FLIRTING WITH A BILLIONAIRE

Ella woke up at five o'clock in the morning, but it was evident that she hadn't slept well due to her longing to see Damian again. It had been five years since he left his job as a pilot. Despite not needing the money, he had been fully immersed in his work, resulting in infrequent conversations and quick video calls. Ella missed him dearly.

"Good morning, Rebecca! Did you sleep well?" Ella greeted Rebecca, the middle-aged woman who had been serving her foster father for a long time. Rebecca played a significant role in raising Ella after Damian's father took her under his care. At times, Ella wondered if Rebecca and Jack McBride, Damian's father, were secretly involved.

"You must be excited to see him," Rebecca said, understanding Ella's emotions.

"I am. It's been five years since he celebrated Christmas with us," Ella replied, blushing at the thought that her excitement might reveal something more than Damian's homecoming.

"Indeed, it has been a long time. Well, why don't you sit down now, Miss Ella? I'll get you a cup of milk," Rebecca offered.

"Milk? I'm old enough for coffee," Ella protested, not wanting to be treated like a child.

"Twenty is not old enough, Ella. Now, stop complaining and sit down!"

Ella shook her head in disbelief but complied, waiting for the glass of milk that Rebecca prepared. She couldn't go against Rebecca's wishes when it came to such matters. After her real mother passed away, Rebecca acted as her second mother, and Ella was grateful for her love and care.

"Here's your coffee, Madame," Rebecca teased, handing Ella the cup. "You might be allowed to have coffee now, but for Jack and Damian, you're still a child. Do you want to upset them?"

"Jack would never be angry with me, but I'm not so sure about Damian. But who knows? Maybe he's more open-minded than his father," Ella reasoned, though Rebecca just snorted.

"Maybe if you got rid of that mug, they might see you differently and consider you more mature," Rebecca suggested.

Ella smiled, holding her favorite pink mug with her name written on it. "This mug is innocent," she defended playfully.

"Would you like a sandwich?"

"Yes, please. With the chocolate spread," Ella replied, and Rebecca quickly prepared the sandwich. The whole family treated her like a princess, even though they occasionally complained about her stubbornness.

After finishing her coffee and sandwich, Ella left the house. As expected, Jack McBride was enjoying his coffee by the pool, engrossed in a newspaper. Ella approached him and kissed his cheek.

"Good morning, Pop," she greeted him. Though Jack had encouraged her to call him Daddy, she preferred calling him Pop. But soon, when she became Damian's bride, she knew she wouldn't hesitate to call him Daddy.

"It's still early, Ella. Why are you already awake?" he asked, but before she could respond, he added, "Damian called last night. He can't come home this year."

Ella waited for Jack to smile and take back his words, hoping it was a joke. However, Jack didn't smile. "You're kidding, right?"

"Am I? Well, you're right. I'm just kidding," he said, trying to dodge her playful pinch.

"You're mean, Pop!"

Jack took a deep breath and sighed. "You're not as funny as you used to be, princess. Why did you grow up so fast?"

"Still, you've just told me he canceled his plans. You know how much I miss Damian," she pouted, expressing her disappointment.

"Don't you think it's time to move on from your infatuation with my son? You're already twenty, my dear, and sooner or later, Damian may marry someone else. You'll get hurt," he warned, concerned for her well-being.

Ella had always confessed her feelings for Damian to Jack, and Damian was likely aware of them too. Perhaps, she was the reason he didn't enjoy staying at home and instead preferred to travel with friends or even girlfriends.

"Don't worry, Pop. I assure you it's just a passing infatuation. I might find a boyfriend of my own sooner or later," she stated, noticing Jack's frown at her announcement. "Enjoy your coffee, Pop. I'll go back to my room now and take a shower," she said, leaving him to his thoughts.

"Go ahead."

However, instead of taking a shower, Ella found herself lingering in her room, anxiously awaiting Damian's arrival. Her bedroom was on the second floor, but from her window, she had a view of the gate.

Damian was supposed to arrive on the 23rd, but he hadn't made it. It was already the 24th, and Ella was losing hope that he would come. Sighing with disappointment, she sat by the window. Suddenly, a commotion downstairs caught her attention. Rebecca hurried toward the gate, and Ella's heart skipped a beat when she recognized the man who had just arrived.

Without a second thought, she rushed downstairs, unable to contain her excitement. She shouted Damian's name as soon as he entered the main door. "Damian!" she called out, even though she was still on the staircase. He smiled at her, making her heart flutter. Running towards him, she hugged him tightly. "I missed you! I missed you so much, Damian!" She no longer cared if Jack and Rebecca were watching.

"Hmm, what's up, kiddo?" he asked, taken aback by Ella's sudden embrace. His eyes widened in surprise, and he felt slightly embarrassed when he glanced at his father, who merely shrugged. Rebecca did the same. He was even more taken aback when she kissed his cheek, feeling it was inappropriate. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. Ella was a woman now, and he was a man. Her actions felt risky, but he couldn't scold her. He looked at her intently and said, "I missed you too."

"How long are you staying this time?" she inquired eagerly.

"Longer than before," he replied.

"Really? I'm glad," Ella beamed at Damian.

"Welcome back, son. Now that you're here, I'm sure our Christmas celebration will be fantastic!" Jack exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

Damian smiled at his father, grateful that Ella had become a part of their family. Despite her beauty, he hoped it wouldn't distract him too much. "Dad, are you genuinely happy to see me or not? You seem sad," he remarked, approaching his father.

"I was expecting you to bring someone with you tonight," Jack said.

"Mmm, don't worry. I will bring her later," Damian replied.

"Who?" Jack inquired.

Damian glanced at Ella before answering, wanting to spare her any hurt. Sensing her true feelings despite her attempts to hide them, he was aware of her emotions. "My girlfriend," he replied.

"You have a girlfriend?" Ella asked in disbelief, her heart shattering into small pieces when Damian nodded. She hadn't expected to be hurt on Christmas Eve!