Author's POV: 'Ethan's part' two

Ethan, who never saw his mother, was suddenly notified about his father's death in a dreadful accident ten years ago. Having no one to lean against, he longed to see Irene, who earlier on left the city.

"She loves me. She won't abandon me,"-Is what he had in mind when he searched around for her college and location.

He stared unblinking at the college terrace, looking for Irene and felt the familiar presence behind him. He turned around to see Irene holding her backpack and staring at him in surprise. Her tied-up hair and that gaze remained the same as before.

"Ethan? What're you doing here?"

As she spoke with her gentle tone moving closer to him, he felt like hovering over all the things on his mind, but he halted after seeing Irene up close. Her frail body seemed skinnier. Pale circles under her eyes were spotted as she looked up at Ehan's eyes.

"Are you okay?" Not knowing what more to ask, Ethan let out that simple question only to get ignored as Irene kept walking.

Seeing her back turned towards him, he felt a wall between them. Ethan felt as if she was drifting away even though she was right in front of him. He pulled her arm and touched her lips with two of his fingers, and placed a kiss on them so she doesn't feel uncomfortable or frightened.

"Ethan...let's break up, !" Ethan felt his chest getting hammered by those words, being not able to reveal the news of his father's death. The words Irene spoke that day was enough for him to break down. She was all he had left.

After parting ways with Irene, a man showed up claiming to be his father's older brother, who was a resident of Russia. The person whom he'd never seen seemed to have a liking for him and he didn't let go of this opportunity. Ethan's uncle Mr Demitri Adam was the former CEO of compass mortgage.

Having an older son who was married and refused to take over the company, he decided to leave it to Ethan, who was talented in all terms and well-managed. There was another person who aimed for that place and loathed Ethan for all the spotlight- Noah Adam.

"You'll see one day! I'll take everything you snatched from me!" Noah howled at Ethan, who stared at him expressionless standing still with a book in his hands.

"...Do as you like." He turned around to push the book into the self and said, "If you can, that is." With a smirk on his face, Ethan walked away with his Small steps, leaving Noah flaming into a rage with his unsophisticated attitude.

Years passed by, as He kept ascending into higher positions while plotting how to get back on those people who abandoned him and last but not least, Irene Hensley. When he looked into her background, his brows tightened knowing about her father's illegal investment and deeds behind his company. Just right after the incident, her CV came right into his hands making it easy for him to solve.

______

"Sir, I think we'll need some extra help with this. Should I call Mr Noah?" Sam's words broke Ethan's bewilderment as he sat straight while unbuttoning one of the buttons of the white shirt to let in some air.

"I'll contact my secretary about it."

"But it's the weekend...?"

"Don't worry about that. You can leave." Seeing Sam leaving, he called Irene.

"Sorry, sir! I have a date today. I won't be able to cancel it."

Ethan glared at the silent room as he tapped his fingers on the table, "..I see. Then have fun, Ms Irene."

Irene, who was rarely interested in meeting strangers was going on a blind date. It must be her father's doing. He kept thinking, and the 'date' thing bothered him twice as much as he thought.

"Mr Paul, be here early at 6. I have somewhere to be."

There was no way he would let that slip. He ruffled his hair restlessly as every minute felt like hours until he reached a small dinking place and caught sight of Irene. He saw Noah holding drowsy Irene by her shoulder. His legs moved at an outrageous speed to snatch her away from his hands as he glared at Noah as though he would exterminate him.

Noah, who appeared to be half drunk had no energy to fight back. So he stood still, trying to get the situation inside his head.

"Do what you wish! But if you dare lay your hand on her, I will make you pay." Ethan's dagger-like glare made Noah return to his senses. He stared at Ethan, walking away with Irene in his arm.

He gently laid her on the backseat. Seeing her bare shoulders shivering from the cold, he removed his coat to cover her and saw her small lips mumbling vague words. He leaned his ears closer to his lips to hear her muttering-

"You said, you'll make me fall for you again...you liar...I didn't want to leave you....Ethan, you brat..."

After feeling self-conscious, his ears gradually turned red.

Just when he was about to stand up, he felt Irene grabbing his shirt. She wrapped her hands around his waist, leaving him in awe.

"You would've never done it if you were conscious." He tucked her hair behind her ears as he cupped her cheeks to hold her face that lost its balance. Slowly pushing her inside, he managed to sit beside Irene, who refused to release his waist.

"Mr Paul, d-" He halted as he felt her getting closer to his chest, and her breath made his body flinch.

"Smells good..." She said as she rubbed her cheek on his chest.

"Sir...?" Paul, who observed it by mistake through the front mirror, was stunned.

"Please drop the curtains," Ethan said as he covered his eyes, rubbing his brows to shield his flushed face.

________

"So...How was your blind date, Ms Irene?" Ethan asked the question to check if she remembered that night.

"It Went well... The person was better than expected. If it continues, we might have something in near future!" Hearing her say that towards Noah, made Ethan feel irritated. The thought of other men approaching her drove him to make a conclusive decision.

"Sam, contact director Hensley. Make him sign a contract with me."

"Yes..? I don't quite follow. He's not a man who keeps his word. Is it-" Ethan stopped him by saying, "He will this time."

"I understand. Is the contract about an asset?"

"A marriage contract." He said as he slipped his arm inside his coat, leaving Sam frozen in shock.

"Marriage? Don't tell me you're-!?"

"Exactly! I'm going to marry Ms Irene."

Ethan's coat fluttered as he walked out of the room with an assurance that his pursuits will operate.