An unexpected encounter
1335 Words
Chapter Four: An Unexpected Encounter
Bella sat by her mother’s bedside, her fingers brushing against the older woman’s frail hand. The steady beeping of the machines filled the quiet hospital room, a harsh reminder of her mother’s fragile state. She had barely slept after the disastrous family dinner, and now exhaustion clung to her like a heavy cloak.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a reminder from Alex about the next step in their agreement—a formal outing with his business associates. She sighed, running her hands through her hair.
“Mom, I’m doing all of this for you,” Bella whispered, her voice trembling. “You have to get better.”
She glanced at her watch. It was almost time to leave. After pressing a kiss to her mother’s forehead, Bella gathered her things and stepped out into the hospital corridor. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the man rounding the corner until she collided with him.
“Ah—sorry!” Bella said, taking a step back. She looked up and froze. It was Ethan.
Ethan raised a brow, his sharp gaze locking onto her. “You again.”
Bella winced, remembering the incident at the Wood family dinner. “I didn’t mean to—”
Ethan cut her off with a smirk. “Relax, I’m not holding a grudge. Yet.”
Bella blinked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Visiting an old friend,” he replied casually. His gaze flicked to the bag slung over her shoulder. “You look like you’re in a hurry. Running from something?”
“No,” Bella said quickly. “I was just heading out.”
Ethan’s smirk widened. “How convenient. I’m starving. You owe me a meal, remember?”
Bella hesitated. She had no intention of spending more time with Ethan, but his tone left little room for argument. “I...guess I can spare a moment.”
---
They found a small café near the hospital and settled into a corner booth. Ethan ordered without hesitation, while Bella picked at her menu nervously.
“Relax,” Ethan said, leaning back in his seat. “I’m not going to bite.”
Bella forced a smile. “I just wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon.”
“Life’s full of surprises,” Ethan said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “So, tell me, how did someone like you end up tangled with Alex?”
Bella stiffened. “It’s...complicated.”
Ethan studied her for a moment, then shrugged. “Fair enough. But if you’re planning to stick around, you’ll need to grow a thicker skin. The Wood family isn’t exactly forgiving.”
“I’ve noticed,” Bella muttered.
Their food arrived, and Bella was grateful for the distraction. As they ate, Ethan’s demeanor shifted. He asked about her life, her mother, and her interests. His easygoing nature put her somewhat at ease, though she remained cautious.
---
Alex had just finished a meeting with one of his business partners when he spotted a familiar figure through the café’s glass windows. His sharp gaze narrowed as he recognized Bella sitting across from Ethan, laughing at something he’d said.
Without hesitation, Alex strode into the café, his presence commanding the room. Bella looked up, startled, as he approached their table.
“Alex,” Ethan greeted, his tone laced with amusement. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Ethan,” Alex said coolly before turning his attention to Bella. “We’re leaving.”
Bella blinked. “But—”
“Now,” Alex said firmly, his eyes locking onto hers.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his smirk returning. “Possessive, aren’t we?”
Alex ignored him, reaching for Bella’s hand and pulling her to her feet. She barely had time to grab her bag before he was leading her out of the café.
---
Once they were outside, Bella pulled her hand free, glaring at Alex. “What was that about?”
“You’re my girlfriend, remember?” Alex said, his voice cold. “You don’t have time to entertain other men.”
“Entertain?” Bella repeated, incredulous. “I was just having lunch!”
“With Ethan,” Alex said pointedly.
“So what?” Bella shot back. “You don’t own me, Alex. This is supposed to be a fake relationship, remember?”
Alex’s jaw tightened. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them crackling like a live wire.
“Just stay away from him,” Alex said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Bella crossed her arms but didn’t respond. She climbed into the car waiting for them, her thoughts swirling. Alex’s reaction had been...unexpected. Was it jealousy? Or just his controlling nature?
She didn’t know, but one thing was certain—her life was about to get even more complicated.
---
Ethan watched as Alex dragged Bella out of the café, a bemused smirk still playing on his lips. He swirled his coffee absentmindedly, his mind replaying the brief interaction.
“Well, that was unexpected,” he muttered to himself.
Ethan wasn’t particularly close to Alex, despite being cousins. The Wood family was a tangled web of alliances and rivalries, and Ethan preferred to keep his distance from the drama. But something about Bella intrigued him. She wasn’t like the polished socialites or gold-diggers that usually clung to Alex. She seemed...real.
He leaned back in his chair, his sharp mind already piecing things together. The way Alex had reacted, the hesitation in Bella’s answers—there was more to their relationship than met the eye.
Ethan’s phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was his mother, Clara.
“Ethan,” Clara said briskly. “Where are you?”
“Out,” Ethan replied, his tone deliberately vague.
“You’re supposed to be helping with the family accounts,” Clara snapped. “Mason’s been asking for you all morning.”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “Tell Father I’ll be back later.”
“Don’t test his patience, Ethan,” Clara warned before hanging up.
Ethan sighed and signaled for the bill. He had no intention of returning to the Wood mansion anytime soon, but he knew he couldn’t avoid it forever. The family politics were a constant headache, but Ethan had learned to navigate them with charm and calculated indifference.
As he left the café, his thoughts drifted back to Bella. He had a feeling she was more than just a temporary fixture in Alex’s life. And if there was one thing Ethan loved, it was unraveling a good mystery.
---
Back at the Wood Mansion
Clara paced the drawing room, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her phone. Mason sat in a leather armchair, his expression dark.
“Ethan’s avoiding us again,” Clara said, her frustration evident.
Mason frowned. “He’s been acting strange ever since Maurice came back.”
Clara’s lips tightened at the mention of her son. Maurice’s return after years of being missing had thrown the family into chaos. He was struggling to fit back into the Wood family’s strict hierarchy, and his search for his elusive first love wasn’t helping matters.
“Have you spoken to Father about Alex’s new ‘girlfriend’?” Clara asked, changing the subject.
Mason’s scowl deepened. “Father’s over the moon about it. He thinks Alex is finally settling down.”
“Do you think she’s genuine?” Clara asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Mason shook his head. “I doubt it. Alex isn’t the type to fall for someone so quickly. There’s something off about the whole situation.”
Clara nodded in agreement. “We’ll need to keep an eye on her. If she’s after the family fortune, we’ll make sure she regrets it.”
Mason’s gaze turned calculating. “Let Father play his little games. Alex won’t inherit the Wood family legacy. I’ll make sure of it.”
---
- Writer
