Chapter 5 You don't know much about your father

The next day, Ethan's sleek black sports car glided through the university gates, catching more than a few curious glances from the students nearby. The sunlight glinted off the glossy paint, casting glimmers that made the car look like a powerful creature moving gracefully through the busy campus crowd.

Behind the wheel, Ethan sat with an air of calm authority, his sharp eyes sweeping over the surroundings, as if he were searching for something.

When Lily stepped out of the lecture hall, she looked up and immediately recognized the familiar car. Her eyes lit up, and a natural smile spread across her face as she saw her brother waiting. Without hesitation, she ran over, waving at him.

"What brings you here today?"

Ethan shrugged casually, a slight smile flickering across his lips, but his gaze had already shifted to the girl standing next to Lily-Elena. She stood there, looking somewhat hesitant, her eyes betraying a hint of surprise mixed with caution as she took in his unexpected appearance. In her expression, he caught a flicker of unease, as if she wasn't entirely comfortable with his sudden presence.

Lily turned to Elena, her face brimming with excitement.

"Elena, let's have lunch together, shall we?" Her voice was full of enthusiasm, completely oblivious to the tension in her friend's gaze. Before Elena could respond, Ethan's voice interjected, smooth and low.

"I'll drive you both to lunch," he said, his eyes fixed on Elena with a mysterious look.

Elena hesitated, momentarily caught off guard. She wanted to decline, but the eager sparkle in Lily's eyes left her with little choice. She let out a quiet sigh of resignation. "Alright... thank you," she murmured, her voice soft as her gaze slipped away from Ethan's.

Ethan opened the door for the two of them, his hand resting idly on the frame, as though he'd planned this all along. Once the three of them were inside, he pressed down on the accelerator, and the car glided smoothly down the sun-dappled road.

In the car's quiet interior, there was no music playing. Only the soft hum of the engine and the steady rhythm of breathing filled the silence. Through the rearview mirror, Ethan glanced at Elena, his cold gray eyes lingering on her for a beat longer, his lips curving into an enigmatic smile that was difficult to decipher.

Elena caught his gaze, a chill tracing down her spine. She looked out the window, hoping to avoid his penetrating stare. But as if sensing her attempt to distance herself, Ethan merely allowed his smile to deepen, a look that seemed almost amused.

The stifling tension was broken by Lily's bright voice. "Elena, I just know you're going to love this restaurant!"

Ethan listened quietly, not saying a word, but his gaze remained fixed on Elena, unwavering.

"You don't have to say so much, Lily," Ethan interrupted, his voice steady, calm.

Ethan took the two girls to a high-end restaurant in the city center, where luxury wasn't just about the fine decor but the warm golden light that reflected from crystal chandeliers, casting an air of refined elegance over the space.

As Elena stepped inside, she looked around slowly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she realized she had just entered a world completely foreign to her. She followed Lily to the table, trying to mask her unease, but something about the setting made her feel small, lost amidst the grandeur.

This wasn't just any upscale restaurant-this was one of the flagship establishments of Ethan's family's empire, a fact that made his presence feel even more imposing, like he was both the owner and the gatekeeper to this world of opulence.

Seated at the table, Lily eagerly opened the menu without hesitation, while Elena hesitated, her eyes skimming over a list of dishes with complicated names. She tried to keep her surprise hidden, but the lavishness of the place only made her feel more out of place.

Across from her, Ethan's gaze stayed fixed on her, as if he were silently deciphering the thoughts hidden beneath her composed exterior.

"Try this dish, Elena! It's amazing. Let's get three orders, shall we?" Lily suggested enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling as she pointed to one of the items on the menu.

"Uh, alright..." Elena nodded, managing a small smile. She held the menu, but her eyes drifted away, trying to avoid Ethan's penetrating gaze.

When they started eating, Ethan casually lifted his glass, taking a sip of wine. His deep, resonant voice broke the silence.

"Elena," he began, his tone polite, "how long have you been living here?"

His unexpected question caught her slightly off guard, but she quickly responded, "I haven't been in the city for long. I grew up in the countryside, then moved for university and recently transferred here to continue my studies."

Ethan nodded, his expression unreadable, though his gaze sharpened, watching her closely. "So your family must be nearby as well?"

Elena's brow furrowed slightly, her gaze dropping. "No... both of my parents passed away when I was young. I lived with my aunt and uncle until I left for university."

Lily gently placed her hand on the table, her face softening as she looked at her friend. "Elena, I'm sorry if these questions bring up bad memories..."

"It's alright, Lily," Elena replied, smiling lightly, though her voice was carefully steady. "I'm fine."

Ethan remained silent, his fingers turning the stem of his wine glass, his eyes never leaving Elena.

Elena let out a small, slightly strained laugh. "Actually... I don't know much. My family isn't as close as people might think. My mother passed away when I was young, and I... don't know much about my father."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion flashing across his face. "You don't know much about your father?"

Elena nodded, taking a quiet breath, her voice remaining calm. "Yes, that's right. I never met him, and my mother never spoke about him. All I know is that she was a strong woman who did everything she could to raise me."

Lily looked at her friend, sympathy shining in her eyes. "Oh, Elena... I had no idea. I always thought you knew more about your family."

Elena offered a soft smile, her eyes lifting slightly as if to hide a flicker of sadness. "It's fine, Lily. That's just part of life, I suppose. There are things we'll never know, and there's not much we can do about it."

"There are some things we can't control," Ethan murmured, his voice quiet yet firm. "But sometimes, the truth can't stay hidden forever."

His words felt weighted, as though they carried a deeper meaning, prompting Elena to look up, meeting his intense gaze. She wasn't sure what he meant, but it seemed as though there was an unspoken message embedded in his words. She felt a sudden urge to break the tension, shifting her attention to Lily, hoping to lighten the mood.

"So, Lily, you really like this restaurant, huh? You look like you're quite familiar with it," she said with a small, friendly smile.

Lily nodded, smiling brightly. "Yes, it's one of my favorites! And... it's actually part of Ethan's company, too."

She chuckled, glancing proudly at her brother. "He almost never comes here, so today is definitely a treat!"

Ethan responded with a faint, unreadable smile, his gaze drifting back to Elena. "Quite a treat," he replied softly, though there seemed to be a hidden layer in his words that made Elena feel slightly uneasy.