Chapter 25

Writer's POV

Lauren sighed after walking out of the elevator to the marketing department. Her body aches everywhere with all that work pressure.

Lately, the work stress in the office has touched the sky with all the product launch deadlines, and meetings. She wants nothing more than to go home and cuddle into a warm blanket while watching her favourite show.

If she is this stressed, she can imagine how stressful it must be for Ethan. And it always amazes her how composed he is even after all that.

Lauren was about to walk into the department head's office when she heard her name in a conversation.

"How lucky Mr Kingston's wife is." A woman who was busy applying lisptick scoffed looking at another woman who is busy painting her nails.

They had their backs toward Lauren, so they couldn't see her.

"She is. Imagine being the boss's wife. Firstly, you are already rich and then no work stress. She doesn't even have to do anything."

"Moreover, Mr Kingston goes easy on her."

"I heard from one of the staff that she is even incompetent to get that job. Like there are many talented people like us and we just get these average jobs." The woman scoffed not realising that the person they were talking about is standing behind them.

"I don't understand why Mr Kingston even married her out of everyone. Like she is not even that brilliant nor beautiful. I think he deserved better."

Lauren looked at the two women in front of her; their faces were caked with paint, not make-up. They look like clowns, to be frank.

The fact that she works hard and tries to learn every day something new, and yet she is titled as someone who doesn't deserve that job depressed Lauren a bit.

She looked at the two women who are still joking about her before walking away to get that file completely ignoring them and their baseless talks.

***

"Eva, meet my client and take the details related to the case from him. I have his file in my office. Let me go fetch it." Hearing Mr Ben's voice Eva stood up from the chair she was sitting, practically doing nothing before he came.

"Yes, Mr Ben," Eva spoke excitedly as this will be her first official case, in which she will be a part.

Although she plays a very minute role in taking up this case, it is still her first. And firsts in anything are special.

"And Eva, be careful, he is not just any client. He is a very important person." Mr Ben spoke giving Eva a tight-lipped smile and just like that her confidence evaporated a bit. But not completely.

After all, a lawyer is a person who confidently argues and validates his point till it is justified. The legal department always has to be confident.

She nodded at him before walking towards the door and just when she is about to push the door, she heard a voice from the other side of the door. The voice was familiar like she heard it virtually or something, but not face to face.

"SpongeBob, do you ever smile?"

An amused expression painted her face when she heard the name SpongeBob. Who in their right mind will name their child after a cartoon character?

"Not much, sir. But sometimes." She heard a deep sternly voice and she could even imagine him having a very serious expression on his face while answering the question.

"You are so agelastic, Bob." Eva furrowed her eyebrows from the other side, when he mentioned agelastic.

Agelastic is a person who never laughs or is not jovial enough.

Eva is familiar with this word because almost everyone used to call her this back in her home. It's not like she never laughs or anything. She just doesn't laugh at every silly thing.

"So, SpongeBob, smile for me once." Eva heard.

After a minute she heard the same voice again. But the modulation in his voice is different.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" she could sense his amusement in his voice.

"Smiling? Sir."

"Let it be, SpongeBob. You look better off not smiling." He spoke with a tint of humour.

Not a moment later, she heard the same voice again.

"I was just kidding. You have a beautiful smile, SpongeBob." A soft short smile graced her lips. Like whomever, the person on the other side is surely sarcastic and all but is also considerate of others' feelings.

When she realised, she is eavesdropping on some stranger's conversation, she cussed herself before pushing the door open after knocking.

Two heads turned towards the sound. One is a bulky, bald man dressed in all black. A bodyguard maybe.

But what caught her eye was the man who is sitting beside the bodyguard dressed in designer clothes with perfectly gelled hair and a sharp-featured face. His grey eyes held her hazel eyes and she fought hard inwardly before breaking eye contact.

This is your first case, Eva. Don't screw up anything. She thought to herself before making her way toward them.

"Good morning." She spoke to no one in particular.

"Morning." they both greeted Eva back.

And the bodyguard, SpongeBob left the room leaving the grey-eyed man and Eva alone.

When she looked up from the notepad, she brought to write for any important details, his familiar face searched her mind of where she saw him.

When Eva saw the way, he was staring at her she cleared her throat looking down. At least she wasn't blushing just by a stare from a man. A good-looking man to be precise.

Ryan looked at the tall woman in front of him who stood so elegantly and had a classy look. Not to mention beautiful with those hazel eyes and that soft smile she gave him when she greeted him at the start.

She is tall but still short of an inch or two than him.

"So, Ryan Parker... Ryan Parker?" her mind finally stopped searching for why he looked familiar.

He is an actor. Of course, she has seen some of his movies here and there.

"Yes." He chuckled lightly looking at her reaction. He is quite proud to get that reaction from her.

"And, what might be your name?" he asked her silkily.

"Eva... Harris."

Harris was her mother's last name. she never had that privilege nor desire to use her father's name.

"Eva... nice name." her name rolled off his tongue so smoothly and sweetly.

"So, about the case details?"

"Miss Harris, are you single?" She coughed loudly slightly stunned.

"Umm..." she forgot how to talk for a second at his question.

"I don't think it's professional to bring up personal questions, Mr Parker." Eva tried to keep her hard look on.

"Right. Then give me your number." Ryan's smirk is so prominent on his face.

"Do you always ask every girl her number, the first time you meet?" Eva was taken aback by his straightforwardness.

"Not everyone. Only those I like to know better." Ryan shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Mr Parker but I'm not interested." She turned him down politely.

He is surely handsome but Eva is not up for any dates or relationships right now.

"Wow. That's the first time someone rejecting me." Eva heard Ryan speaking lightly to himself.

"So, can we start now?" Ryan was about to nod when the door opened and Mr Ben walked in with a file.

Just like that, Ryan and Eva's personal talk ended, but not Ryan's flirtatious glances toward Eva.

***

Ethan sipped his black coffee staring out of the window completely lost in his thoughts. He has a lot in his mind but he is no stranger to the workload. A businessman can taste success only when he knows how to tackle stress and situations.

Distracting him from his thoughts, Lauren's smiling face popped into his mind out of nowhere. Let's just say, he isn't exactly against the distraction.

Maybe you should talk to Chris at least once and listen to him about what happened. You don't know everything, Ethan.

Lauren's words when they were in Milan flashed in his mind.

He promised her that he will consider talking to Chris.

The fact that him ruining their friendship with his wrong assumptions made it harder for him to relax.

Maybe the Milan project deal with Chris is the right thing to do.

Lauren walked in after knocking on the door and saw Ethan standing at the window with a frown.

"Are you okay?" he turned towards her when she stood beside him. he nodded at her question and she sighed.

"So, you have a lunch meeting with Mr Anderson at one. And then a staff meeting with the production department and then verifying the deal and lastly attending the final review of the product launch." Lauren read his schedule in a single breath but somehow, he understood everything she spoke.

"Do I have to join you for the lunch meeting?" Lauren asked him.

"No. You can stay here." Ethan looked at Lauren and he can practically see her tired and dull face. Travelling to every business meeting will only add up to her work.

"Okay." She answered him.

"I heard there is a case filed against Ryan. Is it?" Lauren asked him.

"Yes. Don't worry, it's just a land property dispute." Lauren nodded her head unsure.

With a final smile, she was about to leave when he stopped her.

"Lauren, arrange a meeting with Chris." Lauren's eyes widened for a second.

"With Chris?" she asked just to be sure she heard right.

"Yes. about the Milan project." Listening to Ethan, her lips stretched to their maximum reach.

Ethan stared at how quickly her face changed from neutral to a happy smiling face.

"Aw, did you consider my words? You can praise me if you want, after all, I'm the smartest between us." Lauren spoke with a playful face.

"Don't be delusional, Lauren." he simply shook his head smiling at her.

"You are cute when you lie," Lauren spoke pinching his cheeks so hard they turned red. He glared at her pushing her hands away from his face.

She just laughed at his glare. He just looked like a pissed baby throwing a tantrum.

"You are late for the meeting." Ethan was about to speak when Lauren beat him.

"I'll get back to you," Ethan spoke realising she is indeed right.

He took his phone out calling Tom to meet him at the entrance.

Lauren watched as he walked away and felt happy that he and Chris might go back to how they used to be.

***

"Therapy is important, Alice, especially when something traumatic happens." Alice listened to the doctor on her phone.

"Your mother might look good for now but when she doesn't talk about it, it will catch up to her and will disturb their mental peace."

Alice sighed not knowing how to respond anymore.

It's been almost a year and a half since the accident but her mother refused to open up anything. Luckily her mother survived to tell the tale but her father couldn't.

Alice's father was a good man; he loved Alice and her mom dearly. He never refused Alice anything if he could give it. His demise affected them a lot. The people her father trusted as his own didn't even stay for his funeral.

After her father's sudden demise, her mother completely changed. Like she didn't laugh like before, she didn't talk like before. She doesn't even talk to Alice anymore except for a few words here and there.

If there is anything constant in Alice's life since her childhood, it is Lauren.

"I will talk to her, doctor. Don't worry." Alice spoke and the doctor smiled at her contently.

Alice stopped walking for a bit and stood at the side of the road as her mind is fogged. She didn't know what to do or how to convince her mother for therapy.

It kind of hurt Alice that her mother didn't care about her after her father's death. How would she survive all alone if she loses her mother too?

It was just four in the evening and many children are playing with their parents at the park. The children's laugh was contagious as Alice too smiled looking at them.

It reminded her of the days when she was just a little girl. Her mother used to dress her up like a doll every time they went out. she used to bring Alice and Lauren to the park and used to play with Lauren too as Lauren's parents were always busy.

She sighed getting rid of any negative thoughts before walking toward her apartment.

When she reached, she entered her apartment and looked around searching for another person.

Recently she started sharing her apartment. It is better as it is cheaper and she will have someone to talk to other than ghosts when she returns home.

These days, Alice has started feeling lonely and she can't call Lauren just like before as she is married now. Moreover, she knew Lauren has already a lot on her plate.

When she didn't find the new roommate, she sighed walking toward her bedroom.

Emma or Eminem? What was her name?

Alice has always been good with remembering faces, but not names.

Eva?

Right, Eva.

Well, Eva is nice and a beautiful girl. She is a lawyer. But she doesn't talk much. If Alice talks ten sentences straight, she replies with a simple 'Oh' or 'is it'

But still, Eva is nice and kind, so she isn't hard to live with.

Alice sighed when her phone rang and Emily's name flashed on the screen.

"What is it, Emily?" Alice sighed feeling tired.

"Well, Mrs Lee assigned a task to you," Emily answered her.

That bitch. Alice swore in her mind.

"What?"

"You have to get the signatures about the fashion show from the sponsorship company." Alice groaned listening to her colleague.

Why does Mrs Lee assign tasks like these only to me? Like what did I do to her to hate me that much? Alice's mind flooded with these thoughts.

Alice and Mrs Lee never shared anything much except a boss-assistant relationship. Alice practically hated Mrs Lee's guts of overworking her employees and not crediting them enough.

"When is the deadline?" Alice asked after composing herself.

"You have two weeks."

"What is the name of the company?" Alice asked realising she doesn't have any other choice.

"I think it's Hudson Corp. And let me tell you the CEO is damn handsome. His name is Christian Hudson. I wish it was me meeting the CEO." Emily sighed dreamily.

"I wish it was you too." At least then I could take my beauty rest happily avoiding all these tasks. Alice thought to herself.

"Whatever, See you tomorrow, Alice. Bye."

"Bye, Emily." Alice hung up.

Christian Hudson.

Chris.

***

"Mr Hudson, I think you have to meet Mr Kingston for the Milan project." Hearing his assistant's voice, Chris turned towards her.

"Did Ethan agree?" Chris asked quite surprised.

He didn't think that Ethan will accept the deal. He didn't feel anything except surprise.

It's a pity, that Ethan got such a good wife. Chris liked Lauren, well, in a friendly way.

Surely, Ethan, Ryan and Chris shared a great bond in the past, but that's the point it was in the past.

He would be delighted to be ten feet away from Ethan and Ryan.

Chris decided to stay away from women since Ethan and Olivia's incident. He never dated any woman since college. He rejected everything related to women except when it comes to business.

"Sir, about Mrs Lee's fashion show?" his assistant, Joe asked him.

"Cancel the sponsorship, Joe. Moreover, the contract is terminated. Their designs are all overused or repeated." Joe nodded his head at his boss.

When it comes to business, Chris is very strict. His every move is calculated.

"What if they come up with new designs?" Joe asked him.

"I don't think we can gain any profit from their designs, Joe. It's better if we drop them and search for more fresh designs. If anyone from their company visits here, don't let them to my office." Chris spoke.

"Sure, Mr Hudson."

Chris nodded his head at Joe before going back to his work.

***

It hasn't been long since Lauren returned home from the office. As Ethan had a meeting, he ordered Tom to drop her at home.

She was about to go to her room when her phone rang. A smile made its way to her face when she saw Ryan's name flashed on her screen.

"I thought we are enemies," Lauren spoke after answering her phone.

"We are." Ryan snickered from the other side.

"Then, why are you calling me?" Lauren asked him playfully.

"Well, I was bored and I am in a mood to fight someone. So, who else better than my fish dancer." Lauren could imagine his smirk.

"Don't call me that," Lauren warned him.

'So, what else?" Lauren asked getting comfortable on the couch.

"Nothing much, but I met someone today. A girl to be precise." Ryan spoke thinking of Eva.

He couldn't get her out of his mind. But he isn't insane to go after her after she made her thoughts clear to him.

"A girl? Tell me, is she just as beautiful as me?" Lauren spoke excitedly.

"To be frank, she is a hundred times more beautiful than you," Ryan spoke triumphantly and Lauren rolled her eyes at his remark.

"She must be beautiful, but I also know you are exaggerating it."

"She is beautiful. She is so strong and also soft at the same time. Her eyes are just art, I would say." Listening to him, Lauren laughed.

"Are someone whipped here?" Lauren feigned innocence.

"Definitely not." Ryan answered sternly.

"So where did you meet her?" Lauren asked him.

"I had this case to deal with-"Ryan started but Lauren interrupted.

"So, she is an attorney,"

"Right, fifty points to the Gryffindor." Ryan tried mimicking but it turned out horrible.

Lauren laughed at Ryan's sarcasm.

What's her name?

That was the question she was about to ask Ryan when she heard a doorbell.

"Ryan, Someone's at the door. I'll call you later."

"See you later, fish dancer, Bye."

Placing back her phone on the table she walked to the door expecting it to be Ethan.

But Ethan always has his keys. So, it can't be him.

Who could be at the door?

Author's notes

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry if anyone waited for an update. And thanks to the people who messaged me.

I will update the next chapter soon like maybe tomorrow.

This chapter was written in the writer's POV because I wanted to give an overview of what is happening in other's life.

Thanks a lot for reading.

Please vote, comment and share.

Bye and take care.