Chapter 37 Don't Hang Up On Me
The private jet began its descent into Los Angeles. My vacation was over. Tomorrow was the first day of the new semester at UCLA.
The next morning, Ethan's Maybach glided to a stop near the UCLA campus. I gathered my bag, mentally preparing for the day ahead. Before I could open the door, I needed to clarify something.
"I'm staying in the dorms this semester, right?" I asked, my voice careful.
Oakwood Estate was far from campus. If I had to commute from there, I'd need to wake up at five or six every morning for my early classes. The thought made me cringe.
Ethan didn't look up from his phone. "I've purchased an apartment in Westwood. Five minutes from campus by car."
My heart sank, though I wasn't surprised. Of course he wouldn't let me live in the dorms like a normal student.
"Oh," I said, working to keep my voice neutral. "That's... convenient."
He finally looked at me, reaching out to brush his thumb across my cheek. "Go on. Walter will pick you up later."
---
"Olivia!" Grace's excited squeal echoed down the hallway of our old dorm building. She rushed toward me, wrapping me in a tight hug. "Oh my God, I missed you so much! How was your summer?"
I hugged her back.
"It was... interesting," I said, following her into what had been our shared room.
"So," Grace sat cross-legged on her bed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "How are things with that Bennett hottie? Blake, right?"
I tensed, carefully arranging my face into a neutral expression. "Nothing special. I'm not with him."
"Seriously? But he was so into you!" Grace looked genuinely disappointed. "What happened?"
"Just didn't work out," I shrugged, desperate to change the subject. "Hey, what classes are you taking this semester?"
Grace gave me a look that said she knew I was deflecting, but she went with it.
---
By early afternoon, I was due to meet Ethan's driver. I dialed Walter's number, anxiously pacing outside the campus library.
"Walter, could you please wait for me on Campus Drive today? Not directly in front of the dorm building."
There was a pause.
"Please, Walter," I insisted. "There are so many people around on the first day. It's... it's just awkward."
"Whose attention are you trying to avoid?" Ethan's cold voice came through, making me flinch.
"It's not any specific person," I explained quickly. "It's just that—"
"Olivia," he cut me off, his voice like ice. "Am I something to be ashamed of?"
"No, of course not, it's just—"
"Then why the secrecy?"
I sighed, frustration building. "People talk, Ethan. They'll assume I'm some kind of... of sugar baby or something. I just want to be a normal student here."
His laugh was short and bitter. "Would you like me to come give a lecture at UCLA? Formally introduce you as my girlfriend to everyone?"
"God, no!" I blurted out, horrified at the thought of Ethan coming to my school. The last thing I wanted was to publicly acknowledge our relationship. Deep down, I didn't truly consider him my boyfriend. I was still looking for my chance to escape.
The line went silent for a moment.
"You still want to leave me, don't you?" His voice had dropped dangerously low.
My pulse quickened. "I—"
"Is it Blake? Do you still want to go back to him?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I ended the call abruptly—something I'd never done before.
---
I wandered through campus in a daze, suddenly exhausted. Being with Ethan was draining. I had to be so careful, constantly weighing every word, terrified of setting off his temper.
The worst part was, I tried my best to please him, to go along with whatever he wanted, and still managed to make him angry.
I wanted to scream at him: You knew I was Blake's girlfriend from the start. Why did you force me to be with you if you can't handle it? If you can't play the game, don't start it!
But I didn't dare. As Ethan once said, I couldn't bear the consequences of his anger. When he was displeased, he could make our intimate moments feel like torture rather than pleasure.
So I swallowed my frustration and texted him instead: I'm going to discuss a group project with my roommate. Don't send the driver today.
---
I ended up at Blue Cat Café in Santa Monica, far from campus. I needed space to breathe, to think.
I ordered a mint tea and found a quiet corner. A fluffy Ragdoll cat jumped onto the table and then settled in my lap as I tried to read my Literature textbook.
My phone vibrated. Ethan's FaceTime call. I stared at it, heart racing. After a brief hesitation, I answered, knowing I couldn't ignore him twice in one day.
His face appeared on screen, expressionless. "Share your live location with me. Now."
Twenty minutes later, the café door opened, and Ethan walked in. He was still in his business attire. Several customers turned to stare, whispering behind their hands.
I pretended to be absorbed in my book.
Ethan sat down across from me. He reached out and gently tilted m y chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.
"Still angry with me?" he asked softly.
"No," I replied, keeping my voice low. "How could I dare to be angry with you, Mr. Bennett?" The sarcasm in my tone was unmistakable.
His eyes narrowed slightly. Then he glanced down at the cat in my lap and placed his large hand on Einstein's back, stroking the soft fur.
"Would you like one like this?" he asked. "I could get you one."
I finally looked up at him properly, my lips pressing together before curving into an involuntary smile.
"Really?" I asked, unable to hide my excitement.
---
We walked hand in hand down Third Street Promenade as the sun began to set. The crowded shopping area was alive with street performers and tourists. Despite everything, I felt my heart beating faster as Ethan's fingers intertwined with mine. There was something almost... normal about this. Like we were just another couple enjoying the evening.
When we reached the parking structure, Ethan guided me toward his car. As soon as the door closed behind us, he pulled me to him, his mouth finding mine in a demanding kiss.
"Don't hang up on me again," he whispered against my lips, his voice somewhere between a threat and a plea. "Understand?"
I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. "Don't be crazy, then."
His eyebrows rose. "You're getting quite brave, aren't you?" he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine.
"You spoiled me." I wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling his face.
Ethan chuckled, burying his face in the curve of my neck, gently nipping at the sensitive skin there. I pushed at his chest.
"Let's get some dinner," I suggested. "I'm starving."
He raised his head, his eyes dark and intent. "I'm hungry too," he said meaningfully.
I caught his meaning immediately, feeling my cheeks flush. "We should eat actual food first," I insisted, trying to sound firm despite my racing pulse.