Chapter 0021
+25 BONUS
“What were you thinking?!” Ethan’s voice finally penetrates the cloud of fear, and I look up at him. He pulls me out of the car, searching for injuries. “Why don’t you take letter care of yourself?”
Anger and worry mix in his tone which makes me feel funny. Is he mad at me?
“I was worried about hitting your car, Ethan. I don’t have any income and can’t afford to pay for your luxury vehicle!” I shout, overwhelmed.
Ethan stares at me for a minute before sighing, “You wouldn’t need to pay. You were in danger, and you should take better care of your health.”
“It’s my body!” 1 protest. “Why are you acting like I did something wrong?
“Because you ran yourself off the fucking road!” Ethan growls, and I pause. Is he… I narrow my eyes and notice the wrinkles around his eyes and the thin set of his lips. Is he worried about me?
Running a hand through his hair, Ethan takes a deep breath and releases it. He waves at the car and a man steps out. The man smiles at me, and I feel a bit embarrassed. He’d heard the whole argument and seen me
yell at his…
friend? Boss?
“Let me take you home,” Ethan says.
“I’ll drive myself,” I say softly, not wanting to get into another argument. To emphasize my point, I walk over to my car and get in, trying to crank the engine.
It clicks several times before it goes quiet. Heat flushes my cheeks, and I try again. Click. Click Click.
I drop my head against the steering wheel, wincing at the tender spot above my eyebrow. The longer I sit here, the more I feel aches pop up on my body. Why is this happening to me?
“I’ll take you home,” Ethan murmurs close to me.
Lifting my eyes, I find him crouched by the door with his hand stretched out to me. With no other choice, I place my hand in his and let him lead me to his car.
“You two look cozy back there,” the driver, Ryan teases, and I drop my gaze to my hands in my lap. The drive has been silent, except for Ryan telling me all about how he’s known Ethan forever. He seems cheerful and outgoing, which is different to Ethan’s cold and calculating attitude.
“Ryan,” Ethan rumbles in warning.
“What, I was just thinking you make a cute couple,” Ryan says then laughs.
Embarrassment fills me, so I turn and lay my head on the window. Maybe he’ll forget I’m here.
“Though, on a different note, Ethan, your mother has invited you to dinner on Sunday. She has something important to discuss with you.”
Ethan stiffens beside me, the arm that’s touching mine going rigid. I hadn’t heard Ethan mention his parents, so curiosity peaks my interest.
“Tell her I’m busy.”
I glance at Ethan. Does he not have a good relationship with his mother? I shouldn’t pry, but his response surprises me. My mother was the person who loved me the most in the world, and I felt the same. She was my
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 0021
everything,
To keep from angering Ethan, I look back out the window and realize we’re close.
“It’s just five kilometers away,” I announce, breaking the awkward tension.
“Under that proposal billboard, right?” Ethan asks after glancing up.
Shocked, I nod. The billboard does have a jewelry store’s engagement ring display on it with a man proposing to a woman in the picture. How did he know that, though? The Billboard isn’t that large, and we’re pretty far away. Had he followed me and seen it before?
“I saw it,” Ethan says, like he could read my mind. He must’ve seen my confusion.
“Are you kidding?” I ask. “How could anyone see a billboard that’s five kilometers away?”
