Chapter 2

Ethan

"What about the presentation for today's meeting?" I asked Mr. Colson, who is the head of the department.

"It's done, sir. We just need you to approve it." I nodded at him.

"And the report on the TXC product 5C?" I asked him to verify a file on my desk.

"Yes sir. It's done." He answered.

"How many units of our new product are sold?" I asked signing the file.

"I-I s-sir-" I looked up from my file when he stuttered. I never prayed to any god for it, but I got the scary poker face without even trying. And I use it to my full advantage in situations like this.

"Yes?" I stressed expecting an answer.

When I still didn't get one, I took a deep breath and stood up from my seat.

"We got a problem with that, sir." He answered quickly and took a gulp.

"Mr. Colson, when I give you a task to complete, I expect it to be done. You know how badly I hate laziness. Don't you?" I folded my arms leaning back on my desk.

"Yes, sir I know but-" I beat him.

"Well, if you love your job, I suggest you take this as a last warning. I won't be this patient next time." He stood in front of me and he looked like he would faint at any given second.

"Oh for god's sake, Ethan, stop scaring that little man." a very familiar voice entered the room.

I turned back to see my best friend, also known as the most annoying person in the world, Ryan Parker. he is one of the very famous actors, and he has a lot of people admiring him all over the world.

Ryan has been my best friend since my childhood. I like him but he also annoys me the most. And for that sole reason, I wouldn't mind punching him square in the face just for a dollar.

He smiled at me unaware of my violent thoughts for him and made his way towards me.

"Don't you have any shoot today?" I asked sitting in my seat. He sat in front of me and shrugged his shoulders.

"I do. But you know I have this friend named Ethan who is very scary-looking and a workaholic." He exaggerated addressing me indirectly.

"And?" I urged him to continue.

"Yeah. And this workaholic friend is so busy that he can't even answer his grandpa's call. So this workaholic's old man calls me to make you talk to him." He replied casually leaning back into his chair.

I processed his answer for a second before giving him a look.

"I don't understand." I frowned at him.

"I know that you have a brain of a goldfish, so let me explain. Your grandpa told you to visit him this evening. Apparently, he has something important to discuss with you."

I nodded at him. He stared at me for a good minute before taking his phone out and just like that, he forgot that I was still right there.

"What are you doing?" I asked him when I saw him deeply focused on his phone.

"This?" he asked showing me his mobile screen, "I got to know this cool game last night and I can't stop playing it. Do you want to try it?"

"How old are you? Eight?" I shook my head at him.

"Oh please, you don't need to be eight to play games. And by the way, it is you who sound like a sixty-year-old, scolding me."

He gave me a sly smile before focusing back on his phone. I ignored him and turned towards Mr. Colson who was right here all this time.

"Let's get back here, what is the reason for the product failure?" I asked him.

"We got a lot of negative reviews on the new product saying it stops working after a few months of use." Mr. Colson answered.

"And why is that?" I frowned.

"There are a few reasons but one of the reasons is that the equipment used for the product is not top-notch quality."

I thought about it for a few seconds before coming to a decision.

"Fine. Let's go back to the drawing board and design a new one with better equipment." Mr. Colson had a shocked face for a second.

"But sir, re-designing might cost us a lot, and we are not even sure of the profits on the product." he frowned.

"The deal is simple Mr. Colson. We give the re-designing team office space, and they give us the equipment we need. I think it's a win-win situation for us. What do you think?" I asked him.

"I think it is brilliant sir." He looked stunned for a moment.

"Anything else sir?" he asked me.

"No. You can leave." he nodded at me and at Ryan before exiting.

"Hey. I have a doubt..." Ryan leaned in towards the table.

"What?" I asked him slightly curious about his question.

"Is that even English you two were speaking before? Because I didn't understand at least a single word." I rolled my eyes at his silly question before concentrating back on my laptop.

"And now tell me again, who has a brain of a goldfish?" I smirked at him and he rolled his eyes at me.

"Man... that was a genuine question." he had the audacity to look offended.

His phone beeped with a message, and he opened it to read.

"Ok. My manager is here. I have to go." He said getting up from his chair.

"And don't forget to meet Grandpa or else he's going to kill me." I nodded at him and with a final glance at me, he left.

***

I continued with my work and later saw the time on the watch to see it was almost past twelve and realized I skipped my dinner even today.

I got up from my seat and walked out to see the office dark and empty as all the other employees already left. I made my way towards the parking lot and soon my chauffeur, Tom, came in to open the back door. I swiftly sat inside and soon the car was in motion.

"Tom, Go to the old mansion." He muttered a yes and I leaned back into my seat. I stared outside through the window to see the trees and cars passing by the car just like the thoughts in my mind.

I closed my eyes to dull the throbbing pain in my head. As I closed my eyes, I saw nothing but darkness just like what I feel whenever I am alone. The darkness which surrounds me all the time not even letting an ounce ray of light in. I gave up finding the light when I got tired of searching it.

My sadness slowly turned into anger when the reason for my darkness came into my mind. The woman who should protect me from getting hurt gave me a lot of pain. I fisted my hand trying to contain my anger towards the woman I hate the most.

My mother, Elena Kingston.

"Sir." I jolted up when I heard a voice. It was Tom.

I looked at my surroundings to see we had already reached the mansion. I nodded at Tom before walking in.

***

"Ah, finally my boy." My grandpa beamed looking at me. I smiled a little looking at the old man in front of me.

My grandpa is the sole reason I exist. I can do anything for him.

"How are you feeling, grandpa?" I asked him taking him to the couch to sit.

"12987th time," he muttered quietly.

12987 what?

"What is that number?" I asked him confused.

"This is the 12987th time I said you to address me as James and not Grandpa. Grandpa makes me feel old." He sighed pouting like a child.

"But Grandpa, you are old." I joked.

"Oh please, boy. I look a lot younger than you and that friend of yours Bryan." He scoffed.

"He is not Bryan. He's Ryan. And I call you Grandpa because I love calling you that even though you don't like it" I shrugged.

"Whatever." He simply rolled his eyes at me playfully.

"Ok, my dear James, what do you want to talk with me?" I asked him using his name this time.

His bright smile vanished for a second, and he chuckled slightly nervous.

Okay. This is definitely something very bad.

"I-I" he started, and I insisted he continue.

"What's wrong Grandpa?"

"First, I need you to promise me that you will do as I say." I frowned at him.

"What are you talking about Grandpa? What do you want me to do?"

"Just promise me first," he said looking into my eyes.

"Fine. I promise I'll do whatever you say. Now tell me what is it?" I finally gave in.

He nodded at me.

"Ok. Here it comes. I have arranged your marriage with someone and I want you to marry her." he said quickly in a breath.

"What?" I asked him genuinely confused for a moment.

Did I hear him right?

A marriage? An arranged marriage? I scoffed at the thought itself.

"Ethan, you promised." He stressed.

"No. No. I can't do this Grandpa. I'm not going to do anything like that." I shook my head at him.

"You can't go back on your words, Ethan." he snapped.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa, but I can't do this. I'm not going to." I tried shifting away from him.

"Ethan, listen to me. Aren't you tired of living alone with all the darkness inside? Maybe it's life, giving you a second chance to live it." He spoke holding my hand in his, and I had to look away to not stare at his eyes which were slowly getting moist.

"You will never see the light if you don't let it in, my boy." he finished, and I had to take a deep breath to think straight and not walk right into his words.

I turned towards him and saw his moist eyes. His teary eyes weakened my determination to stand stubborn.

The fact that he is sad and that is because of me didn't settle well. I can't see him sad no matter what.

I sat beside him silently on the couch.

"I can't be with you forever Ethan. You need someone who will always be there for you. Someone who will care for you as much as I do or maybe even more." He chuckled slightly.

"Do this for me, Ethan."

I thought about it for some time.

I'm sure this wedding will not give me any joy.

It might just ruin our lives.

I was never really happy with anything before, and I'm certain this marriage will not make any change.

But if this marriage can make my old man happy,

I will do it.

For him.

Here it comes...

Author's note

Hey guys,

So what do you think about Ethan?

If you like the chapter, please vote and comment.

Thank you for reading..