CHAPTER 4
2219 Words
Chapter Four
The city lights slipped past the car window as Chloe drove. The streets were alive even though it was already dark, with taxis moving between cars, people crossing crowded sidewalks, and bright signs glowing above the buildings. I rested my head against the seat and watched everything pass by, but my mind wasn't really in the city.
It had wandered somewhere else.
Five years ago.
I was sitting beside Ethan outside our college building, my shoulder pressed against his. We had just finished class, and he had bought us coffee even though his own cup was already empty.
"You know I don't like this coffee," I complained after taking a sip.
He laughed. "You say that every time."
"Because it's true."
"And yet you keep drinking it."
"Because you bought it."
He turned to look at me with that small smile that always made it difficult to stay annoyed with him.
"So you drink terrible coffee because you love me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."
He laughed quietly before taking my hand.
"I mean it, Valerie."
I looked at him. "Mean what?"
"Everything I've told you."
His thumb moved slowly across my knuckles.
"One day, I'm going to give you everything you deserve."
I frowned. "Ethan, I've told you before. I don't need you to give me anything."
"I know."
"Then why do you keep saying it?"
"Because I want to."
He looked down at our joined hands for a moment.
"I want to be successful. I want to be someone you and your parents would be proud of."
"You don't have to become rich for me or my parents, and I'm already proud of you Ethan."
"I'm not doing it because you asked me to."He looked back at me.
"I'm doing it because I want to build something for myself. And maybe one day, I'll be able to give you the kind of life you deserve." I smiled softly.
"I'd be happy with you even if we had nothing."
His eyes softened. "You really mean that?"
"Of course."
He leaned closer.
I didn't move.Neither did he. For a moment, the noise around us seemed to fade. His fingers brushed against my cheek before his lips met mine.
The kiss was gentle, familiar, and warm.I smiled against his lips.When he pulled away, he stayed close, his forehead resting against mine.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too."
The memory faded as quickly as it had come.I opened my eyes and stared out the window again.
Five years.
Why could I still remember everything so clearly?
"Valerie."
I looked over.
Chloe glanced at me from the driver's seat.
"Hm?"
"You've been quiet for a while."
"I was thinking," I said.
She gave me a quick look before turning her attention back to the road. "Obviously,You're thinking about him."
I sighed. " Yes and no."
"Girl you were thinking so loud don't tell me you miss those lovey dovey moments." Chloe said sarcastically.
"Hell no, by the way , have you seen Ethan, he looks totally different now"
"You know , wealth kinda changes people."
I smiled faintly. "Let's not talk about him anymore". I said, i didn't want to think about him.
Chloe didn't push the subject any further.For that, I was grateful.A few minutes later, she slowed the car and pulled toward the curb.I looked through the windshield.The club stood ahead of us, its entrance surrounded by some heavily built men, maybe bodyguards. Music could already be heard from outside.
I stared at it. "Seriously?"
Chloe laughed. "Yes, seriously."
"Its been ages since i last been to a place like this, you know, i hope people don't recognize me though." I'm hardly out in public without a disguise and this face cap is still making me a bit insecure.
"You agreed and no one is going to recognize you, everyone is either high, drunk or disoriented." Chloe assured.
"I will take your words for this one but if anything goes wrong, you owe me." I warned. If an article goes out, it could affect me a lot, that's among the down side of being an actress. Maybe it won't be so bad taking over my family business after all.
"Come on." Chloe practically dragged me inside.The music hit me almost immediately.The place was crowded, loud, and full of moving lights. Chloe looked completely at home, while I stood there wondering why I'd allowed her to convince me this was a good idea.She grabbed my hand.
"Drinks." She yelled through the music.
"I thought we were dancing?" I asked. Maybe i should loo up a bit, the music was already catchy.
"We'll drink first."
At the bar, Chloe ordered two drinks and handed one to me.
"To getting you out of your apartment for once." Chloe said her tone laced with sarcasm.I laughed.
"Very funny." I chuckled.
"Drink."
We clinked glasses.I took a small sip.It wasn't bad.The music changed a few minutes later, and Chloe's face lit up.
"Oh, I love this song." She beamed. Before I could say anything, she pulled me onto the dance floor.I laughed as she started dancing beside me. For a while, I forgot everything.
The movie.
My parents.
Ethan.
I was simply Valerie, out with her best friend on a Friday night.Then a man approached us.
He had dark hair, an easy smile, and the kind of confidence that didn't feel forced.
He leaned slightly toward Chloe so she could hear him over the music.
"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked.
Chloe looked at him."Depends." I almost laughed, that was Chloe , playing hard to get but it doesn't last so long.
"On what?" The guy asked
"Whether you're interesting."
He laughed.
"I guess you'll have to find out."
Chloe glanced at me.I smiled and nodded.She turned back to him.
"Fine."
He held out his hand.
"Mason."
"Chloe."
He smiled.
"You gonna be okay?"Chloe asked as she turned to me. I nodded.
"Go," I told her. "I'll be fine."
"Don't disappear."
"I won't."
Chloe and Mason moved farther into the crowd, talking and laughing as they danced.I watched them for a moment.They seemed to click surprisingly well.I smiled before turning back toward the bar.And then I saw him.
Ethan.
He stood at the other end of the bar, one hand around a glass, his dark hair falling loosely around his face. He was dressed casually, but somehow he still looked completely out of place among everyone else, looking handsome more than ever.
His eyes met mine.Everything inside me went still.Neither of us looked away immediately.Then I did and it was fast.I turned back toward the dance floor, pretending I hadn't seen him.I took another sip of my drink.I wasn't going over there.I wasn't going to speak to him.Tonight was supposed to be about having fun.
Then I caught movement from the corner of my eye.
A woman was walking toward Ethan.
Evelyn Carter, of course an actress like me. Evelyn Carter was also famous but i doubt she's as famous as me. It's very obvious she hates me. In the acting business, there was always that rival, competitor that wanted to be better than the other, Evelyn Carter was that person to me. I could feel it at every gala,party or occasion we find ourselves on, her piercing stare and frown wherever she sees me, even the media didn't fail to capture it.
My jaw tightened.
She stopped beside him, smiling as she said something I couldn't hear.Ethan answered.She laughed.Then she lightly touched his arm.Something unpleasant twisted inside me.
I looked away.Why was I annoyed?Ethan could talk to whoever he wanted.He wasn't my boyfriend.He wasn't even my friend.So why did watching Evelyn stand beside him make my mood suddenly disappear?I took another drink and tried to focus on Chloe.It didn't work.My eyes drifted back to the bar.Evelyn was still there.And I was beginning to seriously regret coming out tonight.
---
THIRD PERSON POV.
Evelyn Carter had noticed Ethan almost as soon as she entered the club.
She hadn't expected to see him there, but she wasn't disappointed. Ethan has been someone she always admired and wanted, especially as his wealth stood out and he was very handsome, her father also had few business meetings and dinners with him and sometimes they get to see each other.
After spotting him alone at the bar, she decided to say hello.
"Hey," she said when she reached him.
Ethan turned slightly."Hey."
"You remember me? we've never really talked except for a professional introduction." Evelyn begin.
"I know, i remember you."
She smiled. "Right. We will be filming together too, i was quite surprised to see you as a cast for the movie, i never knew you were an actor."
"I'm not, i just wanted to cast in this one." Ethan explained.
She ordered a drink and leaned casually against the bar. "I didn't know you came to places like this."
"I don't often."
"Neither do I."
There was a brief pause. Then Evelyn smiled. "I guess we're both making an exception tonight." Evelyn said, a small smirk playing on her lips.Ethan gave a small nod.
His attention shifted back toward the dance floor.Evelyn followed his gaze and saw Valerie.She noticed the change in his expression almost immediately.
"You came with her?" Evelyn asked.
Ethan looked back at her."No."
"Oh."
Evelyn smiled.
"You know she's the female lead in the movie" Evelyn said with a scowl.
"Right, I know" Ethan muttered, his eyes never leaving Valarie.
Evelyn swallowed and took a sip of her drink.
"So, how are you finding the movie?"
"It's good."
"Yeah, i bet you will be great"
"Thanks."
Evelyn smiled as she noticed Ethan's attention went back to hers."You know, I was actually surprised when I heard who was playing the female lead."
Ethan's eyes moved toward Valerie again."Why?"
"Because you two already seem to know each other, Our director said so."
"We went to college together."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Evelyn nodded slowly. "That explains the chemistry." Evelyn paused. "Our next practice time will be together, all of us cast in the movie"
Ethan didn't answer.She looked at him for a moment before smiling.
"Our scenes should be interesting, then."
"They probably will be."
"Especially that one."Evelyn laughed softly."You know which one I'm talking about."
Ethan understood.The scene where their characters would begin an affair.
"Yeah." Ethan frowned a bit. Why does have to be involved in a movie where he cheats on Valarie Sterling, as if leaving her wasn't enough.
"I think the director is going to make us repeat it a few times." Evelyn said.
"That's usually how filming works."
She laughed."You make everything sound so serious."
Ethan smiled faintly."I'm not trying to."
Evelyn studied him.
He was polite. Easy enough to talk to.But he wasn't giving her the kind of attention she had expected.His eyes kept returning to Valerie.Evelyn glanced toward the dance floor again.Valerie was talking to another woman now, but she looked distracted.
"It seems you guys were close in college cause you can't get your eyes off her," Evelyn said, her voice tight.
Ethan's expression changed slightly. "She's my co-star and we went to the same college, nothing more." Ethan clarified, he didn't wanna give Evelyn the idea of their lass relationship, he doesn't know if Valerie would want anyone to know about it since it might cause a scandal now that she's very famous.
"Of course." Evelyn smiled into her glass.She wasn't going to push.Not yet.They continued talking for a few minutes about the movie, the filming schedule, and some of the cast. Ethan answered her questions without much interest, but he never became rude. Eventually, Evelyn looked toward the dance floor again.Valerie's eyes met hers for a brief moment. She noticed the frown on Valerie's face and how she looked at Ethan. But as she saw Evelyn staring, Valerie looked away.Something about that reaction made Evelyn curious.She turned back to Ethan.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
"Goodnight, Ethan."
"Goodnight."
Evelyn walked away, but her thoughts remained behind.She had expected Ethan to be difficult to approach.Instead, he was simply distracted.And now she knew exactly what was distracting him.
Valerie Sterling.
Evelyn glanced back once. Ethan was still watching her. A small smile touched Evelyn's lips.This might be more interesting than she had expected.
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