Chapter 3 Three

"Olivia doesn't mind you being here, Ethan," I said, walking toward my hostel door as Ethan followed closely behind. He had visited the day after Ava's birthday party.

"Do you two live together?" Ethan asked, curiosity etched on his face.

"Yes, I couldn't afford to get my own apartment, thanks to Olivia's kindness," I replied, opening the door to reveal Olivia lying on her back on the bed, legs dangling as she scrolled through her phone.

"Hello, Olivia," Ethan said with a charming smile. "I've heard a lot about you from Chloe."

I offered Ethan the reading chair facing the desk opposite the bed, and I sat beside Olivia.

"Hi, you must be Ethan," Olivia said, feigning ignorance.

"Yes, that's me – Chloe's friend," Ethan replied, his gaze drifting to me with a romantic glint. I smiled, feeling a thrill at having a billionaire refer to me as his friend.

"It's nice to meet you," Olivia said, extending her hand to shake Ethan's.

Olivia gathered her phone and textbook, appearing to be heading out. "Are you going somewhere?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, I need some fresh air. I've been cooped up here all day," she replied.

Ethan spoke up, "I'm sorry for disturbing you. I had suggested meeting Chloe at a nearby restaurant or somewhere quiet for conversation, but she insisted I come to your apartment instead."

He glanced at me, and I felt a flutter in my chest.

"I wouldn't want to be seen with you in public, Ethan," I admitted, feeling a bit down. "Ava bullies me a lot, and I'm defenseless."

Olivia's expression turned angry. "Do you think Ava would dare harass you when I'm around?" Ethan asked, his tone confident. "Ava's kind; you just don't understand her."

Olivia's anger boiled over. "What's there to understand about that selfish, cruel girl?"

I cautioned Olivia, who was still fuming, "You shouldn't speak about Ethan's girlfriend like that, especially when he's present. Maybe she's his fiancée, for all we know."

Ethan turned to me, his expression sincere. "Chloe, Ava is not my fiancée. She's just a friend, a female friend, nothing more."

Olivia's satisfied smile made me raise an eyebrow. "What's with the look? Are you buying Ethan's story?" I asked, skeptical. "Everyone knows Ethan is Ava's boyfriend, and she doesn't joke about him."

Ethan attempted to persuade me to believe him. "Fine, we've had our moments, but we're just having fun. That doesn't mean we'll end up together. In fact, I could never marry Ava."

I wasn't convinced. "Cut the act, Ethan. I'm not buying it."

Olivia intervened, her tone light. "Chloe, what's your problem? Ethan says he's just friends with Ava, so why won't you listen to him?"

I narrowed my eyes, sensing Olivia's motives. "What do you mean, 'what he has to say'?" It was clear Olivia was trying to steer the conversation toward Ethan asking me out.

Ethan embodied every quality a woman could desire: chiseled features, impressive social standing, and a heart-melting smile. However, I knew that if Ava caught me with him, she would stop at nothing to ruin me.

"He wants to be your friend, a close friend at that," Olivia said, her gaze locked on Ethan. I couldn't help but sense a peculiar chemistry between them.

Lost in thought, I pondered Olivia's motives. "What is she trying to pull?" I wondered. "Is there a relationship between Olivia and Ethan that I'm not aware of?" Olivia's persistence in pushing me toward Ethan raised suspicions. "Perhaps she wants to use it as leverage against Ava?"

Breaking the silence, I turned to Olivia. "Weren't you going out for some fresh air?"

Olivia nodded. "Your conversation captivated me. I'll let you two continue." With that, she departed the room.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room for several minutes, weighing heavily on the air. Ethan appeared uncertain about how to initiate conversation, seemingly aware of the uneasy expression on my face. His eyes, locked onto mine, conveyed a sense of gentle understanding, as if he were willing me to relax.

I broke the silence, asking, "What can I offer you?" Ethan's response was swift. "I'm okay, I'm fine." His words were reassuring, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had nothing to offer someone of his stature. As a member of a low-income family, I felt out of my depth around Ethan, a born-rich billionaire.

Curiosity getting the better of me, I asked, "So, can you tell me about your family?" I was eager to understand the origins of his wealth. "And what do you do, apart from being a billionaire?" I added, attempting to sound nonchalant.

Ethan's chuckle was low and smooth. "Well, I was born into a wealthy family, and I'm the only child of my parents." He paused, his eyes locked on mine. "And you, Chloe? What was your family like?"

I sighed inwardly, recognizing the question I often dodged. With Ethan, I had no excuse, no clever deflection. All I could do was reveal the truth about my family background.

"I lost my father at a tender age," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "He left behind my mother and me. We weren't well-off when he was alive, and after he passed away, we struggled to make ends meet. My mother has been working tirelessly to support my education, and...and Olivia has been a godsend, covering many of my expenses." I choked back a sob, feeling vulnerable.

Ethan's expression softened, his eyes filled with compassion. "Your father's spirit is watching over you, Chloe," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "I'm here for you now. Whatever you need, just let me know, and I'll take care of it. Consider me your friend and confidant."

The room fell silent, and I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. Ethan's words were a balm to my soul, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being exposed.

Breaking the silence, Ethan asked, "Can I take you out?" His eyes sparkled with warmth.

"Right now?" I replied, surprised.

Ethan nodded. "I'll give you some time to get ready. We can hang out together, just the two of us." His charming smile put me at ease.

Before I could protest, Ethan anticipated my concerns. "Ava is busy at the moment, so we won't run into her. Is that okay with you?" he asked, his eyes searching for my consent.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as Ethan left the room to wait for me in his car. I quickly got ready, slipping into a stunning pink dinner gown that Olivia had given me as a birthday gift a few months prior. It was my newest dress, and I felt a surge of excitement as I imagined spending the evening with Ethan.

As I applied a light layer of makeup, Olivia entered the room, a curious expression on her face. "He's already left?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "And what's with the dress and makeup?"

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Ethan. "Ethan wants to take me out, and I couldn't say no," I replied, dusting my face with powder as I checked my reflection in the mirror.

Olivia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I can lend you a pair of heels and a bag to match," she said, moving to help me style my hair. "You should look your absolute best."

With Olivia's help, I finished getting ready. As I waved goodbye to her, I felt a sense of anticipation. It was already evening, and I couldn't wait to see what the night had in store.

Ethan surprised me with a thoughtful gesture, presenting me with beautiful dresses and accessories as if he instinctively knew about my limited wardrobe. For dinner, he suggested a quaint roadside restaurant, and I agreed. Upon arrival, I was treated to exquisite cuisine that exceeded my wildest dreams. Ethan ordered the most expensive dishes and drinks on the menu, and soon, our food was served.

As we savored our meal, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We teased each other, shared laughter, and exchanged genuine smiles. However, my joy was short-lived. I noticed a familiar face watching us from across the room – Juliet, Ava's best friend. My heart sank, and I felt a sense of foreboding. My soul seemed to sink within me, and I knew I was in trouble.

I started shaking and sweating, and Ethan noticed the sudden change in my demeanor. He wondered what was wrong, but I couldn't find the words to explain. For a moment, I felt like I'd lost my senses. I urged Ethan to leave the restaurant, fabricating a story about having a stomach ache. Ironically, the tension proved too much, and I genuinely developed a stomach issue.

Ethan agreed to leave, and we departed the restaurant. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, knowing that Juliet had witnessed our intimate dinner.

As we drove back home, I confided in Ethan about seeing Juliet at the restaurant. He reassured me, saying he'd handle the situation, and I began to calm down. However, our tranquility was short-lived. Ethan's phone rang, and my heart sank as I saw Ava's name on the screen - Ethan's girlfriend.

Ethan, sensing my distress, chose not to answer the call. I felt an overwhelming urge to return home and confide in Olivia, the only person who could offer me guidance and support. I needed her help to navigate this precarious situation and avoid Ava's wrath.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at my hostel. I had almost forgotten about the gifts Ethan had bought for me. I hastily thanked him and told him not to walk me in. I rushed to my room, eager to share the events of the evening with Olivia.