Chapter 4 Her sharp mouth

Ethan's POV

My mother had always been a force to be reckoned with as she was determined to raise me to be a perfect heir. She always insisted I found a bride and settle down but if only she knew I made a vow against marriage then she wouldn't stress herself over the constant streams of blind dates.

She had me tagging along with her on dinner nights and business meetings, introducing me to the daughters of her friends and business associates. After all persuasions from her, I only decided to meet Ava tonight because she exactly fit into the features my mother wanted and I didn't find her bad as others before her.

My plan was to string her along until my mother believes I have changed. There was nothing like marriage in my mental list after all I had gone through with Amelia. Every woman was Amelia and they all had to pay for what Amelia did. I would rather spend my time having pleasure with different women than settling for one.

My mother didn't trust me to do well as she sent spies to watch me, mostly on the dates with different women and I always had to play along to satisfy her curiosity.

Tonight was just a planned performance as I took quick glances at the spy who sat two tables away, focused on his phone but I knew he was taking pictures and videos he would send as evidence to my mother.

I had the situation under control, giving the best impression not until one careless waiter changed everything. My anger tripled when she raised her voice at me. Who was she to even think of that? It was so unfortunate she got into my bad books.

She had the guts to order me to do my worst. Well... I was just about starting. Even if I was being petty by ordering her dismissal, she deserved it.

"Get me out of here, now," I bellowed at my bodyguard, Max.

"Yes, sir." He nodded and left to the driver's side.

"I'm so sorry about all these," Ava apologized for the umpteenth time, her voice triggering my irritation. "What's going to happen now?"

"Just go home," I said calmly.

"But..."

"Don't you get it? I don't want to talk to you. Go away!" I barked.

"Yeah. Sure," she replied and scurried away, stopping a taxi.

I ran my fingers through my hair as the frustration ran through me. I just needed a good night rest.

"Hello, Mr Ethan." I heard a voice behind me and turned only to meet the waiter who successfully ruined my day.

"You!" I growled.

"I only came to say thank you for... this," she said, holding up an envelope. Her dismissal letter probably. "You fired me."

"Are you surprised?" I asked with a smirk.

"I made a simple honest mistake that could have been solved with an apology. You didn't have to rip me off my means of living," she said, her voice low and even.

"You're lucky it's just a dismissal letter," I said with a shrug.

"You have no idea what it's like to struggle. To work my ass off, taking care of my family. And then some entitled arrogant wealthy man who thinks he has the world under his feet decides to destroy all I've worked for," she said, her voice trembling.

My anger seemed to evaporate as her words stung but I shrugged it off.

She then took a step forward.

"You know what? I'm actually happy I spilled that drink. At least I got to see you acting as the arrogant moron that you are."

Her response left me surprised.My eyes widened as I was taken aback by her audacity.

Staring at the tall woman in front of me, her feisty attitude got me intrigued. I chuckled darkly with my full gaze on her.

"Hey, that's okay," said Max as he came forward, touching her gently but she shook him off roughly.

"No. It's not okay," she replied him before turning to face me again. "You're a selfish, narcissistic..."

"That's enough." I cut her off. I could be called anything but not a narcissist. I hated being that. "What's your name?" I asked. She needed compensation.

"My name?" She scoffed. "So you can eventually delete me from this planet? Don't bother. You won't see me again anyways."

With one last glare, she turned and walked away.

Max cleared his throat. "Can I drive you home now, sir?"

My eyes were still on her retreating figure. "I need you to dig out every information you can get on her."

"Sir?" Max asked, raising his eyebrows.

I turned to him. "You heard me. I want to know everything about her."

"Alright,sir," he said then opened the car door for me.

As I got into the car, my phone rang and I swiped to answer.

"Come home right now." I heard my mother's voice at the other end of the line. Scoffing lightly, I put the phone back into my pocket. I knew she was already aware of my actions tonight.

"Drive to the family estate," I ordered as Max got into the car. He nodded and ignited the car, driving out.

Opening the grand entrance to the family house, I met my mother, Mrs Brooks sitting and staring at her phone. Raising her head to look at me, she stood up. I took quiet and careful steps towards her, hoping she wouldn't vent her fury on me.

"Good evening, Mom," I greeted and tried to walk out before she held her phone towards me.

"What's the meaning of this?" She asked. I looked at her phone and saw a video playing - the banter I had with the waitress.

"I can't believe you still send people to watch me, Mom," I said weakly.

"That's not what I asked you." She brought down the phone. "Ava just called me, crying. You ruined the dinner and even made her go home in a taxi."

"It wasn't my fault. You watched the video. I was angry," I said.

"You have to make things right," she said, keeping a steady gaze on me. "Ava is such a sweet girl. She doesn't deserve to be flung around like your numerous women. She is fit to be your wife."

"I don't even love her," I said, trying to distract her from the fact that I wasn't interested in marriage.

"That was same with your father. But time solves everything. You're still getting to know each other."

I nodded, giving her the impression that I was listening with abrupt attention.

"You have to apologize and make it up for her. Set another date," she ordered.

"Mom! Not so soon. I have a lot of business deals coming up," I said with a frown.

"I'm serious. By the way, who was that waiter?" My mother was still on this issue and it was annoying.

"She's not important. Can we stop talking about what happened? I need to change into something better. Goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight. I only want the best for you," she said in a worried tone. I gave a slight smile before heading to my room.

I appreciated my father's absence because I could easily manipulate my mother but not in my father's presence. He was strict.