Chapter 11

Lauren

20 minutes...

It's been 20 minutes since I've been sitting on this couch, waiting for Ethan to finish his meeting.

When I heard the door click, I looked up to see Ethan coming out of the office along with Mr. Nick.

When he is finally out, he looked around and stopped looking when his eyes landed on me.

Standing up from my seat, I made my way towards him.

I adjusted the bag on my shoulder and looked down for a second when I suddenly crashed into someone from the side dropping their phone.

I immediately picked up the phone from the ground and looked up to see a tall man who looked like he is in his late twenties.

He has beautiful hazel eyes that can trap any woman in them and a sharp jaw with perfect sharp facial features.

He could easily win the 'most handsome man' contest.

Only if Ethan isn't competing in that competition.

He harshly took the phone from my hand bringing me out of my thoughts.

Why are handsome men always rude?

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you coming." I still apologized ignoring his rude behaviour and he gave me a stern nod.

He was about to say something but stopped when Ethan made his presence known.

I turned towards him and he was practically glaring at the man in front of me.

I frowned when I saw the man had the exact expression as Ethan.

Even he is glaring at Ethan.

Do they both know each other?

"I always knew you lack manners when it comes to dealing with people and today, I've seen it." Ethan came and stood in front of him.

"Well, I'm sure you are especially not the one to talk about anything related to manners." the stranger retorted.

Yeah.

I've started calling him a stranger.

"And by the way, Are you the unlucky woman who married him?" turning towards me, the stranger asked.

Nodding my head, I was about to answer, but Ethan beat me.

"I don't understand how it is your business who I marry. Well, what could I expect anything from a person who is all alone and doesn't have anyone to rely on." Ethan smirked when the stranger clenched his jaw hard.

What the hell is happening over here?

The stranger put his right hand in his pocket and stood straight with a smirk.

"Oh, yeah. how is your mother, Ethan? how long it has been since you've talked to her."

Oh no.

Wait-

He didn't just say that.

Why are they roasting each other with words?

I turned towards Ethan to see him ready to smash the stranger's head to a wall.

They are practically murdering each other with their eyes.

I should do something before this escalates any further.

I cleared my throat to get their attention.

They both snapped out from their glaring contest and Ethan turned towards me slightly.

He glared at the stranger for a final time before walking away and I followed him quietly.

Once we are in the car, Tom started driving.

Should I ask him about what happened back there?

Well, the stranger knows more about Ethan than me, so they are practically not strangers.

Are they business rivals?

or enemies?

or friends?

or brothers?

How am I going to stay calm if I have all questions running through my head?

I turned towards him slightly and opened my mouth to ask him about the stranger.

"I'll throw you out of this car if you open your mouth." Ethan said in a monotone.

And that shut me up.

How does he know that I was going to ask him a question?

I so badly wanted to do the exact opposite of what he said, but I didn't want him to leave me here all alone.

Annoyed, I sat straight and looked out of the window till we reached the office.

***

A week!

It's been a week.

In this past week, although we still hate each other we are no more on 'killing each other' terms.

It also has been a week since the meeting with that stranger.

Turns out his name is Christian Hudson.

Yup, I've googled him.

Well, he is one of the top businessmen in the world and earns just as much as Ethan.

There was not much on the internet about him.

It is half past my work hours and I am finally packing up my bag to leave when my phone rings.

I looked at the screen to see it is my mother.

She finally remembers me.

I hope she didn't call me to ask how much weight I put on.

I quickly answered it and I closed my eyes tightly listening to her loud voice.

"How long do you need to pick up a phone, Lauren?"

Oh please, I answered it on the second ring.

"Why did you call, mom."

"Where are you?" she asked me.

"At work."

I have already told them about working with Ethan.

"Ok. So, here it is. Your father and I are inviting you and Ethan for dinner tonight. So, be here at seven."

I widened my eyes at her statement.

Please, him going on a dinner with me.

Impossible.

I should quickly come up with an excuse or else my parents might get hurt if Ethan didn't show up at dinner.

"Mom, Ethan is very busy right now. He doesn't have time for attending dinners. Don't worry, I'll come but don't expect him." I answered.

My mother stayed silent for a minute before talking again.

"Lauren, But we planned dinner for you both. We haven't had enough time to even know Ethan properly. Try to bring him too for dinner."

I wanted to deny but I didn't want to hurt her.

"I'll try, mom."

"Do your best to bring him." my mother said excitedly and ended the call.

I looked at the phone before shaking my head.

***

"I have something to talk to you about." I stood in front of his desk in his office.

He looked up for a second before continuing his work on his laptop.

I took that as my queue to continue.

"My parents invited us both for dinner at seven." He didn't even look up from his laptop.

"I'm busy."

Try again, Lauren.

"I know, but my parents wanted to know you better and they are expecting you to attend dinner tonight."

"Well, I can't help that. it's not my problem." He said and I thought of any other ideas to change his mind.

"How about this. I'll work overtime in the office if you show up at the dinner."

Only this can change his mind.

Extra hours of work mean more hours for him to annoy me.

And I'm certain he will not pass that chance.

He stopped typing on his laptop and looked up thinking for a second.

Ha.

I know you're going to accept.

"My answer still stays no." He said vanishing my triumph smile.

"But-" I started again but he interrupted me.

"If there is nothing more, you can leave." I sighed and looked down.

He is not going to change his mind, no matter what I do.

I silently walked out and hailed a cab to the penthouse.

***

I rang the bell and waited for my parents to open the door.

As he wasn't coming with me, I decided to show up alone.

The time is almost half-past seven.

I was wearing a long black party dress.

The door opened revealing my mother's smiling face but her smile slowly vanished when she realized I was alone.

I smiled at her and hugged her.

"How are you, sweetheart?" I kissed her on the cheek and walked in.

"I'm fine. Mom, What about you?" I asked her.

"We're good," she said closing the door and opening her mouth probably to ask about Ethan.

When I saw my father, I quickly ran towards him to avoid my mother's question.

"Hi, honey." My father hugged me.

"Hi, dad." I greeted him back.

"I missed you both," I spoke.

"What has happened to your face. Look how dull your skin looks. You should seriously start using some creams I suggested." My mother said standing in front of me.

Here comes the biggest critic of my life.

"Well, I wasn't having proper sleep the past few days," I answered her.

"You will drive men away if you look like that." shaking her head, she walked into the living area.

"Jane..." my father spoke sternly.

"What did I do, Mike?"

"Stop saying things like that to her all the time." he stressed and turned towards me.

"Lauren, where is Ethan?" my father asked me.

Here comes the question I'm trying to avoid.

I can't avoid the question for the whole dinner.

It might hurt my parents, but I didn't have any other choice.

I opened my mouth to answer the question when the doorbell rang.

I excused myself from my parents and walked to open the door.

I opened the door and I looked up to see Ethan.

Ethan?

I blinked twice to check if I'm seeing right.

It is indeed Ethan.

He was dressed in a white buttoned-up shirt and black pants with some flowers in his hand.

Didn't he say he was busy?

"Do you want me to go back?" he asked raising his eyebrows.

A huge smile broke on my lips seeing him.

It's not like I'm over the moon to see him, it's just him showing up at dinner can make my parents happy.

I opened the door wide open and he entered.

"Mr. and Mrs. Campbell." He greeted my parents giving the flowers to my mom.

"How are you, dear?" my mom asked him.

"I'm good, Mrs. Campbell."

He shook my father's hand, greeting him.

We sat at the dining table with various dishes placed on the table.

Ethan was sitting beside me and my parents are sitting opposite us.

I took a bite and looked around the table.

"So, how is business, son?" my father asked Ethan.

Ethan wiped his mouth with a napkin and cleared his throat.

"It's going good, Mr. Campbell."

My father nodded his head.

"Do you know that your father and I were friends in college?"

Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the mention of his father.

"Yeah, grandpa spoke about you two."

"Your father was a nice guy." My father spoke again.

"He was" Ethan spoke quietly staring at his plate deep in his thoughts.

We all fell into an awkward silence.

When my parents were busy eating, I slightly leaned toward Ethan and whispered "Thanks for coming."

He stopped eating and turned toward me.

As I was slightly bent, when he turned, our faces are quite closer than I want.

I'd be lying if I say our close proximity didn't affect me at all.

"Don't worry. You are gonna work extra hours for a week." He gave me a smirk and I rolled my eyes at him.

I returned to my previous position and resumed eating my food.

"Well, I know Lauren is somewhat slow and naïve when it comes to working. I hope she is managing well in the office." My mom spoke again.

Slow and naïve?

Simply other words for dumb.

Yeah. thanks, mom.

Thanks for believing me.

I would do anything right now to get over this dinner.

She laughed at her statement and my father chuckled nervously but Ethan just remained silent.

"No. She is alright. Mrs. Campbell." he answered her earning a surprised expression from my mother.

Ha. Take that mom.

I smirked inwardly.

She could at least put some faith in me.

It's always been like this.

My mother has always been like this.

Controlling me and my decisions all the time.

Controlling what I eat, how I dress,  how to walk, and how to talk. everything.

Despite her controlling behaviour, I have always loved her.

I stayed silent for the rest of the dinner while my father and mother chatted with Ethan.

***

It was finally dessert time.

And my mouth watered looking at the cheesecake in front of me.

I hope my mom doesn't come between me and my cheesecake at least this time.

"I didn't know you were friends with actor Ryan Parker." my father spoke looking at Ethan.

"He was my childhood friend." Ethan answered my father.

"Well, you know Jane here, loves his films. She was quite happy to meet him at the wedding." my father pointed towards my mom.

"Common, who wouldn't like him?" my mother laughed.

I looked down to take another bite but pouted when realized I'd finished it.

I tried to take another slice of dessert sneakily because if my mother knows she will restrict me saying I'll become big.

And I can't let that happen with my cake.

I was going to place the slice on my plate but stopped when I heard my mom's voice.

"Lauren, stop eating. You can't have much cheese." My mother spoke sternly glaring at me.

When did she see it?

Ethan stopped eating and was now staring at the exchange between us.

Isn't this embarrassing?

I thought she was busy talking.

I sighed disappointedly and was placing back the slice with a pout.

Ethan stared at my sad face for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Mrs. Campbell, I think it's just a cheesecake. I don't see any problem with that." He spoke.

"Ethan, dear I know, but it can make her even bigger than she already is" my mother spoke smiling sweetly.

Please, I'm 120 lbs. with 5'4 height.

Am I big?

"I think she looks perfect, Mrs. Campbell. She is beautiful. She should eat more." My mother shifted uncomfortably trying to smile but eventually nodded.

Ethan took that slice of the cake and served me on my plate in front of me.

My father smiled looking at the exchange between us.

Did he just call me beautiful?

Not only that, but defended me.

I looked at Ethan and my lips turned into a wide grin, but he just turned in front, ignoring me.

Turning back straight, I took a bite of my cake and closed my eyes savoring the taste.

I don't know why, but I've always loved eating food.

I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the time.

Even I don't know the reason why I'm smiling.

When it was pretty late in the night, we finally decided to call it a night.

My mother gave me a simple hug.

"Thanks for taking care of my daughter." My father said to Ethan shaking his hand.

Ethan nodded at him.

My father turned towards me and embraced me in a bear hug. He broke the hug and kissed my forehead.

We finally left after bidding them farewell.

We walked out and he got into the driver's seat and I sat quietly in the passenger seat.

When he finally started the car, I slightly turned towards him.

I don't know what changed so suddenly, but I didn't feel the raged hatred towards him I feel every time, I looked at him.

Although I'm very bad at math, if we could calculate emotions, I'd say, for now, my hatred towards him is something like 88 percent out of 100.

I believe, a few moments or little things can change the opinions on others.

We continued the rest of the ride, with me occasionally taking glances at him and him, like always, ignoring me.

Well,

Typical Ethan Kingston...

Author's notes

Hey,

Please vote, comment and share.

P.s. sorry for updating late. I was busy with some work.

P.P.s. That was a lie. I wasn't busy with anything. I just didn't have enough motivation to complete the chapter.

Bye.