Chapter twenty two

Chapter twenty two
Chapter twenty two

Heather

Turns out owning a restaurant takes a lot more than just writing a check.

I stood in the middle of the now empty, my gaze dragging around. James had packed up his things earlier this week, but he'd left a few things for me like he promised. But now that he was gone, I needed to start thinking about the next important thing. Renovation.

It was also a great way to not think about Ethan and the way he shut me down last night. I had a strange feeling that something wasn't right, but I couldn't point it out. I couldn't confront him either, not after last night. Whatever was going on with him, he clearly didn't want to share it with me.

I ignored the tiny sting at the thought and decided to go see him when I got home. I wasn't going to play this game of ignoring each other when something was clearly bothering him. He could push me away all he wanted.

But you've been the one pushing him away for two years now.

I ignored the small voice at the back of my head that whispered that. I had good reasons for ignoring him. He always brought up the past. There was no use digging it up and stirring more drama. I knew the ship had long sailed since Jenna's accident. I've just been doing my very best to not think about it.

“So,” the interior designer said, clapping her hands together as she surveyed the space, “first things first, do we want rustic charm, modern chic, or ‘I spent way too much on this and want everyone to know it’?” she smiled.

Xavier had recommended her right after I paid off the deposit. She was arguably one of the best and also very affordable. I could tell she was a nice woman, she'd cracked jokes the entire time we've been together. I'd managed to laugh at some, but my mind had been entirely occupied with…well…a certain broody blond.

“Is there a ‘cheapest that doesn't look cheap’ vibe?” I joked, not entirely.

But she laughed softly like she understood.

“I was kinda hoping to go for a cozy vibe. Make it feel like home, more than just another fancy restaurant to anyone who walks in.” I added.

The interior designer, Taylor, I think her name was, nodded in understanding.

“We could knock down this wall.” she said, pointing to a cramped space. “Open it up, let the space breathe. Maybe add some warm lighting, exposed brick on that side. You want people to feel cozy, but not sleepy.”

I nodded slowly, trying to picture it. I could see it now, sort of.

“Yes to warm lighting and maybe some plants, real not fake. Earthy green. I want to add a touch of sweet romance vibe perfect for date night, but also comfortable for business meetings.” I said.

I had thought about it since the first time James took Xavier and me on a tour of this place. The area was beautiful, yes, but the interior had felt a little boring. The romantic vibe and coziness was only limited to the rooftop. That was the first thing I thought to change.

“Oh, I love that. Warm brown and gold lightings maybe?” Taylor smiled. “If you want, we could place the plants by the window to give the customers a sense privacy. What do you think?”

“It sounds perfect.” I grinned.

After that, We talked about other things that needed to be changed to match the theme, the furnitures, the paint colours, the counter position, and just other stuffs.

“I want the kitchen partially visible. Like…not a full open kitchen, but just enough to see something sizzling or a chef flipping something on the pan.”

She grinned. “So they trust what’s happening back there.”

“Exactly. But it's also the aroma feels the air. The scent of delicious food to make them hungry.”

“Smart.” Taylor nodded, she gestured to her assistant who was scribbling on a sketch pad behind us.

A smile spread on my lips as we continued discussing more changes. Planning the renovation felt more satisfying than I thought. It wasn't just a distraction, not entirely, it had became something I cared about. Something I really wanted to see through.

Just for that moment, I really wanted to believe I could be happy. That I could be just a regular woman who owns a restaurant, and has a crazy desire to fuck her neighbor/landlord/ex boyfriend. I wanted to believe that my life wasn't so complicated.

But even in my imagination, my life was complicated. As if on cue, the moment Ethan almost kissed me in the elevator flashed across my mind and I blushed. I had wanted him to do it, had even leaned forward, until he basically shoved me out of the elevator. Then acted weird when I saw him again.

Yeah, something wasn't right.

“Ms Wheeler?” I blinked out of my thought to see a slightly concerned Taylor staring at me.

“I've been calling you for a while now. Is everything okay?”

I plastered on a wide smile.
“I'm fine, thank you. Just…really excited for the renovations to begin.”

She didn't seem convinced by my lie but she nodded anyway.
“I was asking if you'd go with soft browns and olive greens for the paint color to match with the earthy green plants. And maybe some gold lighting.”

“That sounds really great.” I nodded, trying to picture the image she was painting. And I realize I loved it.

“Okay, I think we've pretty much covered everything. I will mail the final sketches to you, in case you want to make some changes.” Taylor said.

“That'd be really nice. Thank you for your time. It was really nice working with you today.” I said, stretching my hand for a handshake.

She took my hand. “And you too, Ms Wheeler.”

We left the restaurant after ironing out a few more details. The ride back to the apartment building was too long and too short at the same time. In reality, it only took 20 minutes.

I needed to speak with Ethan, had even gone over the conversation in my head, but nothing seem right. I was a bit worried about his behavior last night. There was a chance he would lash out again.

And then…there was his weirdly dark clothing last night.

My heart skipped as I wondered whether he was back to his habits in Moscow. That could only mean that he'd…

I shook my head, banishing the thoughts before the could fully take root. Maybe he was just exhausted because of work. That seems like the easier narrative to hold onto.

I braced myself as the elevator hit the top floor, just Incase there was another ‘awkward hallway run-in’. There seems to be a lot of them lately, especially since we were the only two on the entire floor.

I realized just how right I was when the elevator doors slid open. There was an ‘awkward hallway run-in’. Except it hadn't been with Ethan. It'd been the girl I saw him embracing few days ago.

Oh well, there would be no more speaking to him then.

The girl stood in front of his door, ready to ring the doorbell. Immediately our eyes met, she glared at him like we were somehow rivals in a competition. I had a feeling she wouldn't respond to my greeting, so I kept them to myself.

I let myself enter inside my apartment before releasing the breath I was holding.

So what if he had a girl over? It's not like I expected him to be single after all these years, his reputation did prove otherwise. But I, at least, hoped he would think about the fact that he had a neighbor, a female neighbor that used to date him, and maybe not rub it in everyone's face that he had a girlfriend.

But he wasn't rubbing in everyone's gf faces, just mine.

I groaned, frustrated with my life. I had just gotten back from a very productive meeting that probably determined my future. But all I could think about was the pretty girl in his room, and how pathetically single I was and jealous of him.

I hadn't been with any man since…well…the man I made out with at Dallas's reception. I didn't even remember his name.

Fuck, I needed to get laid.

I was still thinking about how to turn my ‘single’ status around when my phone lit up with an incoming message.

My heart stopped when I saw it was another message from an unknown number.

I didn't want to, I probably shouldn't, but I clicked on the message anyway. The picture that popped up made me gssp on fear. It wasn't a picture of me, it was a picture of someone I cared for, someone I'd risked everything for years ago.

The man in the picture wore a mask and a hat, but I would recognize those eyes anywhere. It was a picture of Ethan, and judging by his dark outfit, was taken last night

I froze.