Chapter 15 A ride with Ethan
2271 Words
Aria’s POV
Morning came with a strange kind of lightness.
I opened my eyes before the alarm sounded. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. My chest felt different today. Lighter. Like something heavy had quietly moved away from me during the night.
Today is the interview. The thought didn’t scare me. It steadied me. I sat up slowly, pushing the blanket aside. My feet touched the cold floor, and I didn’t hesitate. I stood. “You can do this,” I whispered to myself. Not loud. Just enough for me to hear.
I walked into the bathroom, washed my face, and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were tired in a normal way, not the heavy kind I saw days ago. I tied my hair back neatly, adjusted my simple clothes, and nodded once at my reflection. Today, I will try, not for anyone else but for me.
Downstairs, the house was already awake, but quieter than usual. Darlene stood near the dining table, arranging cutlery carefully. She looked up when I entered.
“Good morning, ma’am,” she said politely. “Morning,” I replied, pulling out a chair. I scanned the room once. Then I noticed. “Liam already left?” I asked casually.
Darlene paused for a second before nodding. “Yes, ma’am. Very early. He left with Fred.” I slowly sat down. My fingers touched the edge of the table.
“Okay,” I said nothing more.
Darlene placed breakfast in front of me, but I didn’t rush it. I picked up my spoon slowly. “Did he say anything?” I asked after a while. Darlene shook her head. “No, ma’am. Just left.”
I nodded again and focused on my food. But my mind was already somewhere else. Last night’s decision came back quietly. If I pass this interview… I will live separately.
The thought didn’t feel like rebellion anymore. It felt like direction. I swallowed slowly. “Okay,” I whispered again, more to myself this time.
After breakfast, I went upstairs to get my bag.
I checked my documents again. Everything was inside. Neatly arranged. My fingers hovered over the file for a second before I zipped it shut.
Today is not for mistakes.
When I came back downstairs, the driver was already waiting outside. He opened the car door slightly when he saw me. “Good morning, ma’am. The boss instructed that I take you to Life Specialist Hospital.”
I stopped. My hand tightened slightly around my bag strap. “He did?” I asked. “Yes, ma’am.” I looked at the car. It was one of Liam’s cars. Clean and expensive.
I shook my head slowly. “No,” I said. The driver blinked. “Ma’am?” “I’ll go on my own.” “But sir said”
“I heard,” I interrupted gently. Then I adjusted my bag on my shoulder.
“I prefer it simple.” The driver looked unsure, but he didn’t argue. “Alright, ma’am.” I stepped away from the car.
The street outside was already awake. People moving. Cars passing. Life continuing like nothing important was happening.
I walked to the roadside and raised my hand for a taxi. One passed, then another, i exhaled slowly.
“Come on,” I muttered under my breath.
A third car slowed down, but before it fully stopped, another car pulled up behind it.bBlack and it looked
familiar. My hand lowered slowly.
Ethan stepped out first. “Aria?” he called. I turned.
He walked toward me with a slight smile, his hand in his pocket like he was in no hurry at all. “What are you doing here?” I asked.
He tilted his head slightly. “Business meeting nearby. I was heading back home.” I nodded slowly. “Oh.” His eyes moved to the road, then back to me.
“Where are you headed to?” He asked. “Life Specialist Hospital” “ You made it? I hesitated a second. “Yes.” A small smile appeared on his face.
“I thought so. Congratulations in advance.” I blinked. “I haven’t gotten it yet.” “You will,” he said simply.
Something about the way he said it made me look away for a second. He leaned slightly against his car.
“He didn’t drive you?, I can take you there,” he added. “He's busy with work, I was just”b“A taxi?” he finished.vI didn’t answer immediately. He looked at the road again. “It’s already getting late. And you don’t want to go there stressed.”
I adjusted my grip on my bag. “I don’t want attention,” I said quietly. Ethan nodded immediately. “I get it.” He opened the passenger door slightly but didn’t force it.
“Just a normal ride,” he said. I hesitated. The taxis weren’t stopping anymore. And the clock in my mind was ticking louder now. Finally, I stepped forward.
“Okay,” I said. He closed the door gently after I got in.The car started moving.
Inside the car, it was quiet, but not uncomfortable.
Ethan kept both hands on the wheel, eyes forward.
I looked out the window.
The city moved fast outside. People crossing roads. Shops opening. A normal morning for everyone else.
My fingers tightened slightly on my bag. “You look focused,” Ethan said suddenly. I turned my head slightly. “I am,” I replied. He nodded once.
“That’s good.” Silence returned. After a few minutes, he spoke again. “You know…” he said slowly. I looked at him. “You can always divorce if you aren’t treated well.”
The words landed quietly between us. I didn’t respond immediately. My eyes stayed on his face for a second. He wasn’t looking at me. Just the road. I turned back to the window. “I’m not thinking about that,” I said calmly.
He didn’t push further. “Okay,” he replied softly.
The rest of the ride stayed silent. But something in my chest didn’t stay silent.
When we reached Life Specialist Hospital, the building stood tall and bright against the morning sky.
I took a slow breath. “This is me,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt. Ethan nodded. “Good luck, Aria.” I looked at him briefly. “Thank you for the ride.”
He smiled slightly. “Anytime.” I stepped out of the car. The air felt different here. Sharper. Busier. Important. I adjusted my bag and started walking toward the entrance. I didn’t look back.
Meanwhile, Liam was in a private meeting room.
The investor sat across from him, speaking about numbers and projections, but Liam’s mind wasn’t fully there.
His hand rested on the table, fingers still. Fred stood slightly behind him, tablet in hand. Then Fred’s phone vibrated.
He glanced at it and his expression changed slightly. He leaned closer. “Sir,” he said quietly.
Liam didn’t look up immediately. “Not now.”
“It’s about Madam Aria.” That name made the air shift. Liam looked up slowly. Fred hesitated for half a second, then spoke. “She rejected the driver… and went to the hospital in Ethan’s car.”
Silence fell instantly.
The investor noticed the sudden change of Liam’s mood and stopped talking. Liam’s jaw tightened slightly.
His fingers curled around the glass on the table. Not hard enough to break it. But enough to hold it too long. Fred watched him carefully. Liam didn’t speak. He only stared at the table now, very still.
Then his eyes lifted slightly.
- Writer
