Chapter 9 Can I Call You Mine

Sia's POV

I walked out of the classroom with Jarvis, who was busy on her phone before she shoved it toward me.

"This is him," Jarvis exclaimed happily, and I frowned. Why was she showing me a photo of Ethan?

"He is Ethan Brooks. He just returned to the country this week and has been all over the news. Can you believe he's the true heir of the Wood Enterprise?" Jarvis exclaimed excitedly. She had no idea I was once married-and to Ashton Wood, no less-so I wouldn't blame her.

"Really?" I feigned innocence, and Jarvis nodded before sliding to another photo. It was a picture of Ethan in the camp. He had just his trousers on, exposing his upper body.

The long snake tattoo drawn all over his body, his abs, and how hot he looked made me feel so thirsty that I licked my lips.

"I know, right?" Jarvis chuckled as she noticed my reaction.

"I would kill to find myself in his bed. Just imagine how good he must be," Jarvis went on and on about this, and it annoyed me a lot.

"He's a General and also the owner of Wood Enterprise. Someone kill me right now."

"Enough," I scolded, and she flinched slightly before fixing her gaze on me.

My brows furrowed when I noticed that same police vehicle from in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau. In front of the car was Ethan's car.

"Uhm... I need to rush right now. I'll use the back exit," I explained to Jarvis, who still had a confused look as I fled.

What was he doing at my school? I quickly took the back exit and stopped a cab that dropped me off in front of Momentar Hotel. It was a five-star hotel, and Jules worked here.

I had promised to come and see her after my lectures, so I hurried in while sending her a message, which she quickly replied to.

"Meet me at the restaurant section ASAP," I sent another message and went to the restaurant, occupying a table.

After five minutes, I spotted Jules, who sat opposite me. "Why did you sound so urgent?" Jules questioned, and I pouted, hitting my head on the table.

"I messed up, Jules," I cried out, and she scanned the place before lifting my head off the table.

"You're getting me worried. What happened?"

"Ethan Brooks happened," I spouted, and she raised a brow, confused.

I explained everything that had happened to me-from the night at the club to recently when Ethan showed up at my school.

All through my story, Jules had an indescribable look. "Do you understand my situation right now?" I questioned.

"Oh my God, you slept with Ethan Brooks," Jules blurted out, and I jumped up to close her mouth with my palm. The few guests at the restaurant all turned their gazes toward us, but I smiled at them.

"Have you lost your mind?" I scolded Jules, who had an apologetic look.

"I knew that man looked familiar. I just couldn't place where I had seen him," Jules explained before leaning closer.

"So, you signed the wedding papers?"

I nodded, and Jules moved her body, doing that little dance thing she loves. "Go girl... go girl," she said proudly before retracting her phone.

"I'll text my manager and ask for leave so we can go celebrate this," Jules explained, and I snatched her phone.

"Celebrate? Didn't you understand what I said?"

"Isn't this what you've always wanted, Sia? To be powerful and influential? What better way than to marry Ethan Brooks?"

"True, but he-"

"He doesn't want anything from you, does he?" Jules interrupted, and I shook my head in denial.

"If you could be married to Ashton for years, even though there were no sparks between you two, then how about a man you once loved when you were fourteen?"

My cheeks turned red with embarrassment. "I didn't love him."

"Oh, come on... I remember how you always described him to me. 'Oh Jules, he has strong, chiseled bones, and he brings out the fire in me. I know I'm just fourteen, but...'" Jules kept mimicking me, and I hit her hand.

"Ouch," she winced, and I burst out laughing.

"I was stressed thinking I made the wrong decision, but you're always here to assure me," I said with a thankful smile, and Jules chuckled before standing up to hug me from behind. Her hands wrapped around my neck before she pecked my cheek.

"Trust me, girl. You were meant for bigger things, and even God knows it. We always thought Ashton was the heir, and that's why you married him. Then, the day we discovered he wasn't, he asked for a divorce," Jules explained, and I nodded. Things had unfolded so well.

Now, I was married to the real heir of the Wood family, the most prestigious family in America.

"Baby girl, just be careful, okay? If things ever get too nasty, then let's just run away... like we always do," Jules added, and I chuckled.

"We'll always stick together, love," I muttered, but my joy was cut short when I received a text message from Ethan.

I hadn't yet registered his contact, but I knew it was him. The message read:

(I'm in front of the hotel.)

How did he know I was here? I sighed heavily and stood up. "You should go back to work. Let's talk later, okay?" I said, and Jules nodded before waving at me and leaving.

I hurried out of the hotel, and Ethan was indeed there. This time around, I couldn't spot his men in police cars.

Mark pulled the car door open, and I walked in. Next to me sat Ethan.

"Uhm... hello," I said nervously, rubbing my palms as the car drove off.

"Here, for you," Ethan said, shoving a box toward me. My brows furrowed as I opened it to find a ring.

"What... what is this?" I asked.

"A wedding ring."

I chuckled before shoving it back toward him. "I can't put a wedding ring on," I explained, and he nodded.

"Are you sure about this, Mrs. Brooks?" Ethan questioned, and I grew nervous and a little scared by the question.

"Sia. That's my name," I corrected, and he chuckled.

"Or I could just call you... mine," he said teasingly, and I palmed my face, humiliated. Those were the same words I had said to him the night I was a little drunk...