Beautiful And Hot

Ethan's POV

"I don't think I can make it, Vince. I don't want to go back to Adriana's farm." I said after I drank my whisky.

"Why, of all places, you wanted to get married at the farm; why not ask your fiancee to hold the reception here in the city? There are a lot of hotels or resorts where you can book your wedding reception." I added as I leaned in my seat.

We were at my place, and I just arrived from work when I found him waiting for me on the front porch of my house. The security guards knew him, and he had access to almost all of my properties because he was my cousin and best friend.

I trusted Vince with all my secrets, and he knew everything about me. And he also trusted me in the same way. We have been like brothers since we grew up in the same neighborhood since my dad and his mom are siblings.

"Why do you hate the farm that much, Ethan? It was a beautiful place, and you even said it was like a paradise." He responded, and I glared at him.

"You know the reason, and I don't want to discuss it," I replied.

"Don't tell me you are still hanging up with Iza. It has been five years, and you haven't heard any news from her. You should forget about her and move on." He declared, and I laughed.

"I don't even remember her face, Vince," I replied.

"Liar," he responded, and I fell silent as I gripped the glass.

"We don't keep secrets from each other. I know how much you love her, and you can't accept she rejected you and returned the engagement ring." He added, and I raised my head and looked at him with anger in my eyes.

"Because she thought I was just a farm boy, and she thought I was penniless and a nobody," I stated.

"I don't love her anymore, Vince. I hated Meliza Lizondra, and I will do everything I can to find her and show to her face I am not the man she used to think I was and made her beg me for my love and attention." I added.

"I will crush her heart like the way she did with mine five years ago." I continued, and he shook his head.

"You don't mean that, Ethan. Once you see her again, I am sure you will crawl on your knees and beg her to take you back." My cousin responded.

"Huh! That is not happening, Vince; if we see each other again, I will make sure to make her life a living hell." I responded.

"You don't mean that," he replied.

"Watch me, I mean every word I said," I insisted.

"Okay, if that is what you want, if you will find her. You tried to look for her by asking our friends, but none of them knew where she was, and even Ruby had no idea where she was," my cousin declared.

"I am sure the only person who knew her whereabouts was your fiancee, but no matter how many times I asked Ruby if she knew where Iza was, she wouldn't tell me. She was protecting her best friend, and I understand her. I don't hold her liable for being loyal to her user friend." I responded.

"I just hope Ruby is different from Iza because I don't want you to get hurt in the end," I replied.

"Hey, I knew my fiancee more than anyone. Besides, I don't really believe those rumors. I don't think Iza was a social climber." He said.

"Come on, Vince, you knew she was," I insisted.

"I came here not to discuss about Iza but to beg you to be my best man on my wedding day."  He responded as he tried to avoid the subject. And I knew Iza has always had a soft spot on his heart, and he cared about her more than he cared about Ruby.

He denied it many times, but I still remember how much he cried and how many beers he drank after Iza rejected him. He won't tell me about it because he thought I wasn't over her.

Nothing was left with my feelings for Iza except my hatred for her. I was an idiot for falling for her. It has been a while since I have been planning to locate her, but she must be somewhere hiding from the rest of our friends.

She must have been too embarrassed to show her face because of her lies, and everybody knew her true colors. Her hurtful words still haunted me in my sleep, and I don't think I can move on with my life if I don't see her suffer.

She messed with my heart, and I couldn't forgive her. She betrayed me with another man, and she made me believe she was in love with me.

"I am sorry, Vince, but I am not going." I firmly said.

"How could you do this to me, Ethan? We promised each other to be there for each other on our wedding day." He complained.

"I will attend your wedding if you will have it here in the city, and I am willing to pay for everything," I said, and his face fell.

"I can pay for my own wedding," he replied, sounding hurt.

"I am not returning to that farm, and I plan to sell it," I responded.

"Do you think your parents will allow you to do that?" He asked.

"Dad gave me that farm, so it only means it is mine," I responded, and his face turned sour.

"I can't believe you are planning to sell the place where we spent half of our childhood," my cousin said.

"I don't have the time to check the operation of the farm," I replied.

"But Benito's family had been the caretaker of that place, and they are doing a great job. Just tell me how much, and I will be the one to buy it," he seriously declared.

"I will think about it, I don't want someone I knew to buy that farm. I want a stranger so I don't have to remember that place," I added.

"No matter how much you deny it, I know you can't get over Iza's memories, and that is why you wanted to get rid of that place." My cousin replied.

"It is not because of her. We are now mature, Vince, and we are both businessmen. I don't need to elaborate on the reasons why I needed to sell that damn place." I responded.

"You don't need more money, Ethan. You are now running your father's businesses and are considered one of the most influential men in the country."

"I have my reasons, and I don't need your approval on what to do with my properties," I replied, and he got up from his seat.

"I better go now. I don't want to have a fight with you." He said as he walked towards the main door, and I knew I had pissed him off.

Vince didn't text or call me after our last encounter. I knew he was upset with me that I couldn't make it to his wedding.

I was inside my office when my secretary handed me the wedding invitation. I shook my head as I opened the envelope. It was one week before Vince and Ruby's wedding, and my cousin still hoped I was coming.

I scheduled an out-of-town business trip this week and the more I couldn't make it to his wedding. I threw the wedding invitation in the trash bin and continued signing the documents piled up on my table when I heard my phone chime.

I creased my forehead as I realized Vince texted me and couldn't believe he wouldn't get tired of inviting me, but my eyes widened as I read his messages.

"I sent you the invitation card, and I am still hopeful that you could make it," he said in his first text.

"I don't want to force or beg you to come, but I think you should know that Meliza is coming." He added, and my hands shook. I looked at his text messages for a long time and reread them, and I couldn't believe Ruby found her, and my ex would be attending their wedding.

I immediately summoned my secretary to get inside my office and instructed her to cancel all my appointments for the whole week. I also asked her to get the chopper ready for me because I am going to San Fernando.

I could see the shock on her face, but she didn't ask anything. I stood up and walked out of my office, grinning like an idiot. I arrived at San Fernando with Sylvia, and I could see the surprised look on Ruby's face when she saw me.

"Aren't you happy to see me, my future cousin-in-law?" I asked, and she shook her head

"Of course, I am happy, but Vince told me you couldn't make it," she responded as I kissed her cheek.

I knew why she looked unhappy, she didn't like the idea that I've got company. She was still rooting for Iza and me, but I am not a fool to do the same mistake again.

"I changed my mind," I replied and winked at her.

"How could you make Vince worried? He only wanted you to be his best man," Ruby said.

"That is why I came, and I am not late, right?" I asked, and I hated that I had to lie to her. I can't tell her I came for revenge. She loved Meliza, and I knew she would protect her best friend whatever happened.

"I am going to the airport. This is your place, and you know everything around here. I am sure you can make your friend comfortable." She declared, and I could feel the disapproval in her tone.

"Most of our friends have arrived already, and they will be all excited to see you, especially the girls since they thought you couldn't make it," Ruby added, and I am thankful they requested all of us to come ahead of time.

Ruby asked Vince to make it a one-week celebration to have a reunion with our friends, and I wanted to thank her for this opportunity.

"I am going to fetch Iza," she continued, and my face suddenly turned hot.

"I come with you." I volunteered, and she hesitated for a moment before she nodded her head at me.

Ruby was silent, and I could feel the tension in the air.

"Ethan, I know you hated Iza, but she is my guest. I hope you will not drive her away." She said, and I laughed.

"I am not that shallow. Besides, it is all in the past now. I am no longer that young man, Ruby," I replied.

"Don't worry, I will not do anything to her. I don't have time for someone like her." I added.

"She is not what you think she is, Ethan," she responded, and I half laughed.

"So tell me, what kind of girl she is, Ruby?" I asked, and she didn't answer me, and that is why there was a time I hated Ruby too for not telling me anything.

We arrived at the airport, and I walked behind Ruby, and the moment Meliza got out of the terminal, my steps faltered as I looked at her from a distance, holding my breath as I watched her beautiful face.

Damn! I hated the idea that she became more beautiful and hot!