Chapter 32: Alright, Romeo. Let’s See Where This Takes You

The sound of their polished shoes clicking against the sleek, glossy tiled floor resonated faintly as Ethan and Jayce strolled through the corridor. On either side, the floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflected the Manhattan skyline— a chaotic but mesmerizing cityscape. Ethan ran his fingers through his dark, slightly messy hair, glancing out at the bustling streets below as they approached the elevator.

Reaching the stainless steel doors, Ethan reached out and pressed the button. A soft chime followed, and the doors slid open with a whisper. He turned to Jayce and gestured toward the open elevator.

“After you,” Ethan said, smirking.

Jayce stepped inside but paused to shoot him a playful glance. “What a gentleman,” he teased with a hint of sarcasm.

Ethan responded with a mischievous wink. “My mom always said to treat my ladies right.”

“Eww!” Jayce scrunched his face in mock disgust, stepping further into the elevator. “You’re such a clown. You sure you’re not gay?”

Ethan leaned against the back wall, putting on an exaggerated feminine voice. “For you, Jayce? I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

“Get the hell outta here,” Jayce barked, unable to suppress his grin as he gave Ethan a playful shove.

Their laughter echoed off the elevator walls as the doors slid shut. Ethan pressed the button for the ground floor, and the elevator hummed to life, descending smoothly.

By the time the doors opened again, they had composed themselves, but Jayce was still shaking his head in amusement.

As they stepped out, the cafeteria lay ahead, buzzing faintly with life. The comforting aroma of freshly prepared meals wafted toward them, a medley of spices, sauces, and baked goods mingling in the air. The room was spacious, lit by warm overhead lights and large windows that framed a view of the city streets. People were scattered around— some seated alone, heads buried in their phones, while others chatted in pairs or small groups.

Ethan’s eyes swept over the tables until he spotted one in the center of the room. He gestured toward it, and they made their way over. The scrape of the chair legs against the tiled floor broke the ambient noise as Ethan took his seat. Jayce, still standing, turned to him.

“You getting the same thing as me?” Jayce asked, tapping his fingers on the back of the chair.

“What’re you getting again? Remind me,” Ethan replied, resting his elbows on the table.

“Macaroni with extra sauce,” Jayce said, tilting his head slightly.

Ethan nodded. “Yeah, I’m in. Get me that.”

“Alright, sit tight.” Jayce turned and headed toward the counter, weaving through the sparse crowd. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his gaze following Jayce briefly before wandering across the room.

The hum of conversation and clinking cutlery filled the space. A woman at a nearby table laughed loudly, drawing Ethan’s attention for a moment before he refocused. He rubbed his temples, his thoughts drifting to Cynthia again. That name, that face— it had been haunting him since he saw her in the news.

Jayce returned shortly, carrying a tray with two steaming plates of macaroni and two bottles of chilled water. He set the tray down with a light thud and slid one plate and bottle across the table to Ethan before taking his seat opposite him.

“Bon appétit,” Jayce said with a smirk as he twirled his fork into the macaroni.

Ethan grunted in acknowledgment, picking up his fork and taking a bite. The rich, tangy sauce coated the pasta perfectly, and he found himself nodding in approval.

The silence between them lasted only a few minutes before Jayce cleared his throat. Ethan looked up, fork halfway to his mouth.

“So,” Jayce began, setting his fork down and leaning slightly forward. “What’s the plan with Cynthia? You stepping in as her lawyer if she decides to go legal?”

Ethan froze for a second, his fork hovering over his plate. He lowered it slowly, glancing at Jayce with a frown.

“I don’t know yet,” he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “I honestly don’t know.”

Jayce raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. “Come on, Ethan. I need to know— I need to know if it's something crazy, so I can stop you from doing something that will get us in real trouble.”

"I won't do anything crazy." Ethan said, then let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. 

“But I’ve been trying to reach her," he continued, his gaze darting across the room then back to Jayce. "After our date, I sent her a few messages— nothing crazy— but she didn’t respond. Not a single one.” He paused, pulling his phone out of his pocket. With a few swipes, he opened WhatsApp and typed out a new message to Cynthia: Are you okay?

He stared at the screen for a moment before setting the phone down on the table, face-up. “I don’t even know if she’ll reply this time.”

Jayce leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “And yet, here you are, still trying. You must really like her.”

Ethan chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it. “It’s more than that. I barely know her, Jayce, but…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “There’s something about her. I can't wrap my head around. And now, knowing what she’s going through—”

“You feel need to help?” Jayce finished for him.

Ethan nodded. “Yeah. I do. And I can’t explain it, but I’d do anything to help her. Anything.”

Jayce studied him for a moment, his brow furrowed. “You sure you’re ready to dive into this? If the rumors are true like I said, you’d be going up against Carlos Antonio. The guy’s not exactly a pushover.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened, his resolve hardening. “If it means getting her out of this mess, then yeah. I’m ready.”

Jayce let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Alright, man. Just… be careful. I don’t want to be the guy visiting you in the hospital or, worse, planning your funeral.”

Ethan smirked, though his eyes held a seriousness that Jayce couldn’t miss. “Don’t worry. I can handle it.”

The conversation lulled as they returned to their meals, the weight of their discussion settling over them. Ethan’s phone buzzed suddenly, the screen lighting up with a new notification. Both men froze, their eyes darting to the device.

Ethan’s heart raced as he reached for the phone. He unlocked it with a swipe, his eyes scanning the message. It was from Cynthia: I’m fine. Thanks for checking in.

A mix of relief and frustration coursed through him. It wasn’t much, but at least it was something. He looked up at Jayce, holding up the phone.

“She replied,” he said simply.

Jayce leaned forward, squinting at the screen. “That’s it? ‘I’m fine?’ Not exactly a heartfelt cry for help.”

Ethan sighed, setting the phone down again. “It’s a start. Maybe she’s just scared. Maybe she doesn’t trust me yet. I don’t know, but I’m not giving up.”

Jayce nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Alright, Romeo. Let’s see where this takes you.”

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle, though his mind was already racing with plans. He didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was certain: he wasn’t going to let Cynthia face it alone.