Chapter 49

As the name slipped from Ethan's lips, Mel's mind raced with questions. How did he know her full name? She had always been known as Mel to everyone around her, except for two people—her friend Maya and her sister Zara. But there was another person, someone she hadn't heard from in a long time, who also knew her full name. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, stirring up a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Lost in her thoughts, Mel's mind raced with questions about how Ethan had discovered her full name. Before she could make sense of it all, her world was abruptly interrupted as she felt the soft pressure of Ethan's lips against hers. It was an unexpected and surprising kiss, catching her completely off guard. For a brief moment, she was frozen in surprise, her eyes widening in astonishment.

It soon became evident that Ethan's kiss was not deliberate but rather a result of his intoxicated state taking control. Their lips remained intertwined for a fleeting moment, leaving Mel with a rush of conflicting emotions. Confusion, surprise, and a mysterious sensation swirled within her. With their lips still connected, Ethan fell asleep right at that moment.

Coming to realisation, Mel gently pushed against Ethan's chest, trying to create some space between them. She managed to slide out from beneath him and sat up on the edge of the bed, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. Confusion and curiosity intertwined within her, wondering why Ethan had kissed her in that moment.

As she looked down at his peaceful, sleeping face, a flood of unresolved feelings and uncertainty rushed through her. Mel wanted to wake Ethan up to demand an explanation for the kiss and at least unravel a mystery her thought's bestowed on her when he called her name a while ago.

But on second thought, She chooses to let him sleep. Gently, Mel covered Ethan with a blanket and left his room, quietly closing the door behind her. She needed time to process her own emotions and decide how to approach the situation delicately.

Mel walked out of Ethan's room, her steps measured as she headed towards her own room.

Meanwhile Lisa, hidden in the shadows, observed the scene with a mix of relief and growing anger. She had been watching intently as Ethan and Mel entered a room, and the fact that Mel was now leaving only fueled her curiosity and frustration.

Her mind raced with questions and assumptions, her imagination running wild with scenarios of what could have transpired between Ethan and Mel during those few minutes behind closed doors. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, wondering why Ethan had chosen to spend time with Mel instead of her.

Her anger bubbled beneath the surface, a seething fire that fueled her determination to confront Mel and uncover the truth. Lisa knew she had to act carefully for now until the right moment presented itself. With a final glance towards Mel's retreating figure, Lisa made a silent vow to make her pay for stealing Ethan's attention and for daring to come between them.

****

The next day Ethan woke up with a slight headache, his head throbbing from the aftermath of the previous night's indulgence. As he sat up in bed, his senses heightened, and he detected a faint berry-like scent lingering in the air. Curious, he followed the scent, bringing his fingers to his lips and realizing they felt slightly sticky.

In that hazy morning moment, the memories from the previous night began to slowly trickle back into Ethan's mind. He recalled Mel assisting him to his room, the intoxicating effect of the alcohol making everything a blur. And then, amidst the foggy recollections, the realization hit him with a jolt - he had kissed her.

The realization stirred a mix of emotions within Ethan. Confusion and surprise mingled with a newfound curiosity. Why had he kissed Mel? Was it a result of the alcohol clouding his judgment, or were there deeper feelings at play? Ethan couldn't deny the flutter of something unfamiliar that had ignited within him during that brief moment of connection.

His mind raced with questions, and yet he couldn't shake the sense that perhaps this unexpected kiss held a deeper significance. The sticky residue on his lips served as a tangible reminder of a moment that would demand further exploration and understanding.

As Ethan's mind raced with thoughts about the aftermath of the kiss, a wave of agitation washed over him. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety, wondering how Mel had reacted to their unexpected moment of intimacy. From his fragmented memories, it didn't seem like she had resisted, but the lack of clarity surrounding what had transpired after the kiss only intensified his unease.

Mel's absence from his room added another layer of concern. Did she leave in anger or confusion? Ethan's heart sank at the thought of having potentially jeopardized their friendship and the trust they had built. He anxiously bit his lip, the nerves gnawing at him as he contemplated how he would face Mel again.

The heavy weight of uncertainty continued to settle on Ethan's shoulders as he resolved to find Mel and address the situation head-on. He knew he couldn't avoid the conversation or brush aside what had happened. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his nerves.

*****

Mel slowly opened her eyes, stretching her limbs as she welcomed the new day. Surprisingly, she had managed to drift off to sleep yesterday without the weight of last night's events lingering too heavily on her mind

Somehow she had decided to approach the current situation in a calm and collected manner. She reminded herself not to jump to conclusions or let her emotions run wild. It was important to communicate openly with Ethan, to address the situation and seek clarity. Mel couldn't ignore the fact that their friendship had taken an unexpected turn, and she needed to understand where they stood at this point.

With a deep breath, She went about her morning routine, taking a soothing bath and slipping into a simple yet elegant grey gown. Just as she finished getting ready, there was a gentle knock on her door.

Curious, she walked over and opened the door to find Ethan standing there, looking slightly nervous. The atmosphere between them felt a bit awkward, their encounter from the previous night still lingering in their minds. Ethan mustered up the courage to speak first.

"Mel, can we talk?" Ethan's asked, his voice appeared slightly shaky.

Mel nodded in agreement and Ethan asked her presence to have breakfast together at the restaurant close by which was also owned by the hotel.

As Mel and Ethan walked through the hallways, they immediately sensed something different in the air. People passing by were casting curious glances in their direction, and hushed murmurs could be heard.

They both couldn't tell why they were getting such stares so they just proceeded to the restaurant.

Now seated across each other in the restaurant, their breakfast was left untouched on the table. The atmosphere between them was slightly awkward, as they both knew something had changed between them. Ethan cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"Mel, About last night, he began, his voice tinged with nervousness. Mel nodded, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. She wondered what Ethan wanted to say about it.

But then as Ethan was about continuing, a familiar news segment caught Mel's attention on the TV screen mounted on the restaurant's wall.

She turned her gaze towards the screen and her eyes widened with surprise. It was a slideshow of paparazzi-style photos, showcasing moments from the gala event they attended. Mel's heart skipped a beat when she noticed the headline flashing beneath the images: "Best dressed couple : Mel and Ethan's blooming romance".

Her hand instinctively reached out to grab Ethan's arm, her voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Ethan, look! We're on the news!"

Ethan turned his head towards the screen, his eyes widening in astonishment as he saw their faces prominently displayed, captured in candid moments that hinted at intimacy. Understanding the implications, Ethan instinctively held onto Mel's hand firmly.

"We need to leave right now," he said urgently, his voice filled with determination. Mel nodded, trusting his instincts and following him out of the restaurant. Although she didn't fully grasp the urgency, she knew that Ethan had her best interests at heart.

Navigating through the hotel lobby, they were suddenly surrounded by a swarm of reporters, their cameras flashing and microphones thrust towards them. The barrage of questions filled the air, with inquiries about their relationship status and speculations about engagement.

Ethan tightened his grip on Mel's hand, shielding her from the intense media scrutiny. They made their way towards the waiting car outside.

Amidst the chaos, Ethan managed to navigate through the crowd, keeping Mel close by his side. They reached the car, and with a sense of relief, they got in. The door closed, muffling the noise from the outside.

Mel took a deep breath, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. She glanced at Ethan, her eyes filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity. Ethan looked back at her, his expression filled with apology.

"I'm sorry Mel," Ethan said earnestly. "I never imagined things would escalate to this extent. It appears we're going to be in the public eye for quite some time." Ethan gestured towards the TV screen inside the car, where the news headline about them was being displayed.

Mel blinked in equal suprise, her mind trying to process the rapid chain of events. "I... I had no idea it would make it to the news," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and unease.

"It must have been the reporters present yesterday at the dinner" Ethan sighed, "We should start our journey back home," he suggested, looking determined to protect her from any further intrusion. "I'll make sure our luggage is taken care of." Ethan knew that if they stayed back even for a little longer it would be almost impossible to escape from the paparazzi's attention.

Grateful for Ethan's protectiveness, Mel nodded in agreement. She settled back in her seat, contemplating the uncertain path that lay ahead for them. The car engine roared to life, as they drove away from the hotel, leaving the swarm of reporters behind.