so wrong.

But still, I couldn't blame my dad as well. I knew whatever he did, was for my own safety but the way he chose, was not the right one. He thought that my friends were to blame for my condition and he created a barrier of misunderstanding between us. At least, now I was glad that the misunderstanding was cleared. Jess and Sara also visited me that day and despite my dad's protest, I met them. I tried to reason with dad that whatever happened to me a year ago wasn't their fault and after convincing him for two days, he finally gave in and I continued my friendship with my both best friends. I wanted to complete my high school so I had decided to study privately and thankfully dad approved.

I guess everything was getting back to normal...

My phone rang and by that tune, I knew who it belonged to. I picked it up with a big smile on my face.

"Hi, Jess!"

"Hey, El! So I wanna ask you something," she said and I nodded. Realizing that she couldn't see me, I replied.

"Yes?"

"First, how are you? Are you missing us?" She asked making me chuckle at her way of asking the question.

"Yes, I am fine and yes, I miss you all." I smiled and she chuckled.

"Good. So come to my house today." She proposed and I sat up straight on the bed. I bit my lower lip and sighed. I knew that I won't ever be allowed to go there. I had never been allowed to go anywhere and thus I won't be getting any permission. I really wanted to but I knew that my dad would never allow me.

"Jess! I-"

"I am not hearing a no. It' final. You are coming." She ordered leaving no room for argue but the thing she doesn't know was that I won't be getting permission.

"Jess! I want to. But I can't. My dad won't allow," I replied pursing my lips in a thin line and pouted in disappointment.

"Your mom can come too. You can come with your mom or the guards. Whatever whomever you wanna come with. Just come. Please..." She pleaded, making it hard for me to say no to her. I knew deep down, I wanted to go too. It had already been a year since I stepped out of this house and I really wanted to go this time. I thought for a moment debating on what should I do. I knew deep down that I wanted to but the thing was, I had never gotten what my heart desires. But this time, I wanted to go and there, I made up my mind.

Yes, I'll go.

"Fine. I'll talk to my mom."

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