At Andre's Movers & Packers:

A black Mercedes stops in front of the giant metal gate. Adrian steps out in his crisp black suit. Two men guarding the gate greet him. "Where is Edward?" he asks.

"He is inside sir," one of them replies and opens the gate.

Adrian walks in. Two vans come into his view. One van's window glass is shattered into pieces. Two men are sitting beside it with bandages on their legs. As he gets inside further, few more wounded men are seen groaning in pain.

"Did a storm hit here?" Adrian asks one of them.

"It was two people," one man bandaging a wound in his hand replies.

"Just two?" Showing two fingers to the man he asks.

The man nods sheepishly.

Adrian steps into an elevator and reaches the top floor. Edward appears sitting around an office desk as Adrian walks into the office. He stands up noticing Adrian.

"Why is he still alive?" Adrian picks up Edward's gun from the desk and points it at Andre.

"You should first listen to what he has to say, sir" Edward replies.

"He couldn't handle just two people, the sheep isn't going to see another day." Adrian clicks to open the gun's safety lock.

"You don't want to know who they were?" Andre asks, frightened.

"I don't need to."

"I think you do, sir. They were Rick & Laura," informs Edward.

Adrian turns to Edward and glares. "Are you sure?" He nods.

Adrian's phone rings and he picks up. "Are you coming or not?" asks Adriana over the phone.

"I'm gonna rain check on that party," replies Adrian and hangs up.

"Let's discuss some business now. Shall we?" Unbuttoning his coat he takes a seat and looks at Andre.

--------------------------

At Rick's Home:

Leyla opens the door. "Is everything set?" she asks Jasmine.

"Yup. What about her?"

"She still doesn't have a clue," says Leyla in a whisper tone.

"Excellent." Jasmine signals Leyla to walk out. Showing thumbs up, David and Leyla walk out with light steps.

Jasmine steps into Ella's room. "Shouldn't you be out instead of drawing this duck?"

"It's my brother actually," she replies.

Jasmine bursts into laughter. "No worries. You can go out with me."

As soon as they walk out of the building. Ella's face lightens up with a wide smile. A shiny red hatchback car wrapped with a gift ribbon is parked in front. "Is it for me?"

"Nope. It's for a duck's sister."

Laughing, they get into the car. Ella drives as per Jasmine's instructions. "Careful, Ella, you don't wanna die on your birthday."

"I'm being careful only. But my guide is a slow cat."

"But why do you take right when I say left?"

"That was two times only."

Jasmine looks at her speechless. "Anyways. It looks like we're here," Ella says, taking a peek at a grand hotel with a big pool and open-roof restaurant in front.

"You're not gonna throw me into that pool are you?" asks Ella, walking blinded by Jasmine's hands over her eyes.

"Are you gonna call me a cat again?"

"I think a swan will fit you better." Ella chuckles. Hearing no response she opens her eyes but sees nothing in a dark room.

"I was just joking. Okay?" She looks around but nothing comes into view. "If this doesn't turn out to be a good surprise. I'm gonna kill both of you," she warns.

She takes out her phone and under its flashlight, she walks further into the room. After finding nothing except a bed, she walks out of the room.

"Sorry I think I put you in the wrong room," says Jasmine standing outside.

"No. It was perfect. I had a good talk with satan."

"You're not gonna let me win right?"

"You'll have to try harder."

Jasmine accepts her defeat and bows to Ella. They walk into a large room decorated with colorful birthday balloons. Places for drinks and food are set up in a corner while a large round table for cake lies in the center. Rick greets Ella with a smile and her parents join in too.

--------------------------

While Ella meets her friends, Rick walks outside talking over the phone. "Okay, I see you. Park your car. I'm coming." He steps back into the room. "Hey Ella, let's get you to meet a special friend."

"Special friend...does Jasmine need to worry?" Ella asks in a teasing tone.

"Shut up. She's a work buddy but she's not in my company," Rick explains in a stern tone.

"Okay brother. No need to boil up your blood."

"Also she doesn't like to talk much. So don't go blah blah on her."

"Really? When do I go blah blah?" She asks with an innocent face.

"Never except all the time."

Lost in their battle they don't realize when they have reached Laura standing near the pool. They keep arguing with each other while Laura looks at them feeling squeamish.

"I'm not giving you any piece of that delicious cake," Ella fires up.

"Fine. I'm not letting you ride that car again," Rick holds the ground too.

"But that's mine already."

Rick's eyes trail to notice Laura's presence in their front. "Sorry, Laura. My sis gets a bit hyper sometimes."

"You weren't cool either," says Laura. Rick scowls while Ella lets out a big laugh.

"I like you already. What's your name?" asks Ella leaning towards her and gives a peck on her cheek.

"Laura Dunham." She moves forwards and they hug.

"Nice to meet you, Laura."

"You too. You are a painter, right?"

"Yes. You like painting too?"

Their voice fades as they walk back towards the hotel while Rick stands still at his place. Great, the two devils of my life have formed a club now. A phone ring wakes him out of his dreaded thought.

"Yes. I see you, Rick," says Matt driving a car beside Amy. He turns towards her, "Are you sure you wanna go in?"

"Shut up, Matt, Why are you saying it like I'm going in a war zone?" She steps out and slams the car door. Putting on a bright smile she paces towards Rick.

It is a war zone, Amy. You just don't know yet, thinking Matt drives the car for parking.

"Meet my sister, Ella. She is really a good painter. Ella this is Amy, my boss," Rick introduces.

"I know her already...she's all over your Insta." Amy wishes her happy birthday with a bright smile and turns to Laura standing beside her.

"Laura is a work colleague," prompts Rick.

"But you've always been at Watson Tech, right?"

Rick feels an itching under his throat. He starts thinking of an excuse but nothing comes to mind. He sees Matt and he announces in a loud voice, "here comes my best buddy Matt."

Matt comes with a smiling face. "Happy Birthday, Ella."

"You know me? Do you follow Rick's Insta too?" Ella jokes.

"No. I follow you," he replies.

"Ooh! You've got a Stalker," says Laura trying a funny tone but it comes in her usual mocking tone.

"Laura, why don't I see Darren here? ...wait I think I know," Matt takes a dig.

An awkward silence descends upon all of them. Laura feels squeamish and she lowers her gaze. While everyone else looks at each other.

Rick coughs. "I think it's time for the cakes." Everyone follows Rick towards the cake.

"I think I should go. I'm not feeling well," Laura makes an excuse to Ella.

"You're not going anywhere until I show you all my paintings." Ella grips Laura's hand and paces up.

Around the gate, Jasmine catches a glance at Adriana. "What took you so long?"

"My plus one ditched me at the last moment," she replies.

"I feel sad for you," says Jasmine.

"Don't be. I'm really glad that he didn't come." Laughing they advance towards the center of the room.

Ella cuts the cake and puts the first piece in her mom's mouth. "Love you, mom." Then comes the turn of her father.

She takes the third piece in her hand. "Come here." She puts it in Laura's mouth. "To my new best friend."

Laura hugs her. "Thank you so much."

"I'm still not letting you leave," Ella whispers in her ears. She chuckles.

"Am I really not getting one?" doubts Rick.

"Can I really forget you?" She takes another piece and extends towards him.

Ella waves at Jasmine and she walks towards her smiling. Amy notices her and asks Matt, "Who is she?"

"She is..is Rick's neighbor," replies Matt stuttering.

"They seem pretty close."

Yeah too much. Matt yawns. "I think we should go now."

"No way. Do you know Rick's parents too?"

"Yeah. We've met sometimes," he replies, scratching his head.

"Great. Let's meet them then." She moves towards Leyla. Matt follows sluggishly.

Rick's face turns red as soon as he sees a familiar face near the gate. "Who invited him?"

"I..l," stuttering Jasmine follows Rick pacing towards the gate.

"You don't look so happy seeing me here, Rick." Smiling, Adrian extends his hand for a handshake.

Rick glances at him from tip to toe furiously then he lets out a light smile. "Actually I'm more than happy to see you."

Adrian's smile fades away. Rick grabs Jasmine's hand and walks back inside the room.

Adrian looks at Adriana coming behind Rick. "What's he up to?" he asks her.

"I don't know."

He stares at her, narrowing his eyes. "I said I don't know," she says furiously.

Rick walks up in the center of the room and claps. "Everyone, I need your attention."

Jasmine looks at him doubting if it is what she thinks. Matt runs his hand over his face. Amy shrugs Matt for clues but he stays silent. Adrian keeps his hardened stare focused on Rick.

Rick sits on his knees and extends a hand towards Jasmine. A diamond ring shines in his hand. "Will you marry me?"

I knew it, She thinks and hides her face underneath her hands. Gathering a bit of strength she looks at him. "Yes."

_______________________________

Hi, Aeron here!

This episode has been a tough one to crack. I had to show Ella & Jasmine in contrast to Ella & Laura. While Ella bonds with anyone she finds at first glance but with Laura, it had to be something memorable.

I hope I did fair enough and you liked this one. 

Peace!!! See you in the next one!!