Chapter69 Separation
Hannah stood, her eyes wide with surprise. "You're leaving on a trip?" she asked, her voice echoing in the quiet room.
Ethan nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I have some matters to attend to in Seattle. Should you need anything, you can reach me by phone," he explained, his tone steady and reassuring.
Hannah paused for a moment, her mind racing. "I see... well, I mainly asked you here to inform you that the president visited the company today. We discussed the specifics of our collaboration. If all goes according to plan, we should sign the contract as soon as possible. I'm considering offering him a 20% stake, as an investment in his expertise. We'll leave the jewelry design and manufacturing to him in the future," she said, wisely choosing not to question Ethan's sudden departure and instead focusing on the matter of Beckett.
Ethan listened attentively, his gaze thoughtful. "As for the company matters, you should make the decisions. After all, I'm merely an investor. The management and decision-making should be in your hands," he said, his voice firm. His attention couldn't be solely on a jewelry company, so he had no plans to involve himself in the management or decision-making. He would, however, provide necessary assistance to Hannah whenever she needed it.
Hannah couldn't help but smile, a hint of bitterness tinging her expression. "I can see that you only want to maintain a stake and don't wish to involve yourself in the company's affairs. Are you trying to exhaust me?" she asked, her tone light despite the serious question.
Ethan met her gaze, his expression sincere. "If there's anything you need from me, don't hesitate to ask. I'll do my best to assist you," he assured her.
Hannah nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well then, I won't hesitate to ask for your help if the need arises. Now that we've discussed the important matters, let's eat. I'm curious to see if my cooking suits your taste," she said, changing the topic and urging Ethan to eat. Ethan complied, eating so much that he felt uncomfortable lifting his head for more than a few seconds. After a few more bites, he declared himself full and ready to leave.
Hannah watched Ethan, her interest in him growing. Unable to resist, she playfully approached him, a mischievous smile on her face. "Why do I get the feeling that you're afraid of me? Are you scared that I'll eat you?" she teased, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her nightgown had a low neckline, and as she bent over, it revealed more than it should have. Ethan quickly turned his head away, but not before noticing that the woman was indeed topless!
Hannah had only intended to tease Ethan, but now she realized she had unintentionally exposed herself. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she mentally berated herself for her carelessness.
"I... I need to return home and pack my things. We're leaving early tomorrow," Ethan quickly excused himself, eager to escape the awkward situation.
Hannah hurriedly instructed Ethan to wait for her as she rushed upstairs to change her clothes. Ethan watched her go, his gaze suspicious, but he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief once she was out of sight.
A few minutes later, Hannah returned, now dressed in a white dress and holding a paper bag with an Armani label.
"I bought a suit for you while I was shopping today. Try it on and see if it fits," she said, handing the bag to Ethan.
Ethan looked taken aback. "You bought clothes for me?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise.
Hannah nodded, her expression earnest. "I saw this suit and thought it would suit your temperament. I usually see you in casual wear, but if you have to attend public events in the future, you should dress formally. After all, you are a major shareholder in our company, and I have to consider the company's image," she explained, anticipating Ethan's potential refusal.
Ethan was about to decline, but her words gave him pause. "Thank you, but I usually dress more casually. Comfort is what matters to me. You don't have to buy clothes for me anymore," he said, his tone gentle yet firm.
Hannah hesitated for a moment before changing the subject. "By the way, that girl today... is she your girlfriend?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan nodded, confirming her suspicions. "Yes, we just made it official. If there's nothing else, I should leave now," he said, bidding her farewell.
As Ethan's figure disappeared from view, Hannah couldn't help but smile bitterly. She knew she had no right to ask for it - the sense of security Ethan provided probably wasn't meant for her.
Upon returning to his abode, Ethan immediately sought relief from the sweltering heat that clung to his skin, immersing himself in the cool embrace of a shower. His gaze fell upon the suit that Hannah had gifted him, and curiosity piqued, he decided to try it on. To his surprise, it fit him perfectly, as though tailored for him.
After packing a couple of changes of clothes, Ethan gave the suit another admiring glance before placing it carefully in his compact suitcase. Heeding Hannah's advice, he anticipated the possibility of needing it during their impending visit to Seattle.
As dawn broke, Ethan, armed with his suitcase, hailed a taxi to the lakeside villa district. Chloe and Sarah were already stationed by the roadside, awaiting his arrival. The vehicle designated to transport them to the airport was a familiar one, the same that had previously collected Chloe. However, this time, only a youthful driver was present, with no trace of Greg. Ethan, wisely refraining from probing, noticed Chloe's reluctance mirrored in her eyes. He reached out, taking her hand in his, and offered her a few comforting words.
"Alright, I'll claim the front passenger seat, leaving the back entirely to you two. Feel free to engage in a heart-to-heart. Let's not dawdle and get in the car," Sarah proposed, her gaze lingering on the affectionate pair, a hint of helplessness seeping into her tone.
Throughout the journey to the airport, Chloe and Ethan exchanged pleasantries, with Chloe reminding Ethan to prioritize his wellbeing and maintain regular contact. "Understood. I'll call you daily! Does that put your mind at ease?" Ethan responded, his hand gently squeezing Chloe's as he pledged with a smile.
"I'll hold you to that promise! I'll be eagerly awaiting your calls every day!" Chloe retorted, her laughter ringing out before she nestled her head onto Ethan's shoulder.
"I believe it's time you two ceased this public display of affection!" Sarah, seated in the front, couldn't resist teasing them, feigning annoyance.
"I suspect you're simply envious!" Chloe shot back nonchalantly. The two women then engaged in playful banter, leaving Ethan caught between laughter and melancholy.
Before crossing the threshold of the security checkpoint, Ethan found himself unable to resist the sight of Chloe's reluctance. He pulled her into a warm embrace, pressing a tender kiss to her smooth forehead. "Wait for me," he implored.
"I'll be waiting," Chloe responded, her nod vigorous.
"Don't fret, I'll ensure your beloved is well taken care of!" Sarah reassured Chloe earnestly.
As Chloe watched the pair disappear into the waiting area, she turned to leave. The smile that had graced her features gradually faded, replaced by a sense of helplessness and bitterness.
During her journey back to the city, Chloe found herself lost in thought, her gaze drifting over the cityscape outside the window. Ethan's image was vivid in her mind, yet he seemed to be receding further and further from her reach.
Suddenly, a commotion on the roadside snapped Chloe back to reality.
"Stop the car! Now!" Recognizing one of the women amidst the crowd, Chloe instructed the driver without hesitation.
The car came to a halt at the roadside, and Chloe stepped out. Her suspicions were confirmed as she spotted two women being accosted by a group of men. A flicker of conflict crossed her features; the women in question were none other than Ethan's ex-wife, Sharon, and her mother, Gabriella.
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