FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

ETHAN IN THE GARAGE.

(LORI'S POV)

Lori's morning shades covered not only her eyes, but half her face. She wore a giant hat on her head, which appeared like an umbrella, shading her entire face.

Her aim was to hide from her boss, to not allow him recognize her because of her foolish actions the previous night. She had gotten so hung up on her phone conversation with Jimmy, that she forgot her immediate company.

Her boss, after offering her a ride, had disappeared without saying goodnight, or her thanking him for the ride. She didn't blame him, she was not even paying any attention.

Lori paused movement when she heard her phone rang, it was a sunny morning, she couldn't get a view of her caller. Lori stepped into the garage in a bid to get some shade. She rested at the back of a jeep and proceeded to answering her call.

****************

Lori wore a smile on her face once she realized who the caller was.

" Good morning ma'am. "

" Please Lori, call me Caitlyn. "

" Mrs Caitlyn. " Lori said instead, as she was aware her employer was married, due to the ring she saw on her finger and the child.

Caitlyn smiled, " Fine, have it your way. How are you doing? "

upon hearing that well-being question, Lori felt light and more comfortable conversing with Caitlyn, " I'm very fine ma'am, thank you for asking. And how is Freida doing? " Lori wanted to know.

" You mean your student? " Caitlyn teased.

" Yes, my student. " Lori answered.

" She is making morning arrangements. "

Lori arched a brow, she didn't understand the reply she received from Caitlyn.

" Morning arrangements? "

" She is preparing for school, it's Friday. "

" Yes, yes... " Lori recalled, " I'm sorry, it skipped my mind, even though I'm literally in work premises. "

" That is understandable. "

" How is your mother doing? I haven't been to the bakery since the last time, I hope she's healthy and good? "

Lori felt an unexpected surge, the woman had surprised her by asking about her mother.

" She's fine... um.... thank you. "

" I'm I seeing you on Sunday? "

" Of course ma'am, I'll be very early. "

" That's alright, I wanted to let you know that I'll be visiting a family member on Sunday, I may not be around when you arrive or when you leave. "

" Oh... "

" But you don't need to worry, everything is in place and in order. Frieda will be waiting for you at home when you arrive. "

" Okay... I will make sure not to keep her waiting for long. "

" Please don't. That's all for now Lori, goodbye, I hope you have a nice day at work. "

Lori took her phone from hee ears and stared at the screen in shock, " You too... ma'am. " The call ended immediately after.

( LORI'S POV )

Lori was taken aback by Caitlyn's manner and approach. Yes, she was initially aware that the woman was Porsche and elegant, but she took it all to another level.

It appeared the woman was not only a purposeful person, she also possessed a tender and soft spot, amidst all the layers of stoicism, rigidity and firmness.

Lori perched a calm smile on her face as she shoved her phone back inside her bag. With the way things were going, she wouldn't have a problem working with Caitlyn in her home after all, the woman was nice.

( ETHAN'S POV )

Ethan sat inside his car at the garage for a couple of minutes, staring with dead eyes his phone as it rang continually. His palms had gotten sweaty, his feet had resulted to tapping severally as he stared at his elder brother's name sit majestically on his phone screen, Donald Boseman.

Ethan's tension was up the roof, he was panicking. He felt a sudden headache knocking his head, almost like it was going to drop down his forehead, why was his brother suddenly calling him out of nowhere?

Judging by the way things spiralled out of control back in the past, and worse, after his father's brutal murder, he and his brother formed a void which elapsed into a on-ice relationship from his head.

Ethan was terrified of his brother, he had every reason to be. Donald was a powerful mafia leader in Mexico, pushing drugs and all manner of illegal materials. Added with their pending family issues, Ethan was petrified of his brother.

Donald was a cold and calculated person, so much so, that not a single action from his end didn't pass his thorough calculation. That being said, Donald wasn't an individual filled with rage or performed in a ruthless, ferocious and loud manner, but he was deadly.

And as time graciously passed, Ethan had created a lengthy amount of distance between himself and his brother. That was a bold step that some might consider shocking and uncalled for, but he had to do so for the sake of his sanity and peace of mind, as it suits him. He couldn't say the same for his sister Soraya, after all, it wasn't like they told one another details of their life or plans.

Ethan hadn't physically seen his brother in a couple of years, or even heard his voice. Their only means of communication was through emails, and it was on a very few occasions. He hadn't communicated with Donald for months and was surprised why the sudden changed of communication pattern, a phone call.

As Ethan sat on edge staring at his phone blared, it went to an end. He didn't want to answer the call, because he was unsure of the reasons behind it, because he was in a shocked position and also because he was terrified about the possible action the call would yield.

But Ethan was also scared of his current position, not answering the call would also place him in a tight spot. What if Donald went out of his way and found him physically? that was a bit far fetched but it wasn't entirely impossible.

Ethan's hands couldn't get themselves to move, much less his entire body. He waited for a couple of minutes to make sure his phone didn't ring again, and when he was sure that it didn't, he slowly picked up his phone and go out of the car.

Ethan had a lot of work to do, with the fact that he never made it an attitude to take work home with him, he only perfomed any work related activity at WORK. And after he screwed it with the investors last time, he knew he had to give Pierce some space before screwing up again.

Pierce exercised patience, but he also wasn't a patience man. Pierce had let him off the hook a couple of time because of how their relationship had grown through the years, Ethan considered himself doing a great job getting on his stepbrother's good side. At least he was good at doing that.

Ethan had no other choice than to do a thorough reading of the project cape plan and perfectly familiarize himself with it. Of course, being the type of person he knew he was, he wouldn't finish it all in a day, not ever.

He had to start from somewhere if he intented on finishing up his work before the deal day. He had two days to work on, he better commenced with his task.

He held his phone in his hand, still intently staring at the screen as if forging a call from the previous caller. Ethan made the curve to exit the garage, and merged with Lori on the way.

The sudden arrival plus his unsteady state caused him to loosen hsi grip on his phone, thereby sending it to the floor.

*************

Lori stood in surprise as the man bent to retrieve what was left of his phone.

Ethan lazily got to his feet and looked at the person next to him, " Lori Hart? "

( LORI'S POV )

Lori recognized the man as Ethan Boseman. Firstly, she knew him from the masquerade party and secondly, from work. And the unwanted vice versa was that he remembered not only her first name, but last name as well.

************

" Why is it that when I meet you, my phone is always damaged in the process? " Ethan asked, scrutinizing her.

Lori took few steps backwards, her hands in the air, " I promise this time, wasn't my fault. "

Ethan brightened his eyes, " So you now accept that it was you at that party? "

Lori's mouth were left ajar, she thought about lying, but then again, it was too late to do so. And if she kept on being dishonest about being at the masquerade party, it may start to look like something indeed happened there, because something actually happened.

" Fine, it was me, I was there. "

Ethan smiled, " I knew it, may have forgotten your name, but I never forget a face. "

Lori saw his beautiful smile slowly disappear, " Yeah... you got me... sir. "

" Don't do that... call me Ethan. "

" No sir__

" I insist, or you're buying the phone. "

Lori was forced to release small barrel of laughter, she came to find out that Ethan was the type of person that would do the most ridiculous things to get his way, even when he didn't mean it.

" Why are you dressed like you just escaped a fashion mess? "

Lori gave herself a quick glance, " What the fuck... " She whispered.

Ethan smiled, " The phone__

" I didn't break this one, it's all you. " Lori jumped in.

" You know, " Ethan squinted as he began walking, with her by his side, " You still owe me a date. "

" Whaaat? " Lori's voice faded as she said, " I don't think so. "

" Don't lie, " Ethan turned to her and later away, " I wasn't that drunk. "

" I only agreed because I never thought I'll set my eyes on you again. "

" Well, unlucky you. "

" Please, you're not really serious about that date... "

" Why? " Ethan curiously asked as they approached the entrance.

Lori felt she would use the only means she possibly could.

" You're my boss, and I'm__

" Shut the f**k up, " Ethan laughed, " You're not really using that on me. "

" I am. "

" I don't give a s**t about that. "

" Will I be in trouble if I refuse the date? " Lori wanted to know.

" By trouble, do you mean fired? " He laced her a look with fallen eyes.

" Exactly. " Lori answered almost immediately.

" Are you kidding me? "

" So I'm not getting fired? that's great, that means no date. "

Ethan couldn't stop smiling, " It also means you get to buy me a new phone, so... "

" I don't think so. " Lori pinched.

" Why not? " Ethan arched a brow, his conversation with her was getting interesting.

" You don't have any proof. "

" You lying shit... " Ethan shook his head.

Lori laughed, " No proof, means no new phone... gotcha. "

" Do not allow me pull in security footage from that night, Lori. "

Lori gasped, " You can't do that. "

" Do you want to try? "

( PIERCE'S POV )

Pierce was fed up from watching from the inside. At first he watched them both in inquisitiveness and sheer interest, but as their conversation prolonged, it turned into something unbearable.

He didn't know that his stepbrother, Ethan, had familiarized himself with Lori Hart. Pierce wasn't sure how he felt about that yet, but he was sure he couldn't watch them discuss in that manner anymore.

He pushed the doors open and made himself known to them.

***************

" Bro___

Pierce didn't let Ethan finish his words, he rolled a short glance at Lori who looked like he was the last person she wanted to see and turned to his brother.

" Ethan, I want to speak with you in my office, NOW. "