Chapter 43: CHAPTER FORTY THREE

Aria's POV

“I didn't hear you when you came in. Have you been standing here for a while?” Ethan said, surprisingly to me. It would be hard to think we had any pending issues to settle with how well he spoke to me.

He removed the kitchen mittens from his hands as well, placed them on the table and walked over to hug me tight.

“You seem so tired, my love.” He added.

It felt like his actions towards me were unreal, but I was happy that he was taking things gently with me.

He squeezed me into himself, and I wondered why he was acting like all was perfect between us but I couldn't complain because that was what I hoped for.

“I made something nice for you. I know these past days have been a stretch, and I now know that I had a path to play in all that happened as well.” He looked me in the eyes, pitifully. I wasn't sure what to think about how well he stared into me like he could see through my soul.

He held my upper arm, rubbing it slowly, “I love you, and I'm not ready to let go of you because of a simple issue that we have. This issue is not more important than you are to me. I'd do anything to keep us.”

I didn't know what to say to him at this point. I'm happy to hear that from him, but it all still feels a little weird. A little like I don't really know if I understand the feelings I have on the inside.

Something just didn't feel right about the way Ethan seemed to have forgiven me of all the crimes I committed, and he was really mad hours earlier.

“But why have you forgiven me all of a sudden?” I asked, looking him in the eye.

He smiled and said calmly. “You're not the one I have issues with. It's Kael. It will always be Kael, and you should even see it yourself how he's trying every means possible to come between us but he won't be successful at it anyway. He's thinking I'd let you go just like that, but he's a joke.”

I could sense the sternness in his voice as he spoke. I knew he was annoyed to speak about Kael. I believe it must just be Kael that Ethan was offended by.

But I had a choice to make also.

The one thing that struck me more is the fact that I don't feel like I have done wrong giving in to Kael.

Ethan and I walked over to the table, and he set the food in front of me. He really took his time to treat me properly to the meal.

“Linda said she would like to come around tomorrow. She had a business to deal with, and she needed an apartment to stay in for a while.” Ethan said after his last scoop of his soup.

I don't really like Linda. She's Ethan's spoilt older sister. They are quite close, and she's very blunt. Her lifestyle also demands a lot from Ethan; despite him being younger, he spends a lot for her and does them without thinking.

I wouldn't forget to say. She's also Thalyn’s friend. More reasons why we don't really get along.

My gaze changed, and Ethan looked at me like he was expecting a reaction like that.

“Don't worry, she promised me already that she will not cause you any problem.”

“That was what she said the last time. I don't really know about her coming.” Ethan and I were staying at my house. I did not like the idea of him bringing her to stay with us in my own house. She should have waited for us to move into Ethan's house, then she would have visited him.

Every time she came around, it was always from one issue to another, and she's full of complaints. Sometimes she claims I work too much, I'm not available for Ethan enough, or she would force him to go partying with her at night because she said she doesn't want her brother to continue living a boring life. After all, he has a boring girlfriend. I'm sure she doesn't endorse me getting married to him, and I suspect she could get him another girlfriend, too.

“I don't know what you want me to say. It seems like you've already agreed that I would have to accommodate her, whether I really want to or not. I'm not pleased to know that she's coming. This isn't even a good time for us to have her around.” Worry filled my face as I spoke.

Ethan stretched his hands to mine and rubbed my hands. “Why?”

“I just feel like we are still trying to bounce back from all that's happening with us. I feel things can easily get complicated with Linda around. I don't know if you get what I'm saying.”

Ethan took a deep breath and said, “You’re thinking too much of it. Don't worry love, nothing will go wrong,” he assured.

I didn't have a choice but to give in at that moment, but I knew I might not have the best of an experience having her around. I know Linda too well. She will be all about our business, and she will get Ethan to tell her all that has been going on between us.

My great concern was on the fact that I didn't want her to find out that something went on between Kael and me. She was going to tell Thalyn, and things were definitely going to get bad with Thalyn finding out.

“Alright. But I'd like us to keep all that has been going on between us private. I don't want Linda meddling in our business. I'm sorry I have to say it to you. It's not like I don't trust you, but I know how comfortable you get with her.”

“It's fine, I understand you more than you've said.”

We went to bed afterwards.

The following morning, I heard a loud voice yell from downstairs,

“Where's my little brother?”