Chapter 27: Yeah, I Think I Could

The Following Day— ETHAN, Cynthia's date POV...

Ethan stood before the mirror, meticulously adjusting the collar of his sleek black shirt. The fabric hugged his toned physique, making him look sharper than he had in weeks. He tilted his head, furrowing his brow.

“Too much?” he muttered to his reflection, tugging at the hem of his shirt.

His tie felt constricting— unnecessary for what was supposed to be a casual evening. He pulled it off in a swift motion and tossed it onto the unmade bed behind him, sighing as if releasing himself from a binding contract.

“This is just a coffee date, Ethan. Don’t overdo it,” he said to himself, running a hand through his neatly combed hair.

The excitement bubbling within him was borderline embarrassing. It was rare for him to feel this way, let alone about someone he’d met by accident. But there was something about Cynthia— her soft-spoken demeanor, the hesitance in her voice when they’d exchanged numbers. She intrigued him.

He made his way back to the mirror, spinning slightly on his heel to check himself out from another angle. The black-on-black ensemble seemed to strike the perfect balance between effort and nonchalance. Satisfied, he winked at his reflection and grabbed his keys from the dresser.

“Perfect,” he said, flashing himself a quick smile before exiting his Apartment.

The hallway of his apartment complex was eerily quiet, the dim lighting casting long shadows against the walls. His shoes tapped lightly against the tiled floor as he walked toward the elevator, its polished metal doors gleaming under the flickering fluorescent lights.

The doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing an empty cabin. He stepped in and pressed the button for the underground parking lot. As the elevator descended, Ethan couldn’t help but glance at his phone, double-checking the time and the venue of the date.

“Still plenty of time,” he murmured, sliding the phone back into his pocket.

The underground parking lot was a labyrinth of luxury cars. Ethan’s black Audi sat gleaming under a row of overhead lights, its glossy surface reflecting the surrounding vehicles. He unlocked it with a beep, slid into the driver’s seat, and started the engine. The low growl of the car echoed through the empty space as he maneuvered out of his spot and into the open streets of Manhattan.

The lounge downtown was buzzing with life. Its modern design, with soft amber lighting and sleek furniture, created an inviting yet upscale atmosphere. Ethan walked in, his gaze scanning the room for an empty table. The air was filled with the hum of conversations, clinking glasses, and soft jazz playing in the background.

He found a small table near the corner of the lounge, away from the larger groups. The wooden table was intricately carved with floral patterns, a detail he couldn’t help but admire as he set his phone down and ordered a cocktail. The waiter returned moments later with the drink, placing it gently on the table before retreating.

Ethan took a sip, the tangy flavor of the cocktail tingling on his tongue. He glanced at his watch— 6:55 PM. She’d be here any minute now.

Thirty minutes passed. The once-cool drink was now watered down, the condensation pooling around the base of the glass. Ethan tapped his fingers against the table, his gaze shifting between the entrance and his phone. He picked it up, swiped to WhatsApp, and typed out a message: Hey, are you on your way?

His thumb hovered over the send button. He hesitated, then deleted the message and placed the phone face down again. Taking a deep breath, he tried to focus on the ambient music playing overhead, but his attention kept drifting back to the entrance. The groups around him were laughing, their joy a stark contrast to his growing impatience.

By 7:40 PM, Ethan had resorted to scrolling through TikTok to kill time. The short videos did little to distract him. He checked his watch again, sighing in frustration. This wasn’t like him— waiting for over an hour, feeling this restless.

“Where is she?” he muttered under his breath.

A gentle tap on his shoulder startled him. He turned to find a waitress standing behind him, her polite smile tinged with concern.

“Sir, are you alright?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m fine,” he replied quickly, sitting up straighter and running a hand over his face.

The waitress nodded but hesitated. “It’s just… we have a policy about holding tables for too long without ordering food. Would you like to place an order?”

Ethan shook his head. “I’m waiting for someone. She’ll be here soon.”

“Of course,” the waitress said, bowing slightly before walking away.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. His patience was wearing thin. He reached for his phone again, this time typing out a more direct message: Are you still coming?

Before he could press send, the lounge doors swung open, letting in a gust of cool air from the night outside. His eyes immediately darted to the figure entering.

It was Cynthia.

She walked toward him with hesitant steps, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on him. Relief washed over Ethan, but it was quickly replaced by concern. Her makeup was slightly smudged, and her usually confident posture seemed off. Something had happened.

Cynthia offered a small, apologetic smile as she reached the table. “I’m so sorry for being late,” she said, extending her hand.

Ethan stood to shake it, his brow furrowed. “It’s alright,” he said, though the worry in his tone was evident. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, but her eyes betrayed her. “I’m fine. Just… a long day.”

Ethan pulled out the chair for her, and she sank into it with a sigh. He returned to his seat, studying her closely. There was a heaviness in her expression that hadn’t been there when they first met.

“Your makeup,” he said gently. “Did something happen?”

Cynthia reached up, her fingers brushing against her cheek as if noticing the smudge for the first time. “Oh,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s nothing. Just a minor mishap.”

Ethan didn’t push. Instead, he gestured to the menu. “Let’s order something. You look like you could use a drink.”

She chuckled softly, her tension easing just a little. “Yeah, I think I could.”