Together Forever novel Chapter 22

I check myself one last time before heading towards the door. With every step I take forward, I feel my heartbeat increasing. As my hand touches the doorknob, I take one long breath and turn it around.

I glance up and my eyes fall on him, making me gasp inwardly.

His hair is gelled back and the brown hues are glistening, the light golden suit jacket that he is wearing over the black full shoulder t-shirt couldn't make anyone more handsome than him. He has a wrist watch matching with his jacket on his left hand which is shining and reflecting golden light.

Can he look bad just for once?

When I tear my eyes off of him, I see him looking down at me. He seems a little surprised but at the same time his eyes roam over my body. Starting from the leg then slowly upwards then my face and then again slowly downwards. Again upwards. Again downwards.

Am I looking bad?

He is making me self conscious now. It's not like I am feeling uneasy because he's watching me like that. As I said before, his stare doesn't make me uneasy.

It's...it's so intense.

Like he is looking directly into my soul taking in everything off of me.

Has anyone ever looked at me like that?

No.

"Ethan?" I say slowly, a smile tugging on my lips and his gaze returns to my face. He immediately looks down scratching his back with his fingers. The upside of his tan cheeks turn a flushed pink as he tries to say something, clearly embarrassed.

I let out a soft giggle watching him all blushing. This Ethan is totally different from the one I see always. This Ethan is so cute, boyish with no anger, no ferocity and I like this Ethan more.

"Will you stop blushing?" I chuckle which makes his eyes shoot up immediately.

"I...I am not blushing at all." He says as a cute frown appears on his face.

I nod, "Yeah, I can see that. Now come in, please." I grin and hold the door open for him to enter. His lips curve slightly in a small smile as he gets in along with a fresh vanilla smell.

I close the door and when I turn around, I see Leah coming into the drawing room. She is wearing a crimson red full sleeved satin gown that is hugging her body tightly reaching up to her knees. It has a satin belt of the same color with a big love broach in a side full of glitters and white shiny pearls that's clasping her waist. Her wavy brown hair is hanging loosely on her shoulder and she has matched her lips with the same colored lipstick as her dress.

She looks gorgeous.

She approaches Ethan with a bright smile on her face and Ethan smiles back.

"Hey! Leah, right?" Ethan says as he holds his hand out for a handshake.

"Yeah." Leah's face turns a bright red as she raises her hand.

"I heard a lot about you. I'm so happy to meet you finally." She says, smiling shyly and they shake their hands.

"Same here. You are looking gorgeous by the way." He says, showing his famous cocky smile and she mutters a thanks.

She is looking gorgeous? Yes, she is. Am I really looking bad then? He told her right away but he didn't say anything to me. I know I shouldn't be thinking about such a silly thing when it's true that Leah is really so pretty and I am not but it's just... whatever.

Nick enters the room and we all look at him coming towards us.

It's going to be awkward.

He has a plain black shirt squeezing his body tightly showing his abs and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows where a big tribal tattoo is standing out proudly. His hair messy as always falling on his forehead, he didn't feel the need to comb them even knowing Ethan was coming.

He shots a sly smirk towards my direction and walks towards Ethan who seems a bit confused about the situation. The main reason for this gathering is to fix their stupid misunderstanding and I just wish everything goes well now.

"Hey! Ethan." Nick greets casually as he stands in front of him.

"Hi! Mr..." Nick cuts him off with a sudden hug making us all surprised. Nick pats his shoulder in a friendly way before saying,

"Call me Nick." He says and then whispers something in an excessively slow voice I can't hear.

He then pulls off and for the first time in these few days, Ethan really chuckles at him in amusement.

"Nick." Ethan says smiling and Nick grins sweetly before raising his hand for a high five.

"Yep, buddy." They high five each other and I stand there smiling at the scene in contentment.

Nick started the mess and he fixed it himself. I knew he would make things up between them somehow. I can depend on him. I can believe him.

This is why I love him this much.

*************

We are now sitting at the table eating and talking about almost everything. Actually they are talking and I am eating quietly. I am sitting with Ethan and Nick and Leah opposite of us. I don't know why but till now, Ethan didn't even utter a word with me. He is simply ignoring me and I really don't know what I have done wrong.

In the middle of our dinner, Leah excuses herself and goes to the washroom. Nick and Ethan keep talking about a football match and all those things I don't pay any attention to. I quietly finish my food and stand up.

"Hey guys, I am feeling tired. You talk, I am going to my room." I say and Nick nods hurriedly, not even glancing at me.

I walk out of the kitchen and head to my bedroom quickly. The room is dark with a gloomy dim light hanging above and the window is closed. Approaching my dressing table, I put down the bracelet I am wearing and look for a hairband to tie my hair when a click sound catches my attention. I immediately look back and see Ethan getting inside in the dark. He closes the door behind quietly and I just stand there in surprise.

Why is he here?

Again my heartbeat starts increasing being alone in the room with him. I walk towards him with a frown on my face but I think he doesn't notice it.

"What are you doing here? They will think something wrong if they see us." I say and try to pass him to open the door when he blocks my way with a naughty smile spreading across his face.

"They are busy." He says casually.

"Busy doing what?"

He lets out a giggle at my question, "How could I say? I don't know."

"Whatever." I scoff.

He is really impossible to understand. One second, he is ignoring me and the next moment, talking to me so sweet sweet. It's just getting on my nerves now. This time I am really angry.

"What did Nicki tell you there when you came?" I ask, curiously.

He smiles cockily at my question, "He told me that he didn't mug you from me. That's all."

Nick is really a badass!

I roll my eyes and try to walk past him but he again moves forward, our chests about to collide.

"What's wrong princess? Are you angry?" He says, smirking.

Princess? It's been a long time since he called me that. Whatever, I am not gonna budge so easily this time.

"No!" I try to speak confidently, "Is there anything that I should be angry about?"

"Hmm." He hums coming even closer, that smirk not leaving his face as if he's enjoying this too much.

"Then... umm...are you jealous?" He raises his cocky brow, his lips moving upwards in a devilishly handsome way.