Chapter 06: A Lesson to Teach

ETHAN

I stopped by my brother’s apartment for breakfast on Monday. I missed New York; it was good to be back. After six years of living in London, I had acquired enough English habits.

But I knew I would soon start missing it, the people and their polite, reserved behavior, which made me feel comfortable and aligned with my ideal of a peaceful, undisturbed life.

“I’m heading out, baby,” Zoe said as she approached to kiss my brother.

If anyone asked, I would deny with all my might that a part of me, deep down, envied what they had.

Zoe had stormed into my brother’s life like a hurricane. I still remember how crazy he got when he met her, more stressed and grumpy because he couldn’t stand her, yet he was attracted to her at the same time.

Bennett went through hell. That thought made me think of a certain crazy scientist who had been occupying more of my thoughts than I’d like to admit. I pushed the thought away.

“Bye, Ethan, we’ll finish that conversation later.” She smiled at me.

Zoe was a beautiful and elegant woman, but what was most incredible was her strength, always ready to fight tooth and nail for what she wanted. It didn’t take long for me to love and admire her after getting to know her a bit.

At the same time, I couldn’t quite understand how the two of them managed to handle their differences without killing each other, yet I could see how alike they were in their determination.

My brother was one of the most determined people I knew, and I couldn’t even begin to explain how proud I was of him and of the fact that I got to work alongside him.

“Don’t encourage this,” Bennett said to her with a disapproving look.

We were sitting in the kitchen around the counter, having breakfast.

“Mind your own business, Morgan.” She rolled her eyes. “Have a good day at work, you two.” She said before heading toward the door, her high heels clicking loudly.

“Just leave her alone, or this won’t end well.” He pointed his fork at me.

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. What Zoe wants to happen and what you’re trying to do are two very different things.”

“I’m just trying to teach that woman a lesson.”

“What lesson could you teach her? I told you it was a bad idea to even think about getting involved with Ellie, she’s not the type of woman for you.”

“Seems like you and she think alike. You both think she’s too good for me.”

“It’s not about that, and you know it. Your lifestyle and everything I’ve heard them talk about what Ellie wants right now just don’t match. It wouldn’t end well.”

“My lifestyle?”

“Yes, you don’t want anything but sex because you’re an idiot who wants to be alone for the rest of your life and is afraid of giving your heart to someone again because of what happened in the past.”

“What does that have to do with it? She’s an attractive woman; I didn’t think I’d offend her by inviting her to my bed. She’s the one who started all this, judging me and being arrogant. I tried to smooth things over between us, like you asked, but she refused. So why should I keep trying?”

“You don’t have to try, just don’t do what you’re doing.”

“I could do that if she stopped insulting me.”

“You started this.”

“Come on, Ben, I just invited her to have sex. It’s not a big deal. She could’ve just said no, but she decided I’m the worst kind of bastard and chose to treat me badly. She’s overreacting.”

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