29

PRESENT DAY

“So, that is how my love story came to an end,” Ethan concluded his story with a huge sigh. Vanessa and Liza who were listening to his story, came, and sat next to him, and hugged him tightly.

“Liar,” Vanessa mumbled. Liza and Ethan gave her a confused look.

“You just said your love story came to an end. It seems like it was on pause for some years. You are continuing now,” she pouted, making Ethan and Liza laugh at her.

“You are soooo cute,” Ethan pinched her cheeks. She slapped away his hand, “You don’t like cute.”

“I like cute. Arty is cute,” he winked at her. Vanessa whined at his adoration and loving nickname for Arthur. She hit his chest.

The trio spoke some more, mostly about Ethan’s plans for the future. About how he and Arthur would take their secret relationship. And at last, Ethan told them to stay back at his place since it was very late.

The next morning, Vanessa and Liza left Ethan’s house. They had their day to carry on with. Ethan had made plans with them to have dinner at his parents' place. His mom had called him to invite him and his close for dinner. It was a casual get together which his mom hosts every now and then.

Ethan took the shower and got ready quickly. After telling his and Arthur’s love story to Vanessa and Liza, he felt better. A lot better than he had felt in a few years. He was glad that Vanessa took the story well. She expressed how bad she felt for him and sorry for his experience. And also she told him about how happy she is for finding Arthur again. She is such a sweetheart, Ethan thought. Unfortunately, he cannot reciprocate her love for him. He loves her, but in a different way. That is all he can do for her.

As Ethan drove towards his office, he received a phone call from Arthur. his day could not get any better, he thought.

He spoke to Arthur on the phone. They talked about Arthur and his little family’s summer vacation plans. And Ethan felt extremely sorry for doing this Emily. Both, he and Arthur owed a huge apology for her.

Liam entered the office building. He was pissed off about a lot of things. Firstly, about losing the project to Arthur. on top of that, his father has been up on his throat about it. He was ridiculed and insulted in front of his father’s aids. And that had put Liam in a foul mood.

He walked across Arthur’s office. His secretary was busy doing something. He walked to her and cleared his throat to get her attention. And he succeeded in it.

“Good Morning, Sir,” she greeted him.

“Morning. Is Arthur inside?” he asked. He had no idea why he went there and was asking about Arthur’s whereabouts.

“Yes, sir. Mr. Perry is working at the moment,” she gave him the best possible answer without leaking what work Arthur was doing. She too had noticed the changes in Arthur. But, she did not consider not even for a second that Arthur would cheat on his wife. She did not try to dig anything about it. Because it was not her place to do so.

Liam nodded his head and went to open Arthur’s office door. It was not locked, so he let himself in.

Arthur was standing near the window and he was busy talking on the phone.

“I cannot wait for the summer to arrive,”

“No. we will fly down there as soon as Amity’s exams are done. She is super excited to meet you again. She has never stopped talking about you,”

“I miss you too,”

“Yeah, but I cannot speak much at home. Emily and Amity will be around,”

Liam’s eyes widened at Arthur's words. Who on earth was Arthur talking to? Is he really having an affair behind Emily’s back? But why would Amity be excited to meet that person? And Arthur is planning to go over with his family to meet that person?

Questions did not stop running through Liam’s mind. He shook his head and immediately exited Arthur’s office.

“He is busy on a phone call. I will come back later,” he told to Arthur’s secretary and strode out of the area. He could not think straight for a moment.

Liam was beyond shocked to see Arthur like this. Arthur was smiling, laughing, and talking happily. Curiosity bugged him inside to know who was the reason for the changes in Arthur. He has known Arthur all his life. They went to school together and has been his best friend until something bad happened to them. But that was not the point now.

Liam could not control his curiosity. He walked back to his office and strode towards his seat. He picked up his phone and dialed his personal investigator.

“I want an extensive investigation on Arthur Perry’s past in college days and his present.”