Chapter 28 The stranger

The truth? Oh. Nothing but the goddamn truth.

Ethan's hand rested on my back again and it sort of felt comforting.

"Erm, I'm an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage." I replied in a low voice.

The man looked at me with great distaste and threw a sideways glance at Ethan, "you could have done better."

I chewed on my lower lip in embarrassment while I felt Ethan's hand run up and down my back in a calming manner.

I was starting to regret agreeing to the contract. What was I expecting anyway?

Of course, his parents would want someone of the same status, as their child, for him.

"Dad," Ethan's sister called calmy.

But it was fine though. He should have indeed done better. Why did he even choose me for this?

"She's my choice. And we're engaged-to be married." Ethan replied to him with a stern face.

The man simply clicked his tongue and looked away as if his son didn't just speak to him.

He looked past us and his eyes suddenly shone brightly.

"Anna!" It was Mrs. Moore this time around.

Although the woman hadn't spoken a word to me since we got here, I knew she was on her husband's side.

Ethan's hand on my back suddenly froze. Was it because of the person who had just arrived?

"Mr. and Mrs. Moore." A sonorous voice came from behind me and I heard quickened clanks on the floor.

I caught on a whiff of a definitely expensive cologne as a gorgeous looking lady moved past me and hugged Ethan's parents one after the other.

"My baby." Mrs. Moore squeaked happily as she stared at her.

"Danielle, congratulations!" Anna, right? Anna made to hug Ethan's sister too but the lady simply stopped her with her hand in midair, and looked away.

Ouch. Huh huh.

Anna's face fell but a second later, her face was beaming with smiles. "I got this for you." Innher outstretched hand was a wrapped box.

Danielle seemed hesitant but she collected the box from her, still.

"Thank you." She mumbled.

Anna smiled sweetly and immediately turned back to face Ethan's parents. "My parents send their greetings, they apologize for not being able to make it as they are currently out of the country."

"We understand, we understand darling." Mr and Mrs. Moore chorused in unison.

Just then, Anna's eyes landed on Ethan and she seemed taken aback. "Oh my, Ethan?"

"Oh my! How are you? I didn't expect to see you here." She reached forward to embrace him but he did exactly what his sister had done when she wanted to hug her too.

Sheesh.

"You don't shun a lady that way." His fatjer rebuked him immediately.

Ethan pressed his lips into a thin line, as if stopping himself from uttering a bad statement.

"No, it's fine." Anna chuckled awkwardly as she gazed at Ethan.

Hmm? Seemed like she had feelings for him…

Her eyes landed on me and trailed Ethan's hand on my back. Dammit. If looks could kill, I'd be dead already. A thousand times.

Tension. Silence.

Suddenly, "food is ready, let's head over to the dining table, please." Mrs. Moore broke the silence.

The noise outside had reduced drastically, and I felt people had left. Probably on close relatives were left.

Ethan gave me a comforting smile as we all headed to the dining area. It was really huge. Even the house was huge. It was almost like Ethan's own, but his was way bigger.

We all took our seats at the table; I sat beside Ethan, Danielle and-I thought her husband-yeah, her husband, sat on the other side of Ethan, while his parents sat opposite us.

Anna sat directly opposite me. Phew. I was doomed.

To be honest, I was nothing compared to her. Her whole existence breathed filthy money. From her jewelries, to her heels, her purse… and the cream versace dress she was wearing. Damn! La hot!

The maids dished the food round-a sumptuous feast, it was.

Danielle engaged Ethan in conversations… her husband too. I simply ate in silence, enduring the piercing gazes I was receiving from Ethan's parents and Anna as they also talked amongst one another.

But all these while, Ethan's hand never left my lap. To be honest, it made me feel safe. I didn't know why though… but…

He also occasionally threw glances at me to make sure I was alright.

Well, I still felt a bit out of place though. I didn't belong here. I really wished the ground would open and swallow me whole.

All of a sudden, I heard the french door fling open widely.

My head shot up in the direction of the door and…

Holy fuck! Standing in the doorway was a mesmerising young man. He was handsome from the depth of his blue eyes to the cute expression on his face.

He was clad in white T-shirt and denim trousers and he had a pair of sandals strapped on his feet.

He was so cute. You could drown in his eyes if you looked at them for way too long.

"Hello, family." He grinned and I almost passed out from that angelic face…

And then, his eyes landed on me.

I felt Ethan's hand squeeze my lap and I turned to look at him. He had a deadly expression on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Mr. Moore rose at once, fuming in anger.

Huh… What was going on? He'd just addressed them as 'family'. Plus, he sort of looked a bit like Ethan and Mr. Moore.

I looked back at the stunning man and saw that his eyes were still on me.

"To celebrate with Danielle, obviously. My darling sister." He finally dragged his eyes away from me and planted them on Mr. Moore.

Huh? Sister… Was he Ethan's brother?

"I'm nit your sister." Danielle spat out quickly, flaring up as well.

"Calm down." Her husband gently made her sit back, her chest heaving in anger.

What was going on?

Mrs. Moore also gently pulled her husband to sit down back.

The stranger chuclked deeply and he strode over to the table to take his seat.

"Hello, brother." He looked from me to Ethan.

I felt Ethan tense up beside me.

What was going on?

"Let's go." He stood up all of a sudden and also pulled me up.