Chapter 4 Ethan Thompson

A pair of shoes clicked sharply on the floor. Ethan took confident steps towards the sliding glass door; one hand was stuffed in his pocket, and the other hand was holding his blazer.

His presence commanded attention. He had just stepped out of an eye-red flight.

He rubbed his dried sleep-deprived eyes, suddenly wondering why he hadn't just sent Caleb alone for this trip last night.

"Grand Master Thompson has demanded your presence back home tonight after your date." His assistant informed him while desperately trying to keep pace with him.

"Another blind date?" Ethan asked though he wasn't surprised.

"Yes. You missed the last one," said Caleb.

Ethan stopped abruptly, almost causing Caleb to bump into his back. He turned, "and who is it this time?" His lack of interest is palpable in his voice.

"Harper Stone." Caleb pushed his round-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. Blind dates are a topic Ethan hates and he would always be caught in the middle between Ethan and his grandfather. Now he has to walk on eggshells around Ethan.

"Who is she?" Ethan asked uninterestingly and continued his steps.

"She was among the ladies you had to pick from the last time."

"I'm not interested." His grandfather was hellbent on getting him married and had thrown photos of various girls at him for him to pick from. Ranging from hot models and actresses to the daughters of businessmen.

But he wasn't interested in marriage, at least not now.

"He said you can't avoid this one and that you will have to-"

"Caleb," Ethan called, cutting him short. "Who do you work for?" Ethan questioned and Caleb was silent immediately. "You should be able to give Grandpa reasons why I can't make it to this date."

"Yes sir."

As Ethan walked through the sliding glass door of the airport, rays of sunlight hit his face. He mentally prepared himself for the long day at work. It was noon and he was yet to be at the office.

He had a lot of work to tackle.

Not noticing a woman rushing in the opposite direction with a cup of coffee in her hand, Ethan turned. She bumped into him, spilling the contents of her coffee on his shirt.

Her eyes widened as the brown stain spread over his shirt. "I'm so sorry." She apologized, cleaning his shirt with her handkerchief.

As if his day couldn't just get any worse, "it's fine," Ethan said, stopping her from touching his chest any further.

"I should have been careful, clumsy me." Ava smiled apologetically, her eyes seizing up the man with brownish-red hair in front of her.

"As I said, it's fine," Ethan said, his eyes flickering across the crowd in search of Caleb who had left to fetch his car.

"I feel guilty for ruining your shirt. At least, let me buy you lunch," said Ava, not ready to let their little encounter end without fulfilling her purpose.

Ethan raised a brow at her audacity. And for the first time, he gave her a proper look. Her blonde hair was beautifully styled, and her green eyes held his eyes in anticipation of his reply.

His brows furrowed as he recognized her as the lady from two nights before.

She looked different from the girl he had seen slumped on the floor with tears streaming down her face. The girl in front of him was brighter in her cream sundress which perfectly accentuated her nice curves and showcased her shoulders.

"It won't hurt to have a quick lunch." Ethan agreed to her delight. Ava couldn't hide her smile as she set to put the rest of her plans in motion.

"I know of a restaurant down the lane," Ava suggested and Ethan agreed. Though his shirt was stained, and he felt disgusted still being in it, he didn't mind. Instead, he wore his blazer which slightly covered some parts of the stain.

Caleb came that moment with his car and Ethan ushered Ava in. Caleb was surprised to see her, but he kept his mouth shut and, without question, drove off to the restaurant Ava had spoken about.

The ride to the restaurant was quiet, each buried in their thoughts.

Ethan had received a file on her just yesterday, and today, she was in his car. He knew she was engaged to Henry and had caught him cheating on her that night.

Though she had sparked his interest a bit, he didn't want to go after her, but now, he was eager to know what this meeting had in store for them.

Ava, on the other hand, fiddled with her fingers while trying to keep a confident font. How was she going to begin her proposal?

The scent of different delicacies hung heavily on the air as Ava and Ethan made their way to a table close to the window.

Ava had taken him to a seven-star hotel befitting his status. Forks and knives clicked on plates and there was a soft hum of conversations.

"I heard the salmon here are nice," Ava said, going through the menu, trying to avoid his gaze. Her hand trembled slightly as she scanned the menu hoping Ethan would speak.

Ethan leaned into the chair, a slight smile endowing his lips as he studied her. "We aren't truly here to eat, are we?"

Ava froze briefly, her eyes widening in surprise. She was grateful that she had the menu covering her face from Ethan.

Quickly regaining her composure, she kept the menu gently on the table and leaned into the chair, sending Ethan a knowing smile, she crossed one leg over the other and spoke.

"I'll cut to the chase then," her voice was firm, radiating elegance and confidence.

"You should." Ethan encouraged.

"I know you have a date with Harper today," she paused to study his reactions, but his face held none, "but I am here with a proposal."

"Marry me."

Silence.

And then he suddenly burst out laughing. He threw his head forward and leaned back into the chair. This caused a few people to send curious glances in their direction.

Ava raised a brow wondering why he was laughing this much.

"They say you are extremely boring."

"What?" Confusion etched in Ava's brows.

He smiled and shook his head, "But they got it all wrong, you are extremely interesting, Miss Ava."

Her name rolled effortlessly off his tongue and realization hit her.

He called her name, but she was yet to introduce herself.