Ethan’s POV
I hopped down the car, not caring whether San parked well or not.
Nothing else matters. I have to see Dawn who’s said to be here in my penthouse.
I flung the door and a mane of hair brushed against my face.
My nose flared up with the familiar scent that wafted through them, and a pair of arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
“You came!”
How much I’ve missed that voice, that arms around my neck, and the whole hug generally.
I grinned. Wrapping my arms around her waist and his legs around my torso.
I buried my head into her neck, inhaling her scent; a mixture of freshly brewed coffee and strawberry mint.
“Ethan…”
Dawn sniffed, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck as though afraid to let me go.
I’d expect more of that gesture; of course, I nearly get married and she almost lost me.
“Hmm… I wonder when we’ll get noticed.”
I frowned, carefully settling Dawn down beside me.
If I could remember that much, I know that Dawn was said to be here in my penthouse.
Andre never said she’s alone, but I never expected her to be with some people.
Okay! Maybe not with Nicole at least.
I balled my right hand into a fist, jaw set tightly as I glared at Cole who’s standing beside someone I can’t acknowledge now.
“What are you doing here?” I hissed.
“A good afternoon or a hug could have been welcomed, don’t you think?” He scowled.
Yeah right! Because I’m happy seeing someone that nearly got married to Dawn.
Dawn squeezed my hand hard, whispering something in my ears, but if I heard it, I don’t know what she meant.
“I’m not sure I want someone to treat me as a guest in my own house,” I smirked.
“And I’m not sure I want to sit here all day without being noticed.”
My eyes moved to the owner of that voice, settling them on Henry who had a deep frown on his face.
Alright! I’ve only been hearing of Henry, Dawn’s kid brother; I have an idea of course, that he’s not going to be that old.
But seeing him here, his arms crossed, a frown latched on his face as he glared at me made me realize how unreasonable and rude he is.
“Henry…?”
“Well, not like I fancy being here, I just couldn’t leave my sister alone.”
Nice of him to be so considerate.
I stifled a snort, standing straight to acknowledge the third guy in the room.
If my memory is right, and I remember that much, then I know this guy sitting beside Henry is no other than Brent
Heat rushed to my face, my teeth grazing on my tongue.
Alright! I don’t wanna remember what happened that day, but the smirk that plastered on his face made everything rush down to my head.
“Well…” I grinned nervously. “Hi there.”
“Oh really,” Brent chortled, sitting comfortably on my sofa. “The possessive boyfriend greets us friendly today, doesn’t he?”
“Now Brent, it’s all in the past now,” Dawn said beside me, her hold on my hand tighter, as though afraid I’d leave her standing again.
“Don’t you think,” Brent chuckled, his eyes darting too quickly from me to Dawn? “That I need an apology for being called an asshole.”
“I did that already,” Dawn said.
“No,” he shook his head. “from him.” He looked at me.
I bit the inside of my mouth, looking anywhere but at Brent.
Right! I know I was rude that day, but doesn’t he think he’s being rude to me?
Sighing, I rubbed my nape. It won’t hurt to say sorry of course. After all, I need them to be outta here as soon as possible.
“Fine!” I mouthed, “sorry. I’m sorry.”
Brent chuckled, and I saw a grin marred Henry’s face.
“I don’t want to like you, sincerely,” Henry stood up, dipping his hand into his jeans pocket. “But I can’t help it.”
I’m not sure if I should be happy about that or not. I mean, Henry liking me was one thing I never imagined.
Was he not the same Henry that said I’m a whore… Well, he’s right on that.
I smiled, “Thank you,” I muttered.
“My eyes on you, Ethan” Brent grinned at me.”You can have it in mind that we’d be here if anything happens to her”
“Now stop being possessive, will you?” Dawn hissed.
“Fine! There’s no time to lounge around. My sister is still very much missing” Henry winked.
I raised a brow, mouth opened to air out my thoughts, but Henry cut me off.
“Just for formality. Dawn will explain everything later.”
Taking a last look at me, Henry sauntered out of the room, with Brent at his heel, leaving me alone with Dawn and Nicole?
Okay! I expect him to follow their step, and not to lounge around, or was he here to take Dawn away again.
“Can we talk, Ethan?”
“NO!” I hissed. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“Ethan…”
“No, it’s okay, Dawn.” Nicole smiled weakly.
Was it me, or did he look kind of weary and sad?
“I understand, Ethan,” he walked up to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.
It takes every ounce of my will not to shrug his hand off my shoulder.
“If you’re okay enough to talk to me, Ethan. Can you give me a call?”
I chuckled. As if I’ll ever like to talk to him.
Cole flashed me a tight smile, then look at Dawn whom I held tightly.
No! I’m never letting her go again… Not to him or anyone else.
“Then,” he mumbled. “see you around them.”
Not taking a last look, Cole bolted out of the room.
I sighed.
Whatever it’s he’s planning, I don’t want to know, or even get involved.
He’s done enough damage to me already.
“Are you okay?”
“Oh yeah!”
Pulling Dawn along with me, I sat on the sofa and pulled her on my lap.
My heart feels heavy, the heaviness that has nothing to do with almost getting married, but everything to do with Cole.
He worried me, not because he get on my nerves, but because of the look in his eyes.
“You look worried, Ethan…” Dawn glided her fingers over my face, her eyes laced with worries as she leveled her eyes with mine. “You’re not okay, are you?”
“Cole,” I sighed.
Dawn held my face, her eyes bored into mine.
I don’t want to feel guilty, and I do not want to acknowledge the fact that I’m here with my supposed brother’s bride.
“You can talk to him, Ethan.”
I’m not sure. I don’t know if I can face him after he looked at me that way earlier.
He makes me feel guilty, yet I feel wronged.
It’s not my fault, is it? I happened to meet her first, so he could have just let go first.
“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I’m not sure if I really wanna talk to him.”
“Of course, you want to,” she said.”I could just tell because your eyes say everything.”
“Dawn… ”
“Cole called off the engagement.”
“What?”
“He does not want to marry me anymore.”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out of it.
Right! I should have known, of course. Cole won’t be here, watching me hugging Dawn so tight if he’s gonna marry her.
But.. why… How?
Pulling me down to her chest, her arm on my back, and her hand patting me softly on my back.
“When you’re okay enough to face him, can you settle everything with him?”
“Dawn…”
“Cole… he’s a good person.”