Chapter 38

Ethan

It's been two weeks.

Two whole weeks since Lauren talked to me properly.

It's not like she completely shut me out of her life. I don't know how would I keep myself sane if that was the case.

She acted professionally at the office informing me about my meetings from time to time. Although she tried avoiding spending time with me whenever her presence was required beside me, as my PA, she was always there.

She even told me about her visit to Mrs Kingston's house the other day. And surprisingly I maintained my calm and composure to not aggravate the situation we both are in right now.

Since my father's death, I tend to lose my calm whenever Mrs Kingston was involved in my life. and I had good reasons to back up my anger for my own mother.

Lauren told me that she visited Mrs Kingston to check up on her recovery from her accident and I minded my words this time answering her and only replying to her when needed. Well, I learnt my lesson from last time.

Coming to Mrs Kingston, although I am angry at her and still refuse to speak to her, I wouldn't want to see her on a deathbed.

So, I took some precautions since her accident. I took up the court case ensuring that the drive is sent to prison fairly for his mistake of hit and run. I made sure that the best doctors treated Mrs Kingston and lastly I fired all her previous security staff, appointing new ones.

As Mrs Kingston is still a part of the company and as CEO of the company I can still take a few decisions for Mrs Kingston. And as usual she would never know that all these decisions, which were taken for her safety, were taken by me and not by grandpa. just like I wanted. I don't want Mrs Kingston to know that I care for her in any way.

That day Lauren looked like she wanted to ask more but she held herself back. The way she frowned and her eyes held questions gave away that she wanted to ask something related to Mrs Kingston.

What did she wanted to ask?

A soft motherly voice brought me out of the train of my thoughts.

"Here is your breakfast, Ethan." Kate smiled at me before putting the plate in front of me.

I thanked her with a small smile before taking a bite of the pancakes.

She recently recovered from her shoulder surgery. Although I insisted to take a bit more rest but she declined me stubbornly saying she is more than fine now.

I had no choice but to give in when she said she felt so lonely in the hospital. She said that only work can take off her mind from loneliness and I'm willing to oblige.

Kate lives alone as her husband died when she was young and she never wanted to marry again.

I watched as Kate worked in the kitchen preparing another plate of breakfast. She had that warm smile while roaming around the kitchen.

Kate has always been a motherly figure to me. She took great care of me when my mother wasn't with me. She is one of those few people I have abundant respect for. And when I saw Lauren and Kate getting along so well, it warmed my heart.

"Eat your breakfast, Ethan. It will get cold." Kate's voice brought me out of my thoughts and I nodded at her.

"Kate!" I heard Lauren squeal before she rushed towards Kate to hug her.

"I missed you a lot, Kate. How are you? how is your shoulder? And why did you come back so quickly? You could have taken a bit more rest." Lauren blabbered holding Kate's arm.

"So many questions... breathe, Lauren." Kate joked.

Lauren took a deep breath just as Kate said before bursting into fits of laughter.

They resumed their chat, the world went on, and the time passed by but my mind and eyes are stuck on Lauren. Her laughter.

How long has it been since I've seen my Lauren smile let alone laugh?

My Lauren? I smiled to myself.

Nothing sounded more beautiful than that.

Her laughter was soothing. At least it is to my heart.

The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed lit up my face.

I always thought why would poets exaggerate someone's beauty when they are writing about them but maybe now, I think I've finally found the answer.

The poet doesn't just see them with their eyes, they see with their heart.

It's the love that speaks, It's the heart that describes the beauty.

"I can't tell you how badly I missed your food, Kate." my eyes shifted to Kate before returning to Lauren.

"How did you manage all these days without me?" Kate asked me staring at us both.

"We mostly ate out and sometimes I cooked," I answered.

"Oh...then you must have spent a lot of quality time together. I'm glad." she smiled first but frowned when she saw Lauren's smile disappear.

Lauren looked at me for a moment before looking away.

Kate's frown deepened when she felt the tension between us. She looked like she wanted to ask questions but she didn't.

We quickly finished our breakfast in silence and Kate hasn't spoken much except a few words here and there.

"I- I think we are getting late. We have to go." Lauren stood up quickly shoving food into her mouth.

"Okay." Kate smiled unsurely at us.

Lauren gave her a soft smile before locking eyes with me for a moment. She quickly broke eye contact before taking her bag and walking out.

"Everything is fine, right Ethan?" Kate took my hand and asked me as soon as Lauren left.

I didn't know how to answer her question. I didn't want to lie to her.

Surviving these past two weeks has been an eternal hell for me.

Nothing is fine between me and Lauren. Lauren hasn't been talking to me and there's so much distance between us and this distance is killing me inside. But I have no one else to blame except me.

But this distance between us also taught me something.

It made me realise how madly I'm in love with Lauren.

How hard it is for me to exist without her.

Every second felt like forever when I waited for her to talk to me.

Every step I walk away from her felt like I was walking on fire.

The silence was so loud between us. It was so painful. It felt like someone stabbed me in my heart and twisted it in all the ways it could twist.

In all the middle of the chaos, one thought remained constant in my heart, mind and soul.

I love her.

These three words carried everything I wanted to tell to her. everything I felt for her.

Kate's worried eyes stared back at me.

"I promise everything will be all right again, Kate. Don't worry." I gave her a small smile before walking out.

***

"You have only one meeting today." Lauren spoke monotonously walking beside me and entering the office lobby.

"When is it?" I asked her entering the elevator.

"It's in 30 minutes and the meeting is about the contract terms that Mr Brown wants to be modified."

I nodded at her and when it was my office floor we got out.

"Also, it looks like you have a bit of free time in the late afternoon." She spoke walking beside me and checking her tab.

"Do you want me to arrange a meeting with Nick Enterprises in that free time? His assistant has been calling me a since few days to arrange a meeting." She asked me as I was browsing through my phone.

"At what time?" I asked her.

"Like maybe two or two-thirty in the afternoon. I can-" I glanced up for a moment before grabbing Lauren's waist from the side all of a sudden and pulling her closer to me before the new intern could bump into her.

He was looking at his file and was not paying attention to where he is going.

"Mr Kingston." At the sudden encounter, he finally looked up pushing his silky hair that fell on his forehead back with his fingers looking at me before his eyes fell on Lauren.

A moment passed before recognition passed through his eyes.

What surprised me was Lauren returning his smile.

"Ryan Reynolds!" he exclaimed looking at Lauren.

"Blake lively." Lauren pointed her finger at him with a smile and after a moment of staring they both broke into fits of laughter.

"What are you doing here?" Lauren asked him.

"I started working here. In the legal department." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh wow." Lauren nodded.

"And I assume you too work here?"

"Yes. I work as his PA." She smiled at him and his eyes fell on my hand on Lauren's waist.

She did not even realise that I am still holding her and we are standing closer than normal. You could say our current position is far from professional. But you will not see me complain as I'm more than happy to be in this position where I can be closer to Lauren.

Thanks to him.

What was his name again?

Yes, Austin. Austin Jacobs.

But why is she calling him Blake Lively, and him calling her Ryan Reynolds?

Aren't these names of a famous couple from Hollywood?

Call me jealous, but I didn't like the way he was smiling at her. And Lauren only added fuel to my jealousy by smiling back at him.

It's not like Austin will take my wife away from me or something with just a simple smile. But I still didn't like it.

When Lauren saw Austin eyeing my hand on her waist, she started shifting away from me with an awkward smile.

"Also, my wife." I spoke to Austin before letting her go.

Austin's eyes widened at my confession but he quickly masked it.

"Oh." it escaped from his mouth.

"Yes." She answered with a smile. She didn't hesitate to accept.

"How do you both know each other?" I asked folding my arms in front of my chest.

Not to brag but I saw many tremble in fear in front of me to even speak but Austin seemed different.

He stood eye to eye.

"We met once," Lauren spoke shifting my attention from Austin to her.

"How did-" I was about to continue when Lauren interrupted me.

"I think we are getting late for your meeting. We have to go." She spoke giving me a professional smile, which is nothing but an artificial smile.

I nodded at her after a moment of hesitation and Austin greeted me before turning towards Lauren.

"I'll see you again, Ryan Reynolds," he spoke with a charming smile pushing his hair back which fell on his forehead.

Is he flirting with my wife? That too in front of me?

Get a grip, Ethan. since when did saying 'I'll see you again' became flirting?

I felt like punching someone right now.

Lauren nodded at Austin with a smile before we both walked to my meeting. Not before I murdered him a thousand times with my eyes.

***

The meeting ended not long before and I was about to walk out to go to my office when I stopped to make a phone call.

"Mr Kingston." I heard the Legal Dept head's voice when he answered my call.

"Mr Vettel, I don't want anyone to come to my office floor from the legal department. if you have anything important, send it through Leah." I spoke.

"Sure, sir. But any problem?"

"Just do as I say, Mr. Vettel." I spoke sternly before hanging up.

The old me would have felt cringed at what I just did right now. But I just didn't want to take any chance.

When it comes to Lauren, I'm not taking any chances.

As I was about to walk out, my phone rang again. And this time it was Ryan.

"I'm busy, Ryan," I spoke as soon as I answered the call.

"Hello to you too, Kingston." I smiled at his remark.

"What is it?" I asked walking around my desk and staring out through the large glass window.

"Nothing. Just wanted to annoy you." Although he is still being sarcastic his tone didn't seem the usual.

Maybe its just me but Ryan seemed different today.

"What happened? Are you ok?" I asked with a frown.

"Yes, yes, of course." He chuckled.

His nervous chuckle deepened my frown.

I've known him for years and this Ryan definitely didn't seem the usual.

"You're nervous, man. What is it?" I asked him trying to find the reason.

We are friends for a reason. Ryan being nervous seemed strange. But he only gets nervous when he tries to not mess things up.

"Just tell me." I insisted.

"Eva called me." he dropped the bomb.

I blinked my eyes and my face held an unreadable expression. I didn't know how to react.

"She called me saying she wanted to meet." Ryan spoke again.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked him after a sigh.

"Nothing. Just wanted to inform you," he answered and I nodded my head.

It stung me a bit to know that Eva didn't think of meeting me even after I tried to reconcile with her, but is enthusiastic to meet Ryan. Well, I do know that I've no right to be mad at Eva or Ryan.

But it's okay, I'm happy that Eva is happy. If she wants to meet Ryan then so be it. Ryan is a good guy. I sighed.

"So, by any chance, are you asking for my permission?" I asked him trying to tease him a bit.

He scoffed for a moment before answering.

"I know that Eva is your sister. But let me remind you that you don't own her."

"Oh. Then why did you inform me?"

"I just wanted to be clear of any misunderstanding." Ryan answered after a moment.

An argument between us due to Eva flashed in my mind at his words. I wouldn't want to repeat the same thing again too.

"Ok." I spoke.

"Yeah."

"Anyway, I'll talk to you later." He spoke before hanging up.

***

It was evening when I walked out and Lauren was nowhere to be seen.

When I couldn't find her anywhere, I took my phone and wallet before entering my private elevator.

I was about to call her number once the elevator doors opened and when I looked up I saw Lauren talking to someone in the middle of the office lobby.

She has her handbag and phone in her hand which means she was ready to leave. but I didn't gave a single thought that she was ready to leave without me. It hurt me for some reason. Although we didn't talk much in the past two weeks, she still waited for me everyday, and I wrapped up my work earlier so she doesn't have to wait longer to leave home.

Her laughter at something he said brought me out of my self pity thoughts.

I took a close look and that's when I realised that she was talking to Austin Jacobs, the long haired guy from the legal department.

Her own 'Blake Lively' friend.

He pushed his hair with his fingers which fell on his forehead giving her a smile and Lauren reciprocated his smile after her laugh died.

"So, you really are not going to meet Layla?"  Austin asks Lauren crossing his arms flexing his muscles which Lauren failed to notice.

Good, Lauren.

"Ofcourse, I'm going to. but not today." Lauren gave him an apologetic smile and Austin shook his head his smile shortening a bit.

"I'm actually looking for some good day cares, do you happen to know any good ones?" Austin asked her after a moment of silence and Lauren's eyes lighted.

"I know a very good place. I can take you there someday. I'm sure Layla will love it there." Lauren spoke with a bright smile which made me tighten my jaw.

I missed that smile so badly.

So badly that I had to open my phone in the middle of the night to see pictures of us together we took from our business trip to Italy.

I did everything and I'm ready to apologise even a thousand times more if i can see that smile directed to me.

I craved for that smile like a madman since the past few days and she gave the smile to that Austin just like that. and he didn't even had to do anything to deserve that smile.

Moments like these makes me believe that life is unfair.

I sound like a teenager and if Ryan or Chris even get a hint of my cheesy thoughts I will see no end to their teasing.

"Sure, we can take Layla one day." Austin smiles at Lauren and she nodded her head.

Wait.

Who the hell is this Layla?

They are discussing about some daycare.

Is Layla his baby sister?

Or better... his daughter?

I so wish he is happily married and have a daughter named Layla. Just so I can just drop my anxious thoughts and breathe freely.

I need to know who this Layla is.

"I think I also might need your number for-" Austin started taking his phone out.

And that was my que to show up and not let the conversation go any further.

"Am I interrupting something?" I asked no one in particular, standing beside Lauren.

"No, Mr Kingston. I'll leave now. Its getting late and Layla might be waiting." he spoke before turning towards Lauren.

"See you tomorrow, Reynolds." he spoke with a smile looking at Lauren before leaving us alone.

That name again.

I fisted my hand to control my jealousy and anger.

"Let's go. I'm hungry."

Her eyes looked up at my voice before standing up.

"Where?" she asked me dumbfounded.

"To eat." I spoke nonchalantly.

"I'm not hungry." She dismissed me quickly turning away from me.

"But I already made a reservation," I tried convincing her.

"You can always cancel it." she gave me a tight-lipped smile.

I sighed when I realised she isn't going to give in. And not to mention this is the first time in the past two weeks that she answered my question without giving me any silent treatment or just nods.

"Yeah, I'll cancel it," I spoke turning away from her.

"I'm hungry a bit. but its okay." I feigned a deep sigh. I turned around slightly to see if she is listening and she is.

One

Two

Three-

"Wait." she stopped me. I smiled to myself slowly.

"You are hungry." she stated once I turned around to face her.

I knew she will give in if I mention that I'm hungry and I haven't eaten anything. She can be such a mom sometimes. Especially when it comes to food.

Mom or Mommy?

I cleared my throat at my own thought.

She stood there thinking for a moment eyeing me.

I smiled to myself when she sighed after a moment or two.

"Let's go." she spoke walking out.

I smiled punching my fist in the air in victory before following her.

***

Lauren looked around the restaurant admiring the view around her and my eyes are busy admiring her.

I smiled to myself slowly.

Her brown eyes matches her hair color perfectly appreciating her facial features excellently.

I reserved our table in the balcony for some privacy. So there are no one around us.

We ordered the food when a waiter came in.

The waiter came back in no time with our orders and placed it in front of us.

Lauren started eating her food but I couldn't touch my food with a question swimming around in my brain. I have to ask her.

"Who is Layla?" I asked her and she stopped eating for a moment.

She stared at me with her brown eyes before answering me.

"The dog I saved two weeks back. I and Austin took her to the vet.  Austin adopted her."

I nodded at her response. But the way Austin rolled off her mouth so smoothly twisted my gut.  like she has known him since forever when she obviously doesn't.

A moment of silence passed before I opened my mouth again.

"Were you going to leave without me today?" I asked her out of blue. and I was also ready to take it if she didn't answer.

"What?"

"You didn't wait for me today." I spoke staring at her.

she stayed silent and I thought she wouldn't be answering but she opened her mouth.

"Leah, Sarah and I ate at a restaurant today so I took my bag with me to the restaurant. It was getting late and we had to rush back to join another meeting with you. In all the chaos I left my bag with Leah and I came to collect it in the evening  just before."

A smile made its way on my face when her response erased all my doubts and uncertainties.

She wasn't leaving without me.

That thought alone made me feel all giddy and I'm sure as hell not complaining about it.

"Didn't you say you were hungry?" she asked me and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Did I?" I asked her and she rolled her eyes.

"Yes. You did. So can you finish up eating soon so we can leave." She didn't ask but commanded.

"Okay."

I don't want to anger her any more than she already is. I can't bear her being mad at me anymore.

I nodded at her like an obedient child before realising what just happened.

Her commanding is one thing but me obeying like a good child is something else. When did I become such a baby?

I could see Lauren controlling her smile from my peripheral view and all my embarrassment faded away.

If it makes Lauren smile, I am more than ready to face embarrassment a thousand times.

Now that I think, me being submissive and her being dominant kind of excites me.

Where did this come from?

You can't blame me, I tend to lose control of my actions and thoughts when Lauren is around.

We continued eating with me trying to make small talk in between and she replied me with silence mostly.

But still the smile on my face never escaped throughout the dinner because I'm just content and  more than happy to be with her right now.

And not to forget, this is the longest and calmest interaction we had since the past two weeks.

Alice's POV

I saw the Paris trip schedule on my laptop and my nervousness and anxiety seemed to return at the thought of the fashion week which is in exactly in ten days.

Although this is not the first time I designed for fashion shows, but this my first Paris fashion week and the anxiety and self doubt of not doing my best in designing made me anxious.

I needed to calm down and work with a cool mind but my brain seems to have plans of setting itself on flames and not focus at all.

I need a break.

Now that I'm doing nothing, my chaotic thoughts seemed to zero on a certain someone.

It's been two weeks since that night when Chris and I met on the balcony and I still wonder.

Why did I do that?

No, a better question would be why did he do that?

He was very soft and gentle with me. He wiped my tears at my vulnerable moment.

I didn't know Chris could be this sensitive towards someone. Not just someone, especially me.

Me, the person he hates the most.

Maybe the Goblin is not that bad that I thought.

That day had been worse for me since the morning, I was late to the office and thereby was scolded by my manager. And later, I couldn't design anything as I wasn't concentrating enough and then finally, my mother's condition.

It broke my heart when the doctor said that my mother needs physical and mental therapy or else it might lead to sleep paralysis.

Not gonna lie, that word alone scares me. I have no one in this world except my mother and the thought of losing her shook me up. Terribly.

I couldn't control myself anymore when he saw me with those soft eyes trying to understand my pain. I needed someone at that moment.

At least he tried to understand my pain. Sometimes, although I have everyone around me, I still feel lonely.

Chris didn't ask me for any reason, he just let me cry.

He was there for me when I needed someone the most and that changed my opinion on him.

That night he stayed with me till I had no tears left to cry. And then took me to McDonalds although I insisted not to go. He drove around all night trying to make small conversations along with comfortable silence in between saying night rides help clear the mind. It did, to be honest. And finally, he dropped me off at my apartment in the early morning after making sure I'm all right.

Does this happen to everyone whenever they cry?

Or I was the lucky one that night.

I have never had a guy doing something like this for me.

I don't hate him anymore or maybe I never hated him to begin with. I don't know what is happening to me.

But I'm sure of one thing, my feelings for him had somewhat changed.

Is that weird?

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