Chapter 5

Ethan

I closed the book I was reading and switched off the lamp. I looked at the balcony door to see her staring at the sky.

I know I was being rude by throwing her out in that cold weather. But whenever I see her face, it reminds me of the unwanted marriage I had. It reminds me of what she is. The gold digger, the opportunist and that makes me mad.

I lay on the bed and closed my eyes to get some sleep.

When I didn't get any sleep even after a few minutes, I got up and walked towards the balcony to see her sleeping wrapped herself like a ball.

After a minute I noticed that she was shivering. The guilt crept back into my heart. My first instinct was to open the door and bring her inside. But I stopped myself from doing that.

Why should I care?

I shouldn't care at all.

Shaking my head, I walked back to my bed.

When I saw her at the altar, I would be lying, if I said she didn't look beautiful.

She looked perfect.

But I can't get fooled by the looks.

But why did she have to agree to this marriage if not for some hidden intentions?

It had been a few minutes or so when I heard her whimpering.

I got up from the bed and opened the door.

She immediately opened her eyes when she heard the noise.

She looked slightly pale.

I shivered when I felt the cold outside. She must have been freezing here.

"Get in." she looked confused for a moment.

She was about to protest when I glared at her hard.

"I said get in," I repeated firmly.

She rubbed her palms together, breathing shakily and thought for a few minutes before entering.

I walked towards the phone on the bedside table and called Tom.

"Tom, Bring Lauren's luggage to my room." When he muttered a yes, I ended the call.

A few minutes later Tom entered my room with her luggage.

She quickly took some clothes from her luggage before looking around the room searching for the bathroom.

I pointed her in the direction and she walked giving me a quick nod. After a few minutes, she came out in some blue pyjamas.

"Sleep on the bed," I said sternly sitting on the couch in the room.

"What? No," she replied widening her eyes.

"Do you want to sleep outside again?" she widened her eyes and glared at me.

She compelled and sat on the bed still shivering.

"Here" I spoke.

She looked at me and I threw the soft blanket at her and it smacked her in the face. She took the blanket down from her face and glared at me again.

She weakly muttered something under her breath before lying down on the bed.

She covered her whole body with the blanket and closed her eyes.

When I saw her still trembling, I set the temperature of the room to make it more warm.

Lying down on the couch, I turned to look at her cuddling the blanket with a soft sigh.

I felt bad when I saw her pale form earlier.

But it is she who signed up for this when she agreed to this marriage.

What did she expect?

Flowers and chocolates from me or this marriage?

A journey with me is never going to be easy.

I will never make it easy.

I turned away from her and closed my eyes trying to get some sleep.

When I didn't get any sleep even after a few tossing and turnings on the couch I opened my laptop to do some work.

I had a few files to verify, and I did them. When I checked the time to see it was almost four in the morning. I shut down the laptop and laid back on the couch to rest my back.

Soon my eyes closed due to exhaustion.

***

I wrapped the grey tie around my neck and tightened it. I looked at my reflection in the mirror satisfied with my look.

It is our wedding party. I didn't want to attend any party, but we are talking about the grandpa here. No one can change his mind.

I sighed spraying some perfume and looked at the watch to see it was almost time for the party.

I was admiring myself in the mirror when I heard some noise.

I looked around, and when I found nothing, I shrugged going back to my reflection. When I heard someone clearing their throat, I looked again only to stop my eyes this time at the closet.

Lauren's face peeked through the closet door.

She signalled me to come towards her and I looked back and forth to check if it was me she was calling. I slowly walked towards the closet, when I didn't see anyone else.

"What?" I asked her in a not-so-exciting voice.

"Um, can you call some maid in here? I need help with my dress." She whispered.

I furrowed my eyes at her voice.

"Why are you whispering?" I asked and she shrugged.

"I didn't want anyone else to listen to our conversation." She whispered again.

"Why? Unless we are discussing any nuclear weapons." I questioned her rolling my eyes.

"The helpers all are busy with the party arrangements right now. What help do you need?" she gulped and looked up at me again.

"Just my zip." She muttered and I cleared my throat.

I thought for a moment before I spoke again.

"Do you mind if I do it?"

she looked surprised by my answer.

She nodded at me and opened the closet door wide.

My eyes widened when I took her whole form.

She was wearing a red coloured dress and the dress looked perfect on her hugging her curves perfectly. The dress was a little deep neck showing a perfect amount of cleavage.

Her face was glowing with the slight amount of makeup she put on and her brown eyes enhanced her beauty even more.

She turned away from me and pulled all her hair to one side showing her zip.

I got out of my thoughts and stepped towards her. My fingers lightly brushed her naked back when I touched her zip. She slightly shivered at the touch.

My fingers felt her skin when I zipped the dress and when I realized what I was doing, I zipped her up quickly and stepped back immediately.

She turned towards me and muttered thanks.

"Can we go now? We don't have forever." I spoke after clearing my throat.

She nodded at me and we walked downstairs side by side.

***

When we entered the party hall. The hall is crowded with business partners and guests.

I placed my hand on the small of her waist and her breath hitched at my touch.

"Don't do anything which will ruin my reputation" I whispered in her ear. The smell of lavender and fresh strawberry filled my nose.

I backed away from her and made our way towards my business partners. Soon we all fell into business conversations and I saw Lauren trying to stifle her yawn a bunch of times. I finally excused us from them and dragged Lauren along with me to a corner.

"Can't you pretend to be the perfect wife at least for a few minutes?" I whisper-yelled at her.

"What did I even do?" she frowned.

I closed my eyes trying to calm myself down.

"You were yawning in front of my business partners" I grunted.

"What? I thought I was doing a good job stifling my yawn. Moreover, I was bored." She sighed.

"Do you- "I was cut off by a familiar voice.

"Ok. Alright, Love birds. What are you arguing about?" It was Ryan Parker.

Lauren's eyes slightly widened when she saw Ryan.

Of course, she would know him.

"No. No. We were not arguing. We were just talking about something. You know some couple matters." She said looping her hand around mine.

I looked down at her to see her giving Ryan a full smile.

I took her hand which was wrapped around me and removed it harshly.

"You don't need to act. He already knows about our marriage." Her wide eyes jumped between me and Ryan.

"This is called second-hand embarrassment and this happens to me a lot." She facepalmed muttering something to herself.

I rolled my eyes at her answer.

When Ryan saw her embarrassed, he spoke.

"You know it happens to me a lot too but I couldn't care less." He shrugged his shoulders making Lauren smile a bit.

"I hope you do know me," he asked her and she pretended to think for a minute before answering.

"You are his best friend, right?" she said pointing towards me.

He looked offended for a second.

"Seriously. Do you know me only as this idiot's best friend? Don't you think my face is somewhat familiar?" He asked and she pursed her lips out pretending to think deeply.

She finally shook her head. I could see her hidden smile from my side and I looked at Ryan to see him somewhat surprised.

"I must agree you have some amazing acting skills." He smirked at her.

They both were talking when a woman came towards us and hugged Lauren.

Lauren squealed lightly with a huge smile and hugged her tight.

The woman turned towards me for a second before her eyes fell on Ryan. Her face instantly pulled into a big smile.

"Ryan, Hi. Do you remember me from the wedding?" She muttered with a blush.

"Alice. right? I gave you an autograph." When she heard her name, her smile widened.

She nodded her head quickly at him.

Lauren looked at the exchange between them before taking Alice harshly away along with her.

I turned towards Ryan to see him already staring at me. I know what is going to come now.

"Ah," he sighed managing his cuff and continued "the perks of being a famous person."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"You got some good wife, Ethan." He spoke turning towards the direction Lauren left.

"Shut up. Ryan" I rolled my eyes.

"What? She is really good. I think she can even become my friend. Don't you think that's cute?" he asked raising his shoulders.

"No. I don't think so."

I tried walking away from him and he followed me.

"Come on Ethan. I think she is perfect for you. Why don't you give this relationship a chance?"

"I don't want to Ryan. I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted this marriage. I never wanted Lauren to come into my life. "

"This is what life is, Ethan. You can't control everything in your life. Some things happen out of control. You just need to accept it. When you don't accept the truth, it will only hurt you further. And you deserve happiness, Ethan." His expression turned into a serious one.

I looked back at him.

"A person like me can never deserve happiness, Ryan." He sighed and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Maybe you just need to let the happiness in, Ethan." He said looking at someone behind me.

I followed his gaze to look at Lauren, who is smiling widely at someone. Her eyes were sparkling and her smile wide.She looked beautiful in that dress and her smile made her special.

But my eyes looked behind Lauren when the door opened and they immediately widened to their large size.

No.

No.

What is she doing here?

Why is she even here?

I saw red and my jaw clenched looking at the figure.

The person I would never wish to see.

Elena Kingston.

My mother.

Author's notes

Hello again,

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