What is Love?

Chapter Two

I sulked my way back to my car, and sat there dazed. I don't know how long the time went by, but my phone started ringing. It was Katie.

*Hello?*

*So! All the details, Lyd. Did he purpose? Were there tons of flowers, music, was it romantic?*

Cutting her off, *H-he didn't purpose. Instead, my gift was his ex coming to stay with us.*

There was a momentary silence, before Katie said, *Oh, I'm so sorry babe.. I don't know what to say. Do you want to stay at my place tonight?*

*No, it's fine, I just want to go home and soak up.*

*You call me if you need anything at all, love you girl.*

*Love you, too.*

The line went dead, and I sucked in a deep breath before heading to the Ocean Side Villa. When I arrived, Jessica was sitting on the couch with Ethan, wearing his button-up, white, long-sleeve dress shirt while he was wearing a plain black tee.

She had her legs propped up on his, and he was rubbing her legs. I scoffed, and headed upstairs to take a long bath. I always knew she'd come back, I just didn't know when. I always felt at the back of my mind this was temporary and that I was only hoping for forever.

After soaking in the tub, I went to lie in my bed. Ethan and I never shared a room or a bed. He always claimed he was waiting for marriage to share a bed. I laid there staring at the ceiling until who knows when, and eventually fell asleep. Waking up, Ethan was sitting on the couch in my room.

"Get up, we're going to see Grandpa today." I just slowly nodded my head and got ready for the day, choosing a loose bun with strands of curled hair flowing down. Only choosing to wear mascara and chapstick with a simple white T-shirt and lightly ripped skinny jeans with white vans.

I walked down the long staircase to see Jessica still wearing his button up, eating breakfast. Ethan was nowhere to be found.

"Ethan's bed is so comfortable, such a shame you've never been able to lay in it," She said without glancing up at me. "We have a guest bedroom, you know, for guests." I retorted. "Ethan said I'd feel more comfortable in his bed," she said while smirking and licking her lips. "I hope you felt at home," I said.

"Ethan, did you hear her?" She said full of sobs. While giving me a dirty look, he rushed to her side. I don't know when he got there. "She said she wants me to leave and I'm not welcome here, E." "That's nonsense, you are my guest and you are welcome here whenever I say so. Lydia, why would you make such a cold-hearted remark?"

With my jaw dropped, I responded, "She's obviously lying!" "Why would Jess lie? She has no reason to! Straighten up your attitude before we go see Grandpa Richard today!"

He took a tissue and started to dry her eyes with it. She is one hell of an actor. While I loved Richard, I did not want to go there. Going there means running into Ethan's mother, the wicked witch of the west, Casey.

Ethan's assistant, Daniel, walked in to let us know the SUV was ready. "You'll be riding with me, Lydia. Jess, make yourself at home. I'm sure Lydia doesn't mind you borrowing some of her clothes while you await your luggage to be delivered."

With glass eyes from crying, she looked at me and said, "Really, Lydia, you wouldn't mind?" With gritted teeth, "Sure, knock yourself out." I was hoping she really would knock herself out.

On the ride to Montgomery Manor, there was a tense silence. We didn't speak or look at each other. He answered work calls, and I stared out the window. I could only think about how I was just someone who filled his empty void. A rebound. Did he ever love me? Shaking those thoughts away, I noticed we arrived at Montgomery Manor.

Beautifully landscaped area with tons of flowers painting the lawn. Grandpa Richard was standing at the door awaiting our arrival.

"Come children, let grandpa see my favorite grandchildren," he said while smiling from ear to ear. Tensing up, I faked a smile and walked over to him. While giving me a big hug, he said, "When's the wedding?" "No, no wedding," Ethan said.

"Well, why not?" "We just aren't ready yet grandpa." I put my head down and listened to Richard sigh. "Come on in." Walking in, I noticed the whole family was there sitting in the living room. Ethan's little brother Brandon, and his mother Casey, his father Ben, alongside his uncle Nik. No one acknowledged my presence. I awkwardly took a seat in the corner of the room.

"I asked everyone here today to announce a new change to my wishes. Ethan has six months to marry, or Nik will take over as CEO," Richard firmly announced. Everyone gasped, "Richard, you can't do this to Ethan!" Casey cried, "Ben tell your father not to do this to his eldest grandson!"

Nik sat there stone-faced, like he knew this was coming. "Nothing Ben says will change my mind," Richard stated. "Nik isn't' married either father," Ben replied, "He's no older than Ethan, why does Ethan have to be married and not Nik?"

"Nik has been single, and he's worked diligently behind the scenes for years. He has not played with a woman's heart for four years, knowing his heart belongs to another," Richard stated while looking at Ethan. My cheeks got hot and I could feel all the blood rush to my face.

I knew it. I freaking knew I was just a stand-in for Jessica. Casey shot me a smug look. Behind her, I caught Nik looking at me softly, or was I imagining it? Nik Montgomery looking at me softly? Impossible. He's always in the tabloids as a stone-cold person, and a play boy. No better than Ethan, right?

"Grandfather, I have no room in my heart for anyone other than J-Lydia. I will marry Lydia in 6 months' time," Ethan said while taking my hand, "Isn't that right, Lydia?" Stunned because I definitely heard him stutter and almost say Jessica's name, I pulled my hand away and said, "That's right.. Six months time."

I either had to fight for Ethan, or run like hell. Would it ruin my Grandfather's partnership with Montgomery's? The Crawford Foundation could collapse if so. I can't do that to my grandfather, or my family. I have to fight for Ethan whether I want to or not.

Everyone gathered around the dinner table while I stayed in the kitchen preparing dishes. Grandfather loved when I cooked for him. He always asked me to make pasta from scratch, it was his favorite. I was chopping fresh garlic and herbs when I accidentally sliced my fingers because I was lost in thought.

I turned to rinse my finger and bandage it when I heard loud claps behind me. "You got what you wanted, you little wench." "Who said I wanted to marry Ethan?" I glared at Casey, who glared at me back. "Oh please, you follow him around like a damn lost puppy." "Well tell him to stop throwing bones!" I shot back.

Casey looked at me and said, "You little b*tch." She raised her hand to slap me when Ethan cleared his throat, "Mother, I need a moment with Lydia please." "Of course son, maybe you can teach her a lesson."

I watched her hesitate to retreat out of the kitchen. I looked at Ethan, feeling absolutely nothing. "Let's make a deal, a contract. Marry me and we can divorce within a year."