PROMISED TO THE WRONG BROTHER

CHAPTER 5

ETHAN'S POV

I sighed and declined my mother's call again. She has been blowing up my phone all morning and I'm not in the mood for nagging.

I readjusted my tie as I sat at the backseat of my Rolls Royce as we waited for Belle to join us in the car.

Normally, I would have left without her but then that wouldn't end well. My phone vibrated. A message from my mother.

Without reading it, I swiped it away. I clenched my jaws so hard to keep my cool. This lady had me waiting for over thirty minutes.

"Let's go," I ordered without looking at my driver.

No one keeps me waiting. She's not my wife. Most importantly, she's not HER!

Seriously Ethan. How could my thoughts wander off carelessly? I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.

When the car didn't move, I opened my eyes and raised my eyebrow at Nathan.

He looked at me from the rear mirror. His eyes asked all the questions that he couldn't utter.

I glared at him and he gulped. "Yes, sir"

A knock suddenly landed on the window. I don't need to confirm who it was. Nathan had ignited the engine of the car. Waiting for orders, if he should move or not.

Belle continued knocking. Disturbing my ears.

After some minutes, I unlocked the door and she rushed in.

"What was that all about Ethan? You kept me waiting," she whined annoyingly.

The car began to move. I don't respond to her stupidity as I rest my head on my hand with my eyes closed.

"Babe!" She called out but when I didn't reply, she huffed and stopped talking.

I breathed out. It's a good thing she stopped or I wouldn't be able to stop myself from venting my anger for the disrespect.

The silence in the car was comfortable. Exactly what I wanted.

Unfortunately, it didn't last as the space beside me sank, as Belle sat closer to me. Closing the distance and the heaviness of her perfume slammed my nostrils.

"Babe, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I was being a brat," she said in a low voice.

Silence.

Slowly, she placed her hands on my thighs. The muscles in my body tensed and I fisted my hands tightly until my knuckles cracked

"Please, don't start with the attitude. You said you wanted space and I complied. You don't ask what I want," her voice trailed off.

She added, "I'm not complaining because I love you."

My chest rose and fell heavily. Thousands of thoughts spiraled in my head and hundreds of images flashed through my eyes.

No, Ethan. Get a grip. This is not Ava confessing.

"If you don't want this contract to end right here and now, get your hands off me and never speak those detestable words to my hearing ever again," I warned. My eyes were darkened and cold as I stared at her.

She snatched her hands away at the speed of light. Tears blurred her vision. I sat properly and looked away from her.

I applied sanitizer on my hands. What do her tears have to do with me? The world could burn but that wouldn't get me to be sympathetic. As long as it doesn't involve HER.

The drive was quiet until she arrived at the gala. The glass of my car was tinted, so no one could see what was going on. Belle wiped her tears and fixed her makeup.

"Remember to play your part properly. Do not overstep your boundary. Do you hear me?" I asked and she looked at me silently.

I tilted my head and she nodded.

The valets opened the door for us. Belle linked her hand to mine as we walked inside. She kept waving and smiling but I just had a curt nod.

"Mr. Ethan, when are you guys getting married?"

"Is Miss Belle just another woman you plan on disposing of soon."

"Both of you look good together."

"Miss Belle, there are some rumours that both of you aren't together for love. So what is it then?"

The questions kept coming. My nose flared. The audacity of these people to question my personal life. The drama is getting too much and I would rather be single.

I'd rather be at home or at the office than be here.

The moment we stepped into the hall, I removed my hand from Belle's and she just stood beside me.

"There you're," I heard a familiar voice - Aiden. "I thought you wouldn't come," he smirked and handed Belle a glass of champagne.

"You guys can go ahead with your business. I'll be with Kayla," Belle informed and Aiden nodded.

She waited for me to say something. But when I didn't, she sighed and left.

"What is wrong with you man? She's still a woman. Don't be too harsh on her," he groaned.

"She knew what she was getting into when she signed the contract. I don't and will never love," I replied coldly.

Aiden chuckled. "Can't stop thinking about her, even though she's to marry and build a family with your brother?"

My heartbeat quickened. My lips tightened and narrowed my eyes.

"I dare you to say that again," I growled in a low voice.

Aiden gulped and smiled nervously, "I spoke out of turn. I just wanted you to see the reality."

"Don't you ever speak of her like that," I warned and he nodded. Looking remorseful.

"Let's go sit. Do you want anything to drink?" He asked as we headed to the table reserved for us.

I shook my head, "I'm good."

The event started and soon other people joined us at the table. Most of whom were trying to propose a deal. Thankfully, Aiden dealt with all of them.

My phone rang. Exactly what I've been waiting for since yesterday. I clicked it and my eyes scanned the content.

The tightness on my chest loosened. The corners of my lips tugged into a small smile.

A picture of Ava eating and smiling happily. The brightness in her eyes still remained after all these years.

It's wrong for me to stalk her but I do. That has been my coping mechanism all these years.

Belle sat on the chair beside me, greeting other people but I didn't listen.

Slowly, I traced my finger on her face. She gets more beautiful by the day.

My smile soon disappeared like it was never there when a message notification popped up on my phone.

A message from Noah.

"We've been trying to reach you all day. Mum collapsed. If you still recognize her as your mother, come back home."

Time froze. Everyone and every voice faded into the background.