Have a drink?
1388 Words
The restaurant closed at 10 p.m.
Elena Bannett came out, and it was raining moderately outside.
The drizzle turned the gray road into a bright sheen...
Elena Bannett hadn’t brought an umbrella, so she used her handbag to shield her head. She ran for 200 meters and finally took shelter under a bus stop.
Her clothes were soaked through, and she trembled as she took out her phone to call for a taxi... but it was difficult to get a taxi in the rain, and she waited for a long time without success.
Across from the bus stop, a golden Bentley Continental parked at the roadside. Ethan Harlow was sitting in the car, silently watching Elena Bannett.
He observed her running in the rain, her clothes drenched... her whole body shaking.
In the front passenger seat sat Mia Harlow.
Mia Harlow had been playing with her phone for an hour and yawned in boredom, "Bro, didn’t you say you’d take me for a late-night snack? You’ve been picking a place for an hour, and still haven’t chosen one... Hey, isn’t that Ryan Smith’s girlfriend?"
Ethan Harlow lazily wiped the steering wheel and asked, "Ryan Smith’s girlfriend?"
Mia Harlow tapped on the window, "She’s the one who’s pretty and has a good figure! Bro, should we give her a ride?"
Ethan Harlow seemed reluctant, "Ryan Smith’s girlfriend? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"
"She’s calling a taxi!" Mia Harlow suddenly said in regret.
Ethan Harlow looked over.
Sure enough, a blue taxi turned around and brushed past his car.
Nearby, Mia Harlow found Ryan Smith’s number and dialed it.
“Ryan, what kind of boyfriend are you?”
“I just saw Elena.”
“It’s so late, and you’re not picking her up?”
...
On the other end, Ryan Smith laughed awkwardly, "Ah... I guess I didn’t do a good job as a boyfriend!"
Ethan Harlow smiled faintly upon hearing this.
Ryan Smith really didn’t hold back!
Mia Harlow chatted with Ryan Smith for a few more moments and then hung up.
She wrapped her arm around Ethan Harlow’s, acting coquettishly, "Bro, can I invite Elena to play piano at my birthday party? She’s in a tough spot right now, I’ll pay her 20,000."
Ethan Harlow started the car and said, "She might not agree!"
Mia Harlow didn’t believe him.
A moment later, she remembered, "Bro, weren’t you going to take me for a late-night snack? Why are we heading home?"
Ethan Harlow pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
He glanced at his sister, "Aren’t you on a diet? And yet you’re thinking about late-night snacks?"
Mia Harlow was immediately convinced.
She took out her phone and started chatting with Gavin Hayes, saying that this was the "satisfaction of the soul."
...
The next afternoon, Ethan Harlow returned home to grab some documents.
Just as he was about to go downstairs, he heard Mia Harlow shouting, "Bro, that Miss Elena turned me down! How strange, she doesn’t want to make 20,000!"
Ethan Harlow, dressed in a suit and hurrying to a meeting, tapped his sister on the head with the documents in his hand and hummed lightly, "If she agreed, her brain would be just as messed up as yours."
Mia Harlow was angry, her delicate face showing grievance, "Mom, look! Bro’s bullying me again!"
Lady Harlow was sitting in the hall, gracefully sipping her tea.
She smiled at her eldest son, "The last time I saw Miss Elena, I thought she was quite nice. Who would have thought she’s Ryan Smith’s girlfriend?"
Ethan Harlow didn’t bother to clarify the misunderstanding.
He smiled faintly, "Ryan Smith is also pursuing her."
Lady Harlow set down her English bone china cup and casually remarked, "Miss Elena is gentle and docile. I think she might be more suited to you."
Ethan Harlow’s expression became serious, and he nodded before leaving.
Watching her brother leave, Mia Harlow leaned toward her mother and carefully said, "Bro seems like he’s still waiting for… that person!"
Lady Harlow smiled faintly.
She turned to her youngest daughter and said, "Your brother and that person’s personalities are destined not to align. I believe Miss Elena has a greater chance."
After her initial shock, Mia Harlow became energized.
She thought simply and had already devised a plan in her mind.
After work.
Ethan Harlow declined a few invitations and drove to the restaurant.
At 8 p.m., the restaurant was at its busiest, and Elena Bannett was seated at the piano, playing.
Tonight, she wore a smoky-gray gown that revealed a hint of her shoulders, with her tea-colored hair cascading smoothly down her waist.
She looked beautiful and romantic.
Through the glass, Ethan Harlow watched her for about ten minutes before getting out of the car and entering the restaurant.
He ordered some food, not paying much attention to what, and leaned back casually, listening to Elena play the piano.
Ethan noticed that well-dressed men would occasionally approach her, likely drawn to her.
Elena politely turned them all down.
During a break, Elena received a business card.
King & King Law Firm, Attorney Ethan Harlow
Elena was taken aback and turned slightly to see Ethan Harlow.
He was sitting in a corner, holding a glass of pre-dinner cocktail, looking refined with every gesture.
Elena didn’t want to interact with him, but she didn’t dare offend him either.
She still walked over.
“Mr. Harlow.”
Ethan Harlow nodded slightly, gesturing for her to sit.
As soon as she sat down, Ethan noticed the new needle marks on the back of her hand, guessing it was because she’d gotten soaked in the rain last night.
"Miss Bannett, have you eaten? Join me for a little."
Ethan Harlow’s manner was proper, nothing like the presumptuousness of earlier when he’d tossed her his card.
Elena placed the card on the table, feeling somewhat constrained. “The restaurant has rules that staff can’t dine with customers during working hours.”
Ethan Harlow ignored the card.
He asked her directly, “What about after work? Miss Bannett, do you have time to come to my place for a drink?”
His meaning was clear.
By dating him, she could quickly escape her current predicament without having to work tirelessly for money.
It was just a game between a man and a woman, and Ethan Harlow assumed that, having once been with Gavin Hayes, Elena wouldn’t mind being with someone else.
After all, the two times they’d embraced, he sensed she had felt something.
Elena didn’t even consider it.
She didn’t know why Ethan had suddenly taken an interest in pursuing her again.
She understood her situation and chose her words carefully so as not to offend him. “Mr. Harlow, I’m very grateful for your help with my father’s case. I’ll find a way to repay this kindness in the future.”
Ethan Harlow was surprised.
He thought he understood her meaning: she wasn’t willing to have a relationship with him.
Money couldn’t sway Elena Bannett!
It wasn’t as if Ethan was fixated on her; he’d just been slightly captivated by her as she played the piano, and there was that lingering curiosity — the allure of not having truly possessed her.
Ethan Harlow put away the card, showing grace by not pressing the matter.
Elena thanked him softly, her humility grounded in sincerity.
In that awkward moment, Ryan Smith arrived with a girl of about sixteen or seventeen.
“Mr. Harlow!”
Ryan greeted him warmly, with no tension or rivalry.
Ethan Harlow gestured for him to sit, and only then did Ryan boldly take a seat, immediately introducing his sister to Elena. “This is my sister, Sophie Smith. She’s as talented as they come, just needs a reliable piano teacher! Elena, would you consider taking her on?”
The request left Elena feeling rather awkward.
Ethan Harlow didn’t care about Ryan’s small intentions. He took out his wallet and placed about 2000 on the table, saying, “Miss Bannett has things to do, so I won’t disturb her further.”
Out of courtesy, Elena walked him to the restaurant entrance.
Ethan Harlow showed no reluctance, simply nodded to her from inside his car before driving off.
Calm and composed, he didn’t look at all like someone pursuing a casual fling.
- Writer
