Chapter Fifty-seven

Chapter Fifty-seven

“I told you I'd come back to visit, why so surprised?” He asked throatily and laughed through big teeth, his same old annoying, yet amusing laughter.

I'm sure I wasn't seeing things, he was really there, in flesh and blood, standing face to face with me, looking at me from groggy eyes and lips hanging open in a weird grin.

It was really him - Roland Bones! God, what was he doing here!? Was it not supposed to be Brandon?My mom slapped his hand away furiously instead. I should have seen this coming. Suddenly, I felt sorry for him. He’ll have to take the stored up hatred that has been breeding for Ethan. Or…

“Mom, what are you doing?” I asked, feigning innocence. I had to find a way to save this man from my mother.

“Is this not that bastard!?” my mom cursed angrily as she glared at me questioningly, “what did he do to you just now!” her voice was hoarse as she visibly trembled in anger.

“Jeez mom! Not all Ethan’s are Ethan Spikes. I literally just met him here.” I say quickly again, and when I glance at Brandon, his expression is really unreadable.

“You should have said…” my mom says in a low, defeated voice as she heaves a sigh of relief. God! What exactly was she gonna do if he were Ethan Spikes?

“Carla Fields,” she said with an apologetic smile, reintroducing herself. Brandon took her outstretched arm in a handshake, with an almost invisible smile playing at the corner of his lips; “Ethan. Ethan West.” he said simply before eyeing me discreetly with a we’ll-have-to-deal-with-this-later kind of look. He stretched his hand to me for a handshake and I hesitantly took it, with the breadth of his palm gloriously swallowing mine in.

“Galena Fields.” I said simply, trying to keep a meek look on my face and he gave me a knowing smile, a smile that spelt a lot of danger and I couldn’t help but avoid his eyes. His handshake seemed to be lingering for far too long, and I tried to pull away from his grip, but he wouldn't let go. Over possessive Brandon. Here we go.

My mom gently clears her throat, distracting us, making Brandon hesitantly let go of my hand and turn to face her.

“I was thinking…you could join us for dinner” she said with a shy smile plastered on her face. I peered up at Brandon timidly with a look of disapproval on my face, silently begging him to decline.

He brooded into a lopsided grin, as he glanced up at me victoriously. “I’m sure Miss Fields would like that.” he says, eyeing me intently, and my mom eyes me, expecting a positive answer, but the words get hooked in my throat, deftly disarming me.

“Of course, she does!” my mom grins widely at him before turning and rolling her eyes at me. Just look who I thought would come save me.

Two annoying people - quite a match!

“Where are we going?” the deep masculine voice of Brandon jolts me from where I had mentally wandered to, and I looked up to meet his gaze. His piercing gaze. I must have melted skin and bone at that point. He does not tear his eyes away from me, making me shift uncomfortably as I nervously glance at him and my mom.

“Oh, we’ll just use the restaurant that is right here in the mall.” my mom offers with a smile and he nods almost invisibly.

“I have to make a call. Give me a moment.” he says almost authoritatively and my mom beams at him with approval. He fishes his phone from his pocket and walks away, leaving my mom glaring at me like I had just let a prize go. Jeez!

“What was that for Galena? Have you also forgotten your manners?” she asks, glaring at me. She thinks I was acting too cold with him.

“I see you became Miss Fields in my place.” I said with a scowl on my face and she scoffed angrily, looking too stupefied to speak.

“His name brings memories I do not want to remember.” I say trying to placate her as I see her reaction turning into that of pain.

“Get over it! Didn’t you say “not all Ethan’s are Ethan S…””

“Ladies,” Brandon says with a warm smile plastered on his face, jolting us, leaving us more or less embarrassed that he could walk over us in such a moment.

My mom smiled warmly at him before turning to me and half-dragging me until we were at the restaurant which looked strangely empty, with only the staff at the counter speckling it with a human form. Don’t tell me Brandon secretly booked this whole place! 

We sit at a round table meant for four people that is situated by the tall floor to ceiling glass window, overlooking the beautiful bustling life around us in the lovely city of Washington. I seep in the beautiful surroundings and I can’t help but fall in love with the interior of the restaurant, decorated with fine marble and ivory, giving a quiet luxurious vibe. I loved how serene and calming it was, making totally forget I was here with the overbearing Brandon and my mom who supported and loved him so dearly. Ugh!

“Misty grey eyes, huh?” My mom slides down and whispers over my ear, making me stiffen like a marionette. God, was she observant! I slowly turn to face her with popped open eyes, brooding up in horror.

“Ethan West, Brandon West. Is that not a bit cliche?” she asks again with humour in her voice as she once again looks like an excited school girl of sixteen. That smile on her face…

A waitress dwindles over to the table reverently and greets us nervously, with her eyes forbiddenly resting on Brandon for far too long, and I almost hear my subconscious say; “buck your eyes off him!” in a warning tone. Was I jealous? Over protective? Grrr!

She quickly takes our order and after a lustful glance at Brandon, she squirms away into the kitchen. I scoff after her unknowingly and when I realise myself, I quickly glance at Brandon, the new Ethan, and he’s staring intently at me with an amused look. I glance away flustered and embarrassed, and I feel my mom pinch me from under the table. I almost jump but I maintain my stance and glare at her, but she blushes up at me humorously. 

God, what was it with her!?

“Is he Brandon’s brother?” she asks again in a whisper with her teeth almost grazing over my earlobe. Now I regret telling her anything. She’s not just gonna give up.

“Mom!” I cuss and she has a surrendered look on her face. She gives Brandon a weird wide grin and I sigh frustratedly at her. Why did she like him so much? Pretty face? Fine body build? Or what!? Certainly, he’s not the only fine man in the world she’s met? I mean…

The clamper of the dishes gently touching down on the marble table before us distracts me and I am back to the now.

“Anything else Mr. Brandon?” she asks innocently with flushed scarlet cheeks, but she has no idea what she has done as all of us raise our heads despairingly to meet her plump little face with terror and confusion in our eyes.

“Brandon?” my mom repeated before turning to face me.

This was the end of me. How was I gonna defend this!? Shit, plump face waitress!