08

After dinner last night, Ethan had crashed at his parents’ place. It’s not like he had to worry about clothes and stuff. It was the heavy traffic in the city that worried him. Driving on his own was a bad idea. He wouldn’t even be able to sit freely and do his stuff. He should have his eyes and hands and legs working along the way back home or to the studio.

He drove into the city and passed the bridge and drove through a busy long street, but he felt like the route to his office had got farther.

He checked his phone to see if he had any phone calls or messages. But to increase driving boredom, his phone was dead.

“Ugh…” he groaned and plunged his phone to the charger and look at the road ahead. It still looked like he had a long way to reach his studio.

And after for a long time through the heavy traffic, he reached his office. He dragged himself out of the car and entered the building.

Inside the studio, Ethan saw something he never expected to see. Not in this life time. Vanessa was leaning onto Liza's shoulder and crying. She wasn’t in her usual diva self. She was neither wearing flashy, short clothes nor carried a branded bag. She was wearing simple jeans and a T-shirt. Her face had no make-up but she still looked beautiful.

It was evident that she had been mourning over Ethan’s revelation.

Ethan cleared his throat trying to catch their attention.

As expected, both, Liza and Vanessa looked at the entrance.

“What’s up ladies?” he asked, as he strode inside the studio and walked up to them.

“Nothing much. I just came over to talk to her about the next photoshoot. It’s outdoor. So we were planning for it,” Vanessa wiped her eyes as she spoke so that he wouldn’t notice she was crying. But little did she know, Ethan already knew what was happening.

“That’s good to know. Good luck with the photo shoot though. I heard a popular photographer from LA is assigned to it.”

“Yeah. I personally spoke to him and said to take care Vanessa well,” Liza said rolling her eyes at Ethan.

He chuckled at her words. “Good to know you have got a friend there, finally.”

“What?” Vanessa asked.

“Nothing. He’s just kidding.”

“I’m not.”

Liza glared at Ethan, sending some silent warning.

“With her terrible personality do you think anyone would make friends with her?” Ethan teased Liza.

Liza was more than embarrassed now. It’s not like she didn’t want to make friends. She just couldn’t get along well with some people. And vice versa.

Vanessa laughed out loudly.

“She can be annoying during shoots.”

Liza gasped, “I gave my shoulder for you to cry and now you do this to me.”

Ethan was just glad that he could make Vanessa laugh. He didn’t like seeing her being a cry baby.

“All right ladies. I’ll leave you two to discuss your shoulder and her crying to yourself. And I won’t be coming to work this weekend.”

“Why?” Vanessa and Liza asked in unison.

“That is because….. I am busy.”

He got up from the chair that he was seated and walked to his office.

“Why busy?” Vanessa asked.

“Just busy,”

“What kind of busy?” this time, it was Liza.

“Why are both syncing so much today?” Ethan sat in his chair, while Vanessa and Liza sat to his opposite.

“It’s itching him to know you have got a friend,” Vanessa said, leaning onto the chair.

“Friend,” Ethan raised his brows, still trying to tease Liza.

“Yes, friend,” Liza confirmed.

“She must be really your friend considering that you two having joined hands and cornering me.”

“Don’t change the topic. What kind of busy are you? You are supposed to attend events at the weekend, you can’t skip them.”

“About the events, can you go on my behalf?” he asked Liza.

“Why should I?”

“Because you are my friend,” he grinned.

Liza was flaming from anger while Vanessa enjoyed the show unfolding in front of her.

“I cannot,”

“Then go as my manager,”

“She’s not your manager,” Vanessa said.

Ethan looked at her, confused.

“She’s studio manager. Right?” she turned to Liza.

Liza laughed and high-fived Vanessa.

“Exactly. I am the studio manager.”

Ethan was losing the battle with Vanessa and Liza’s newly formed friendship bond.

He leaned back and sighed.

“I am going out of the state.”

Neither Vanessa nor Liza were convinced with his answer. If it wasn’t an important wedding, he should be canceling that plan and attend the important events which are scheduled for him.

“My best friend from college is getting married. So I will be attending his wedding and not the events. Clear.”

“Crystal,” Liza understood his words and got up from her seat. She soon left his office.

“Where did she go?” Vanessa asked curiously.

“To cancel or inform the event organizers that I won’t be making it.”

Vanessa nodded her head in understanding.

“I know you filled in everything to my father about the party,” he said softly. Now that they were left alone, it was time to have some real talk with her.

“Uncle hid that from me even after knowing how much I love you,” she said, looking at him with puppy eyes.

“You know, that’s about me. I should be the one to tell you.”

“But you didn’t.”

“I did.”

“Yeah. I know. I was super embarrassed at the party after you left. I was embarrassed for myself and for you, for letting me know like that. If only you had said to me about it early on, I wouldn’t let my feelings for you to grow this long.”

“I know, you would’ve understood me. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier. And it wasn’t the ideal place and situation to tell about it. I ruined the party.”

“At least you know that.”

Ethan nodded his head. They sit silent for a few seconds before Vanessa spoke, “When will you be back?”

“Soon after the wedding. I won’t stay back for long.”

Vanessa nodded her head, “Okay. I will be waiting.”

“Yes. I’ll come back and then we can work on other things.”