6
474words
“I don’t.”
Ethan looked at me with tense eyes, his voice hoarse.“So,you didn’t get close to me just to make him jealous.”
“Yeah—ah,what are you doing!”
Ethan boldly cupped my face and kissed my lips.
Dazed in his arms,I barely registered what was happening. After a while,he kissed my forehead, looking satisfied.
“Sorry,I thought you were using me to get Zach jealous.”
“Rachel,it’s great that you don’t like him anymore.”
I hugged him tightly around the waist. At first,I hired Ethan to distract myself,but through our time together,my feelings became real.
His embrace warmed me.Ethan slipped a ring on my finger,content.
“Rachel,let’s be together.”
After that kiss,how could I refuse?
I hugged his neck,only for Ethan to nibble my cheek.
As we kissed,Zach rushed out, looking sober and panicked.We locked eyes through the car window for a second,but I knew he couldn’t see me.
“Rachel,focus.”
Ethan,gritting his teeth,covered my eyes.
After confirming our relationship,Ethan openly moved in with me.
On Monday,we overheard talk of Fiona and Zach’s breakup on campus.
I pursed my lips,avoiding deeper thoughts.
Ethan possessively interlocked our fingers,preventing me from listening.
“Rachel,I’ve got a secret to tell you.”
While he was feeding me, mid - bite, Ethan’s words made me choke.
I looked at him,his face faintly guilty.
Feeling grieved and scared,I asked,“You…changed your heart?”
“No!”
Ethan vehemently gripped my hand,denying it.
“I’m not the penniless guy you think I am.”
He explained as we discussed my plan for a charity foundation.
He’d schemed to approach me,prompting his confession.
“I did work multiple jobs.The scars and experience you saw are real.”
“But that was in high school.Later,short on cash,I fought in underground rings.I stopped worrying about money.”
“Rachel,you might not know,but I saw you long ago. I finally understood...”
So that was it…Ethan’s nervous look amused me. I put on a stern face. “You lied. How should I punish you?”
He held out both hands.“At my girlfriend’s mercy.”
I glared—don’t call me that yet!
The sweetness didn’t last long.Zach interrupted it.
When he saw me with Ethan,he frowned and extending a hand.
“Rachel,I’m single now.Come back to me.”
I didn’t move.
He sighed heavily and asked,“Still mad at me?”
I glanced at Zach,then kissed Ethan in front of him.
“I really don’t like you.”
Zach’s face darkened. He shook his head and muttered, “Rachel, don’t do this. Even if you’re angry, just end it, okay?”
I raised my ringed finger and calmly looked at Zach until his eyes reddened.
“I—I’ll go.Rachel,think it over.”
Ethan turned my head away from Zach’s retreating figure and pinched my cheek.“He’s gone,and you’re still looking?”
Such jealousy.
Ethan caressed my lips,desire flickering in his eyes.
“Tonight,at home…”
He closed his eyes,shaking his head.
“No,Rachel.”
“I need to ask a doctor…how to avoid hurting you.”
