Peace Hidden In Chaos By Aarav Blake 10 Summary Ellie experiences a whirlwind of emotions after sharing a passionate kiss with Maddoc, feeling excitement and disbelief at the intensity of the moment. Although she knows their affection is just an act to convince Maddoc's parents, she can't help but enjoy the warmth and tenderness of his embrace. Maddoc's playful teasing and gentle touch send butterflies through her, even as she reminds herself this is all pretend.

Their performance is interrupted by the arrival of Maddoc's mother, Catharina, a poised and judgmental woman who immediately disapproves of Ellie's appearance and status. Catharina's condescending attitude stings Ellie, but Maddoc stands up for her, boldly declaring Ellie as his girlfriend and the only girl for him, despite his mother's objections and expectations for him to marry someone else. Catharina's surprise and reluctant acceptance add tension to the encounter.

After Catharina leaves, Maddoc and Ellie reflect on the awkward meeting and Maddoc reveals his strained relationship with his busy parents. Despite the pretense, their connection feels genuine as Maddoc invites Ellie to dinner, surprising her with the offer. They share lighthearted banter about food choices and Maddoc's rare kindness, hinting at a softening in his usually grumpy demeanor. As they walk across the campus, Ellie grapples with the surreal nature of their situation-starting as a fake relationship but feeling increasingly real.

She quietly hopes that beyond the act, they might become friends or something more, cherishing the unexpected moments they share despite their differences and the chaos around them. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter 10 Ellie There's an odd flutter in my chest, a mix of excitement and disbelief. All I want is to keep kissing Maddoc endlessly, to stay suspended in this sudden bubble of warmth and thrilling adrenaline. I've never experienced a kiss like this before.

Maddoc could easily be the perfect fictional boyfriend-he's incredibly skilled at kissing, and honestly, he looks like a movie star. A royally pissed-off movie star, but still. I part my lips again, silently begging for another kiss. But instead, Maddoc gently sets me down on the ground. A wave of disappointment washes over me. Of course, this is all just for show. It means nothing. I try to push the ache in my chest aside. It dulls slightly when he wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin atop my head.

This is all an act to convince his parents-or parent, apparently-that we're madly in love, but I can't deny I like the feeling of his embrace. His toned abs press firmly against my back. He feels incredible-strong, warm. His muscular arms tighten around my waist. We probably look ridiculous. Maddoc towers over me by a good margin. The poor guy must be practically folded in half to be this romantic, but honestly, it only makes my heart race faster. I love the height difference. And the tenderness in his touch. Maddoc's fingers weave through my hair.

I shiver, and I think I hear him chuckle softly, amused by how easily he can affect me. Being the asshole who enjoys feeling in control, he keeps running his fingers through my strands. I melt as his fingertips brush my scalp. His skin is rough, calloused, but his touch is gentle-intimate. Real. It sends butterflies fluttering through me. But it's all fake. We're just putting on a show for his parents. I look up at him, blinking, and Maddoc tilts his head, his intense gaze locking onto mine. "It's just my mom. Dad must've wandered off to the car or something," he mutters.

"She's coming this way now. Her name's Catharina, but everyone calls her Cath." My voice comes out low and breathy. "Thanks for the info." He raises an eyebrow. "Thanks for the info? You sound like a receptionist." My cheeks flare red. "Right now, I'm a professional actress." He pauses, smirking. His large hands lazily continue combing through my hair before he lowers his voice. "So, was that kiss just part of the act?" My heart hammers against my ribs. He's looking at me like I'm a puzzle he's determined to solve. All I can see is him. Hear him. Feel him.

I try to steady my breath, to act normal. "What else could it have been?" His dimple flashes in a teasing smile. "You tell me." Then he nods toward the approaching figure. "Anyway, here comes my mom." I straighten up, preparing for the performance. I draw in a breath, hoping it will shield me like armor. It doesn't. "Maddoc! There you are, honey!" A tall, elegant blonde strides toward us as if she's on a runway. She's stunning, poised-a walking skincare ad. Her heels click authoritatively on the pavement, and her perfectly styled hair refuses to frizz in the gentle breeze.

She probably uses toner made from unicorn tears. Then Catharina's eyes land on me. She scans me slowly, disapprovingly-from head to toe and back again. Her nose lifts slightly, and her posture stiffens, chin angled like an aristocrat's. Vogue cover material. That icy stare and flawless stance scream upper-class disdain. Suddenly, I'm painfully aware of my thrifted jacket, its imperfect fit. My shoes are scuffed, and my hair probably still smells like cheap shampoo. "Oh, and who might this cute little girl be? A friend?" "Cute. Little.

Girl." The way she says it makes me want to disappear into a hoodie forever. Her tone drips with condescension, as if she's patting me on the head with her voice. Before I can explode with anger, Maddoc steps in. "This is Ellie." He wraps an arm around me again, fingers threading through my hair. "She's my girlfriend. And please don't call her a little girl just because she's short." Wait, what?! Did he just defend me? In front of everyone? Cath blinks, clearly surprised by her son's boldness. "I... I see. But... you were supposed to marry Vanya." There it is-the judgment.

She looks at me like I'm a cheap knockoff from a thrift store. But Maddoc doesn't even flinch. "You know as well as I do that true love matters. Ellie's the only girl for me." My lips twitch. The voice he's using sounds like a soap opera villain trying to be Prince Charming. It's hilarious, especially since Maddoc is the last person I'd call romantic. If I weren't pretending we were in love, I'd laugh out loud. His mom's expression shifts to skepticism, then she forces a twitchy smile. "Well... I'll respect your decision. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ellie." "Likewise, Mrs.

Daniels." I give a small bow, and to my surprise, her eyes widen as if I just performed a magic trick. She's impressed by simple manners? Seriously, what kind of girls has Maddoc been dating? They must have been terrible, because Mrs. Daniels keeps staring at me like I'm some rare creature. I swear I see her nostrils flare at my thrifted coat, as if she can smell the absence of a designer label. "My husband and I are heading to dinner," she finally says to Maddoc. "You'll be celebrating with friends, I assume?" "There's a frat party," Maddoc replies, "but I'm taking Ellie to dinner.

Somewhere nice." He is? Her smile stiffens. "Well. Enjoy." "Thanks. Bye." Cath hurries away like we're contagious. I turn to Maddoc. "Was it just me, or did your mom act... super weird at the end?" "She's always like that," he mutters. "My parents don't have much time for me. They work overseas-meetings, travel, excuses. Honestly, I'm surprised she showed up at all." That sucks. "I'm sorry." "For what?" "You looked like you needed backup." He nudges my head, messing up my hair. "You did great. Best fake girlfriend I've ever had." I laugh softly. "I'm not, but thanks..." I glance away.

"So, I guess we're done here?" "Done?" He sounds almost offended. "Aren't you hungry?" "Wait. Are you seriously taking me to a restaurant?" He blinks. "Uh. Yeah?" "But I have no money!" I wave my hands. "And what about Addison?" He rolls his eyes. "You were too busy making out to notice your friend leave?" "She left?!" "She ran off with Jason. He looked annoyed, but they'll be fine. Jason's not a jerk like me." "I don't know..." I fidget nervously. "She bullied him. What if he hates her?" "Then he'll tell her. Or walk away. They're adults." I bite my lip.

"Are you sure about dinner?" "Absolutely." He leans closer, smirking. "Somewhere expensive. With dessert. But only if you say yes now. Otherwise, the offer's off." "I-fine!" "Good." We start walking, and I'm still buzzing with energy. The butterflies have formed a union inside me. I'm not sure what's happening, only that the air around Maddoc feels thick and sweet, like pavement warmed by a summer storm. He glances down at me. "What do you want to eat?" My eyes widen. "You're asking me?" "Uh, yeah? Don't women like to decide?" "Pretty sure we don't." "Ah, right.

You tell the man to choose, but then everything he picks is wrong?" I giggle, trying not to blush too much. "Probably. But um... can we eat somewhere fancy?" Is that too much to ask? Do I seem like a gold-digger just for wanting to try it? "Sure, we can," he strokes his chin thoughtfully. "What do you like?" "I don't know. What's fancy but not weird?" He snorts. "Weird?" "Yeah, like I don't want foamed beetroot and edible dirt." "I promise no dirt. Maybe steak. Or sushi?" "Sushi is raw." He laughs. "And is that a problem?" "No, but...

I'd rather not eat fish." "Italian?" "Now you're speaking my language." I notice his smile, and my heart skips a beat. Clearing my throat, I say, "You're being very nice." His grumpiness returns, just a little. Maddoc grunts. "Well, don't get used to it, shorty. I'm only going to be nice today." "Really? Just today?" He glances at me and sighs, like his next words are already causing him pain. "Maybe tomorrow too. Depends if you keep looking at me like that." I grin because you know what? I think Maddoc isn't so scary anymore. He's starting to soften toward me, and we both know it.

As we stroll across the dark campus, lit by party lights and the lingering buzz of the game's energy, I try not to dwell too much on how this all began as a fake act... and how dangerously close it feels to something real. Because me-the awkward, bookish, definitely not Vogue material nerd-falling for the ridiculously hot, ridiculously grumpy quarterback? It sounds laughable. He's a star. I'm just... me. But still, some stubborn, foolish part of me dares to hope. Not for a kiss or a fairy tale ending. Just for more moments like tonight. Maybe that's enough.

Maybe we could be more than strangers pretending. Maybe we could be friends. And maybe... that would be enough. Conclusion This chapter gently unravels the complex dance between Ellie and Maddoc, where pretense blurs into something tender and uncertain. Their staged romance, initially a shield against judgment and expectation, reveals cracks through subtle touches and shared moments, hinting at a deeper connection beneath the surface. Ellie's vulnerability and Maddoc's unexpected warmth create a fragile bubble of intimacy, even as the weight of their realities presses in from all sides.