ECHOES OF THE PAST
714 Words
Ethan's POV
I was in the yoga room playing video games while Lily kept ranting about Priden’s whereabouts.
“I seriously don’t know what’s wrong with this guy. Ethan, where is Priden? Where has he disappeared to?”
“Hello, young lady. Since when did I become his keeper?” I replied, not looking up.
“The heck—answer me!”
“If you really want to know, he’s on a love hunt.”
“A love what? Who gave him the right to go on that s**t?” she snapped.
“Watch your language,” I warned.
“Whatever,” she muttered, storming out.
Good riddance, finally.
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Velda's POV
I was lost in thought after Priden left. He looked exactly like my Jaden—the only difference was the hair. Priden had black hair; Jaden’s was brown.
Hmm, I must have dozed off, I thought. It was 6 o’clock when my secretary walked into my office to inform me she was leaving. Moments after she left, I got a call. The number was unknown, but I answered anyway.
“Hello?”
“Velda, it’s Priden.”
“Oh! Priden, did you forget to tell me something?”
“No, I was around and wondered if we could meet for dinner—to get to know each other more.”
“Hmm, sure. Where should we meet?”
“Can we meet at Duchess?”
“Okay, sure. Be there in a few.”
“Hmm, how about I pick you up?”
“Okay, sure. I’ll be at my car park.”
I quickly packed up and walked to the car park. I saw a car approaching and just knew it was him. When he parked, he got out and opened the door for me. Such a gentleman.
We drove off, and when we got to the restaurant, he got out again and opened the door for me. We walked in silently and sat down. He signalled to the waiter, and we ordered drinks. The silence between us was… awkward like two teens on a date. It was killing me.
Since he wasn’t ready to talk, I decided to start the conversation.
“So… Priden or Jaden, how long have you been in the magazine business?”
“Oh, only three years.”
“Wow, that’s a fast rise.”
“Oh, and for some number of years before that.”
“How great.”
“Oh, it’s nothing really.”
“Okay, if you say so. Can you tell me something?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Why do you call me Jaden sometimes?”
“Oh, nothing… It’s only because you look like someone I lost a few years ago.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Why would I lie about something like that?”
Hmm. Nah.
We talked for hours, getting to know each other better. When it was time to leave, he walked me to the car park. That’s when I remembered my car was still at the office.
“Can I drive you home?” he offered.
“Hmm… I don’t know.”
“Are you sure? Don’t worry. It’s no problem for me.”
“Hmm. If you insist…”
“Okay then, let’s get going,” he said and helped me in.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, no worries. My pleasure.”
When we got home, I saw Keel walking into the house, but he turned back when we parked. I got out and walked toward him. I didn’t notice Priden was right behind me.
“Hello there. You must be Velda’s new guy, right?” Keel asked.
Priden replied, “Oh no, we’re business partners. And now, I guess… becoming friends.”
He glanced at me and added, “Hey, see? Don’t mind me. You already remind me of someone I once knew.”
“Really? I suppose he was very close to Velda then?”
“Something like that. And you are?”
“I’m Priden Triton.”
“Okay, nice meeting you. See you later.”
“Okay bro, see you later,” Priden said as he walked away.
I stood there, holding my breath. Keelson couldn’t help but laugh. I hit him and made a run for it.
- Writer
