Mismatched Compatibility (6)

Dana:

After retouching my make-up and a serious one-on-one pep talk in front of the mirror in the ladies room, I went back to join Cher and her middle-aged friends.

“I’m quite curious,” Belle said to me as soon as I returned to my seat. “How did you and Ethan meet?”

Okay, what do I say to that?

That guy and I haven’t properly talked about our supposed love life’s background. Even if we did attempt to think of something, our ideas would just clash. And then, we would end up bickering. I wasn’t quite sure I was up for that.

We fought enough as it is, I thought.

I realized all eyes were on me, waiting for me to answer the question. Should I just make up a story? This was bad. I didn’t exactly have a creative mind.

“Pardon me, ladies,” a deep voice piped in.

Our heads turned toward the sound of the voice. If truth be told, I didn’t have to look to see who the masculine voice belonged to. My eyes found him, nonetheless.

“Ethan, how nice to see you,” said Rose. “You’ve grown.”

He didn’t even bother to hide his skeptical expression as he rolled his eyes at the lady. Crudely, I might add.

“I see you haven’t changed,” remarked Evelyn disapprovingly.

He looked at her. “You managed to conclude that within five seconds, Mrs. Montgomery?” he asked, smiling – even though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m impressed.”

There was the tiniest hint of sarcasm in his voice, so it was more like he was innocently asking the question rather than insulting her. With the look on the women's faces, they weren’t sure on how to interpret what he said because his expression was unreadable.

My lips twitched, daring to smile.

Ethan’s sarcasm was advanced. I was very impressed.

But that still didn’t change the fact that he was the most judgmental person I had ever had the chance to meet. No one had ever lowly stereotyped me like he did a while ago. It was absolutely nerve-wracking.

“Ethan,” called Cher, raising an eyebrow. “Will you care to enlighten us why you interrupted our conversation?”

“Right,” said Ethan, clearly oblivious to his mother’s tone. “I'm rescuing my girl from all the fakeness. Don't want her to get contaminated, you know.”

My eyes snapped up to him, but he didn't meet my gaze.

He's rescuing me . . . ?

“What do you mean by that?” asked Cher suspiciously.

I noticed a crooked smile slowly form on Ethan's lips.

“You perfectly know what I mean, Mom,” he stated darkly.

I wasn't sure . . . but I thought I saw Cher's lips twitch at what Ethan said.

“Besides,” he continued, “I miss her.” He wore a soft expression on his face as he said that, but he still didn't look at me.

“Awe, how sweet,” commented Rose, getting carried away by Ethan's charm.

I forced back a grimace. She was too old for him, really. I wondered if Ethan would go for older women.

“Go on, then,” beamed Belle, waving us away. “Enjoy your youth.”

Ethan looked at Cher, as though asking for permission.

Cher laughed gracefully. “What right do I have? She's your girlfriend.”

That made Ethan grin broadly. He swiftly took my hand and pulled me away. I panicked and looked at the women left on the table.

I haven't even bid a proper farewell yet.

“It was nice meeting all of you!” I called out to them, smiling as I did so.

They nodded, smiled, and said the usual replies.

“The pleasure is all mine, dear.”

“It was nice meeting you, as well.”

“Toodles!”

Cher, on the other hand, only gave me a genuine smile. But before I could ponder more over it, Ethan pulled me around the corner and out of sight.

Ethan didn't speak, he only kept driving his Escalade. I didn't even have any idea where he planned on taking me. And I didn't want to ask because for some odd reason, I was shy.

For goodness' sake, I was shy. I slightly feared that I was going back to my old self, but I diminished the thought. My old self was weak and demure. I was quite a bit different now from who I used to be.

“The party's not until later tonight.”

I whipped my head around to look at him.

“So I'm going to a friend's place for a bit,” he informed me indifferently, while he kept his eyes on the road. “It's your choice if you want to come or not. I'll tell you now, though. There's nothing to do at home.”

He was giving me a choice. And yet he was telling me the disadvantage of going back to his house alone. It was almost as though he was telling me to come with him to his friend's house.

When I finally found my voice, I asked evenly, “Does your friend acquire the same ill traits you have?”

He chuckled. “No.” But then, he thought about it. “Somehow,” he admitted, tilting his head. “Well, he's not the type you'd want to mess with. But he's pretty likable, being a nice guy and all.”

I couldn't help but frown.

“A nice guy I wouldn't want to mess with . . .” I concluded slowly.

Does such a person exist?

“You'll understand once you meet him,” he said, as if sensing what I was baffled about in my mind.

I didn't reply.

My eyes wandered to look at the houses we passed by. They all looked very homey and cozy – the type I could only see in movies. It was the kind of place I wished I grew up in. I wasn't implying that I didn't feel blessed with what I had now, because I believed that I had more than enough. I just want –

“I'm sorry.”

My head snapped back to Ethan's direction, my eyes wide from what I just heard. Was it only my imagination?

“Did you just . . . ?” I couldn't help but ask.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice low. “And don't make me say it again.”

To be honest, I wanted a better apology than that – and clearer. He wasn't even looking at me the whole time. But I guessed for Ethan, that was already a big deal. He didn't seem the type to easily accept his faults.

But still, I appreciate his effort.

“I won't,” I smiled a little.

“Good.”

While we were at it, I thought it was the best time to thank him as well.

“Thank you for saving me from the luncheon.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal. “I know what it feels like to have to impress people. Our only difference is, I choose who I impress.”

It was rather hard to imagine him having to impress people. And it was also a little hard for that information to sink in my mind because if what he said was true, it meant that he sort of understand what I was going through. But he chose to do something about it, and not let it get to him. Again, unlike me.

For once, I didn't argue with him.

The thing is . . . he's right.

“We're here,” he announced, pulling up in front of a maroon-colored house.

He turned off the engine and got out. Before closing his door, he leaned down to peek at me. It was the first time he looked at me after our fight. And I found myself staring at his blue eyes.

Suddenly, I felt something strange in my stomach.

I immediately looked down on my lap and inwardly panicked.

No, that can't be. I'm being silly.

Right, that was it. I was just being silly. There was no way that I could be attracted to him. It wasn't even a possibility. I refuse to like someone that rude.

And yet I couldn't deny that the kiss yesterday made me feel all fuzzy.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked.

“I was waiting for you to –”

I stopped myself. I completely forgot that this was Ethan that I was with. He didn't have an ounce of being a gentleman in his body.

His forehead creased in confusion on what I was about to say. And then, understanding slowly reached his eyes, making him smile in amusement.

“You're waiting in vain if you're expecting me to open the car door for you,” he sneered. After that, he closed the door and walked toward the house.

Hmph. As if I didn't know that already.

I took a deep breath, before getting out of Ethan's Escalade. I followed him toward the house, and stood beside him as he rang the doorbell.

He wore a smug smile when he noticed me, but I ignored him.

Not a minute later, the door finally opened. We were greeted by a tall, lean, and dark-haired good-looking young man. Ethan was undeniably more muscular and a bit taller by a couple of inches, but this person looked no less . . . hot.

“Yo, Ethan!” he grinned, giving Ethan the man hug greeting. When he pulled away, his eyes landed on me.

If truth be told, he looked a bit intimidating despite his boy-next-door cuteness. But I was practically born to intimidate, as well. So he had no effect on me.

Well, only slightly.

“You must be Dana,” he said curiously.

I looked suspiciously at Ethan.

“Hey, don't look at me. I didn't kiss and tell.” His hands were raised defensively. The moment he raised them down, he grinned, “At least, not this time.”

The dark-haired person laughed.

“He didn't state the details, but I got the drift,” he grinned pointedly at Ethan.

“What drift?” I asked innocently, having no comprehension on what he just said.

Both boys burst out laughing. I felt blood rush to my cheeks in embarrassment.

It wasn't my fault I didn't know too much slang words. I was raised to talk politely. And everyone I talked to also spoke formally, so I didn't quite learn the urban language.

“Awe. Don't pout, princess,” teased Ethan, patting my head lightly.

“I'm sorry,” the dark-haired person told me. “I meant, I get what he was saying and he need not explain more.”

I nodded. “Ah.”

He pulled up a hand for me to shake. “Aaron Ford.”

Oh, he must be the Aaron that Ethan's mother and her friends referred to about getting married next week. He looked quite young for marriage, indeed.

Brian and Kim's wedding entered my mind. They wedded between their sophomore and junior year in college. I was only eighteen then, going on my freshman year at Yale University. They were way younger than Aaron, whom I heard graduated from college just last month, so I didn't have a right to criticize.

“I'm Daniella Howard,” I said, accepting his hand. “It's nice to meet you.”

He smiled broadly, making me I blink for a moment.

Wow. He had a contagious smile. No wonder he was likable.

_________________________________________

BOOM! Ready to read about our beloved A and D? What a cliffhanger, right? Haha! Dontcha worry, you'll read about 'em in the next chapter. Which I won't take a month to upload so don't get your knickers in a knot. LOL. By the way, to those who noticed... It seems like our Dana is starting to get hints of attraction for our bad boy, ain't she? ;)

Well, there you go. That's how Aaron Ford looks to everyone else. ;) So who's hotter, Ethan or Aaron? I can't wait to know what you think! :D

Please Comment and Vote -- if you like!! ^_^