Ethan’s POV
“So, what happens to the wedding now?” I asked, my gaze fixed unblinkingly on Grandpa.
I’m finally in my house, in my room, which feels empty even with the two people before me.
I’ve got used to Dawn’s company that anybody else in here doesn’t make me feel alright.
But then, I have no choice. This is the first time I’ll be alone with Andre and grandpa after I was discharged.
And this is the right and the perfect time for me to ask my questions. Because, if I’ve not been hallucinating or if my beautiful eyes weren’t playing a dirty trick on me, I had seen Grandpa winking and grinning at me. Something rare for a grandpa whose grandsons are sick, to do
“I don’t know,” he sighed. “You’ll have to talk to Mel about it.”
Oh right! What a perfect answer. He doesn’t know, but I’ll have to talk to Mel about it. And talk what to her exactly?
I creased my brows, staring at grandpa to continue whatever he was saying.
“You do not want to get married to her,”
Took him that long to realize.
“I’m sorry,” he said weakly.
Grandpa looks sad, horrible, and chalk-white like someone who’s been suffering from a bad case of anemia.
He does look worried, definitely not because of me.
“I led her on,”
“What?” I chuckled, “what do you mean?”
“Mel,” Grandpa sighed. “I promised her you’d get married to her.”
“And I almost got married to her,” I mumbled, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
“But you didn’t,” Andre chirped in.
“Did I have you to thank for that?”
Andre chuckled nervously, now taking interest in the blue crystal ball that stood on my reading table.
“What have you done to me? I couldn’t probably have passed out just because I was pugging, could I? And what did you give to me… ” I snapped my gaze at Andre, for a thought had just run through my mind.
Mouth agape, eyes narrowed.
“It’s not… Is it?”
“Well,” he said simply. “It’s what you’re thinking. It’s just a drop and I sedated the drink too. Just a drop, sincerely.”
Oh really! Just a drop and I’d spent 12 solid hours of my life sleeping.
I bit my lower lip, my fingers drumming lightly on my lap.
God knows that I’m not angry, no.
It’s just unfortunate that I had to sleep for 12 hours, but the good thing was the wedding did not take place.
“Why?” I turned to grandpa. “Why did you do it?”
“Your mom,” he mumbled. “She couldn’t have wanted this, could she?” He sighed. “She definitely won’t want you getting married to another woman while someone else is carrying your baby”
I’m not surprised by that outburst, Andre told me one day that he already knew.
“She won’t have got me married to someone I do not love too!” I scoffed.
Grandpa chuckled, then he nodded his head. “My mistake.”
A moment of silence followed this his words, a moment where I just sat there staring at grandpa and pondering on what he said.
“What about Mel?” I broke the silence. “What will happen to her?”
I couldn’t help but shudder lightly when I remembered how she stared at me yesterday.
Somehow, I had concluded that it was just her way of showing concern. I was sick, and she was worried, but I know that I’m just trying to avoid reality.
It could not be, no! I don’t want it to be true.
“Talk to her,” grandpa said. “Sort it out yourself.”
And how am I supposed to do that?
“Fine!” I said. “So…” I began tentatively, now picking on my finger that seemed to be itching me. “Are you… Like… You’re… I mean…”
“Oh please, Ethan, I’d rather listen to all those jazz than listen to your horrible rap!” Andre groaned.
I threw him a harsh glare, mentally noting that I’ll get back to him later.
“What is it?” Grandpa cut in. “Want to tell me something?”
“Dawn… ” I breathed out.
“Oh!” Smiling, grandpa placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me a tired smile. “Nicole understands…”
“I bet he does!” I snapped.
I gritted my teeth, hand balled into a fist.
The thought of what he did makes me want to break his bones. How dare he? He’d wanted to impress Dawn by bringing him to the wedding yesterday.
Oh right? He thought he’d be able to offer his shoulder and console her.
What a classic asshole.
“If I were you,” Andre cleared his throat, “I’d go to my penthouse now to see Dawn who’s been waiting there since yesterday.”
“What…? ”
My brows creased in confusion.
“Well, yeah,” Grandpa mumbled. “Take it up from here, will you?” he grinned. “the rest is up to you.”
I opened my mouth, but the creaking of the door interrupted me from saying anything.
I raised my head, and my gaze landed on Mel.
Her face almost faded of color, and for a horrible split moment, I thought she’d heard everything we said.
“I’m done,” Mel said softly, the color coming back to her face.
If she heard anything we said, then she did not let on.
“You should eat something, Ethan, and take your drugs too.”
“Oh, ” I mouthed, casting a nervous glance at Andre and grandpa.
I don’t know if they’re thinking the same as me. What if Mel heard everything we said?
“Well,” Andre stood up, dusting invisible dirt off his butt. “I think I’ll be seeing you then.”
“Me included.” Grandpa stood too. “I just remembered there’s something I’ve got to do at the company.”
Ugh! Good for them. They just made me feel a hella better right now.
Andre thumped me softly on the back, then winked at me before he made his way to the door.
“We’ll meet again, Mel,” he grinned.
Taking a last look at me, grandpa toddled to the door and gave Mel a weak smile before he walked out too.
Alright! I’ve never felt this much nervous about being with Mel alone, and I sincerely hope that my face won’t be as hot as I feel.
I bit my lower lip, now finding the crystal ball on the table quite interesting.
I’ve never seen it so beautiful when it glows under the bright chandelier.
“Huh,” Mel cleared her throat, forcing my gaze to snap on her.
I just realized how beautiful she was without the evil glint on her face or the dark grin that was always plastered on her lips.
“Hmm… What?” I muttered.
“The food,”
“Oh.” I managed a fake smile.
Why am I suddenly nervous? Why did the cat suddenly get my tongue?
“You go ahead, I’ll join later,” I said finally.
“You sure?” She said. “or… You’ve got something to say to me?”
I opened my mouth to talk, but a big lump suddenly formed in my throat.
Great luck! That’s how I want it to be. Right! I’d be able to talk to her now.
Of course, there’s no doubt that she’d heard what we said.
Mel entered the room fully, closed the door behind her, and edged closer to me.
“I heard it,” she mumbled, her cheeks now a brighter shade of pink. “Well,” she bites her lower lip. “I just thought there’s no reason pretending I’ve not heard it.” She shrugged.
“Listen… ” I breathed out, my chest now rising up and down in my shirt.
Ah! I feel like a high school girl who’s about to confess to her celebrity crush.
“I don’t.. don’t know,” I muttered. “I. I am. really… I’m sorry.”
Mel chuckled. She sat on my bed and grasped my hand in hers.
A cold shudder went down my spine and I suppressed a groan.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable,” she said with a smile that made me go red in embarrassment. “I truly don’t want to get married to someone who already has a kid.”
“I… I… ” I spluttered.
Alright! What’s it I wanted to say?
“Dawn is pregnant,” she sighed. “C’mon, I heard that much.”
I grinned nervously. Yeah! She heard that much, and I couldn’t help but go red in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry,”
“Yeah, you are,” she chuckled. “And I am sorry too.”
I looked up at her misty gaze and I have this impression that she was trying to hold her tears
“It’s hard to admit, but I already come to terms that you’ll never be mine.”
“Mel… ”
“There’s no need to use that tone on me,” she scoffed. “Don’t get too cute with me or I might just decide to hold on.”
She grinned.
I sighed. I can’t believe this is coming out from someone who was once obsessed with me.
“Mel…”
She turned me to herself, her finger gliding over my face till she reached my lips.
I shuddered, but I didn’t move away.
“Can I?” She croaked. “Get a goodbye kiss?”