Chapter 21

Ethan

Three days...

Three days have passed since I last saw Mrs Kingston at my home.

My head throbbed with pain and my heart felt heavy for some reason.

I couldn't comfort myself since that night when I met my mother.

It has been three days, but her hurt face is still imprinted in my mind.

Whenever I see her, my anger towards her and love for her always have an inner battle within me.

In the end, I spit venomous words in my anger which I would never actually mean.

Placing my elbows on the desk, I tried to distract myself.

"Lauren, bring me my coffee," I spoke to Lauren through the intercom.

Looking down at the documents that needed my signature, I sighed rubbing my forehead.

Moments later, Lauren entered the office after knocking on my door.

"I wonder if you have coffee running through your veins rather than blood." She said placing my coffee on the desk.

She's right though. This is like my third coffee and it's not even high noon yet.

"Thanks for the coffee," I looked up and my heart calmed a bit looking at her face.

She has one of the most beautiful faces I've ever seen.

I can't believe how naïve I was to hate her before without trying to know her at all.

Her personality changed my perspective toward her.

She unknowingly proved that beauty is just an addition to a great personality to look beautiful.

"You are welcome, Mr. Kingston." She said giving me a small smile.

Did I mention how wholesome her smile always is?

It can light up anything. Even my mood.

I cleared my throat getting out of her trance before opening my mouth.

"We have to go to Milan for a business trip. So, be ready." Lauren's eyes widened listening to me and she quickly sped up forward standing beside me.

"What?" I frowned at her.

"Milan as in Italy?" she asked me her voice dripping with excitement.

"No. Milan as in Asia." I said sarcastically and when she glared at me, I muttered a 'yes'.

"I can't believe we are going to Milan!" she squealed jumping in her place excitedly.

"When are we going?" she asked, and I stood up to answer her.

"Tomorrow and we'll stay for 2 days there," I spoke and her lips couldn't extend anymore to smile.

"I'm so excited!" she spoke pacing around.

She started blabbering about visiting many places, doing some shopping and enjoying the food. Her train of Milan thoughts broke when she sprained her leg in her heels while pacing around.

In an instant, I moved towards her worried and to hold her.

I examined her leg and removed her heel to watch it carefully.

"I told you to watch where you are going and moreover, you are going to Milan for business. We'll return as soon as we finish our business." I scolded her for being careless.

"I have a sprained leg and you are lecturing me? I think I broke my leg." She said exaggerating her pain and anyone could say she is just being dramatic.

She leaned and blew air on her leg as if there is a visible wound on her leg.

"Oh, is the leg broken? Then I think I have to take someone else for the business trip." I tsked at her standing up straight.

"What? No. These leg sprains are nothing. I'm coming." she spoke chuckling nervously and standing straight.

"Are you sure?" I smirked at her.

"Of course, yes." She said taking the heel from my hand.

I nodded at her and she gave me a forced smile glaring at me before walking away.

I chuckled to myself after she left.

***

The rest of the day passed in a blur.

I took all the important documents for the business trip and verified them.

It's actually promoting your products and convincing Italian investors to invest in your company.

I'm sure there are many other businessmen waiting to grab this deal.

I walked out and saw Lauren talking with Ms. Reed.

When I walked toward them Sarah wished us the night before walking away.

Tom started the car as soon as we entered.

Along the ride, Lauren didn't stop talking about her whole day and asking me questions periodically. And as usual, I didn't have any other choice other than to answer.

He parked the car at the building and we walked into the penthouse.

We quickly freshened up in our respective rooms before coming out to eat dinner.

Although I do most of the cooking in the house, today we just bought Ramen for ourselves.

We sat at the dining table and my 'chatterbox' didn't waste a second opening her mouth again.

If you leave her alone in a dark room, I'm she would start talking to the darkness.

Although it was annoying at the start, I started liking her blabber these days.

"How did Kate's surgery go?" she asked digging her fork in her food.

"Good. The doctors suggested her to rest for few days." I answered her.

"Ok." She spoke before returning her attention to the food.

***

It was the following day and I looked at the clock to see it is almost seven in the morning.

I fixed my tie glancing at my reflection in the mirror before walking out of my room.

I knocked on Lauren's bedroom door and waited for her to open it.

My meeting is at four in the evening and it will take around eight hours to reach Milan. So, I could say I have some time to get ready for the meeting.

Lauren opened the door and my eyes took in her form.

She is dressed in simple jeans and a crop top but she still managed to look cute.

Cute?

I never knew I had words like 'cute' in my vocabulary.

My eyes went to the two suitcases along with a small travelling bag and a hand bad standing behind her.

"Lauren, we are going for two days, not two weeks," I said hinting at her luggage.

"Oh common, it's not much." She pouted at me.

"Yeah Right." I rolled my eyes at her before walking out.

"What did you pack in them? They are heavy." I spoke taking her luggage from her to load them in the car trunk.

"Humans."

"Oh? Dead or Alive?" I played along.

"Obviously Alive. I hate dead humans. They become ghosts."

"Then what about you?"

"Please, I'm the fallen angel from heaven." She spoke flipping her hair seeming proud of herself.

"I can understand, even heaven couldn't tolerate you anymore and threw you out." I retorted.

Tom snickered silently listening to our banter before starting the car.

***

"You have a private jet?" she asked me once she saw my plane.

"Yes," I answered her climbing the stairs to get on the plane.

"Good morning, Mr Kingston. I am William Richard, your captain. Welcome." I shook his hands.

"Good morning, William. This is my wife, Lauren." I said pointing to Lauren standing beside me and he shook her hands welcoming her before walking towards his cabin.

"How many of these do you have?" I listened to her removing my suit.

She sat in front of me and looked around with amusement. I also noticed her holding her phone a little too tight than usual.

Being around her for the last few weeks, I noticed her holding things tight when she is nervous or anxious.

"What? Private jets?" I asked her.

"Yes." She shrugged.

"Three or four." Her eyes widened at my answer and she nodded her head not knowing how to respond.

I don't mind showing off sometimes, because although I was rich before becoming a businessman, establishing your own brand in this competitive world is hard.

The massive amount of stress, hard work and failures in my initial days bought me my jets today.

"Damn! you are rich" she spoke and I couldn't control my sarcasm.

"No shit, Sherlock."

She just rolled her eyes at me completely ignoring me.

"Will you gift me one?" she asked giving me a sweet smile out of blue.

Gift a plane?

She had a playful expression on her face.

"No." I smiled at her sweetly mocking her expression.

Her smile vanished but had a playful glint in her eyes.

"What if someone kidnaps me and blackmails you to give up your planes to release me? Will you?" she raised her eyebrow.

"I'll happily let them kill you." I gave her a tightlipped smile.

"Aw, how sweet of you." She said giving me heart eyes.

"Only for you, sweetheart." I played along looking at her adoringly.

"I know." She playfully glared at me.

She soon started laughing and I joined in.

We had a good laugh for a minute.

She stopped laughing and stared at me intensely.

My laugh died slowly and my eyes held onto her brown eyes.

Her brown eyes resemble a dark coffee color.

Her eyes are addictive.

The more you see them, the more you sink deep.

Our little moment broke when the air hostess came to us to offer us anything to eat.

I rejected her and calmed my erratic heartbeat.

I felt a flutter in my chest when our eyes held contact.

Lauren ordering food brought me out of my thoughts. It's not even an hour since we had our breakfast.

Sometimes, I can't believe I developed this habit of cooking for her all the time.

I enjoy cooking her meals, watching her eat, and talking to her while she eats.

Lauren and her love for food is something else.

***

"Mr Kingston, welcome." Luca greeted us as soon as we got off the plane.

His thick accent is evident when he speaks.

"Luca." I greeted him back shaking his extended hand.

He is the head of our company's Italian branch.

When his eyes landed on Lauren, I didn't miss the way he stared at her a little longer than necessary.

Like he has seen something most beautiful in the world.

I know Lauren is beautiful, but I didn't like the way he stared at her.

"And this is my wife, Lauren Kingston," I spoke stressing 'wife' standing between them.

He looked disappointed for a moment before masking it and greeting her.

She gave him a smile and he mirrored her reaction.

He ushered us to a car and we both entered in the back.

Luca sat in the passenger seat and the driver started the car.

I turned towards my side and Lauren's face is practically glued to the window looking out.

She watched as the streets passed by, the restaurants and the people.

I opened my mouth to talk to Lauren when Luca beat me.

"Mrs Kingston, is this the first time you came here?" Luca asked and I sighed slightly annoyed.

"Yes. It is beautiful. And Luca, just call me Lauren." She spoke and Luca looked at her through the rearview mirror.

"I can give you a tour sometime if you want. I mean Mr Kingston will be busy with his meetings." He added me when he saw my glare through the mirror.

"Yes. Ofc-"

"No thanks, Luca. She has to be with me at my meetings. She is not just my wife but also my PA." I spoke cutting off Lauren.

Like I would let her go with him.

I know him professionally, but personally, I've no idea about him.

She nodded at my response looking at me bitterly.

She went back to watching the city through the window.

"So, who are our competitors in this project, Luca?" I asked him and he took out his phone to check a list.

"Mr. Franceso, Mr Roberts, Mr Hudson." He spoke and I sighed at the last name.

Of course, Chris will be here.

We both almost come under the same category in business.

I remember Ryan's words from last time when we three met at a business party.

He told me to let go of the past and to talk to Chris.

But I wish it could be that easy.

Ryan is playful, cheerful and light-going most of the time. he rarely talks seriously.

If he is serious. It means the issue is serious.

I sighed and looked out as the car ran on the road.

***

It was almost four in the evening and I walked into the meeting room with Lauren and Luca tailing behind me.

I looked around the meeting and saw Chris along with his assistant.

I greeted them before walking in and sat on a chair and Lauren sat beside me.

I exhaled loudly when I noticed Luca sitting beside Lauren when there are many vacant seats around the table.

I let it go for now and the meeting started.

Mr Roberts started the meeting and the room fell silent listening to Mr Roberts.

Throughout the meeting, my eyes landed on Lauren and Luca regularly.

I didn't miss the way Luca tried talking to Lauren by offering her water, or Lauren laughing silently at his words.

I wouldn't deny that his actions make me mad.

I tried concentrating for the rest of the meeting although my eyes landed on them occasionally.

After the meeting, we got back in the car and made our way to the hotel where we were going to stay.

"This is your card, sir. Have a nice stay." I nodded at the receptionist taking the card from her.

"Wait, you booked only one room?" Lauren asked walking beside me.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because everyone knows we are married. And we can't risk anyone knowing that we sleep in different rooms." I spoke to her and an understanding expression flashed on her face.

Although that is the majority of the truth, a little part of me wanted her to keep close to me.

"Oh..." she trailed off not talking much.

We stayed silent for a moment before I asked her something that was running in my mind since the meeting.

"What were you and Luca talking about earlier?

"In the meeting? Nothing just usual meeting details."

"What were you two laughing about?"

"Were you watching us?"

"You two were distracting me." I tried playing it cool.

"He was funny." She said smiling looking away.

I made a face blinking my eyes annoyed at her response.

Why are they both being together annoying me this much?

I ignored her and entered our room.

She walked in and didn't waste any time further checking the room.

The room looked huge with a king-sized bed in the middle, a coffee table along with two chairs at the window facing the view.

The view of the city through the window could alone dominate the beauty inside the room.

I watched as Lauren walked to the window and looked outside enjoying the view.

Her face had a soft smile and her eyes held adoration looking outside.

My lips twitched up when I saw the smile on her lips.

My heart felt content watching her face with that soft smile although that smile is not for me.

The little moment broke when my phone chimed with a message.

I frowned when I saw the person, I received the text from.

"Lauren, take care. I have to go for now." I said standing up in front of her.

I turned away from her to walk away when she touched my arm stopping me.

My eyes landed on her hand which is placed on my arm, but she didn't remove it.

"Wait, where are you going?" she asked me frowning.

"I have some work to do. Eat something. I'll be quick." I spoke.

"But, let me come with you. I'll be bored here alone." She said giving me puppy eyes.

"No, Lauren-"

"Please..." she tried hard.

I tried thinking of her request.

"No, Lauren," I spoke sternly and she removed her hand quickly from my arm.

A hurt expression flashed on her face for a second.

I hated myself when I saw the hurt on her face. It's just that I'm going to meet a certain someone and if she meets that someone she will have many questions.

Questions that I don't want to answer right now.

"Okay." She muttered.

I gave her a final glance before walking away.

***

Currently sitting in a chair at a restaurant, I waited for that person to come.

I took a glance at my watch when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Raising my head, my eyes landed on a familiar elder woman.

Isobel.

I stood up with a smile and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Isobel is Eva's mother and Eva is my half-sister.

"How are you, Ethan?" she asked me giving me a smile.

"I'm good. How are you, Isobel?" I asked her once she sat in front of me.

Isobel is a kind woman. She is beautiful, elegant and independent.

"Ah, you know the usual work stress and all. But definitely not as much as you." She chuckled.

"Why are you here suddenly? All the way from Los Angeles?" I asked her.

"You know, Eva always wanted to go on a holiday here for so long. And finally, here we are." She spoke softly.

I nodded at her answer.

She runs a bakery in Los Angeles.

"How is Eva?" I asked her the question I'm dying to ask.

"She is good. I think she is going to join as an associate attorney soon." She spoke seeming proud.

"She is a lawyer now." A huge smile cracked on my lips.

She has come so far from where she began.

From my little sister to a lawyer.

"Yes." She chuckled at my response.

I wish I was there with her all through the way.

"You miss Eva." She stated when she saw my dreamy look.

"I do." I agreed and she sighed.

"Ethan, you know that you can meet her if you want. I realize now I might have done a mistake taking her away from you years back." She spoke leaning in towards the table.

"You did the rightthing by leaving, Isobel. Don't feel guilty."

I don't want her to feel bad for what happened in the past.

She sighed at my response and we fell into a comfortable silence until she decided to open her mouth.

"I heard you got married?"

Her question reminded me of Lauren.

She must have been bored to death.

I would've brought her here, but if she would tag along she would ask questions about Isobel, about Eva, about the past.

And I know I'm running away from the truth by keeping it away from her.

She would eventually know it tomorrow, if not today.

I can't keep her in the dark forever about me having a little sister she never knew existed.

I know it's not the right thing to do, but If I can avoid the truth today, I will do it.

"I did," I answered realizing Isobel is waiting for my answer.

"And you didn't even invite your favourite person to the wedding, by the way, that person is me." she shrugged pointing to herself.

"It all happened fast, Isobel." I spoke.

"Excuses..." she glared at me but there is a playful glint in her eyes.

I chuckled at her and she laughed too.

"So, is she beautiful? Is she kind? Or is she funny?" she threw questions at me seeming excited.

When she raised her eyebrow for details, I sighed answering her.

"Yes, she is very beautiful, compassionate and a bubbly girl." I spoke remembering all her moments with me.

A smile made its way to my face when I remember the way she tries to annoy me by doing the exact things I hate,

the way she enjoys every bite of her favorite food,

the way she hates horror movies,

the way she speaks gibberish talking to a cute puppy

or the ways she cries watching rom-coms sometimes.

"Oh... is someone in love?" Isobel's question stopped the chain of my thoughts.

I made a face when I realized her question.

Love?

I don't think so.

I don't even know what love is.

Maybe I like Lauren. But love?

"I don't think so, Isobel." I denied her.

"Ethan, my boy I know when someone is in love. I can tell just by how you smiled remembering your memories with her." she spoke proudly and I didn't know exactly how to respond actually.

I changed the topic and although she knows what I did, she didn't insist anymore.

We chatted for a bit more when my eyes landed on my watch and I realized it is late.

"It's late. I'll keep going." I spoke standing up.

"Do you want me to drop you anywhere?" I asked her.

"No, dear. I can go. The hotel we stay is within walkable distance." She spoke.

When she insisted, I sighed and walked out after greeting her night for the final time.

***

Isobel's POV

I watched as Ethan stood up and walked away after greeting me night with a smile.

I sighed to myself remembering how much he grew up from that little boy he used to be.

The family issues he faced growing up.

Every time I see him, I realize how big of a mistake I made by separating Eva away from him.

But the situation I was in, at that time, forced me to take that step.

His grandpa never cared enough to contact us after we left New York and moved to California.

The fact that when Ethan grew up, he tried contacting me after all these years melted my heart.

Although Eva was just his half sister, he loved her more than a real brother could ever.

Blaming himself for what happened years back, he took a stubborn stand to watch his sister only from afar.

Eva loved him when they were kids, although they spent very little time together. But growing up, she changed.

She stopped talking about Ethan after some time.

Maybe she forced herself to forget her brother, thinking that he never loved her enough to come and see her at least for once.

I sighed rubbing my forehead.

I only wish he can stop blaming himself for everything and talk to his sister.

If someone can change his mind, change his perspective to look at things, and show him the light which has always been there waiting for him to see, then it is only his wife.

When you are in the dark, that special person in your life doesn't become light in your darkness,

That person could only be able to point you towards the light that has always been there for you and cheer you,

It is up to you to muster up your courage and walk towards the light yourself.

I hope Ethan will talk to Eva someday.

Author's notes

Hello everyone,

I've included Milan in my story because I've always loved Italy.

I didn't write any Italian words, because I don't know Italian much except 15 words and 5 sentences. and I didn't want to use Google translate.

Also I didn't want to offend anyone by using my last two brain cells.

Out of curiosity, is there any place in the world that you would want to visit before you die?

I have many and I can't pick one. So, I might die seeing none.

Take care, Bye.