Chapter 26 : More than a Thank you

"Wait! Miss Elara calm down."

It was a lady's voice.

"Stephen, let her go." The person commanded and she felt the grip on her wrist go off completely.

Then she opened her eyes.

"Miss Arabella?"

Elara couldn't believe who was standing in front of her. Arabella Sterling was the person she least expected.

The actress nodded with a sorry expression.

"I'm really sorry for startling you." Then she gestured at the huge man that had gripped her.

"This is Stephen. He is my driver and bodyguard."

Elara looked at him with a wounded expression as she rubbed on her wrist.

"I'm sorry, Miss." Stephen bowed.

"It's okay." She acknowledged him, then looked at Arabella.

"What brings you here?" She was genuinely curious.

Then she suddenly remembered they were still on the road. Luckily, the road wasn't busy and just had few people that weren't paying any attention to them.

"Why don't we talk somewhere more secure?"

Miss Arabella smiled gratefully and gestured to the SUV for her and they both climbed in.

—----

"Would you prefer a cake or cup of coffee?" Arabella had a conflicted expression on her face.

"You see, I've not really hosted a younger person." She fidgeted with her hair.

The Arabella standing before Elara wasn't the aloof and composed top actress, she was dressed casually and the way she scratched her head while looking confused made her look cute.

Elara chuckled.

"A cake and hot chocolate will do, if you must."

"Oh" Arabella mouthed in realization.

Just as she turned to leave, Elara called her back.

"Yes," she twirled gently on her heels, her voice as soft as the chimes of a catholic church.

Elara smiled.

"You don't have to act so careful around me, I'm not much younger than you."

Arabella didn't quite understand her, because she was obviously a teenager. But she decided not to think too much.

"Okay" she smiled before leaving.

Alone in the penthouse living room, Elara observed her surroundings.

Everything was warm toned and gave a fresh feeling, it showed the presence of a woman.

Arabella's pictures lined the walls and on a floating shelf were all her awards organized in order. Starting from her first award since her debut at eighteen years old.

"Miss Elara," Arabella's voice drew Elara's attention.

"Just Elara is fine" Elara smiled politely, taking the cutely organised tray from her hands.

Arabella nodded.

"Elara, I'm sorry for startling you today. I really needed to see you but I didn't know how to reach out to you."

Arabella settled on the sofa opposite Elara.

She watched Elara take a small bite of her cake before meeting her eyes again.

"It's a nice cake. So, may I know why you wanted to see me?"

"Oh yes," Arabella felt bad for having kept her curious for so long.

"Elara, I heard from my assistant that you were the one that saved me on the night of the gala."

Elara was surprised and didn't know how to respond, so she chuckled sheepishly.

"Well, it's okay."

"I'm really grateful," Arabella's eyes were filled with gratitude and tenderness for the younger girl before her.

"I really don't even want to think of what would have happened if you weren't there."

Arabella lowered her head, stifling back tears.

Elara looked at her with pity.

'You'd have been done for, that's what would have happened.'

But she didn't say it out loud.

"It's all fine now, Miss Arabella. You're safe."

Arabella smiled sadly.

It was funny how such a young girl exuded such confidence and made her want to lean on her tender shoulders.

She had been surrounded by so many fake people that she didn't even want to try to know anyone anymore, but Elara seemed special and pure.

"Miss Arabella—"

"Call me big sister, please." Arabella smiled warmly.

Elara nodded.

"Big sister—"

She paused but on her own accord this time. It felt nice to call someone sister without fearing they'd want her head.

With that thought in mind, she called Arabella once more.

"Big sister, I want you to be more careful in your agency. Not everyone wants to see you rise."

Arabella nodded with a faraway look in her eyes.

"I know. And sadly they've become very active recently."

She sipped on a cup of coffee she got for herself.

"But it'll be over soon."

"Over soon?" Elara was confused but Arabella didn't explain.

"Say," Arabella dropped the mug on her glass table with a clink.

"Didn't your parents have an entertainment agency?"

Elara tilted her head in surprise.

'Oh yes, how could she forget that?'