One Night Stand With My Boss

Family Rift

Ethan took Bella out to an expensive place for their dinner date. There was no conversation between them during their drive to the restaurant except for the noise of the car engine. As she sat next to Ethan in his car, Bella was torn apart by myriad thoughts. She thought about why Ethan had asked her out for dinner. Had he mistaken her for a p********e because of their one-night stand? Or was he taking advantage of her?

While lost in thought, Ethan turned and looked at her before asking, “Are you okay?”

Bella came back to herself with a smile on her face. “Yes, I’m fine.”

Arriving at the venue, Bella could not believe what she saw as it was an eye-opener. The hall was magnificently decorated, crystal chandeliers hung from above, white linen, covered tables adorned with fresh flowers were set up here and there. She had never seen such a place before.

Bella’s voice dripped with curiosity as she asked, “Why is nobody else in here?”

He smiled back at her. “I settled it with the manager so that we can be alone without any disturbances,” he replied.

Bella’s emotions shifted from inquisitiveness to both unease and curiosity as they took their seats and gave their orders while waiting for meals. They then discussed themselves while waiting for their meals.

Ethan began, his voice full of emotions, “Life has been so unfair to me.” I would rather not become the CEO. My ambition was to be a model, and an actor, but for my family’s other plans. I had no option as the only child but to comply with their will.

This story reminded Bella about her life for a moment. “I understand how you feel.” My life has never been easy, either. When my mother passed away, my father got married to his personal assistant. I couldn’t live with them now, so I went out there and tried living alone.

When they were served food and kept talking about themselves. It made them feel better after all these struggles that brought them together. After they finished eating, Bella’s phone rang, it was Victoria, her stepmother.

“Your father wants you home right now,” said Vanessa in a cold tone.

Bella sighed and turned toward Ethan. “I have to go, my father wants me home.”

Ethan nodded his head, then drove her back to her family house. They exchanged greetings before he left, while Bella entered the house, sighing deeply as she did so. A few maids welcomed her in, holding her bag for her and treating as though she were some kinds of queen-like figurehead despite coming from a wealthy home. But Bella had once chosen independence after her dad got married to Victoria.

Everyone was seated in the dinning room, with the table loaded with a range of food and drinks. There were roasted chickens, grilled fish, jollof-rice, fried plantains and various fruits and desserts. Bella sat down without greeting.

“What’s the rush”? “I have somewhere else to be,” she said impatiently.

Vanessa cut in, “Where are your manners, Bella?” “Are you not supposed to greet?”

Bella squinted. “Etiquette!” Did you want to talk about etiquette? “You, who got married to my father only months after my mother died.”

Victoria's face glowed red with anger. “How dare you speak like that to me?” “I've done nothing but try to be a good stepmother for you.”

Samantha, Bella’s step-sister, chipped in. “Bella, you are not a good daughter for this family.” “You left us and never looked back.”

The whole room erupted into an uproar of accusations and insults. Finally, Bella’s dad struck his spoon so hard on the table that the room went silent.

“Enough!” He yelled at them all, “Why do you fight before me, everybody?” “Bella is very rude and needs lessons on how to respect people.”

In anger, Bella stood up from her chair. “You cannot change.” They were busy accusing me, while all you did was sit there blaming me for what they said to me. Towards me, it has always been like this since mom died. “And then you marred this witch whom you call a wife anyway, am out of here.”

“My birthday party will take place next weekend.” I want you to be there, that’s all.

Bella paused to hear what her dad had to say, then took another step forward. She walked out of the house crying and whispered, “I wish you were still alive, mom.”

As Bella walked down the driveway, she felt pain in her chest. Her mother’s memories flooded her mind, making her feel a great void. She was very close to her mother and this death left a big hole that had no cure.

When she got to the gate, Bella could hear some footsteps coming from behind her. Ethan was standing there with a worried look on his face.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly.

She wiped away the tears and nodded.“I’m okay. Just some family drama,”

Ethan came closer and held her hand tenderly.“You don’t have to do this alone, I’m here for you.”

I thought I saw you left, how else are you her again? Bella, who was inquisitive, asked Ethan.

Oh, that… I… Ethan stammered for a while. “I felt like you might need someone to talk too and walk you home, so that's why I came back.” Ethan said.

Bella saw real concern in his eyes as he stared back at them. For once in such a long time, she felt like there was an opportunity for comfort. There was hope for solace in Ethan after all this time.

Bella smiled lightly, “Oh! I'm glad that you did.”

Silence fell between them for a while as they carried each other’s troubles within themselves, weighing heavily upon their hearts. Finally, he suggested “We need to get out of here, let us go where we can find peace and silence”.

Bella nodded her gratitude for his support. They walked to his car and drove off into the night, leaving behind her family’s chaos. As they drove, Bella could not help feeling some relief. She didn’t know what lay ahead of her but for now, she was satisfied by having someone who got her pain beside her.

The next weekend quickly arrived and once again, Bella found herself standing outside her father’s mansion. She had gone reluctantly to his birthday party but with a heavy heart filled with dread. It would be another evening of tensions and unresolved matters.

She entered the house and as always, the same maids who once treated her with respect received her warmly. The dining room was filled again with various kinds of foods and drinks, while guests were already mingling.

Bella took in a deep breath then stepped into the room as she swept through the crowd looking for familiar faces. She saw Ethan standing near the corner, dressed elegantly in a suit that fit him perfectly. He looked at her then smiled before giving her an approving nod.

The evening wore on just like any other evening, pleasantries exchanged, and small talk shared among people present. Though Bella tried to distance herself from Vanessa and Samantha, it was inevitable that they met.

“Is that Bella?” Samantha said while walking towards her. “I thought you had better things to do”

Bella tried to control her anger and clenched her fists, “I am here for dad, not you.”

Vanessa joined in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “That’s noble of you, Bella. It’s a pity you couldn’t have done the same for this family.”

Bella’s anger boiled up; she could feel it rising through her body. Her father stopped it from occurring when he intervened just as she was about to say something.

“Enough,” he ordered flatly, “this is my special day, and I refuse to let your juvenile arguments ruin it.”

She smiled at him, trying hard at containing herself, taking a deep breath. “Happy birthday daddy.”

He nodded his thanks and looked less stern now. “Thanks, Bella. I’m glad you’re here.”

The rest of the evening was all a blur of conversations and fake smiles; she just wanted it over with already! The party finally ended after what seemed like hours later; Bella turned around heading for the door and couldn’t wait to be out from under that stifling atmosphere anymore!

Just as they were about to leave, Ethan caught up with her, still standing near the exit.“Leaving so soon?”

“I can’t stay here anymore, Ethan, it’s too much”.

He gave me an understanding look, then laid his hand upon my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Okay, come on, let’s get out.”

They walked, got into his car and once again drove off into the night. A feeling of being free engulfed Bella as they moved further from the mansion. What lay ahead was unknown to her, but she knew she had to be strong and brave no matter what.

She wouldn’t have to deal with it on her own, not when she had Ethan.