chapter 4: conversation and choices

Ella walked out of the lecture hall, her thoughts swirling. She'd been trying to focus on her pharmacy coursework—yet somehow, every time she picked up her notes, her mind drifted back to Leo. He'd been distant lately, and despite telling herself it was nothing, she couldn't help but wonder if something had changed. They had shared such a strong connection, hadn't they? Or was it just her imagination?

It had only been a few days since their study session, but it felt like much longer. She couldn't shake the feeling that Leo was pulling away.

As she strolled across the campus, the cold wind whipping around her, she saw her phone buzz in her pocket. Her heart skipped a beat as she pulled it out.

It was a message from Leo.

"Hey Ella, how's everything? Been a bit caught up with stuff. You good?"

A mixture of relief and hesitation washed over her. She quickly typed a response, trying to keep it casual, yet eager to hear from him.

"Hey Leo! All good, just the usual work. How's business?"

She hit send, her stomach doing a nervous flip as she awaited his reply. The minutes felt like hours. Finally, the message notification pinged again.

"Busy, but I can manage. We should catch up soon. Coffee tomorrow?"

Ella smiled, the warmth spreading through her chest. It had been exactly what she wanted—an excuse to see him. She quickly responded.

"Sure, sounds great. After class?"

His reply came almost immediately.

"It's a date then."

The next day, Ella walked into the campus café with a flutter of excitement in her chest. She spotted Leo right away. He was seated at their usual spot by the window, his laptop open in front of him. He looked absorbed in his work, but his expression softened when he saw her approach.

"Ella," Leo said, standing up quickly. His eyes brightened. "I'm glad you could make it."

Ella smiled, her nerves easing slightly as she sat down across from him. "I wouldn't miss it. How's everything with you?"

Leo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Busy. It's always busy with business." He pushed his laptop aside, focusing entirely on her. "How's pharmacy treating you?"

Ella leaned forward, excited to talk about her coursework. She told him about the challenges she was facing with the upcoming exams and how she was diving deep into her latest research on drug interactions. Leo listened intently, genuinely interested, which always made her feel at ease.

"I can't believe you're working on something so complicated," Leo said, his tone full of admiration. "I'd be lost trying to understand all that."

Ella laughed softly. "It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it. But business isn't any easier, right?"

Leo chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "True. I've been juggling a few big projects. It's a lot of pressure, but I'm handling it."

The conversation flowed smoothly, but there was still an unspoken tension in the air. They hadn't addressed the growing distance between them, and Ella couldn't help but feel like there was more Leo wasn't telling her.

Before she could ask, the café door swung open, and in walked a woman Ella immediately recognized.

Chloe.

Ella had heard about her through some of the other students—Leo's ex-girlfriend. Chloe was the kind of girl who turned heads effortlessly. Tall, with long, sleek blonde hair and a sharp, confident smile, Chloe could have stepped out of a fashion magazine. She walked in with an air of grace and poise, her tailored black coat hugging her slender figure. She had an undeniable presence, and Ella could feel the atmosphere in the café shift the moment Chloe entered.

Leo stiffened, his expression briefly flickering before he gave her a tight smile. "Chloe," he said, his voice cooler than before.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking over to Ella. "Well, well, if it isn't Leo and Ella," she said with a playful smirk. Her voice dripped with an almost teasing tone. "Are you two studying together again, or is this something more?"

Ella felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Chloe's gaze lingered on Leo with a glint of something—possessiveness, perhaps? Ella couldn't tell, but she didn't like it.

Leo cleared his throat. "We're just catching up. Nothing like that."

Chloe ignored Leo's response, pulling up a chair without waiting for an invitation. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just saw Leo here, and thought I'd say hello."

Ella forced a smile, but there was a knot in her stomach. Chloe had a way of making everything feel like a game. She was playing with them, and Ella knew it. Chloe's bright blue eyes scanned Ella as if she was a puzzle to be solved, a challenge to conquer.

"I'm surprised you two are still talking," Chloe said, her voice full of mock sweetness. "Last I heard, Leo was too busy with business to bother with anything else."

Ella could feel the tension rising. She didn't want to get into a confrontation in the middle of the café, but Chloe's insinuations were getting under her skin.

Leo shifted uncomfortably. "Chloe, this isn't the time—"

"Oh, I think it's the perfect time," Chloe interrupted, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. "You know, it's not every day I see Leo this… interested in someone."

Ella's heart skipped a beat, and she felt her face flush with heat. This wasn't how she had imagined their reunion going. She didn't want to be dragged into Leo and Chloe's unresolved history, but Chloe was making it hard not to.

"I think I'll leave you two to talk," Ella said abruptly, standing up. She couldn't stand the way Chloe was looking at her, as if she were trying to start a battle. "I've got some studying to do anyway."

Leo looked up, his expression apologetic. "Ella, wait—"

But before he could finish, Chloe chimed in. "No need to rush off, Ella. Leo and I have a lot to catch up on." She gave Leo a pointed look, making it clear she was expecting him to entertain her.

Ella turned on her heel, her pulse racing. She didn't want to give Chloe the satisfaction of seeing her flustered, but she couldn't help it. She stepped out of the café, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. Leo's past with Chloe was more complicated than she had realized, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to dive into that mess.

As she walked across campus, she found herself thinking about what Chloe had said. Maybe Leo wasn't as invested in their friendship as she had hoped. Maybe she was just another distraction to him.

But one thing was for certain: Ella wasn't going to let anyone, especially Chloe, dictate her feelings.

She had her own future to focus on.