Chapter 85 He is My Boyfriend
"Olivia?" My grandmother's voice came through instead, sounding weak, clearly still recovering from her recent health issues. "How are you, dear?"
I softened my tone, concern washing over me. "Grandma, how are you feeling? Are you better?"
She coughed lightly before answering. "I'm much better now. I probably wouldn't be alive if it weren't for that boyfriend of yours."
I froze, confusion and shock washing over me. "What boyfriend?"
The question escaped before I could stop it. I turned toward the bed where Ethan lay, his muscled torso barely covered by the loosely buttoned black silk pajamas. His eyes were closed, but something in his posture told me he was listening.
"Is there something you haven't told me?" My grandmother continued. "Your grandfather spoke with him on the phone. He called himself Ethan Bennett, very polite, called your grandfather 'sir' and everything."
She explained how the best private hospital in Pacifica had suddenly reached out to them, arranging for top specialists and VIP treatment for my grandmother's stroke. The hospital had been clear—this wasn't charity. It was arranged by my boyfriend, Ethan Bennett.
My throat tightened. I remembered how Ethan had used my grandmother's condition to force me into our arrangement initially. I'd been determined never to let him manipulate me that way again. Yet here he was, not only continuing to pay for her treatment but openly identifying himself as my boyfriend to my family—showing kindness I never expected.
"When your grandfather asked to speak with you," she continued, "Mr. Bennett explained you were studying abroad, making international calls difficult because of the time difference and expense. He gave your grandfather his private number for any concerns."
I turned to look at Ethan again, emotions tangling inside me. The man who could be so cold, so controlling, had been kind to my family without ever mentioning it to me.
"Olivia?" My grandmother's voice pulled me back. "Is he really your boyfriend, dear?"
My eyes stung with unexpected tears. The question hung in the air as I stared at Ethan, who lay there pretending to sleep. For all his manipulation and dominance, this unexpected act of genuine care had pierced through my defenses.
"Yes," I said, my voice barely audible. I walked to the bed and leaned down to kiss Ethan's lips softly. Looking directly at him, I repeated with more conviction: "Yes, Ethan is my boyfriend."
Ethan's eyes flew open, piercing and alert. His hand gripped my waist firmly as he pulled me closer. "Say it again," he demanded, his voice deep and rough.
After saying goodbye to my grandmother, I straddled Ethan's lap, carefully avoiding his wounded back. I leaned forward, my hair falling around us like a curtain.
"I said..." I began, but words failed as Ethan's intense gaze locked with mine.
Instead, I kissed him, a real kiss initiated by me—something rare enough to make his breath catch. I shifted my position slightly and whispered against his ear, "Would you like your girlfriend to take care of you tonight?"
His breathing quickened, his grip on my waist tightening. "Deeper," he murmured, his voice husky with desire.
Just then, his phone rang, breaking the moment. "Fuck," Ethan cursed, glaring at the device. "Ignore it. Keep going."
I smiled, pulling back slightly. "You should answer. It might be important."
"It's not," he insisted, trying to pull me back.
The phone persisted, falling silent only to ring again seconds later. With a frustrated growl, Ethan reached for it.
"What?" he barked into the receiver.
I watched his expression change as he listened, business mode engaging instantly. "The project's finalized? Good, you can return then."
His voice darkened suddenly. "Stay a few more days? Planning a vacation on company time?"
Whatever the caller said next caught Ethan's interest. He gently moved me aside and sat up, reaching for his cigarettes. "Continue," he said, his focus completely shifted.
I recognized when Ethan was absorbed in business. Slipping off the bed, I grabbed a book and settled against the headboard.
After several minutes of pretending to read, I closed my eyes, thinking about my situation. Summer was half over, with only twenty days until classes resumed. I'd be a junior, and after junior year came senior year—and with senior year would come internships. Real-world experience that could shape my future.
When Ethan and I had first made our arrangement, it was supposed to be a two-year deal ending after my junior year. But it was increasingly obvious he had no intention of letting me go, even after graduation.
If Ethan would allow me some freedom, maybe staying wouldn't be so bad.
I opened my eyes and looked at him, still deep in his phone conversation. He was reaching for a second cigarette. I slipped off the bed and approached him, taking the lighter and lighting it for him as he placed the cigarette between his lips.
Ethan looked up with mild surprise, the corner of his mouth lifting into that dangerous half-smile. "Being good tonight?"
I sat beside him, linking my arm through his, offering my most innocent smile. He pulled me onto his lap, one arm around my waist while the other held his cigarette away to avoid the smoke reaching me. He nuzzled my face, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Just wait, I'll be done soon."
My face heated. "I wasn't rushing you. Finish your call."
He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest as he took another drag.
I leaned forward, placing a quick, feather-light kiss on the corner of his mouth before pulling back. Ethan's eyes narrowed, desire flashing through them. He quickly wrapped up his call. "Draft a project proposal for tomorrow's meeting. If it looks good, I'll meet those exchange students personally." He paused. "Don't let anyone else get there first."
He extinguished his cigarette and lifted me effortlessly, carrying me back to the bed. Placing me face-down, he pressed his body along my back, his lips grazing my ear. "What do you want?" he asked.
I turned beneath him to face him. "If I ask for something, will you give it to me?"
"Anything except leaving me," he replied without hesitation.
Taking a deep breath, I asked, "After junior year is over, can I do an internship somewhere else? Out of state?"
The air between us thickened. I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs as Ethan's expression became unreadable.
"If you don't want that, it's okay," I began, already retreating.
"You can," Ethan said, cutting me off.
I blinked in disbelief, certain I'd misheard. "Really?"
"Where do you want to intern?" he asked, stroking my face.
Tears of relief and gratitude filled my eyes. I threw my arms around his neck, clinging to him. "I haven't decided yet, but thank you. Thank you so much, Ethan. You're amazing."
His hand tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. "Just tell me when you decide."
Filled with elation and relief, I leaned up to whisper in his ear, my teeth grazing his earlobe. "Your back is injured, so you shouldn't move too much. Why don't you sit on the couch, and I'll..."
I didn't finish the sentence, my cheeks warming as I gave him a meaningful look.