He is Enchanted

A Terrible Thursday

Ethan woke up this Thursday morning feeling terrible.

Plus, when his parents said that Liana and Mrs. Pearson would revisit him at the office, Ethan was annoyed when his mother told him they were going on another fun trip today.

A fun trip, they say.

Ethan just nodded his head, pursing his lips.

That meant he couldn't go to the Early rise coffee bar, even though Ethan wanted to meet Roman.

His mood immediately changed; his smile started to form as he imagined himself sitting with Roman in the cafe, watching him read his book; Ethan also hadn't asked about his favorite drink. Ethan also wants to take him to dinner with Guen, and it looks like it's fun eating a pizza while talking to Guen. Ethan also hasn't had time to ask who his favorite painter is, his favorite writer, poet, or singer if he has; too bad Ethan just realized there's still so much unknown about Roman. That sucks; Ethan wants me to —

"We're going to the mall," his mother said, snapping Ethan out of his thoughts. 

The smile slowly disappeared, like the sun and its rays were sucked to the bottom of the sea, leaving the dark, silent sky.

"We're going to buy some things, and if you and Liana want to separate from us to get to know each other, Mrs. Pearson and we will allow you."

His lips pressed together in a slight grimace. 

"Ri-right, I am looking forward to knowing more about her."

And his eyes, his eyes lost what made them shine.

***

Guen feels very confident today.

Suppose anyone wondered why Guen feels confident, of course, because of her best friend, Roman. He was sitting in front of her with a book and his favorite iced black coffee.

But the exciting part is not the books or the drinks.

He hadn't even read a whole page yet, but with a high expectation, he looked back, and his breath got heavier when he found whatever he wanted wasn't behind his back.

Guen was sure he was waiting for that kid. 

"So you missed him already?"

Roman groaned, then shook his head.

Guen wasn't even sure Roman had finished reading a paragraph, but his head was already looking back, even though it had only been a few seconds since the previous one.

"It's only been a day, nothing strange about it, you know, he could have something else to do."

"What are you talking about?" asked Roman, pulling his tie roughly, and now it hung sloppily around his neck, a perfect analogy for how he feels. 

Guen smiled mischievously. "Have you asked directly to him why he can't come?"

Roman put his book on the table, turning his pinched expression to Guen. "How can I ask him if he doesn't come here? I also didn't see him in front of his house this morning, and he seemed to disappear."

"Oh God, Roman," Guen said with a laugh. "Just call him, or text him if he doesn't pick up your call." 

"I don't have his number."

Guen then laughed, his laughter exploding like an exploding nuclear bomb.

"You've had dinner together, you've gone to the zoo, you've come to his house, he's come to your house, well you guys are neighbors; it's easy to come to each other's houses. And don't forget when you two met at the mall by accident, and if I'm not mistaken, you said he could find my cafe even though you never said anything about my cafe. After all you guys been through together, you still haven't got his number?"

Roman, who still didn't want to admit his uneasiness, nodded his head once. 

"You used to be better than this Roman. Does age give you a downgrade?" 

Roman couldn't hide the laugh, and he smiled as he closed his eyes. "Guendolen, I ask you to stop whatever you are wanted to say."

But like most friends in all the history of humankind, Guen tucked his hair behind his ear.

"In the past, they even gave you a nickname."

"Please don't, I'm begging you."

"Bi-casanova."

Roman massaged his forehead while Guen laughed.

He doesn't know who came up with that nickname and doesn't know when everyone knows about it. But if Roman knew who had come up with that nickname, he doesn't think he would hold himself back to curse that person.

It didn't suit Roman because there was one woman he liked. Even though he still liked the same person even though Roman had entered a company, even when he had succeeded in becoming a CEO replacing his father at a very young age.

Still, she was the only one in Roman's heart, not one hundred and thirty-two people.

"Unfortunately, you're just keeping your eyes on Anette. Even though you had the option to have a Cassanova-life because so many people have a crush on you."

"If I followed Casanova lifestyle, I wouldn't be this fit at this age."

"Okay, I give up."

Roman beamed, then peeked back at the stairs. "I'll ask for his number as soon as we meet."

Guen got up and patted Roman's shoulder lightly.

***

Honestly, Ethan was a little surprised when what his mother said this morning happened. 

He let Ethan and Liana go alone, splitting themselves from them.

Of course, Ethan and Liana didn't turn down this opportunity; even Liana wrapped her arms around Ethan's arms and pulled Ethan away from the three of them with vast steps.

"Before they change their minds," Liana said quietly, making Ethan impatiently balance his steps width with Liana's.

Ethan even dragged Liana into a*****e and pretended to see some shoes; while their parents talked for a while, they looked satisfied before finally going the other way.

Ethan and Liana let out their breaths.

"By the way, excellent idea, Ethan."

Ethan waved his hand in the air. "It wasn't my idea. My mom said this morning that she said I could take you along for a walk, nor did I think she would allow it. But here we are."

Liana laughed, then rushed out from that boring store, followed by Ethan.

"Do you know where to go?"

Without thinking any longer, Ethan instantly shook his head. "I don't know. There isn't something I'm looking for."

"Then how about going to the bookstore?"

"Sure."

Ethan rarely reads books, but if someone takes him to the bookstore and spends hours checking on the bookshelves, then going out without buying anything. That was what Ethan had been doing since high school since he had known Emma.

Besides, they were safe in the bookstore because Ethan's parents didn't read either, so Mrs. Pearson. 

But Ethan assumes Liana got her hobby from his father, Roman. 

Did Roman's preference also pass to Liana? Do they read the same book?

His job will be easier, right? Because Ethan could give him a book by just looking at what kind of book she'd buy. 

"You like reading?"

Ethan shook his head. "But don't worry. I can stand for hours in a bookstore, reading every synopsis on every book on every shelf."

Liana laughed. "Usually, people who don't like to read won't last long in a bookstore."

"You're right. I couldn't stand it at the first time either," said Ethan. "However, it's nice to be able to spend hours with your best friend, especially when we were in college and our time was limited, even we were live in different countries, and now even live in different cities."

Ethan wanted to visit Emma and Hunter in their town, which seemed like a lot of fun.

"I only realized how fun it was to be with her for hours at the bookstore after we couldn't do it anymore."

They turned to the bookstore they found first. If Ethan is not mistaken, there are several bookstores in this mall.

Liana went straight to the fiction novel section; Ethan just followed while looking around and praised some novels that had good covers.

Finally, he got tired of standing next to Liana, and unlike Emma, who would give her opinion on the novel's synopsis, Liana immediately put the book back on the shelf when she didn't like it.

So Ethan expanded his sight even more until he finally found a book that looked familiar to him. 

The book that Roman was reading yesterday at the cafe.

Ethan stepped over to the shelf, then took the book with a firm grip. He began to read the title.

It turns out that this book is a non-fiction book that talks about the history of the evolution of art during the Renaissance. After discovering that Roman likes painting, Ethan understands why he reads books like that instead of reading self-improvement books as most other CEOs do.

So Ethan wasn't too surprised.

Since the book he took was still tightly sealed, Ethan looked down for the not-sealed book, but he couldn't find it.

Liana was already there beside him.

"Intriguing choice."

Ethan nearly dropped the book from his grip. Luckily he caught the book, but Liana's expression turned rambling. 

"I thought this was another book, similar to the one I wanted to buy," said Ethan, putting the book back on its shelf.

"I see. Are you looking for a book? Maybe we can find it together." 

"It's okay, It's fine," said Ethan, beaming awkwardly.

Liana was about to open her mouth, but she stopped because Ethan interrupted. "I-I see you've made your choice, huh? What book is it?"

Liana was quiet for a while before she finally showed him a fiction novel, with a cover like an ancient civilization where the sun and other stars are the gods and goddesses. "I saw this novel, and Odette was looking for it, so I'll buy it for her."

Ethan nodded his head quickly, then stopped unexpectedly. "Hmm, um, you know," said Ethan, darting around, then walking away from Liana.

"You know um," said Ethan, looking at the rows of novels on the shelves around them.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Well," said Ethan, but Ethan widened his eyes when he found a book with a white cover, similar to that book. 

Ethan grabbed the book, then showed it to Liana. "It turned out to be the book I was looking for, is here," said Ethan.

Liana then took this book. "Ah, I see," said Liana, followed by a sigh of relief from Ethan.

"But this is the fifth book, the first book," said Liana, looking down and taking a book with a cover of a woman wearing a red dress. 

Ethan was stunned to see the book's cover, a girl with slightly revealing clothes; he hesitantly took the book from Liana's hand when Liana handed it to him. 

Liana smiled. "I didn't expect you have an eye to these kinds of books."

Liana then turned and headed for the cashier while Ethan turned the book over, intending to see what story the book had to offer him.

I auctioned my body to find out who killed my affair.

His knees buckled when he saw the number eighteen in the red circle in the corner of that book.