Chapter 32

Writer's POV

"Eva," Ethan called unsure when he saw the person standing in front of Lauren.

His heartbeat paced and for some unknown reason, he felt the uneasiness and anxiety creeping up, waiting for that person to turn around.

Listening to her name being called, Eva turned around and her hazel eyes landed on the tall man in front of her.

Ethan's breath hitched for a moment when his eyes landed on the person he missed for a long time.

It's been what? Almost twenty years since he last saw her.

For Ethan, recognizing Eva wasn't hard as Isobel showed him pictures of Eva here and there whenever he met Isobel. She still had that same baby face except that she is tall right now. She has grown into a beautiful woman.

He wasn't sure of what he felt staring at his little sister. Happiness? Relief? Longing? Sadness? It was a mixture of everything.

Eva stared at the man in front of her with a frown plastered on her face.

She stared at him for a good moment and slowly the face started getting familiar to her, The familiar blue eyes with the sharp facial features.

Her eyes blinked unsure staring at the man in front of her and she didn't know how to react.

"Ethan?" She trailed off timidly doubting if she even got him right.

Ethan couldn't stop the smile that graced his lips when Eva called him. He doubted if she would even recognize him, but she did.

Eva has always been the most important person in his life after Mrs Kingston when they were children.

He would take all the punishments even when Eva was in the wrong. He loved her too much.

Eva continued staring at the man in front of her with a neutral expression.

If only she would let herself loose, she would run to him and hold her brother tight and tell him everything she wanted to say to him in all these past years.

She was afraid if she would blink then he would disappear and this will all just be a dream.

But the tears she felt streaming down her cheeks, confirmed that this is not a dream.

The love and the longing for her brother slowly turned into anger.

The fact that her father's death changed everything and her brother didn't even bother to meet her again angered her.

Eva treated him like a real brother and she was hurt when he never talked to her ever again. Never bothered to check on her or her mother.

Eva hated that Ethan never thought of her as a real sister. Just as a half-sister.

There were days when she wanted to just hold his hand and talk endlessly like the good old days, but everything and everyone changed after her father's death.

She stopped asking about Ethan or grandpa to her mother when she realized that it would make her mother upset.

She hoped that he would come one day.

To Eva when they were little, Ethan was like a superhero to her. he did anything and would get everything for her.

She hoped that he would come and make everything right. What could she do? She was just a little girl who loved superhero comics.

But the longing and rooting for her brother to meet her one day slowly got exhausting to Eva.

Time flew, and along with time, she changed too.

There were a few midnights when she cried in her bed blaming herself for everything. She was a teenager at that time and Teenage isn't easy for anyone. Everyone would go through all those confused, stressed years.

Staring at Ethan now, brought back all those memories to Eva. Although the good memories came first, the pain, the anger, and the crying midnights also returned.

Ethan's smile slightly shortened when he saw that the happiness, he felt seeing her, wasn't mirrored on her face.

Ethan could see the turmoil of emotions running behind Eva's hazel eyes. Although he was confronted with the same turmoil of emotions before, the happiness of seeing his sister beat all other emotions.

Lauren stood behind them with a frown. She knew how much Ethan loved and missed his sister. She wasn't sure about Eva, but from what little Lauren know of Eva, she thought Eva would have the same feeling for her brother.

Chris and Alice were randomly walking and their continuous bickering stopped when they saw the scene in front of them. Alice was confused seeing Eva and Ethan talking to each other. Not talking but staring at each other, she corrected. The confusion is clearly evident on Alice's face but Chris masked it well.

After a thick tension moment, Ethan was about to take a hesitant step towards Eva but Ryan entered the picture.

Ryan entered the scene pocketing his phone and he could see the thick tension in the air.

"Here you are," Ryan spoke standing beside Eva.

Ethan's frown deepened looking at Ryan and Eva together.

"Ah, I see you met my friend here. Meet Ethan. Ethan Kingston actually" Ryan shrugged speaking and Eva's face paled.

"Also, Lauren's husband. You know her, right?" Ryan asked without seeing Eva's pale face.

When he did, he instantly know that he messed up everything.

"You are his wife?" Eva asked turning to Lauren. She didn't recognise the accusation in her own voice.

Lauren shut her eyes tightly when Ryan spoke about her to Eva. She wasn't sure before, but looking at Eva's accusing eyes, she knew what little friendship Eva and her shared before is ruined now.

Seeing Ethan after a long time was quite a shock to Eva. Lauren being her brother's wife was another thing. And then Ryan and Ethan being friends is just the cherry on top for Eva.

Lauren was about to open her mouth but Eva turned back breathing hard.

"I have to go," Eva spoke as she felt the air around her suffocating. She felt like she was kept in the dark and doesn't actually know anyone.

Ryan and Ethan frowned at Eva's response. Ryan was somewhat disappointed and sad at how the whole dynamic and mood is slowly changing between them.

Eva didn't think anymore and took long strides walking out. Her quick steps slowly turned to run.

Ethan felt like he was hit with ice-cold water on his face when he saw Eva running away. Eva was good at controlling her emotions but he still could see the hidden anger and hatred for him in her eyes. and that hurt him like hell.

"What did you say to her?" Ryan asked Ethan.

"What?" Ethan asked.

"Did you say something to her?" Ryan whisper-yelled at Ethan.

"I didn't." Ethan cut him off.

"Don't tell me that-" Ryan started getting mad.

"Not now, Ryan." Ethan took a deep breath controlling his anger.

Lauren knew Ethan when he is mad, but Ryan being mad is something new to her.

Alice just blinked her eyes staying rooted to her position silently.

Ryan was about to speak more but Chris gestured for Ryan to not say anything anymore.

Ryan was disappointed with how the night is ending. He knew that Eva was quite good before, but the mood changed within a few minutes. Ryan wasn't blaming Ethan; he is just mad at the turn of events tonight.

Ryan didn't waste any time getting his phone out to call Eva and walked out of the hall to search for Eva.

***

"Ethan, wait." Lauren sprinted behind Ethan when she saw that he was walking towards his car.

Her words fell on deaf ears as he was thinking deeply and wasn't paying attention to anything.

"Ethan." She stopped him by grabbing his arm and they are standing at his car.

Lauren was breathing hard as she had to run to get hold of him.

"Are you okay?" he asked her instantly, worried when she was breathing hard.

"Yes." She answered after taking a deep breath.

"Where are you going?" she asked Ethan with a frown.

He turned away from her avoiding her gaze.

"Nowhere." He answered.

"Let me come with you."

"No." he answered quickly.

"Don't be like that. Let me come with you."

"I want to be alone right now."

"But-" Lauren was interrupted by Ethan's answer.

"No."

"Ethan, I promise I will-" she was cut off by Ethan.

"Lauren." He snapped at her and his voice alone could freeze anyone.

"Don't." he continued with his glaring eyes at her.

Looking at Lauren's hurt face, his eyes softened and he instantly felt guilty.

To just think straight and clear his mind, he gave her a final stare before getting on in his car and leaving.

***

Ryan felt frustrated when he couldn't reach Eva's phone. He searched frantically and was about to go to her apartment when he found her.

She was standing near a lake gazing at the stars. It's been years since Eva returned to this place. The place stayed the same except few changes here and there. It was her comforting place when she was a child.

It was the same place Ethan would come to whenever he is distressed.

"It's cold," Ryan spoke standing beside her.

Ryan wrapped his coat around Eva and she instantly felt the warmth and his scent engulfing her.

She wiped any hint of tears before facing him.

She really liked Ryan. But she didn't like that he is a friend of her brother. It's not like she had any chance with him before. He is a popular person and she is just an attorney. But Ryan looked good friends with Ethan and Eva didn't want to do anything with her brother or any related ones.

"Why did you leave?" Ryan asked.

"I had to," Eva answered.

Ryan didn't want to beat around the bush anymore.

"Do you know Ethan before?"

Eva wasn't sure of what to say to him. She never spoke about her family with anyone before. She has known him for only a few days. And it was today when she got to know him more than his hardcore fan would know about him. but for some reason, she decided to vent everything out.

"He is my brother," Eva started talking.

***

Lauren was pacing in the living room waiting for Ethan to return. After Ethan left, she had to take a taxi to return home.

She was worried about Ethan but was also worried about Eva. after reaching home, she called Alice and sighed in relief when Alice said that Eva is with Ryan.

She is still in the same dress looking at the entrance for Ethan to walk in. She wanted to call Ethan, but she is worried that she would ruin his mood even more. He made it clear that he wanted to be alone.

She can't believe he left her just like that at the party all alone. Again, it's not like he left her on a deserted island. She shouldn't be this selfish. Lauren thought to herself.

Ethan didn't realize that he has been wandering out in his car for almost an hour now. He didn't have any clear destination and just wants to clear his mind. And the silent night carrying the cold wind slightly comforted him. Only a bit.

The longing to go to Lauren and hug her tight till everything becomes all right overwhelmed him.

Ethan didn't know that Lauren has slowly crawled her way into his heart and became his own personal comforting teddy bear to Ethan. Like a Panda. She became Ethan's safe home.

He hated that he snapped at her before and left her alone at the party selfishly. No matter what, he shouldn't have acted that way to Lauren. She was his cute mini Panda.

***

"Eva is Ethan's sister." Alice stared at Chris still in shock. Lauren just spoke bits here and there to Alice before on the phone when she wanted to check on Eva.

"What?" Chris almost lost his composure.

Does Ethan have a sister? he never said that to him or Ryan. Wait. He did mention something about his sister or something like that when they were in college. But still, Ethan didn't speak much about the topic even then.

"Half-sister it seems," Alice spoke again and she could hardly find a reaction on Chris' face. She can't believe how well-composed he is.

"Oh." Chris trailed off staring a far thinking about everything.

It felt like there was some unresolved tension between Ethan and Eva. And then, he did also see how Ryan made heart eyes at Eva. Ryan looked like he liked Eva. Chris wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Chris and Alice were still at the party after the other four left abruptly.

"Maybe I should talk to Eva." Alice wondered out loud and Chris snapped his head towards her.

"What? Why?" He frowned and he was afraid Alice would make the situation even worse.

"Didn't you see what happened before? I don't want Eva to misunderstand Lauren." Chris exhaled contemplating what Alice was saying.

She was somewhat right. Eva looked like she misunderstood Lauren before. And he believed that Lauren couldn't have any bad intentions towards anyone.

"I don't think this is the right time. You should maybe talk later." He advised and Alice was surprised he did speak something genuine to her.

Alice worrying about Lauren more than Lauren herself surprised Chris and although he would never accept, he did liked that about Alice.

Alice pouted and Chris' frown deepened at the situation they all are in.

***

Ethan entered the penthouse and Lauren's head popped up from the couch instantly when she heard the door click.

She was still in the same dress and Ethan unbuttoned his suit, and then took it off walking towards the living room.

"Are you okay now?" Lauren jumped in front of him with a frown. He nodded his head at her.

"Are you mad at me?" she whispered timidly afraid of his answer.

He spoke nothing except staring at her. He wasn't mad at her. He had no reason to be.

"I knew Eva before." She rushed out her words looking down.

When Lauren peeked up at his face, she frowned when he had a neutral expression.

"I swear I didn't mean to keep it a secret. You were busy these past few days with the new project, so I thought I would just say after the party or something like that. Trust me, Ethan. I didn't want to keep that from you." Lauren stumbled out her words.

She didn't want Ethan to be mad at her. They were happy just a few hours before, she didn't want to give any chance to ruin something beautiful that exists between them.

Ethan did nothing except step closer towards Lauren and brought his arms up hugging her tight.

This was the last thing Lauren expected Ethan to do. She thought he would be mad at her for not telling him about Eva.

Ethan closed his eyes resting his chin on her shoulder and even Lauren closed her eyes finding comfort in his arms.

***

"How did you meet Eva?" Ethan asked Lauren who was sitting beside him on the couch.

"I first met her in Italy."

"Italy?"

"When we were on a business trip. I met Isobel too, but back then I didn't know she was your sister." Lauren answered.

He nodded his head at her.

"I met her again here when I went over to Alice's apartment. She was Alice's roommate." Lauren spoke.

"Alice too knew Eva?" Ethan asked her.

"Yes."

"But I got to know that she was your sister only two days back when I went to Alice's apartment." Lauren spoke again.

"Hmm." He stayed silent thinking about what Lauren said.

"Are you going to meet Eva?"

"I don't know." Ethan shrugged avoiding the topic.

"Don't do that Ethan. Don't run away from her. Whatever happened it's all in the past. But Eva is here now. In the present. You can rekindle your relationship with her. I know you miss her a lot." Lauren took his hand.

"She hates me now Lauren." Ethan wrapped his fingers tightly in Lauren's hand.

"Don't be so sure of that. No one can hate a person like you." Lauren smiled at him.

"You did. at the beginning of our marriage." He accused her light-heartedly.

"I did. but that was in the past. I don't hate you now."

A soft smile brightened his face staring at Lauren's smiling face.

"I'm sorry for snapping earlier and leaving without you." He spoke timidly.

"You should be. That was mean." Lauren joked.

"Yes." He agreed.

"I thought you will stay mad at me when you snapped at me earlier," Lauren spoke after a silent moment.

He ran his thumb on her knuckles before opening his mouth.

"You should know that I can't stay mad at you, Lauren. I don't think I can stay away from you. Even if I can, I don't want to." Ethan spoke gazing at Lauren softly and a understanding look passed between them.

Author's notes.

Finally!!!

I had finished this chapter four days back, but I accidentally deleted it while clearing all other files. My dumbass made sure to delete it in recycle bin too.

So I had to rewrite the whole chapter again and it was exhausting. I hope the chapter is at least good.

Anyway, please vote, comment and share.

Thanks for reading. Bye and take care.