03

The party was crowded by all the elite status people of the country. Ethan had not expected anything less from Vanessa’s parents. They were born rich people. Thanks to their ancestors, the last three generation kids were born and brought equal to the royals.

Ethan entered the party with a huge sigh. He enjoyed partying, just not with old men. Ethan was well dressed in a black suit, which is not his ideal wear for a party. He was greeted by a few businessmen as soon as he entered the party. He returned the greetings with utmost politeness. He walked around the place for a few moments, trying to spot any well-known face. That was when he noticed Liza in the back, she was talking with some ladies.

Ethan walked up to them and cleared his throat, trying to grab all of their attention. And he succeeded. Who would ignore a handsome man wanting attention from them!

Ethan flashed a smile to all of them, “Hello, beautiful ladies.”

The ladies giggled at his manners. He gave a light hug to everyone.

“Hello, handsome,” greeted Mrs. Hudson.

Mrs. Hudson was never a shy person, whether it was to make friends with young men or taking them back home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hudson never really cared about it. It was an open secret that they were in an open marriage. Something, that doesn’t go well with a lot of people.

Ethan went on to hug her and whispered in her ears, “You look the most gorgeous in this party, Mrs. Hudson.”

The blush that spread across her face was inevitable.

After parting from the hug, Ethan turned to the others and spoke, “If you ladies don’t mind, can I borrow Liza?”

They all agreed to it. Ethan grabbed Liza’s hand started to walk. Before that, he was held by Mrs. Hudson grabbing his other hand. He turned to her. “Make some time for me, Ethan, I am planning for a photo shoot soon,” she said.

He smiled and winked at her, “Anything for you, Mrs. Hudson.”

“You are something else,” Liza said when they were far from the ladies group she was with.

“You know I don’t go back home with her,” he told her, grabbing some drinks for both of them.

“Then did you had to tell her you look the most beautiful Mrs. Hudson,” she mimicked him.

Ethan slightly chuckled, “You ladies have sharp ears for all these things right!”

Liza rolled her eyes and chugged her drinks.

“Slow down. You will choke at this rate.”

“Whatever.”

“I thought you don’t like parties,” he said to her.

“Thanks to my boss, I had to come here on a weekend. I would have rather stayed at home, watching some series in my pajamas and never leaving my bed.”

“You know I would love to do the same. But, I cannot most of the time. And coming to these kinds of parties alone is a pain in the ass,” he defended himself.

“Why? Don’t you have Vanessa here, to entertain you,” she mockingly said.

One thing that didn’t exist between Liza and Ethan is a formality. That was long gone, ever since she started to work for him, as his assistant. They worked together from the beginning of Ethan’s career. When he called her to become his studio’s manager when it was still new, she had gladly accepted his offer and came to him, resigning from her previous job.

They synced well, and she had the opportunity to try and implement her ideas into the photoshoots and fashion shows. Ethan gave her all the freedom to experiment in his works. And they shared more than a working relationship. Not in a bad way, though. They knew one another’s secrets. She was more like a family to him and vice versa.

Ethan gave her look that translated to please, not her again.

“She will pop up anytime, it’s her father’s party after all,” she warned.

He left out a huge breath, “I know.”

“You should probably make it clear to her that you are not interested in her,” Liza suggested.

“I don’t know how to make her understand that. As you already know, I have said I don’t like her in a romantic way.”

“Maybe try telling her the real reason,” she casually said.

“That’s the only thing remaining now,” he told.

Before they could speak further, someone grabbed Ethan’s shoulder. He turned to only see Vanessa, smiling at him.

She had worn a short skirt and a sleeveless blouse. And had a good amount of makeup with red lipstick highlighting her look. She was beautiful, she didn’t have to even work on herself so much to impress any man.

Ethan flashed a warm smile to her and she hugged him as a greeting which he returned.

Without saying anything she dragged him towards her parents, leaving Liza alone.

“Dad! Mom! Ethan is here,” she said. Her parents retired from the people they were talking to and turned to give their attention to their daughter.

“I am glad you are here, Mr. Francis” Vanessa's father, Mr. Wilson greeted with a handshake.

“Just call me Ethan, you don’t have to be so formal,” Ethan said greeting the couple.

“I see that you two are doing well,” Mr. Wilson said looking at Vanessa’s hand that was locked with Ethan’s.

Ethan quickly grasped what the old man was suggesting and withdrew his hand and said, “You are mistaken, Mr. Wilson”

“Ethan not now,” Vanessa whispered. He gave her a look to not stop him.

“I thought you two had plans of getting married,” Mr. Wilson said, confusedly. He only had believed what his daughter had told him. She had lied to him that Ethan and she were together and had plans for their future. She had overestimated her confidence in making Ethan fall for her.

“I am sorry Mr. Wilson. You are misinformed. We are not together and have no plans for the future. We only have a working relationship.”

With that, Ethan walked out of that place, angrily. By now, the guests at the party were aware something was going on. And there would definitely be a show to watch. Some felt bad and some awaited for the show to begin.

Liza watched him doing so and followed him outside. Soon, Vanessa came out running.

“Ethan stop,” she shouted.

Anger darted through Ethan’s veins. He turned to her and shouted back, “What?”

“You can’t do that to me in front of my parents,” she said loudly.

“Then what am I supposed to do, when your parents are misinformed about me,” he screamed.

“I love you. Can’t you understand that?” Vanessa screamed loudness equaled to his.

“And I don’t. Haven’t I said to you that before? I don’t have any romantic feelings toward you.”

“Why? Am I not beautiful? Do you want some dowry? My parents can give you how much ever you ask for,” her voice cracked. Tears were threatening to roll down, but she controlled it, less concerned about the blurred vision she was getting.

Ethan sighed looking at her tears. “It’s not you. It’s me. I am a gay man. Do you get that now! I can’t feel anything romantic for you.”

Vanessa was perplexed and disbelief ran through her heart and mind. She wasn’t expecting this.

Liza was shocked by her boss exposing himself bare, in front of so many people. She was aware he is gay but never once did they speak about it in public.

Vanessa was not ready to accept this reason for his rejection. Despite her hatred for Liza, she turned to her expecting an answer. Liza felt extremely bad for Vanessa, she just nodded a yes. And now it made sense to Vanessa, why Ethan always had Liza as his plus one at any shows or events. He never gave signs to any girl by taking them out with him, except for the person who knew about him.

The tears which she was withholding, rolled down her cheeks. She hung her head low and cried.

Ethan walked to her and gave her a hug and said, “I am sorry.”

Ethan and Liza sat in the back seat of his car as the driver started the engine. Ethan leaned onto the headrest and sighed loudly.

Liza turned to him and softly said, “I just simply said to tell her the truth. I didn’t really mean it.”

He looked at her and chuckled, “I had to tell her the truth before she married herself to me and walk around calling herself as Mrs. Francis.”

“I feel bad for her though,” she said, making herself comfortable on the seat.

“I do too. It’s not like I led her to the altar. I didn’t give her any signs of interest in her.”

“You don’t, Ethan. But your very existence and your playful nature and manners, attract people to you.”

Ethan laughed out loudly, “I didn’t know I was this charming.”

“Trust me, you are much more than this.”

Ethan looked at her said, “Don’t tell me you have fallen for me too. I can’t deal with another woman right now.”

“You wish!” she smacked his shoulders.