Chapter 42

Lauren

I turned to look at Ethan while the elevator was riding up to our penthouse to get any hint of the surprise he mentioned earlier.

Curiosity killed me inside, and I was dying to know what the surprise was about. But his face didn't give away anything except a handsome smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously. Hmm...Interesting.

"We are already here. why don't you tell me at least now?" I asked him giving my best puppy eyes which I would use often on my father and he always gives in, unlike my mom. My mom is a sore topic to discuss then and now. That didn't change.

He gave me a stare for a good minute and I did a happy dance in my mind thinking he might give in, and he looked like he was about to but changed his mind at the last minute.

"Patience, Lauren."

What?

Puppy eyes didn't work? I sighed. Then nothing will work anymore.

I tried pulling my hand back from our intertwined fingers, glaring at him but he only tsked at me and tightened his grip on my hand making it impossible for me to pull my hand back.

Although my eyes glared at him for not giving in to my puppy eyes, the corners of my lips lifted up looking our intertwined fingers.

Why is he so cute?

Once we reached the top level, the elevator dinged and we both walked out together and entered the place of residence which became our home, a safe place for both of us lately.

Once we are in, I looked around our home to see any hint of the surprise but found nothing until we walked towards the living room.

A soft gasp escaped my lips when I saw Kate, our cook, standing in the living room before us. Its not Kate that surprised me. It's what she is holding in her arms. Not what, but a who.

No way, this is happening right now.

My eyes couldn't hold its surprise staring at the most beautiful creature in Kate's arms. My gaze went from Kate to the man standing beside me who brought our intertwined hands placing a soft kiss on the back of my hand.

A soft chuckle left my lips at his gesture and I brought my eyes back to the new guest in our home.

Its a puppy.

A golden retriever. Maybe two months old, I guess.

My legs involuntarily took steps towards Kate and the puppy looked up to me lifting its head from the crook of Kate's arm. Big dark eyes clashed with mine and a huge grin greeted my lips looking at the puppy.

"Is it a he or she?"

I asked Kate looking at the puppy who started throwing his little paws and legs excitedly to get down from Kate's arms and come to me.

"Oh, he is a naughty boy, Lauren." Kate laughed looking down at the puppy in her arms with affection. A short but heartful laugh slipped my lips.

As soon as I stood in front of Kate, the golden furry cute creature brought his moist nose curiously trying to sniff me. I placed my hand hesitantly on top of his head to pet after letting him sniff me and giving him time to know me.

He happily wagged his tail all the while sniffing me and licking my hands that were petting him and rubbing his top of the head softly. I laughed at his vigorous actions of licking my hands and wrists and slowly I took him from Kate's arms to mine.

I carefully held him in my arms not to give him any discomfort before rubbing his head who still wagged his tail and his soft floppy ears jumped with his every action making me laugh.

I turned my head and looked at the love of my life, literally, to show how happy I am right now. And for some reason, I want him to stand beside me and feel my happiness along with me. I looked at Ethan to only realise that he is already looking at me with a soft look and content smile on his lips.

"Is he the surprise you mentioned earlier?" I asked him still holding the puppy in my arms.

"Yes. Do you like it? The surprise, I mean." He pointed at the puppy in my arms and the corners of my lips couldn't lift any higher at his words.

"Are you kidding me, Ethan. What do you mean by asking me if I like the surprise. I love him." I spoke looking down at the puppy who turned his head constantly between me and Ethan trying to focus on the respective voice who is speaking.

His confusion filled actions brought another laugh and I couldn't stop bringing him closer to my chest and placing a big kiss on the top of his head.

"I told you, you're going to like it." Ethan smiled at me bringing my attention from the puppy back to him and I shook my head at his playful arrogance.

"I'll leave you two alone now." Kate spoke reminding me that she is still here and I turned back to look at her.

She petted the curiosity filled puppy in my arms for a minute before walking past me.

"Thank you, Kate." Ethan spoke when she stood before him and her only response was to give Ethan a soft nod and a gentle squeeze on his arm.

She finally left and my smile returned looking at the puppy in my arms.

"Aren't you going to talk to our little guest here?" I asked walking towards Ethan and standing beside him.

"We already had our first interaction, Lauren." He spoke petting the puppy. I looked at him with a curious expression waiting for him to elaborate and he did.

"I remember once you spoke about how much you love dogs and always wanted a pet. So, I though of this surprise for you. He is a rescue, Lauren. I adopted him and finished all the formalities yesterday. So, we met already. Didn't we, boy?" He spoke the last line taking the puppy from my arms to his with a soft smile.

If my smile could get any wider, it will. That's how big of a grin I have right now, looking at him playing with our puppy. Our? Yes, our puppy.

The fact that he remembers something I don't even remember speaking about, filled my heart with warmth. His words felt like a soft carass, a comfort hug, a look filled with love.

The puppy recognised him after a moment of sniff and started licking his lips and face. Ethan gave me a rich laugh letting the twinkle in his eyes shine and his lips show his perfect teeth for the display laughing at the puppy actions.

My eyes shined with a different glint looking at Ethan and my heart felt full and complete, as if there is no space left for any other emotions to occupy except happiness. And all that chemical reactions in my brain happened because of Ethan, who seemed oblivious to the reactions he invoked inside me.

"What is his name?" I asked lifting my head to distract myself from gawking at Ethan.

"It's your wish. Whatever you want to name him." Ethan raised his brow and gave me a shrug with a smile still plastered on his face.

"He doesn't have a name yet?" I asked Ethan, petting the puppy in his arms and Ethan shook his head in response.

"So, what do you want to name him?" Ethan asked me and a thousand thoughts and names flashed in my mind. A lot of memories from the past knocked me too.

What should I name him?

I've always wanted to get a dog as a pet but my mother never allowed me to, when I was a child. And when I was a adult, I wasn't financially well to feed myself and a pet too.

Sure, I came from a financially-well family that had enough money, not elite rich but still rich, but that's the point. It was never my money. It wasn't mine to use, mine to spend. I never wanted to spend my dad's or mom's money because for some reason, I will never have that freedom in spending their money like I have in spending mine. Not because I have to give an explanation to my parents for every dollar I spend. Just because I was too guilty to spend their money extravagantly for my own desires or wishes.

So, I never got a pet before. But now I have a stable job and place called home. Not to mention, a lovely man who makes my home even more homely and comfortable. What else do I want when he is with me.

I don't care If it is cringe, It's the truth.

"Dolphin." The name blurted out before I could even stop.

"What?" He looked at me as I am crazy with an amused expression on his face.

"Well, you know, I have always loved Dolphins in my childhood and I always wanted to get them as a pet but it—"

"Wait a second, beautiful. I love you, but I'm pretty sure its illegal to have a dolphin as a pet but if you still insist on having a dolphin as a pet, we—"

"No, Ethan." I rolled my eyes at his amused face and a grin he is trying to mask.

"I'm not saying I want dolphin as a pet. I know that's illegal, I was just saying about my childhood fantasy and that's it." I muttered.

"Thanks a lot, you scared me for a minute there." Ethan exhaled shaking his head and if eyes could kill a person, Ethan would've been six foot under the ground.

"Ha, very funny." I folded my hands in front of me looking at his stupid but cute grin.

"But you still love me." He spoke getting closer to me with that grin still plastered on his face.

"Don't remind me of my mistakes, Ethan." I spoke looking at him and this time it was my turn to smirk.

"Whatever floats your boat, Lauren. But we both know the truth." He shrugged his shoulders with his dimples on display for me. His dimples, oh my god.

I never knew I had a thing for dimples till I met this man. Not just his dimples, now that I think, I realise I have a thing for him. His everything, as a whole. He doesn't even have to do anything, and I'll still admire him like a love sick puppy. And still deep in my heart, I feel like I can't love him enough. There's so much love in my heart, that if I pour it out completely, it will drown him. How could someone love a person like this?

"Do you realise that you talk a lot these days." I asked him and he scrunched his handsome face in a frown before shrugging.

"Your habit is rubbing on me, I guess."

"Don't blame me for it."

"Who said I'm blaming you. In fact, I'm liking this habit because I can talk to you endlessly."

I laughed at his words but my eyes distracted from Ethan to the sweet creature cuddling in his arms.

"Milo?" I asked him.

"Milo." He didn't ask anything else except nodding his head with a I agree face.

"Milo is beautiful."

"Yes, it is. Do you love your name. Milo, boy?" Ethan asked lifting Milo in his arms to bring him to his face.

Milo did nothing except wagging his tail excitedly and licking Ethan's face whimpering softly making the latter laugh.

***

I rang the doorbell and waited for the door to open up fixing my handbag strap on my shoulder and glancing at the time to see if I'm on time and I am. I took a side way glance and his face is staring at his phone as if the phone is love of his life. He is probably checking his mails or something, but still the office work should not follow us everywhere.

"If there is any law that allows one to marry materialistic things, then you would've married to your laptop you know." I spoke turning straight looking ahead ignoring his face.

"What?"

"Your laptop will be your first wife. And your phone is your second wife." I explained to him but he just shook his head at me.

"Are you saying that I give my phone more attention than you?" he asked.

"It's just truth I'm speaking."

"Don't tell me you are jealous of my phone?" He aksed.

"Me? Jealous? Of your Phone?" Yes, I am.

"Are you?"

"Of course, not. What do you take me for?" I lied to not appear as a crazy person who gets jealous over a phone.

"Liar."

"Oh, please. I'm definitely not. And moreover, you give too much credit for yourself. I love you but I'm not head over heels for you." Another lie. I waved him off avoiding eye contact.

"Now I'm sure you are, Lauren. You don't get defensive unless it's the truth."

How does he knows that?

"You are such a—"

My remark stopped on my tongue when the door opened and a familiar face that I missed seeing in the office these days, greeted me with a smile.

"Leah!" I called her excitedly before rushing in to give her a tight hug trying to squeeze the life out of her. Not literally, of course.

A chuckle escaped out of her mouth and I grinned at her after standing back before her.

"You didn't see me for a week, Lauren. You act as if you've haven't seen me for a whole year." Leah spoke with a playful smile and I rolled my eyes at her.

"A week is still seven days, Leah. I'm not good at math, but I think there are more than hundred hours in a week. And let's not start with number of seconds in a week."

"Well, I can say that you missed my positive aura in that hell of an office." Leah spoke opening her arms slightly and pointing to herself with a sly smirk.

Her smirk didn't last long when her eyes landed behind me, looking at Ethan. Her eyes widened before leaving my hands, she was holding before, in a heartbeat and standing before Ethan.

"Mr Kingston, Please come in." Leah spoke in a polite tone and Ethan nodded his head before answering her.

"Thank you , Leah."

"I knew you will be coming. But I don't know why I'm still surprised." Leah chuckled nervously looking at Ethan.

"I know." He gave her a smile, a small one he is so good at. "And just call me Ethan when we are not in office. Moreover I came here as your friend's husband, Don't treat me anything more." He spoke giving me a brief look before returning his eyes to Leah.

"Sure." Leah spoke shocked for a moment before composing herself.

"Your poor friend is still here, Leah." I gave her a tightlipped smile hinting to myself and Leah rolled her eyes sneakily avoiding looking at Ethan while doing so.

"I can see that." Leah gave me a tightlipped smile.

"And also, matching outfits, huh?" Leah asked wriggling her eyebrows smirking at me.

I took a glance at Ethan's casual navy blue shirt which isn't coincidently matching to my navy blue skater dress. He changed his white shirt to match mine after seeing me getting ready. I teased him enough about his action but he just brushed me away not allowing me to ogle his pink tinted cheeks whenever I teased him.

Leah spoke to me before turning towards Ethan and ushering us to enter the living room.

Leah and Betty, who is Leah's wife, adopted a child a week back. Exactly the day after that rainy night where Ethan and I confessed our feelings. Betty closed her bakery temporarily and Leah took a few days leave to take care and share their love to the new member in their family.

Leah and Betty are together since the first time they met in college. Although Betty dropped the college in her second year for some reasons, Leah and Betty were still in touch even after. After five years of dating, they got married. And now they adopted a baby to grow their little family and I couldn't be anymore happier for them.

And tonight, they arranged small dinner for us to meet the new guest in their family. Sort of a welcome party, but a small one at that.

"Mr Kingston, good evening." Betty greeted him and he did the same.

"Lauren. How have you been?" Betty spoke shifting her eyes from Ethan to me.

Betty is a beautiful lady with her pale blue eyes, five feet five height, and soft curves enhancing her looks even more. I have met Betty once in one of the office parties and that's it. She's completely opposite of Leah with her caring nature and sunshine personality, while Leah has an attitude of who cares type.

"Good, Betty. How are you?" I asked walking towards her.

"Happier than ever, as you can see." Betty gave a soft laugh looking behind where a baby boy, who looked about three-years old, playing with one of the many toys in the playroom with a very keen face, as if toys hide magic and dreamy lands inside them.

"Noah, dear. Come here." Betty spoke looking towards the playroom with a smile on her face.

Noah, the little boy, stopped playing with his toys muttering a soft Yes, mommy before running back to the living room but stopped in his tracks when he saw new faces in his house.

He slowly came and hid behind Betty peeking at me and Ethan. The word adorable would be belittled with his round cheeks and big doe eyes that looked at me softly and shyly.

"Come on, dear. Meet them." Leah spoke softy looking at the little boy and the latter slowly came and stood in front of us and I crouched in my position.

"Hey, Noah. I'm Lauren. Your mom, Leah's friend." I spoke giving my hand for him to shake and after a contemplating minute, he shook my hand.

"Hi." The little Noah spoke shyly.

His big eyes slid from mine and looked up to Ethan, curiosity peeking behind his big eyes.

Ethan looked at mine and Noah's interaction with a strange glint in his eyes. Longing? No. Wistful? Maybe.

when Ethan realised the little boy's attention is on him, he crouched in his position beside me and spoke.

"Hi, Noah. I'm Ethan." Noah shook his hand and after some thinking, he spoke again.

"You are also my mommy's friend?" Noah asked Ethan to which the latter shook his head smiling at the little boy.

"No, Noah. I'm Lauren's husband." Ethan spoke giving me a brief look.

"Oh." He spoke as if he understood but didn't push anything.

Ethan smiled at Noah who has a soft smile on his face.

"So, what do you love the most, Noah?" I asked bringing his attention from Ethan to me.

"Chocolate, cupcakes."

"Okay. I'll remember to bring them to you the next time I visit here."

"And what about gifts?" Ethan asked him again.

"Gifts? I love them." Noah's eyes widened speaking to me.

"I know. I know." I laughed at him ruffling his soft hair with my fingers.

"You are a beautiful boy. So we brought a gift for you, you know." Ethan spoke softly and Noah's eyes lit up at the mention of the word gift.

He took the gift from my hand eagerly muttering a thanks and his eyes shined even more when he saw what his gift is. It's a train puzzle game, nothing fancy but I guess Noah loved it looking at his reaction.

"He loves it." Leah spoke looking at Noah with so much adoration in her face, that she reserves only for Betty.

"I'm glad." I spoke.

"I have many toys in my room. Do you want to play with me?" Noah spoke shyly but excited at the same time.

"Sure." He jumped in his place before grabbing my hand and Ethan's and taking me to his playroom.

The doorbell rang again and after two minutes or more Sarah and her boyfriend, Alex entered the room to meet the little shy boy.

And once Noah got comfortable with us, he started showing his toys and talking about everything and anything. Not that I complain.

Although Sarah and Alex were awkward and uncomfortable looking at the playful Ethan at first, as they are familiar with the cold bossy type man, but Noah's talking and his loud giggles brought us all together letting all that awkwardness fade away into the thin air.

Leah and Betty went to the dining area to set the table for dinner while Sarah and Alex are in their own world giving romantic eyes to each other whenever they could.

When everyone are in their own world, my eyes went towards Ethan who is busy showing Noah how to make a paper rocket, while the latter saw Ethan as if he is seeing a real scientist or more like a wizard in Noah's view, I think. Ethan had a soft smile on his face seeing Noah's laughter when their paper rocket flew high in the room. Noah stopped jumping looking at the paper rocket and threw his arms around Ethan excitedly.

Aww...

What a delightful sight it is...

My female hormones kicked in looking at Ethan and Noah in front of me, hugging and laughing like no others existed in their world. It was really an ecstatic sight to watch. Ethan can handle children very well. In fact, he is better than me at that.

Hmm... I might want a baby too.

***

Eva's POV

"So, you will leave now?" Ryan asked turning his head to face me from his driving seat.

"I guess." I spoke giving him a smile and he just leaned his head on top of the steering wheel sighing with a smile looking at me differently. Differently in the sense, as if, if he blinks, I'll vanish.

"I don't want you to leave yet." Ryan muttered with a pout on his lips taking my hand in his and drawing circles with his thumb on my knuckles.

"So, you suggest we stay in this car forever?" I spoke with a light chuckle looking at Ryan who thought for a moment at my words. No way. Is he actually considering what I'm saying right now. But we are talking about Ryan here. No one knows what runs in his mind.

"I would consider it, given it isn't such a bad idea. But I have other plans." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"Like?" I asked him raising a brow and giving him a side-eye.

"Like maybe kidnapping you to an isolated island."

I fake gasped at his threat.

"You will abandon me there?"

He laughed at my words or maybe at my exaggerated reaction, but who cares if it makes him laugh.

"No, I'll stay there with you as much as I want. No distractions. No secret meetings. Just us." My heart skipped a beat at his words.

"Oh. What about your female fans then?" I asked masking my blush but the goofy grin on his lips tells me how badly I failed at masking it.

"Ah, I love them all a lot." He spoke staring at me intensely and although his words felt like a stab, this time I hid the negative emotions well.

"Hmm." I trailed off looking ahead in my passenger seat in his favorite Ferrari.

"Please tell me you are jealous, Eva." His desperate voice turned me to face him.

"No." I lied blandly.

"Now you are angry, aren't you?" A smirk greeted his lips this time.

"No." I lied with a stern voice trying to make my point clear but he just ignored my attempts with a laugh.

"You are so cute when you try to hide your feelings, you know." he kissed my cheek. "Moreover, I might love all my female fans. But you should know I don't want anyone else except you. Only you." He spoke looking at my eyes as if he is making sure that I remember his every word.

"Okay." I cleared my throat to not let him see the smile that is creeping on my face. For some reason, I always loved hiding my emotions and control my face expressions. But Ryan really does some magic trick to break my walls. I could never hide my emotions in front of him and I blame him solely for this change in me.

"I'm going to London tonight." He spoke after a moment of comfortable silence while we both got out of his car and stood in front of it.

But when I realised what he said, that felt like ice cold water on my head sweeping away the giddiness from his words before.

"I know." I gave him a curt nod.

"I'll miss you."

My breath hitched at his words. Not just because of his words but also his voice did something to me.

"I'll miss you too." I spoke leaning my head on his chest and tightening my arms around his torso. He chuckled at me but did the same.

My phone rang in my hand bringing me out of my version of heaven. Lately, my version of heaven is being in his arms.

I looked down at the screen and it's Alice. I looked at the time and it was past midnight and I have a trial tomorrow to attend. If Alice calls, that means it's pretty late and my curfew is going to begin soon. Not literally of course, but same meaning at the end. I just know Alice have only good intentions so I never complain. Sometimes, she can be a strict mom. Only sometimes.

"It's late. I have to go, Ryan. Call me whenever you are free." I spoke hugging him tightly and giving him a peck on his lips before stepping back away from him and with a final glance at his handsome face, I turned around to go to the apartment.

But a hand grip on my wrist stopped me in my tracks, I was turned around and before I could even understand what happened, soft lips were placed on mine.

He kissed me softly tracing his hands all over my back and with a smile I mirrored his actions.

We continued kissing in our own dreamy land but had to apart when we both are out of breath. He leaned his forehead on mine taking the much needed oxygen.

"I could stay like this forever." he whispered against my lips.

***

"Eva, get up" Alice's voice from outside the door woke me up.

"What is it, Alice."

"You should see this. Come out fast."

With a sigh, I opened the door of my bedroom and walked out where Alice is sitting on the small table.

"What happened?"

She did nothing except pushing her phone in my face with a calm expression. Extremely calm that scared me for some reason.

My eyes landed on the article in the phone and I froze staring at the headline of the article.

"Hollywood's playboy, Ryan Parker's new affair with his attorney..."

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