Chapter 5 An Offer

Driving down the tarred narrow road that winds through the small neighborhood, Ethan was constantly glancing at his car's GPS to make sure he was on the right track

He finally stopped his car in front of a small bungalow with a charming yellow exterior and a lush green lawn that according to the GPS, was supposed to be Isabella's abode

He stepped out of the car with a bouquet of sunflowers that he had purchased on his way, hopefully this will miraculously make Isabella accept the proposal he has for her, flowers works on ladies, though he doubted Isabella was like most ladies

Ethan walked a few steps forward and gazed around the quaint surrounding, from the small grocery store with a faded sign down the street, the few curious passerby glancing at him as they walked by, the sound of children's laughter and playful shouts from the nearby park, the friendly wave from an elderly woman tending to her garden accross the street, though small and clos-nit, the neighborhood exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere

Ethan walked up the porch of Isabella's residence and knocked on the wooden door

"Who is it?" Ethan heard Isabella's soft and soothing voice and he didn't know when a smile crept up to his face

"Get it together Ethan Lee" He mentally slapped himself "You are here for business"

"Its...... its Ethan" Ethan stuttered

He has never had to introduced himself to get anywhere before

"Ethan? I'm not sure I know any Ethan, give me a minute" Isabella's calm voice emanated from within the house and Ethan had to wait

It is also the first time he had to wait for anything, this lady is sure making him experience new things

After a while, the door suddenly creaked open Isabella popped her her head out of the door

"Isabella......"

"Go away" Isabella said as she made to quickly jam the door but Ethan was quick enough to stop that from happening by pushing the door back

"Why do you not want to see me?" Ethan asked as he walked in

"Are you avoiding me?"

"Avoiding you?" Isabella scoffed

"I do not even know you Ethan, all that happened was last night I had some crazy adventures with a stranger, we went to a hotel together had a little too many drinks and I passed out, woke up this morning alone in that hotel room and the first call I get is from my boss at work telling me I'm fired for fucking around with one stupid heir of Nexus corporation, I got on the internet confused and I saw a picture of us on the bed together and that you Ethan Lee, is the heir of the biggest company in the country and you are supposedly engaged!!!"

"I'm not engaged, I'm just supposed to be getting married next week, it's arranged" Ethan pointed out

"And that makes any difference?!!!" Isabella berated breathing heavily

"You are getting too worked up, are you okay?" Ethan asked

"Get the fuck out..... of...... my......my...." Isabella began to cough profusely gropping her neck and struggling to breath

"Isabella!" Ethan let go of the bouquet he was holding and went to support Isabella who was falling to the floor

"Flowers..... You brought.......flowers?" Isabella stuttered her face turning red as she continued to struggle to breath

"Yeah I did, is there a problem?" Ethan asked

"Al.....Allergic" Isabella wheezed

"Allergic? You are allergic to the flowers?!!!" Ethan quickly got and threw the bouquet out of the door but on turning back, it seemed Isabella was not breathing

"Oh shit" he cursed under his breath as he quickly carries Isabella to his car and zoomed off

.........

Gabriel walked into the hotel escorted by some of the securities

"Mr Secretary? You are back? Mr Lee is not here though since you barged in these morning just to get him so what might we help we you with this time?" The receptionist asked

"What is your name again?" Gabriel asked softly and the receptionist gave him a suspicious look

"My name is Megan, why are you suddenly bothering to know my name though? Do you have a crush on me or something?" Megan asked and Gabriel scoffed

"If you do not want to spend the rest of today behind bars Megan, you are going to explain to me how this picture got taken while Mr Lee was asleep in your hotel room" Gabriel threatened calmly as one of the securities showed him the picture of Ethan asleep with Isabella

"I..... I have no idea on what you are talking about, what exactly is going on?" Megan asked confused

"I'm sure you heard me right Megan, we are going to thoroughly search this hotel beginning from the room Mr Lee was in and you better pray that we do not find anything incriminating" Gabriel warned as he signalled to the securities and they got to work

"What the hell are you doing right now?!! I'm calling the Manager right away!" Megan blurted scrambling for the table phone

.........

As Isabella slowly opened her eyes, the bright fluorescent lights above her bed pierced through her gaze, making her wince. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from her vision. The room came into focus and she saw the sterile white walls, the beeping machine and the antiseptic smell that filled the air

"Isabella? Isabella you are finally awake" She heard Ethan's worrying voice and she turned to see him seated on a stool beside her

"Ethan?"

"Oh you are back, you've been out cold for two hours" Ethan said

Isabella looked around the room she was in, she could tell that this was obviously a hospital but the beautifully furnished state of the room made it look like all those kind of hospital rooms in movies where they do keep the president or other important personalities in

"Where is this?" Isabella asked

"Hospital, I had to quickly drive you to the nearest hospital, I spoke to the hospital director to take special care of you and he gave us this hospital room, he said you have a chronic allergy to pollens and they gave you the necessary treatment" Ethan explained

"So you brought me here and stayed here alone with me for the past two hours?" Isabella asked and Ethan nodded

"Yes, is anything wrong with that?"

"Everything is wrong with that! People definitely saw you bringing me in, the hospital staffs are aware that you are here alone with me, what if they took pictures and they go about posting it on the internet again?!!" Isabella raged as she stood up, forcefully removing the IV drip connected to her arm

"Isabella what are you doing?" Ethan asked trying to stop her

"What does it look like I'm doing, I'm going away from you, far away!!" She yelled as she went towards the door but Ethan quickly blocked her path

"I need you to calm down Isabella" Ethan said

"Don't tell me to fucking calm down! After my first encounter with you, I lost my job and the second encounter lands me in a hospital, is it not clear enough that the universe is telling me to stay the hell away from you before you cause me more damage!"

"Wait a minute Isabella, just hear me out" Ethan pleaded

"You have something to say?" Isabella asked

"Yes and it is important so give me a minute and listen" Ethan uttered and Isabella gave him a doubtful stare

"You have my ears so be fast" She said

"I'm sorry about your job okay? I have no idea who took or posted that picture on the internet but we are working on getting that picture off the internet and finding out who took and posted it" Ethan assured

"Is that all you have to say? All your damage control measures doesn't get me back my job? Nor my honor cause everyone now sees me as these whore that fucked a man that is engaged!" Isabella stated

"I said we are not engaged, we are just......" Isabella made to leave but Ethan quickly stopped her

"Okay okay, I'm sorry" Ethan said quickly

"But what if I tell you that I have a new job for you, one that definitely pays better than your old job plus a way to gain back the honor that you are so concerned about?"

"I don't understand, what are you talking about?" Isabella asked

"What I'm saying is........ Be my fiancee Isabella" ...............