Chapter twenty three

Chapter twenty three

ETHAN

I already regretted agreeing to take Kira to the charity gala, because now she was in my fucking house.

Kira - whatever her last name was - had thought it would be a good idea to come to my apartment after I sent her a DM this morning. I hadn’t wanted to, but my mum called to remind me about my promise to take Kira to the gala. She’d sent me the girl’s number and asked me to call her.

I didn’t want my mum bugging me, especially not when I was still searching for my ‘asshole father’, and I didn't want her to get suspicious, because when has Ethan Hart ever turned down a chance to hookup with a lady. The answer was never. Not until Millie showed up after eight years anyway.

So I had sent Kira a dry ‘hey’ instead. The next thing I knew, she was at my fucking door, disrupting my peace.

“You have a really nice place.” she said for what was probably the hundredth time since she walked in.

“Thanks.” I muttered again.

I’ve had this type of conversation many times before and knew where it was leading. She probably expected that I give her a tour of my place, which would indefinitely lead into my bedroom.

I had no desire to engage in something like that today. I had already offered her coffee, the next thing I expected was for her to leave, but she was still here.

“Your mum tells me you own the entire building. That’s amazing.” she said, batting her lashes. I sighed.

The truth was, I wanted her gone, but a small part of me was grateful for the interruption. I had been sitting in front of my laptop since last night, barely slept a wink. I was desperate for any lead on Leonard. But the man had managed to disappear with no traces again. He knew I was hot on his trail. I was frustrated. Kira had been a great distraction.

I was so focused on her that I didn’t even forget her name this time. Progress.

But right now, I was getting bored to tears. I decided to stir the conversation towards a different path.

“So Kira, tell me about yourself.” Like what your last name is.

I might have paid attention when she mentioned her first name, but it had only lasted that long. Besides, it’s not like knowing her last name mattered, I was just so fucking bored, frustrated and…well…dying.

“Well, I’m Buffy Darlingtons’ niece.” she started.

“Ah!” was all I said. Not surprising that she began her introduction with her connection to the host of the Broadway Charity Gala. Typical.

I wonder if going back to agonize about my search would be a better option. Maybe even go check on Millie. I was a jerk to her last night.

“I’m a model. Well, aspiring to be. I was hoping you could help me out.” she winked.

I sat there, not moved by her advances. The headache that was starting to form had nothing to do what my damaged brain. It was just from sheer exhaustion.

“I'm not a model, Kira. I doubt I'll be able to help you with your…ambitions.”

She sighed like she was just as frustrated with this conversation as I was. She fidgeted with her skirt, chewed on her lower lip, then sigh again.

“I was hoping you could help me get in touch with JJ. She's a tough nut to crack.” She said, nervously.

It took me a few seconds to realize who she was talking about. And when I did, I burst with laughter. I didn't know what about her statement was so funny but once I started laughing, I couldn't stop.

All traces of nervousness disappeared from her face as she glared at me.

“Just to be clear, you're talking about Jenna, right? Jenna Jang?” I asked.

Her lips pressed together but she nodded. I managed to rein my laughter in.

“Sorry for my…uh…behavior.” I cleared my throat. “Why do you want to get in touch with Jenna and what makes you think I can be of help?”

She seem to think I had just laughed at her, but that wasn't the case. The fact that she thought I could get through to Jenna was hilarious. That woman hated my guts.

Granted, Jenna hated almost everyone, but she specifically can't stand me. The furthest our conversation had ever gone was a few traded insults over the years. The possibility of Jenna ever granting me a favor was close to none. She would absolutely flip me off before I even made my request.

“I’ve been trying to sign with with the agency she's with but haven't gotten any luck. Even my aunt couldn't get me in.” she scoffed like that was so unbelievable.

Then her nervousness seem to return.
“I was hoping you could ask Jenna to put in a good word for me. I know it's weird since you used to date, and maybe even weirder now that she's your sister-in-law too, but please I'd like your help.”

I blinked in surprise.
“Wait, what? Jenna and I used to…what?”

Kira stared at me in confusion. “She is your ex-girlfriend?” It sounded more like a question than a sentence.

I shook my head vehemently.
“God, no! Where the hell did you hear that from?”

“There were pictures of the both of you laughing together at your cousin's wedding, and another one of you going after her. I mean, her face wasn't visible in the second shot, but the media was able to put the pieces together.”

I tried to remember when that was but nothing came up because it never happened. The only person I had followed was Millie, who had the same bridesmaid gown on.

Oh. That was where the mix-up happened. I didn't feel the need to clear the misconception though.

“I don't think I can help you with that, or go to the gala anymore. I have…business to take care of.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You can't cancel our date!”

“I already did.” I rose from the couch and headed for the mini bar. I needed to be a bit drunk if I wanted to get back to my task.

“Please, you can't. I really do need your help.”

“I can't help you with Jenna.” I shrugged. I had no desire to help her at all after everything she just said.

“No, not that.” she hesitated. “I need you to…I'm gay.”

I blinked, completely caught off-guard by the change in subject.

“Uhh…congratulations.”

Kira began pacing my living room, wiggling her fingers and talking to herself. I watched her while sipping my wine. It didn't feel right to interrupt her.

“My aunt set me up because she was worried I was asexual. I wasn't dating anyone, haven't for a while. They took me to the hospital and there were needles…god, it was horrible. I was thinking…maybe we could strike a deal. We go to the gala together, you set me up with Jenna, and we go out separate ways. Sounds good?” she panted like she just ran a marathon instead of said a few words.

I wanted to tell her why I couldn't help with Jenna but she started freaking out again.

“Oh my god! I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Forget I said it. Please don't tell anyone. I've never told anyone. My family will kill me. I…Jesus.” Then she began sobbing.

I stood there dumbfounded. I was great at many things, but comforting someone having a panic attack was not one of them. I was just about to offer her water when the doorbell rang.

That seems to halt her panic attack as she stared at me, eyes widened. Maybe she thought her aunt had magically shown up at my doorstep, I didn't know.

“It's probably just a delivery man.” I said to calm her down. It didn't work.

I opened the door and was instantly hit with relief when I saw Millie, but it turned into worry when I saw the panic on her face.

“Uhm…hi. I'm sorry for disturbing you but I…uh…have a question.”

“Okay, what's wrong?” I asked.

She seem to hesitate, her eyes scanning my face for…something.

“Where were you last night? You got back so late.”

My brows furrowed in confusion but I proceed to answer anyway. Not the right answer. I couldn't tell her I was chasing my father.

“I was at wor…”

“With me. He was with me.” Kira cut in and hooked her arm with mine. She put on a wide smile, but I could see it slightly wavering.

“No, I wasn't.” I frowned at her.

I couldn't understand why she was putting on an act in front of Millie.

“Yes, you were, silly. We were…doing couple's stuff.” She visibly cringed as she said that, but quickly masked her expression with a smile. I blinked in confusion.

Millie's face hardened and she nodded.
“Right. I'll leave you to it then.”

She didn't give me a chance to reply before walking into her apartment and slamming the door. I snatched my arm from Kira and glared.

“What the fuck?!”

“I.. I'm sorry. I panicked. We're supposed to be dating. If your neighbor knows we aren't or that I'm….” she stopped on the last word. “They would kill me.”

“So you decided to use me instead without asking me first?” It didn't matter that she had a valid reason for doing what she did. She didn't ask my permission first.

“I'm sorry. I'm just…so scared.” she said in a low tone.

Okay, now I feel like a jerk for getting mad at her. She'd just came out to me, someone she barely knew, and I was yelling at her.

It wasn't like Millie and I were dating. She'd made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me. It didn't make a difference if she thought I was dating someone. We were never getting back together anyway.

I rubbed my temples gently and made a silent prayer that I don't regret what I was about to do.

“I need a drink. You like vodka?”