Ella's POV:

Seeing his hands shaking literally scared me. I don't know what made him so nervous.

He couldn't be nervous just because I kind of challenged him.
He has already won so many awards.

I looked at him to see him looking here and there, trying to distract himself.

He was looking really good today in his tuxedo, he usually wears jeans and T-shirt/shirt.

But today he looked good, I gotta agree.

Okay, that's enough.

"Hey, idiot?"

He seemed to be startled and then he composed himself and said, "Yes, Resf?"

When I didn't say anything he asked, "What? Say what happened."

"Nothing."

He gave me a blank expression.

"Umm...if I win the Cricketer Of The Year Award, what will you gift me?"

"Why will I gift you?"

"Cause I will win."

"Shouldn't you be the one to treat me?"

"Talk about an adult behaving like a kid", I mocked him, "The captain of Australia asking me to treat him just because I won."

His mouth fell apart, "Are you drunk? Because you freaking have no idea what you are talking about."

He was right, I had no idea what I was saying.

"Why will I be drunk?"

"I don't know..."

"Oh, the function started", I said pointing towards the stage at the front, "I'm sure you will be fine now."

He looked at it and then back at me.

"You were distracting me?"

"Duh."

He smiled but didn't say anything and I shifted my attention to the front but I still could feel his gaze on me.

"Are you going to stare at me the whole evening?", I asked.

He blinked a few times as his smile faded and clearing his throat he looked away.

I let out a small chuckle at his actions.

I wonder how he manages his team.

The awards have been distributed, I won the Female Cricket Of The Year Award and Nelson won the ODI Cricketer Of The Year Award.

When I came back after my speech, I gave him a toothy grin. "I won."

He rolled his eyes. "I won too."

"No, you won in just one format but I won the overall award."

"Now, what are you giving me?", I asked.

He winked. "A night with me."

"What the fuck!", I whispered shouted pushing him away and he chuckled.

"You are already spending the night with me."

"Unfortunately."

"I know you are very ecstatic that you got the chance to be my date tonight."

I stuck my tongue out at him but quickly put it in knowing that there were cameras all around.

We walked together silently towards our room in silence.

Just as I was about to go inside my room he gently caught my hand and turned me towards him.

"Yes?"

He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and then lifting my hand upto his lips, he softly kissed my knuckles.

"Thanks..."

"For what?"

"For accompanying me, duh."

"I guess we both were doing each other a favor."

"Hmm... don't be late tomorrow morning. Flight leaves at 11."

"Okay. Goodnight, Nelson."

"Goodnight, Ella."

When I opened my door I heard him say, "Ella?"

He was standing at the same place having distant look in his eyes as if he was in a deep thought.

"Yes, Nelson?"

He didn't say anything and kept staring at me for a few seconds and then blinked and said, "Nothing."

"Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, of course. See you in the morning. Bye."

"Bye...", I trailed off unsure of what just happened.

It seemed that he wanted to tell me something but decided against it.

Back in my room, I examined the medal I received and felt proud.
Although I don't play just to earn medals, I play for my country but these small things just makes you happy. Gives you a hope that you are on the right path.

This is what I dreamt of growing up.

And with a satisfied feeling in my heart, I fell asleep.
________________________________________

I groaned in frustration, something was continuously touching my cheek.

When I finally opened my eyes, I realised that it was Nelson who was drumming his fingers against my cheek.

"We are about to land in ten minutes", he spoke on seeing me awake.

"Idiot, couldn't you woke me up in another way?"

"And by other way you mean? Hmm...I could have woke you up with a kiss, how does that sounds?"

Giving him a tight, fake smile I shoved him in his chest making him groan.

"Uncle!", he whined.

"She's hitting me", he complained to dad who just rolled his eyes.

"Ella", he warned.

"Dad, he is flirting with me!"

"I am not flirting with you!", Nelson interrupted.

"When will you guys grow up? You can't keep fighting like kids!", dad scolded.

"Nelson stop troubling her", uncle said to him.

"I am not troubling her! I was just waking her up", he argued.

"She is awake now. Now, get up and move in front", uncle ordered him and he whined in a puerile way but when uncle glared at him, huffing he got up and left me alone.

Finally!

Just when I thought that he has left me alone, he came back again.

"Now, what?"

"I forgot my phone; I don't think that I need your permission to take that", he said sarcastically.

"Whatever..."

He went away... that's what I thought because he again came back.

"I forgot my earphones", he said before I could ask anything.

"I don't see your earphones on the seat."

He looked down at the seat and then searched his pocket.

He smiled sheepishly. "Oh...they are in my pocket only."

"Are you going or not?"

"Why do I feel that you want me to stay?"

"Are you going or should I complain to dad again?"

"Okay, fine. I am going." He rolled his eyes and went away.

We came out of the airport where the cars were already waiting for us but it was then I noticed a very familiar one and I ran towards it.

There stood Asher leaning against his car.

"Asher!", I exclaimed hugging him.

"Hey!" He hugged me back.

I pulled back. "What are you doing here?"

"Came to pick you up. Thought we could spend the day together."

I looked back at everyone and saw that they were all watching me especially dad so didn't seem pleased with Asher's presence.

I looked back at Asher. "A day together?"

"At your house only since you must be really tired."

"That sounds amazing!"

Since we both were talking loudly, everyone already knew that I am going with him, so giving everyone one last look, I pecked his lips and sat in his car.

This chapter fucking sucks!
I know it's very, very boring and extremely short too cause I had writer's block in this chapter but I somehow managed to write it.
Don't worry the next one is good
which I will be updating right now so scroll onto the next chapter.

Thanks for reading and keep voting and commenting!

~Ahlam