Chapter 24

Lauren

I flattened my top for any invisible creaks looking at the mirror. I was dressed in a beige top paired with black trousers. My brown wavy hair fell beautifully to the side of my face. The concealer, mascara and pink lip gloss made my ordinary face look pleasant able.

We returned from Milan last night.

We didn't talk much after the kiss, but it wasn't awkward between us. Even the silence was comfortable with occasional laughs and constant glances.

Once I'm contended with my look and hoped he will see a difference in me, I walked out.

I stopped in my tracks in the kitchen once I stared at the person standing in front of me busy cooking something.

Did I miss this person?

Yes. A lot.

"Kate," I called and her warm motherly eyes turned towards me.

"Lauren," she responded and I couldn't stop myself from throwing my arms around her and crushing her in a bear hug.

She just gave me a chuckle hugging me back.

"How are you, Kate? You could have taken a little more rest." I spoke sitting on a barstool in front of her.

"I've had enough rest, Lauren. I miss cooking. I miss spending time with you too." She spoke with a longing face.

I miss spending time with you too. The words I've always wanted to listen to, from my mother. But never did.

Don't think about the devil and feel sad, Lauren.

I love my mother but will never deny that she is a devil.

I think the hell couldn't stand my mother anymore and threw her out. and my father being the good man caught her and since then stuck with her.

Poor dad.

I snickered at my thought.

"What are you cooking?" I spoke cheerfully.

"Well, all your favourite breakfast." She responded waiting for my cheery reaction and I gave her.

"Well, do cook Ethan's favourites at least sometimes, Kate. Lest he will be jealous that I'm taking away his favourite cook." I spoke playfully and she just laughed.

"Speaking of, didn't Ethan wake up yet?" I frowned.

He usually wakes up so early.

"He did, dear. I think he has some important work and he left quickly after having breakfast." She answered and my heart somewhat sunk that he didn't even inform me anything.

Well, I know he is not obliged to inform me of anything or everything.

But after what happened between us, I thought something would change. But nothing did.

"However, he also told me another thing. He said that he will text you," she spoke looking carefully at my reaction.

And the dying hope in me rose again.

With a big smile, I quickly searched my phone and once I didn't and there it is, the text from Ethan. I quickly opened the chat.

Lauren, I had an important meeting and had to leave. You were sleeping so peacefully; I didn't want to wake you.

See you at the office.

Ethan.

I blinked not to show any emotions on my face and made a fool of myself over a simple text.

Someone clearing their throat made me to look up and stare at Kate. She had a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"What?" I asked her furrowing my eyebrows.

"Nothing." She spoke going back to her work.

"Kate, what is it?"

"You were blushing reading your phone. Why do I think something has changed between you two."

"Well, we aren't exactly on killing each other terms right now," I spoke not exactly knowing how to label our current relationship.

"I'm glad. It would be a pity to see either of you die." She laughed and I chuckled at her words.

After giving her a small smile, I looked down and stared at Kate's oh-so-famous breakfast I missed these last few days.

***

My mind unconsciously went back to that kiss we shared. The moment was so dreamy that I pinched myself later to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Well, I wasn't dreaming.

Ethan kissed me.

The words alone made me feel tingly and goofy.

"I think something is wrong with her." I heard a voice faintly in the background but my mind ignored it.

"I don't know, Leah. I hope she is okay."

"I think she died, Sarah."

"Can you stop being dumb for at least two seconds, Leah."

"Dumb? Me. You seriously have a nerve calling me dumb, Sarah. Don't you forget how I've helped you dodge all those dates when you turned cold feet at the last moment."

"I didn't forget, Leah. You don't have to remind me."

"I think she is possessed."

Is that Leah's voice?

My mind is slowly returning from the dreamland and my eyes looked up just when someone snapped their fingers in front of my face.

"Thank god, I thought I should alert Mr Kingston at your weirdness." Leah spoke sitting in front of me and Sarah followed her.

"Weirdness?" I mused.

"We called you like three times and you didn't even react to anything." Sarah spoke with slight amusement.

"And not to mention you have that funny expression on your face with your eyes dreamy and a goofy smile on your face. I swear that was creepy, Lauren." I squirmed in my seat embarrassed.

Did I look that bad?

Of course, I look bad. Who am I talking about?

"What are you two doing here?" I asked changing the topic.

"Uh-huh wait. Don't change the topic. What were you thinking before?" Sarah squinted her eyes at me.

"Nothing."

"She is lying, don't you think so, Sarah?" Leah spoke.

"I think yes. Why all of a change so sudden? Especially after a trip with Mr Kingston?" Sarah wiggled her eyebrows and I could feel my blood rush to my face.

"Wait-"

"What?" I asked her.

Leah looked like she was about to spit something so disastrous.

"Don't tell me I'm going to become an aunt?" Leah yelled widening her eyes to their maximum capacity.

"Oh my god, I thought the same. Are we going to become aunts, Lauren?" Sarah squealed.

"Is it going to be a little Mr Kingston or little Lauren?" Sarah spoke turning towards Leah.

"Little Lauren would be dramatic, cute and all. But imagine Little Ethan. Imagine the baby being grumpy, angry and annoyed all the time. That would be so cute." Leah spoke playfully.

"Guys-" I spoke but they completely ignored me.

"She would also have RYAN PARKER as an uncle. I can only imagine how much love the baby will get once she comes out." Sarah exclaimed and my embarrassment touched the sky.

"Wait-" I was interrupted again.

"I can't wait to be that 'aunt' who is so fun to hang out with," Sarah spoke.

"You can't possibly beat me on the best aunt category, Sarah." Leah spoke rolling her eyes seeming proud.

"Oh, is it?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes.

"No-"

"I AM NOT PREGNANT!" I almost yelled breathing hard trying to control my embarrassment and anger.

"What?"

"What!?" they both exclaimed at the same time.

"I'm not." I spoke calmly this time.

"And I've gone for two days. How will I become pregnant in two days." I shook my head at them.

"Well, a lot could happen in two days, you know. If you want, I can give you tips." Leah spoke and I glared at her.

"Moreover, you've been married for three months now. you can't blame us for imagining that possibility." Sarah shrugged and I leaned back rolling my eyes at them.

Three months? I didn't realise that.

"Well, you didn't tell me why you're here yet?" I asked them and Sarah nodded her head.

"Yes, I've to get Mr Kingston's signatures on these documents. He didn't return yet right?" she asked me and I shook my head.

He should have returned by now if he went to any business meetings. He has another meeting in thirty.

"Well, I will make a move too. I said that Natalie to take any calls while I'm away. I'm sure she must be cursing me right now." Leah spoke scrambling up from the seat and dashing away.

"Lauren, get that signature from Mr Kingston as soon as he comes," Sarah spoke and I nodded my head.

She gave me a final smile before walking away.

God they can be a handful to handle sometimes.

Where did they get that idea of me being pregnant out of blue?

The fact that the idea didn't leave a sour taste in my mouth shuddered me. Me, Ethan and a little baby didn't sound all that bad.

Get a grip, Lauren. Don't behave like a stupid teenager who daydreams of marriage children and grandchildren just because of a single kiss.

I sighed as soon as they went and went back to my work waiting for certain someone to return.

***

I knocked on his door after quickly checking up my dress and my face, when it looked all set, I opened his door.

Just like always, he sat in his usual seat behind the desk and worked on his laptop.

I frowned when he didn't even look up once I entered.

Clearing my throat to get his attention, I moved toward him and his eyes finally did lift but didn't stare at me any longer than two seconds.

I somewhat took time to dress up myself and he didn't even acknowledge me.

It doesn't matter anymore.

Maybe the kiss didn't mean much to him just much as it did to me.

But I don't think so.

I still can remember his face before he kissed me.

The emotions flashed on his face at that moment can't be any pretense.

But now seeing him back to his old self somewhat disappointed me.

Or maybe it is just me who is being a whining bitch. After all, he did text me in the morning which he never did before.

Why am I so obsessed with reading too much every time and in everything? He is just busy. He will come around. I should seriously stop overthinking and ruining my peace every time.

"This needs your signature," I spoke and he looked up again and ran his eyes all over my body and a strange glint passed his eyes.

There it is. The attention I wanted from him.

Damn! I didn't know what that strange glint meant.

Adoration? I don't think so.

He took the documents from me and gave them his attention for a moment before signing them off.

Even after getting the documents back, I stayed rooted in my place.

Lauren, don't embarrass yourself and get out. now.

"What?" he questioned me giving me a lopsided grin and my mind gave up on me not giving any excuses.

"I- I- jus-just wanted to. Nothing actually. I'll go." I spat the words out before rushing towards the door.

Did I just stutter in front of him? I probably should die.

Pretty sure my face is as red as a tomato.

"Lauren!" he called stopping me from my tracks.

I took a deep breath to calm my erratic breath and turned around.

My eyes visibly widened and my face held a surprised expression.

He is just an inch away from me and when he stepped forward, I tried shrinking back into the wall.

How did he get here so fast?

What if he is any vampire? Or any other supernatural.

Did I seriously leave my brain in my home before coming here or what?

His ghostly breath on my face brought me out of my stupid thoughts and I looked up.

His blue eyes bored into my brown ones. His eyes had that regular deep glint in his eyes which I could live forever just by looking at them.

His hand on my jaw broke my trance and I blinked my eyes.

"Lauren, Did I ever tell you, you smell nice?" he asked, brushing his face on my jaw as my breath struck my throat.

My body completely went still and my consciousness left my body long ago.

I felt his soft lips on my jaw, down my neck, and again.

"And you look statuesque today," he spoke and I frowned amidst all the pleasure.

"Is that a compliment?" he laughed nodding his head when he saw my frown before pulling back from my face.

"You are no Shakespeare, Ethan. You could just use words like beautiful, lovely-"

I stopped short when he placed his hand behind my neck and pulled me closer to his face. He stared at me for a moment before bringing his lips closer to mine.

Is he going to kiss me again?

Ew, when I did become so hungry for kisses.

I swear I was not like this before.

But you can't blame me once you get a taste of something addictive, the rest will become history.

I closed my eyes in anticipation and waited to feel his soft lips against mine.

And just when he was about to kiss me, there was a knock on the door.

I instantly pushed him away and turned around to cool down the hotness of my cheeks.

"Yes." He snarled angrily and slightly painfully.

"Sir, I need to discuss the Milan project." Mr colonel's voice on the other side answered.

I looked at Ethan nodding my head gesturing to take a leave and he reluctantly nodded.

"Come in." I greeted Mr Colonel at the door and left.

****

Time passed and the afternoon slowly faded into night.

I walked out dressed in my pyjamas after showering. It was a long day and I know Ethan and I are tired as hell.

Walking into the kitchen. I saw the food Kate has already prepared and left for us to eat. In the absence of Kate, our dinners are mostly cooked by Ethan or restaurant take-outs.

Eating food cooked by Ethan was a kind of guilty pleasure to me. I felt guilty because he works so hard the whole day and then he comes home and cook again for us while I just sit and watch him cook.

I tried many times to take up the cooking job myself, but he always dismissed me saying 'he likes cooking for me' and all. and it would be a lie, if those words didn't flatter me.

"Let us see what did Kate cook?" speaking to no one in particular I moved to heat up the food before serving it on plates on the dining table.

"Looks like you're a lot happy that Kate is returned." I looked up and saw Ethan dressed in a grey t-shirt which clung like a second skin to his torso paired with sweatpants.

"I am. Aren't you?" I smiled at him before sitting down and he mirrored my actions.

"Of course, I am." He spoke taking a bite of his food from his fork.

"How was your day?" I asked him.

"Good," he spoke and I nodded at him.

"How was yours?" he asked me and I opened my mouth giving all the details about my day excluding parts like Sarah, Leah and our conversation. It is embarrassing to talk.

After finishing our dinner, I stopped him when he was about to go to study to work and dragged him back to the couch.

I smiled triumphantly when he didn't protest much after sitting and I collapsed beside him.

I switched on the TV and was getting comfortable on the couch when his phone chimed.

"Do you want to take it?" I asked him. it was a call from Mr Colonel. A selfish part of me hoped he wouldn't answer his phone. Because if he did, he will go back to his work stress and all.

"Leave it. I'll talk to him in the morning," he muttered and my grin is bright enough to light up the room.

"Why is your phone not locked? You are a big businessman and you don't have a lock. I'm surprised." I muttered glancing at his phone which is unlocked.

"Do you seriously think I'll keep any confidential information in my phone which could be stolen by anyone?" He shrugged raising his eyebrow.

"Smart." I nodded placing back the phone on the table before getting comfortable on the couch.

We decided to watch a movie, well not we but I. I actually suggested watching one of Ryan's movies, to be frank, his movies are nice, but I just like pulling Ryan's leg and he gets mad whenever I make fun of his movies.

But deciding against that thought too, I finally opted to watch an animated movie. It was somewhat exhausting to search for a good movie to watch.

His arm snaked around me and I unconsciously scooted towards him snuggling to his chest. I placed my head on his chest and his arm tightened on me.

The movie is just an excuse for us to be close together. And I think we both know that.

Throughout the movie, we stayed close together and occasionally made sarcastic comments on the movie.

I raised my head from his chest and looked up to see him watching the movie.

At that moment, my heart felt contended looking at Ethan smiling occasionally and making snarky comments. It felt good being this close with him, and all his flaws and my insecurities faded away.

His untold past didn't trouble me at that moment. I felt like capturing this moment and reliving this forever. Because that moment is so good to be reality. Just him and me.

And I wanted it to stay like that and wish that nothing from his past comes up and muddle anything between us right now.

***

Eva's POV

"You are seriously worrying for nothing, mom." I spoke taking her shoulders and making her sit on the small couch.

"But why did you have to grow up so fast? You were just my little baby yesterday and now you're moving to New York." Isobel, my cute mother pouted looking at me.

"I'm not completely moving to New York, mom. I'm just going to join as an intern under Mr Ben. As soon as I finish my practice, everything will go back like before, don't worry." I spoke to her and her eyes held a glint like she wanted to reveal something but was fighting against herself not to open her mouth.

"But who's going to eat the food I make now? Who's going to compliment me while you're away? I'm all alone" she feigned a very sad expression.

I can see that she is a little bit sad that I'm going but not completely devastated. She is just being dramatic.

"I told you; you can come along with me," I spoke and she sighed.

"I don't want to, Sweetie." I sighed and she looked distant like reminiscing a very bad memory connected to the place I'm leaving to.

"Don't worry, I'll come here frequently," I spoke and she smiled at me.

"I'm happy for you, Eva. I'm glad you are an attorney right now." my mother spoke bringing me down to sit beside her on the couch.

"I know." I returned her smile.

My mother has a beautiful smile and I'm glad many told me that I got her features and smile.

A few others from my father.

Not like I can remember any of his features anymore.

"If you ever encounter any strange thing there, inform me, Eva. Alright, dear?" she spoke and I know where she going.

Ethan...

He is my brother.

Or he used to be my brother.

I remember meeting him for the first time.

I remember playing with him.

I remember how one night my mother forced me to leave with her immediately.

I remember asking my mother where she is taking me.

I remember how much I asked my mother to take me back to my brother.

I remember waiting for him to come and see me at least once in all these years.

I remember him never showing up.

I was just nine or ten. But I can recall all these very faintly. Like I don't know who is right or wrong in all those memories. But the only thing that mattered was I waited for my brother to come but he never did.

I nodded at my mother smiling at her absent-mindedly before throwing my arms around her. I don't know If I ever had anyone or not, but I know I could always count on my mother.

I hope I would never crash into him or anyone related to him in New York.

Ever.

Author's notes

Hello everyone.

Thanks a lot for reading.

This is actually a kind of filler chapter. I didn't want to stuff all the drama completely after Ethan and Lauren's moment.

Can anyone give me any feedback? (I don't mind if anyone personally messaged me) I don't know how my writing is so far. Like is this good? bad? Or completely trash or am I just wasting everyone's time?

But I think I'll still continue writing this.

Because this book is like a baby to me. and all the characters are like minions which I love the most.

Okay, I usually don't ramble in my author's note. But I've been spending a lot of time with Lauren lately, you know :)

Thanks again.

Bye and take care.