Together Forever novel Chapter 20

Bright sunlight enters the bedroom through the small gaps of the window and falls on my eyes, making me squint. I cover my eyes with my hands till I am adjusted to the bright light. Getting up, I stretch my arms lazily and throw my hair into a messy bun. Then I remember I have to go to work.

How much I hate mornings!

I get up and make my way towards the glass window. Shifting the curtains to one side, I open the window, and right away warm sunlight fills the room. I look outside and take in a deep breath, letting the fresh morning breeze wash away my grogginess.

After a long time, I am feeling relaxed today. A havoc of misunderstanding was going on which is clear now. Leah and Nick are together, years of waiting for each other are over. And I also made everything clear to Ethan. He isn't mad at me anymore. Though I still need many answers from him.

The event of last night flies into my mind and involuntarily my hand reaches out for my face. I softly touch my cheek where he kissed me and a faint smile falls on my lips. I can still feel his lips here. It was totally unexpected. But it happened. And it made me so happy, strangely happy.

I shake my head to change my thoughts and enter the washroom. Brushing my teeth, I take a quick shower and come out, wiping my hair with the towel. I dry my hair fast so that it doesn't remain wet and I don't get a cough. Otherwise, dad will throw his work into the dustbin and rush to me. I enter the closet and rake through the clothes. Taking a short-sleeved black top and black skinny jeans, I changed my clothes. I wear a plain black suit jacket over it and approach the dressing table.

Combing my hair, I let it flow down and wear a light red lipgloss. I grab my wristwatch and put it on. Taking my purse, I check myself one last time in the mirror. Ready for another busy day.

Walking out of my bedroom, I see Nick and Leah's rooms locked. They came home at midnight, must be so tired. I decide not to wake them up and leave a note.

I sit on the couch and start writing,

I'm going to work. You two came home late at night so I didn't wake you up. Enjoy your day together!

I chuckle and place the note on the table when my phone buzzes in my purse. I take out my phone to see a message from Ethan.

I'm waiting outside of your house. Come down.8

What? What is he doing here? I scowl and reply,

Why are you here?

He replies,

I came to pick you up. We are heading to a meeting.

But I have my car. He didn't need to come.

I can go there myself. You don't need to pick me up.

Mr hotshot: As I already came, can you please shut your mouth up and come down?

Yes, yes, don't be surprised. I saved his number as Mr hotshot because I like it and it suits him too. Hehe.

Okie, coming.

Putting my phone back, I come out of the apartment, closing the door. As I enter the elevator and it starts to go down, I find myself checking myself over and over in the lift mirror. Why am I acting like a high school teenage girl today?

I check myself once again before stepping out and making my way outside.

All the while, just one thought kept agitating me. How would he behave today? After what happened last night, I am not really feeling like meeting him today but as he is already here, nothing to do.

I get out as my eyes find him leaning against his car, checking something on the phone.

His outfit today is a buttoned-up navy blue suit with a white shirt underneath and a matching grey tie. Hair spiked beautifully with a hint of messiness as always and handsome as well.

"Stop staring at me." He says in a voice full of amusement as he slowly looks up, smirking.

Ughh... I got caught again!

I roll my eyes and reach him, embarrassed. Not because he caught me checking him out again but for the kiss. I lower my head as I stand beside him.

"What's wrong?" He asks with a secret smile on his face.

"Umm... nothing?" I reply, looking up meeting his eyes. But it sounds more like a question.

"You sure?" He says, raising a cocky brow.

"Yeah. Why did you come to pick me up today?" I ask, to which he just shrugs.

"I felt like. Why? Is it a problem?"

Yes, it is.

"What?" Mr. Jonathan shouts as he hurriedly stands up. "Do you have any idea what you are saying, Mr. Jones? The profit is yours. Every industry lines up for this deal and here you are rejecting my proposal?"

"You don't have to worry about our profits. I said the deal is canceled, that's it." Ethan says, angrily.

"Miss Gray, is your opinion the same?" That man asks me but before I can answer, Ethan cuts me off.

"What I said is final." He shouts.

I turn to him, "Ethan, listen..." Before I can complete my sentence, he grabs my hand and drags me to the exit, leaving the old man and that girl with open mouths.

After we are outside of the building, I hold his arm, stopping him. He turns to me, still breathing heavily.

"Why did you do that?" I ask him.

"That fucking pervert was watching you badly. Didn't you see?" Now he shouts at me.

I nod, "Yes, I saw. But it's just a deal. After the work is done, we don't have to see him. Why did you cancel it? We will lose a million dollars, do you know?"

He takes a deep breath before he speaks, "We will make it up somehow. He is not the only one in the whole world. We will find someone else but I can't work with someone harmful to you."

Then he stares into my eyes so deeply and for a moment, his eyes lose the burning anger as he says something that melts my heart.

"You are more precious to me than millions of dollars."

And for that one moment, I feel like the whole world stops leaving us two together, staring into each other. I can't find anything to say so I just stare at him blankly without blinking. I look for solemnity in his deep brown eyes and find myself nodding at last when I got what I was looking for.

He was telling the truth.

He was.

Sighing, he holds my hand again and leads me to the car. We get inside and I buckle my seat belt, absent-minded. For the whole ride back to I don't know where just some words keep ringing in my head.

"You are more precious to me than millions of dollars."