Previously :
"Do you have any plans today?" Ellie asked, trying to shift the mood.
Bella shook her head. "Not really."
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"There's this place I really wanna go to right now. You wanna come with me?" Ellie asked.
Bella looked at her, "Why don't you just go alone?"
Ellie scratched her head. "I just don't feel like going alone… So if you're free, maybe you could come with me?"
Bella didn't answer right away.
But She thought about how Ellie had helped her out recently—taking care of her when she was sick, treating her hand when it got hurt. It wasn't a big deal, but still… it stuck in her mind.
Maybe it was time she returned the kindness.
She let out a quiet breath. "Alright. I'll come."
Ellie smiled. "Cool."
A while later, they got in the car.
Bella sat quietly in the passenger seat while Ellie drove. The road stretched on, long and quiet. Trees lined both sides, and the sun was starting to hide behind clouds.
Bella glanced out the window, then back at Ellie. "Where are we going?"
"I haven't been to the grave in a long time," Ellie said, her voice softer than usual.
Bella looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"My brother's grave," Ellie clarified, her hands tight on the steering wheel. "I haven't been there since… well, since he passed."
Bella stayed quiet. She could tell that there was a lot more behind Ellie's words, but she wasn't going to push her.
Ellie glanced over at her, her gaze distant. "It was supposed to be his," Ellie continued, her voice quieter now, "The restaurant… my dad wanted him to take over. But now it's me."
Bella wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't realized how much pressure Ellie had been under. The idea of taking over the family business—something that was meant for her brother—must've been weighing heavily on her.
"That sounds tough," Bella said quietly, not really knowing how else to respond.
"What happen with him?" Bella asked, "I meant ur brother?"
"He committed suicide," Ellie replied, the car slowed, and Ellie pulled over to the side of the road. The silence stretched for a long moment
Bella was a bit surprised when Ellie pulled over the car, but looking at Ellie now, it seemed like she was trying to hold herself together and stay strong. Maybe she was questioning whether bringing all her past trauma with her was the right thing to do.
But after a long pause and with a heavy breath, Ellie explained to Bella what had happened to her brother three years ago—revealing the trauma she'd been carrying ever since.
Ellie's brother had committed suicide three years ago.
They were very close since they were only a year apart, so when he died, it broke Ellie's heart. Her parents, especially her father had high expectations for him, and that pressure weighed heavily on him. One day, he turned to drugs to escape the stress, thinking it would only be a one-time thing. But soon, he became addicted. Ellie's father had reacted with anger, trying to force his son to stop, even resorting to physical punishment.
But instead of helping, it had pushed him further into despair. Ellie's brother, unable to see a way out, had taken his own life.
The tragedy left deep scars on their family—especially on Ellie. She couldn't forgive her father for how he had treated her brother. Eventually, she chose to leave Jinan and distance herself from her parents. It's also why she hates coming back to her hometown; it brings back all the painful memories of what happened three years ago.
However, knowing her father was getting older and feeling sorry for her mother, Ellie decided to return to Jinan and take over the family restaurant—a responsibility that was meant for her brother.
Sharing the story made Ellie unable to hold back her tears. She turned her face away, pressing it against the steering wheel to hide her emotions.
Bella never expected that behind all of Ellie's smiles and playful attitude, she was carrying such deep pain in her heart.
"Sorry… can we stay like this for a bit?" Ellie asked, knowing she couldn't drive just yet.
"Don't be sorry. You can take your time! I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn't have asked about your brother," Bella replied.
"Please don't apologize. I'm the one who asked you to come with me," Ellie said.
Then, without saying a word, Bella gently pulled Ellie's face—still resting on the steering wheel—closer to hers. She cupped Ellie's cheeks softly with both hands
"Now smile!" Bella said.
Ellie looked into Bella's eyes as Bella gently held her face, and once again, her heart started to race.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Why does my heart keep doing this whenever I'm with you?" Ellie said softly, her eyes still locked on Bella's.
Bella was a bit confused by what Ellie said, but seeing her say something so random and weird made Bella think that Ellie was back to her usual self. At least, she didn't seem so sad anymore—and that was a relief.
But what Bella didn't realize was… Ellie actually meant it
After Ellie calmed down a little, they continued their trip to her brother's grave.
The rest of the drive was quiet. Neither of them said much.
Ellie, usually full of silly comments or random thoughts, stayed quiet the whole way.
It was clear her mind was still heavy, and Bella understand about it.
Even until they arrived, Ellie keep stayed quiet in front of the gravestone, her eyes locked on the name of her brother carved in stone. The wind brushed softly against her face, carrying a silence that felt both peaceful and heavy.
Bella didn't say a word. She watched Ellie from behind, unsure if she should step closer or give her space. But after a moment, something inside her told her to move.
She walked up slowly and stood beside her. Without speaking, Bella gently reached out and touched Ellie's arm.
Ellie flinched a little at first, but then relaxed. She didn't look at Bella, but she didn't move away either. That small touch… somehow it was enough. It grounded her. Gave her the strength to breathe.
They stayed like that for a while. No words. Just silence, wind, and memories.
On the Way Back
The drive home was quiet.
Ellie kept her eyes on the road, but her grip on the steering wheel was softer now. Her shoulders weren't as tense as before. The sadness was still there, but something about it felt lighter.
Bella glanced at her a few times, but didn't say anything.
And for the first time in a long while, Ellie felt like she wasn't carrying everything alone.
"Sorry if I'm being boring. Not talking much like usual," Ellie said, trying to lighten the mood with a small joke.
Bella glanced at her and smiled a little. "It's okay. It's kind of nice seeing you quiet like this."
Ellie let out a soft laugh, finally feeling a bit more like herself.
"So, are you ready for tomorrow?" Ellie asked.
"What do you mean?" Bella replied.
"Hmm, did you forget? I thought you already agreed to come to my restaurant for dinner on the opening day," Ellie said, smirking.
Bella squinted, trying to remember. "Wait—wasn't that just you deciding on your own? I don't remember saying yes."
"So… you're not coming?" Ellie asked, just to make sure
She didn't say anything else for a moment, just looked at Ellie, who seemed a little more relaxed than earlier.
After everything that happened today, Bella couldn't pretend like she didn't care.
She sighed softly, then said "Alright, I'll come."
Ellie turned her head, surprised. "Really?"
Bella gave her a small glance and shrugged. "Yeah. Consider it… a thank you meal."
A smile slowly formed on Ellie's face. "Hey, I told you it's free."
Bella rolled her eyes, but there was the slightest hint of a smile too. "Whatever."
Maybe it didn't mean much, but this moment… it was something.
And without realizing it, the space between them didn't feel so far anymore.