Falling for Her Ex's Enemy

Ellie's POV

"So, when is the big day with James?" one of my friends inquired, curiosity dancing in her gaze.

My face beamed with joy and happiness as I sat amongst my friends while we all had dinner at a trendy restaurant. The soft glow of flickering candles enhanced the joy in my eyes as our laughter filled the air in the room.

My smile widened, a flush of excitement rising in my cheeks as I stroked my hair with my hands.

"We want all the tea, Ellie. What's going on with you two? When is the wedding happening?" another friend said, throwing it all out on the table.

"Oh, James and I have been talking about it," I replied, a hint of anticipation lacing my words. "I think he might be proposing soon. I saw a bouquet in the trunk of his car this morning." I said smiling so hard.

My friends erupted in joyous squeals, and with excitement, they all pulled me in for a hug whilst expressing how happy they all were for me.

"I have always known James wasn't one to play around, girl you got yourself a gentleman and I am more than happy to see you this happy, Cheers to this new chapter," one friend said raising her wine glass while toasting to my happiness.

"Thank you my loves, I am so excited also," I replied, excitement evident on my face.

We chatted all through the dinner, most of the topic was centered around me and James and how far we have come. After a long night, I bid my friends goodbye with promises for a future girls' night.

I have one more stop for the night before heading home and that's James' house. We haven't spoken since I saw him this morning and I think the silent treatment is because of the surprise proposal, maybe so I wouldn't suspect.

My heart somersaulted with anticipation as I made my way to his house. The lights of the city painted streaks of gold against the darkening sky, mirroring the warmth that bloomed in my chest.

James and I have been together since our college days and there wouldn't be anything more fulfilling than getting married to my college sweetheart, that would be a dream come true, and I couldn't be any happier.

Peering up at the familiar porch, I could almost hear the echo of his laughter waiting on the other side of the door.

And then, in the halting moment of a plane skidding off course, James's mother appeared.

"And to what do we owe this unpleasant visit?" Mrs. Willson inquired as her steps came to a halt.

My lips trembling and my eyes flickering, I mustered the courage to stand with a faint smile on my face.

"Good evening, Mrs. Wilson, how delightful it is to see you again," I said taking a few steps closer to her. She stared at me with a grimace on her face.

I know she doesn't like me!!

"Spare me the pleasantries, Ellie," she said walking towards the couch at the other edge of the sitting room. She took her seat, relaxing in the comfort of the couch without acknowledging my presence.

With my fist clenched tightly on my dress, I let out a loud sigh before taking my seat on the couch opposite hers. Controlling my emotions was a priority at the moment although I could not stand the attitude of Mrs. Wilson.

"I would like to believe you are not here for James," Mrs. Wilson said with a smirk on her face. "I hear you are still sticking around my son like a lost puppy and if I am right, I believe I have made it clear that you are not meant for my son." She added.

"With all due respect Mrs. Wilson, James and I are in love, we care for each other so much that we wish to spend the rest of our lives together, and all I ask is for your support just this once," I replied.

My hands trembled with anxiety, unsure of what cards she may pull out, I sat there in the silence that consumed the room.

"Aw... I am touched by that wonderful speech you gave, I think you deserve a Nobel Prize for that speech, I must say, I haven't heard something that captivating in a while." Mrs. Wilson jested with a grin on her face.

"I didn't come here to listen to you laugh about the love I share with your son, you have always disapproved of my relationship,"

"And I am aware of the fact that you want him to be with someone who suits all your standards and I am sorry I do not fit into your standards," I said in a low soft tone.

"Finally we agree on something, I am glad you now understand that you are not a match for my son, Ellie, so the earlier you let him go, the better for you because my son is better off without a girl like you," Mrs. Wilson replied.

"Well I am sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Wilson, James will be asking me to marry him soon and I plan on saying yes to his proposal and neither you nor anyone else can sabotage our happiness," I replied with a teary voice.

The sound of her laughter echoed through the room as the laughter continued for minutes before bringing herself to a stop. "You must think you stand a chance at happiness with my son."

"If you are here to see James then why isn't he here?"

My heartbeat increased as I stood there utterly confused while trying to grasp and understand everything Mrs. Wilson was driving at. "He wasn't aware I would be here, I came here to pay him a surprise visit so it's understandable if he is not here," I replied quickly.

"How stupid of you to think in that shallow way of yours Ellie, my son will never take you as a wife and that is why I believe he is out to pursue someone worth his time," Mrs. Wilson replied in a quick sharp tone.

"What do you mean by that Mrs. Wilson, What is going on, and where is James?" I asked angrily.

"I'm sorry, Ellie," she uttered in a voice filled with no remorse. "But James is getting engaged... to someone else. I'm afraid you mustn't pursue this any further."

Ellie's POV

"That can't be true, James would not do that to me," I muttered shakily, wanting to be in denial that my supposed boyfriend was getting engaged to someone else and not me.

My heart sank into my chest as I struggled to catch my breath with each step I took, taking to my heels and dashing out of the house with tears rolling down my cheeks.

It wasn't news that Mrs. Wilson has always kicked against our relationship and her words have never been soothing or kind, but she wouldn't stoop so low as to tell a lie to break us both, she isn't one to do something so lame.

Or is she?

"This is not true, James loves me and wouldn't do anything to hurt me," These were the words that kept echoing in my head, as I walked down the lonely path across the streets.

I picked up my phone to call James as he was the only one who could shed more light and tell me the exact truth about what was happening.

The phone rang for a while before he took the call