Beautiful And Hot

Ethan's POV

I only slept a little and woke up early. I tried to close my eyes and hoped I would go back to sleep, but I couldn't. I got up from bed, took a bath, and changed into Jeans and a shirt.

I don't feel like exercising today. I am still tired after spending the night in the hospital without sleep. I knew it was ridiculous, but I knew Meliza; she would always run away when there was trouble and always leave me hanging.

I walked out of my room and made my way to the kitchen to drink coffee to start my day. My steps faltered as I walked into the kitchen and found Iza helping the staff in preparing breakfast.

Her back was on me, but I was familiar with her every curve, even if I hadn't seen her for a long time. I couldn't be mistaken, and I wondered what had gotten into her. Since she arrived, she always stayed away from everyone, and if not for Ruby, I am sure she won't get out of her room.

When she greeted me, I had to brace myself since she was smiling from ear to ear, and I couldn't believe she apologized to me with a beautiful smile.

Meliza already exited the kitchen, yet I was left dumbfounded, standing like a statue, unable to believe what had happened. I never expected Iza to smile at me in that manner; she always showed her hatred toward me, yet the Meliza I saw this morning was different.

I could tell she was plotting something. And I have to get my bearing since I would find it harder to implement my plan if she acted like that.

Sylvia was still upset with me. She got inside the dining hall in a bad mood. My girlfriend sat beside me without saying anything, and I scooted closer to her and took her hand over the table.

"Good morning," I whispered.

"Good morning," she replied without looking at me, and she slowly took her hand away from my hold.

"Good morning, everyone!" Meliza got inside the dining room with a tray in her hands.

"Iza, what are you doing?" Ruby asked.

"Helping, I knew I had been a headache to everyone from the first day I showed up. Some of you still hated me. I get that, but I am sorry, I am not leaving. I am here for Ruby and Vince's wedding." Iza said as she smiled and put the vegetable platter on the table.

"I hope you will set aside your hatred for me, even just this time, for Ruby. I can't blame you if you don't like me, especially you, Nicole, and Crystal." She added.

"Saying bad things against me is fine with me, but Ruby cares about me, and she will be affected. I am asking you, for the bride's sake, can you pretend you like me?" Iza asked as she looked at Nicole and Crystal, who looked surprised with her appeal.

"Su--- sure," Nicole stated.

"Thanks," Meliza smiled genuinely before she looked around the table.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Ruby and Vince for having me here. And I want to give my heartfelt gratitude to those who helped me the other day. I appreciate it," she continued.

"Enjoy your meal, everyone!" She added, and then she stared at me and winked before turning her heels and leaving the dining hall while everyone was stunned, especially me. I admit my heart raced when she winked at me, and I wondered what she was scheming.

Sylvia quickly took my hand and kissed me in front of everyone. Then, after our brief kiss, she sweetly smiled at me as if nothing happened. I could tell she was threatened. She hadn't seen Meliza smile like that, and I could tell Sylvia was afraid that I would dump her.

Ruby stood up and ran after Iza, but she came back a moment later without her best friend, and I wondered why she didn't join us in eating breakfast.

The rehearsal followed, and I was shocked to find Iza sitting in the front pew. She came ahead of us, and she was talking with the wedding coordinator.

"Hey Ethan, I know you don't want to do anything with me because kike Nicole and Crystal, you always hated my existence. But I believe you are the Best Man, and sad to say, we have to collaborate since we will be helping the bride and the groom." Meliza said after the rehearsal.

"I am glad you know that, Iza," I replied.

"Of course, I can tell by how you look at me for the first time after we broke up. I was young back then, but we are both grown-ups now, and I can tell you can handle my presence professionally. It was all in the past." She replied.

"Am I right, Ethan?" She asked.

"Of course, I am with my girlfriend; it was obvious what we had was nothing," I responded. Her smile faltered, but she quickly recovered as she beamed at me.

"I am aware you two look good together, and you deserve each other. I am sure you are getting married next to Vince." She declared.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to speak with Ruby regarding her bouquet," Iza added before I could answer her, and I was watching her with a creased forehead.

I wanted to pour out my resentment towards her. But since she acted as if what happened five years ago was no longer a big deal, I needed to play along.

How could she be like that overnight? Yesterday, she seemed so angry with me, and now, she was talking to me as if everything was fine between us.

"Can you tell me what is happening with you and Meliza?" My cousin asked after he got inside my room.

I cocked my head and smirked at him.

"Come on, it is obvious, Ethan. If you hate Iza, saving her from those men is the last thing you should do. But you ran after your ex even before Jonathan and I could." Vince added.

"I don't need to explain my actions to you, and there is no need to justify why I saved Iza. I have my reasons. I know you will never understand, Vince, or worse, you will only hate me if I tell you what is happening with my mind right now." I answered as I got up and poured some whisky into the glass.

"Okay, no matter what you say, I can read your mind. You are not over with your first love." He mumbled.

"I am going to marry Sylvia next year," I responded in an impulse, and Ethan's face turned sour.

"You are kidding me," Vince said in more than a whisper.

"I am serious; my dad adored her," I added.

"You don't love her, Ethan." He replied as he looked at me like I was out of my mind.

"Careful with your words, Vince. You are my best friend and cousin, but you don't know what is inside here," I declared as I pointed my finger over my chest.

"She is the most eligible woman for me. Don't judge her because of her status in life. She is lovely; give her a chance." I added.

"I am not like you. I could tell you still care about Iza. I don't understand why you can't forget her when you know she always brings trouble in your peaceful life." I continued before I drank my liquor in one gulp.

"Yeah, I admit. Meliza will always be special to me. But I love Ruby, and I knew she was the one for me. I can't force Meliza to love me, not in a million years, especially when she fell in love with you." Vince declared, and I laughed.

"She never loved me, Vince. She tricked me and played my heart with her fingers." I responded, and he let out a heavy sigh.

"She was in love with you, Ethan," Vince muttered as he looked at me.

"She is here; it is not too late to reconcile with her," he added.

"Ha! There is nothing to reconcile; besides, she is way out of my league. I was too young and crazy when I proposed to her, and I felt glad Iza ran away. I will never associate myself with her kind ever again. Iza will always be a bad news." I declared.

"She is not; you better come with us," he said.

"Where?" I asked.

"To the bar, Ruby had been bugging me, and I can't say no," he responded.

"I don't feel like going anywhere," I stated.

"Meliza is coming with us," he replied.

"So what? It has nothing to do with me if she comes with you or not." I replied with irritation.

"Okay, that is your decision; I am sure those men will be there." He replied.

"My men will guard her," I responded and shrugged my shoulders.

"Enjoy your night, buddy," I added as I tapped his shoulder.

"Thanks," he said before he turned around and exited my room.

I was lying on my bed and couldn't stop thinking about Iza. Sylvia came to my room after Vince, and I told her I wanted to sleep early since I had a headache.

I sat up on my bed after I received a video of Meliza with Ruby sent by Vince. She was wearing a red backless haltered mini dress, and she was widely dancing on the dance floor, and my entire body turned so hot. I curled my fists and suddenly felt so angry after I saw the gentlemen in the background looking at Meliza with lust in their eyes.

I wanted to stay in my room and sleep, but I couldn't stop thinking about the image of Iza; she looked so beautiful and hot, and the only thing I wanted right now was to see her.