FLIRTING WITH 40 simple

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!"