Not A Coward

Meliza's POV

I walked out of the party and tried my best to walk straight with my head high going inside the house, but I needed to grope on the wall since I felt so dizzy and my ankle was still painful.

I knew my alcohol limit, but watching Ethan's woman clang at him like a witch during the whole party made me lose control of my cool. I am not supposed to drink, but the piercing of my heart was enough for me to drink more than I can take.

"Breathe, Iza," I mumbled to myself as I closed my eyes. All I needed to do was gather all my strength and climb the stairs.

I inhaled and exhaled, but my dizziness continued, and I wanted to lie down on my bed. I slowly opened my eyes and dragged my feet to take a step, but I stumbled and almost fell to the polished floor. But strong hands caught my waist, and someone helped me to stand up before I injured myself again.

Ethan's intoxicating scent and his closeness made me hold my breath. I can feel his warm breathing on my neck and goosebumps covering my entire torso. I wanted to stay away from him, but I felt too weak. I hated myself for wanting to be where I was at the moment.

The alcohol is making me mad that I was thinking something ridiculous. I should stay away from my ex if I want to have a peaceful life. I should never forget Ethan made me feel like a fool, and now I realize he toyed with my feelings because he was the heir of his father's companies, and he was the greatest liar of all time.

"You don't need to pretend you can't tolerate Alcohol, Iza," I heard Ethan's voice behind me, and my face felt so hot.

"You used to trick me with that kind of bullshit, and you better leave Adriana's farm before you make a scene and make everyone hates you like you used to do. Why are you even here?" He asked, and his words stung like a bee.

I wanted to counter Ethan and defend myself, but no words came out of my mouth as I tried to control my tears. His anger is evident, and he has no right to tell me those hurtful words.

"I should have listened to them when they told me you are nothing but a social climber bitch. My friends warned me that you would never like me, but I was such a fool for falling for your tricks." He added with a stern tone.

I bit my lower lip to keep my tears from falling as I coiled my fists on my sides. Ethan abruptly released me from his hold, and I almost stumbled again,  but I didn't want him to look down on me more because of the mess I was in right now. I should never drink alcohol again unless I am alone in my cute apartment.

I stood up and straightened myself. Even if I am broke, I still have my dignity to uphold. I am in pain and humiliated, but I will never beg Ethan.

Ethan should be the one who knew the real me, and he should believed in me, but judging by his hurtful words, he loathes me more than I hated him. There is no reason for me to tell him what happened after I left San Fernando.

My explanation would be useless since, like most of our circle of friends here on Adriana's farm, he already judged me, and he believed their made-up stories and lies because of their envy of me.

I never looked at him as I walked past him limping. I let out a soft sigh as I heard his footsteps getting farther away from me, and I felt glad he went on the opposite side. I don't care where he was going.

"Are you okay?" I heard Jonathan's worried voice as he helped me climb the stairs by putting his arm on my waist, and guiding me through every step.

"No, I am not fine, Jonathan. I hate Ethan Almendraz," I replied, and he laughed as he shook his head.

"What is so funny?" I asked with slurred words.

I felt relieved because, with Jonathan, I don't need to pretend how I feel and think. He was close to me next to Ruby, and among our friends, I knew he was the only guy who understood my every decision when I was working here on the farm, and he had always been close to me.

"You and Ethan," he responded, and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Why?" I asked.

"It is obvious you still love each other," he replied, and it was my turn to laugh.

"Jonathan, you are wrong. I don't love your friend anymore, and I hated him deep down my core. You don't know what he did to me." I declared, and he fell silent as he opened the door of my assigned room.

"Thank you, as always, Jon," I added as he guided me to my bed.

"Don't mention it, Iza. I am happy you came. I can't wait to spend more time with you and talk with you like the old times." He replied and smiled at me.

"Me too; I will visit the plantation tomorrow; if you want, you can come with me. I am sure Ruby couldn't make it," I responded.

"Sure, I will be waiting for you in the stable, but if you are late. I will be knocking on your door," he said.

"Can I ride with you tomorrow? I am still not good with horses," I responded as I remembered my riding episodes with Vince's horse during my tenure of work here at Adriana's farm.

"Of course," he replied.

Jonathan said goodnight to me, then, he turned his heels and walked out of my room. I wanted to take off my dress, but I felt too tired. I massaged my chest as I remembered Ethan's words.

How could he have uttered those painful words? I wished I was too drunk to remember what he had said to me. But it echoed in my mind until I dozed off to sleep.

I woke up with a hangover, and I wished to go back to sleep, but the rapid knocking on the door made me stand up.

"I thought you were ready," Jonathan said after I opened the door.

"I am sorry. I should blame the wine and margaritas I drank last night," I replied.

"I know; that is why I brought you bottled water and pain reliever medicine." He said, and I smiled at him.

"Thank you! Come on in," I replied as I turned around and walked back inside my room.

As always, Jonathan is a real gentleman. He opened the water bottle and handed me the painkiller.

"Thank you, Jon, you are still the same. I am happy to know that at least you never changed at all. You still care about me," I declared after I took the medicine.

"You are welcome, Iza. You will always have a special spot in my heart, and you know that," he responded as he quickly averted my gaze and pretended to look around my assigned room.

But it didn't escape from my eyes how he blushed as he looked away from me. I felt guilty that he was the first person who courted me after I arrived in San Fernando five years ago, and I rejected Jonathan in an instant without second thoughts.

Jonathan is hot and handsome, but I don't feel anything towards him, and I thought I would never feel such kind of emotion until I met my greatest enemy, Ethan.

I thought I was over him, but seeing Ethan yesterday made me realize I was far from over him. I hated the idea that he came with his girlfriend, and I couldn't accept the fact that I was so jealous of that woman.

"I will be quick," I said after a moment of silence.

"Sure, I will be waiting outside; take your time, Meliza," he responded and made his way to the door.

I quickly changed into my black pants and white racerback sleeveless tank top and put on my rubber shoes. I pulled up my hair and made a bun and didn't care about some loose hair that fell on both sides of my face.

"Wow, you are fast," Jonathan said with amusement the moment I got out of my room.

"Of course, I am always a Girl Scout," I replied, and he chuckled.

I felt relaxed as I inhaled the early morning breeze that tickled my skin as we walked outside. I shivered since it was still early, and I smiled when Jonathan put his denim jacket over my shoulders.

"Thank you, Jon," I mumbled as we walked towards the stable, and my steps faltered when I saw Ethan getting out of the stable, riding his horse with his girlfriend at his back.

"Good morning, Jo!" He greeted our friend with a beautiful smile on his face, but when his eyes landed on me, his perfect smile turned into a scowl.

Ethan's girlfriend tightened her arms around his waist, and he looked at me for a long time with anger burning in his beautiful eyes. I couldn't take my eyes away from him even if I wanted to.

How could he look so perfect? I missed those times I rode with him. And I felt too stupid for wishing I was the one riding on his back and not his nameless girlfriend.

Ethan looked away first and returned his attention to his hot girlfriend. I frowned when he laughed at something she whispered in his ear, and my jealousy skyrocketed. My ex kicked his horse and galloped towards the direction of the plantation.

"Are you okay?" Jonathan asked as I curled my fists.

"No, my day is ruined. My ankle still hurts, and I don't think my hangover subsided yet. But to tell you the truth, I can endure what I felt physically, but seeing Ethan's anger is worse than being stabbed in the heart." I responded.

"I don't think I can go with you, Jon. I am sorry, but I'd rather stay and hide in my room than spend my morning and see Ethan and his girlfriend at the plantation." I added.

"Come on, Iza. You are not a coward, and you don't easily accept defeat; besides, you are looking at him in the same manner. You hated him as much as he hated you." He replied.

"I am not a coward," I replied.

"So, what are you waiting for?" He asked, and I let out a soft sigh as I followed him inside the stable. I don't know if I am doing the right thing, but I already made a mistake by coming here. I will not allow Ethan to ruin my excitement of exploring the place I used to love.

But I can't stop thinking about how he laughed when that woman whispered something in his ear. I don't want him to feel victorious by retreating into my room.

My ex already humiliated and insulted me last night, and it was enough. I don't care if he is now the CEO of his father's company. Jonathan was right: I am not a coward, and I will never back down from any fight. I smiled as I got ready to mount on Jonathan's chosen horse, feeling hopeful that I could get back at Ethan for his hurtful words last night.