31 Leave

This time, I wasn't clueless at what she was saying. I'd be a fool if I still didn't get what she meant since this was the second time already.

I pursed my lips in silent disagreement but I didn't refute her claims immediately, "What made you think so?"

Lila went silent for a moment as she seemed to be thinking deeply, "What was that word again that Quinn loves throwing around?"

I blankly asked, "What word?"

She clapped her fingers crisply in realization, "Ahh spark. I was looking for the word spark. There's something like that between the two of you earlier."

"Are you serious?" It sounded so ridiculous that I couldn't wrap my head around it.

She just threw an impassive gaze at me, not even bothering to answer anymore.

"He's not my boyfriend," I clarified with a sigh.

"Are you serious?" She repeated my words, clearly taken aback.

I nodded.

"Maybe you should consider it," she suggested casually as if we're inside a restaurant and were about to choose what food to order but her next words gave me even more shock, "You two were staring at each other so much throughout the show. What was I supposed to think?" She shrugged casually, unaware of what her words set off inside me.

I walked back in a daze, my congratulations to Lila already forgotten as she was swept away by Mr. Lee again so I was now left alone to unavoidably ponder her previous statement that bounced inside my brain repeatedly.

I wasn't used to this kind of situation. Whenever I encountered a problem, I always had a ready solution. In the case that there's none, I somehow could still see the way that would lead to it. This time I felt like I was trapped inside a maze and I couldn't see the way out. I didn't like this confusion and uncertainty one bit.

I sighed heavily when suddenly I got bumped by a staff that was carrying a bunch of equipment. I felt my body topple uncontrollably to the back and I braced myself unconsciously but the fall never came. I was secured by the arm that caught my back in the nick of time. My posture still bent back in someone's arm, I opened my eyes slowly.

I could only see his side profile but I didn't have to wonder who it was since I'm quite familiar with that certain jawline already.

Ethan admonished the staff, "Please be more careful of your surroundings."

The staff apologized profusely and Ethan waved him off impatiently.

"Are you okay?" He glanced down at me as I've been quiet through the whole thing.

I was frozen stiff in his arms. I should be relieved that he helped me but frustration rose inside me. Not because of him but because of how I've been acting. Lila's words earlier echoed like a broken record inside my head again.

We kept getting tangled in these vague situations. Everytime, I'd be either confused, acted like a statue or about to bolt somewhere far away. I'm tired of mulling this over by myself. It wasn't like me at all to be hesitant in making a move. Since I couldn't find the answer for other people then I should just ask him directly.

"What are you doing to me?" My voice was low but demanding.

"Catching you?" He raised his eyebrows at my words.

I struggled a little in his arms and he stood me up slowly without being prompted.

I took a breath then stared straight at him to catch his expression, "Do you like me?"

It was a question that had been going around my mind for a while now. I haven't been able to ask as I felt unsure about it but Lila's words kindled my need to know the truth. This time, I finally managed to utter the words.

Instead of an answer, he just smiled like usual, "What do you think?

I looked at his face, trying to figure out the answer from it. I have no idea on what I am supposed to find that could give me a clue but I got nothing. It made me frustrated.

Why couldn't he just tell it to me straight?

I sighed and turned to walk away disappointedly.

His voice caught up to me before I got away, "I do."

My legs that strode forward determinedly, halted on their own to turn around in shock.

"What? You do?" I repeated like an idiot which betrayed my shock.

I wanted to know his answer but I didn't even consider what I would do after. I never expected this at all.

"This was what I was scared of," he still had a smile on his face but the corners of his eyes looked a bit down for some reason.

"Scared? Why?" I asked with a frown, unable to follow where the conversation was going.

"Scared of the fact that even though my feelings for you were obvious, you wouldn't even be able to recognize it"

I gaped at him.

He continued as he bridged the gap between us again, "How about you?"

It sounded like a harmless question but the close distance between us was anything but that. I heard him but there was a ringing sound in my ear out of nowhere that made me unfocused. My heart thumped hard in my chest as I struggled to reply to the unexpected question.

My mouth opened slowly but then my phone rang with great timing which shattered the pressure inside me to answer.

"Yes?" I said without even looking at the caller ID.

"Miranda, we have a problem. The factory that was scheduled to start building this week in Country C is in trouble. The permit that we have was cancelled by the local government. Our representatives there are being ignored by the authorities. They're now waiting for orders from HQ," Heather urgently explained.

"Where is Robert?" I asked since it was him who negotiated with them and the one overseeing this project.

"It was his secretary who contacted me. He's stuck in Country J because of a typhoon and couldn't fly out because all flights were cancelled for the foreseeable future."

"Okay. Book me the nearest flight for tonight so I can be there in the morning."

I hung up the phone and immediately glanced at Ethan, "Let's go."

Our earlier conversation was already overshadowed by the urgency of the current situation.

I trudged sleepily along with my suitcase at the airport. My flight back just landed an hour ago and I couldn't wait to sleep in my bed. The caffeine wasn't enough to prop my drooping eyelids anymore. The last three days had been tough with the back and forth negotiation with the local government. We had to abide by their conditions but at the same time I couldn't let the company get short-changed. It was all ironed out now and I fled the scene once Robert arrived. He would monitor the start of the construction and make sure that there would be no more hiccups.

Visiting different countries was nice but I couldn't just get comfortable somehow. The chaotic whirl of business took its toll on me.

I sighed like an old lady.

Someone grabbed the suitcase from my hand and uttered, "Boss."

I glanced to the side sluggishly and saw Ethan with this usual grin.

"I already told you that you didn't have to pick me up," I tried to reprimand him but a yawn escaped and it ended up garbled instead.

"Let's go. You looked like you're about to fall asleep standing," he dragged the suitcase and herded me towards the car as his hand on my back softly pushed me.

Quick enough, we arrived in front of the building. I got out by myself and Ethan gave me my suitcase after he retrieved it from the trunk.

"Thank you for picking me up," I muttered gratefully and put my hand on the handle to drag it inside.

"Miranda, I actually have something to talk to you about," he spoke seriously.

"Sure, go ahead," my sleepiness was already half-gone at what he might want to say. My mind was on that last conversation we had.

"I'd like to get your approval for a short leave. I have to arrange some personal stuff."

Disagreement blared in my brain for some reason I couldn't place but what came out was acquiescence as I nodded to his request.

"Thank you."

He started to walk away when he turned back suddenly as if he was reminded of something.

"Don't forget to give me the answer to my question last time once I get back," he smirked.

I thought he forgot already.

Damn it.