The Hurdle of Love

Chapter 4

ETHAN

I didn't plan my day to turn out this way. This day was meant to be a memorable and lovely one for my girl; it was indeed a memorable one but far from lovely. I was about to get the hell out of this place before Kaira nodded to a smoothie. What?! After all that has happened, she still wants a smoothie?!

That snapped me back to thinking about that fiery server, Emily.

The way she stepped in and defended Kaira, makes me enthralled.

Why did she do that? For no reason other than kindness? Or was this her way of getting to Kaira for some reason? No wonder Kaira was so stuck to her.

It is really rare in today's world that people are willing to go the extra mile for another without having ulterior motives for doing so. Although it may be discouraging, looking at things from my point of view, I believe it is essential to confront it. The world often operates in this manner, from rags to riches, with determination.

My thought was derailed when I saw her walking up to us. “Raspberry smoothie for the princess!!” She stepped up to us and deliberately set the glass before Kaira who in turn burst out laughing.

“Emily, this is my daddy.” She squeezed my hand and grinned at her. I took that as my signal to introduce myself.

“Ethan Ellington” I extended my hand, which she gazed at briefly. Her gaze betrayed a moment of uncertainty before she snapped out of it.

“Emily Lopez.” She offered a courteous smile as she accepted my hand. I took a glance at it, and I was amazed at how perfect it was in mine.

As I withdrew my hand, I tried to bite back my anger. “You intervened on behalf of my child. You were risking your job” I inclined my hand, expecting a response.

“The lady was overtly overstepping her boundaries.” A hint of annoyance crossed her face before she took a deep breath. Her expression softened, her gentle smile returning.

“So what can I get to offer you?”

“Espresso, unadulterated.” She nodded and went away. Settling back into my seat, I watched her walk away until I lost sight of her.

As soon as we walked through the door, Kaira left my side and ran to Anny, who was already waiting for us in the living room.

“Had a fun with daddy?” She asked.

“Indeed!!” I spoke in a languid tone, to which Kaira didn't notice. But it seems Anny noticed that she shot me a questioning glance.

“What happened?”

My phone rang at precisely the right time moment and cut in; it saved me the trouble of narrating the story to Anny. My amusement quickly turned to annoyance upon seeing the name popping up on my screen.

It's Mom

“I know Kaira will do justice to the story.” I offered my apologies, excused myself, and made my way to my loft. I can bet the reason mom was calling and I wish I could dodge this conversation.

“Yes, mom?”

“It seems now is the suitable time to talk.” The way the conversation began showed me exactly where it was heading, and my instincts weren't wrong either.

“You're right, good enough”

“Have you been calling for days now, and you’ve not been responding? Have you been avoiding my calls?”

“Why would I do that? I have no reason to avoid your calls, Mom. Did I?” I lied, and she was right; I have been avoiding her calls. Maybe I didn't lie, plus I was crazy busy. I knew she noticed that Crip edge in my voice but she didn't show it.

“None I could think of.” She took a second.

“Your dad’s will, I hope you haven't forgotten about it.” I hardly regretted picking up the call until this moment; I should have just ignored it as usual.

“I haven't”

“Then what have you done about it?” she breathed a frustrated sigh.

“Ethan, you and your dad have worked so hard for the Realty, and it would not make any sense to just go to the Clement's. I hope you know how much effort you and your dad put into this business in getting it where it is now. I would hate to see all your dad has ever worked for go down the drain.”

“I know, Mom”

“So? You have just four months left, Ethan! Have you met someone you would like to settle down with?” Recounting our dining experience at the bistro to Abby appears to be a more preferable choice for the conversation I got dragged into.

“I'm dating someone, already.” The words just slipped out of my mouth without considering the consequences.

“You're dating someone?” Mom sounded excited with my statement; that had always been her wish for me; who knows if she planned this thing out with Dad?

Now, I have said it and can't be taken back anymore. “You heard me loud and clear, Mom. Yes”

“So why haven't I met with her? Are you keeping her from me?” It was so obvious Mom bought my lie. Well, I just got to play along then.

“Well, we just met, I needed to be sure and know her better first before announcing.” My voice remained composed.

“If that is the case, I would like to meet with her next week at dinner” But why the rush? It was certain that she believed me, so why did she want to meet so quickly?

“I will be busy” I promptly made amends. I will be having a couple of meetings, but it is not as if any of them can't be moved to a later date.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. Mom wasn't joking with this and I couldn't keep making excuses either. “let's make it next month”

“Well, now that we are done with this I would like to go back to work now”

“Sure” After the phone call ended, I realized I had just had myself in a bigger mess. I had just next month to get someone. How on earth will th

is happen? I just picked up some girl and bumm!! We are married!

Who does that?!!