Ethan didn't come back for three days. When he was back, he was looking frailer than before.
“Genelia, are you going somewhere?” He looked at my suitcase.
“Yes, girl's trip.” I lied, not wanting to let him know everything right now.
“Didn't you say that you are missing your parents. How about we call them here and celebrate our anniversary?” He smiled, trying to make up.
“That's not necessary.” I interjected.
“Why?” His narrowed gaze looked for an answer from me.
“They are not in good shape.” I tidied myself up, “Don't drag them here.”
Etan opened his mouth to say something but his phone rang, “Ethan I sprained my leg.”
Lilith was crying.
“I’m coming.” Ethan quickly rushed from there, banging the door behind.
I wished to leave already but something occured in the office and held me back till Thursday. I already shifted my luggage to my apartment near the office and had been staying there.
But on Thursday night, when I was finally done and thought of living, Ethan entered my cabin.
“Let's go.” His voice was firm, releasing his scent, he made me submissive against my will.
Since it was the office, I couldn't bear to make a scene there.
“Where?” I furrowed my brows.
“You will know.” He fixed his gaze on me and trailed his hand on my hair, “Genelia, didn't you forget something?”
“No.” I flung away his hand, “Ethan don't touch me out of nowhere.”
“Genelia!” He wanted to argue but stopped abruptly, “Let's go.”
He stretched his hand to hold me but stopped midway.
“Mm.” I hummed packing my things. I was curious about what he wanted now.
At a fancy restaurant, he handed over the menu to me, “Order whatever you like.”
“Not picky. Go ahead.” My eyes glued onto my phone, lacking the overwhelming excitement I always had whenever we went out earlier.
Ethan's narrowed eyes were now squinted.
“What are you doing on the phone?” His lips pursed into a thin line.
“Nothing.” I shrugged my shoulders, and had no intention to entertain him.
Getting ignored, Ethan gritted his teeth and took my phone away from me trying to unlock it, “Since when did you change your password?”
“A few days ago.” My voice sounded flat. Until a month ago, my password was our anniversary date but now it didn't matter.
“Why?” The frustration grew inside him.
“No reason.” My eyes still didn't give away any expression.
After we ordered, I got an urgent call. I left to take it, leaving Ethan behind.
It took me a while before I came back but Ethan was nowhere to be found, rather there was a cake and a box of jewellery with a small note, “Happy Anniversary Genelia.”
“Our anniversary?” I laughed, “It passed a month ago”
Looking at the blank, I recalled how I waited for Ethan that day, but he accompanied Lilith in a concert.
Releasing my angry scent, I left.
When I came down, the soft giggling attracted my attention.
Looking at the direction, I saw Lilith was almost bouncing in Ethan's embrace. Her hands were tightly wrapped around his biceps and she was enjoying her ice cream. Often Etan was taking a bite or two from her.
Raising my eyebrows, I ignored the jab on my heart, I was more surprised.
Ethan was always a cleanfreak, he never liked to eat from someone’s tasted food.
“Ethan, have this cake, it's so sweet.” I recalled how I baked the cake and wanted him to have a bite.
“Genelia, are you serious? You already tasted from this spoon, now you are offering it to me! You have no manners.” He lectured me a long paragraph.
Well, love was blind and couldn't be helped. Laughing I dismissed the bitter feelings in my heart.
“Ethan, you are the best.” The sweet Omega whom Pack members adored, jumped again, almost climbing on Ethan's lap, she kissed his cheek.
He looked at her dotingly.
“Silly girl.” Patting her head, he encouraged her childishness.
“Genelia!” Lilith's face dropped as soon as she saw me, “Sorry, I didn't mean to kiss him. I was too excited.”
“Little fool!” Ethan ruffled her hair, “You don't need to explain to her.”
Ethan averted his gaze, evaporating his softened gaze like the morning mist, “Genelia, have you finished talking?”
Staying silent, I entered the bar next door. When I showed my membership, Lilith scorned, tightening her jaw.
“Ethan, I want to have Martini.”
When they entered, I was still resting myself on the stool and sipping my cold wine.
Ethan’s disdainful glance made me gulp down two drinks in one go. Ignoring my presence, they booked a private room and disappeared against the crowd.
I had my fill for two hours before finally being done and smiled looking at the bartender, a handsome beta.
“You are good at this!” I winked at him.
“I’m good at other things too, wanna try?” He flirted back.
I moved away from my chair with a sly smile.
When Ethan was finally done drinking with Lilith, I was nowhere to be found. The bartender handed a note to him with his favourite whiskey, “Ethan, let’s split up.”
_ _
Standing near the orphanage, I felt nostalgic. Grandma Zoe, who took care of me since I lost my parents, pulled me in her embrace, “My child, you look thinner.”
“Grandma!” The warmth didn't let me be strong anymore. Without any care, I let the tears flow wave after wave, “I am back now.”
“Yeah, welcome home.” Seeing my already devastated state, she didn't ask me anything, patting my back sweetly, she spreaded the warm.
Once we were inside, I laid down on her lap and mumbled, “I want to start my higher studies.”
“Good child.” Ruffling my hair, she smiled, “I will transfer my savings to you.”
I got up, stunned, “No, it's okay. It's yours. I already got the scholarship.”
“Gen,” She rubbed my face, “You are one of us. Don't think of yourself as an outsider, ask for my help, alright? Don't always endure alone.”
Trembling my lips, I hugged her again. She was right. This orphanage was my home. If I didn't meet Ethan that day or fell in love, I would still be here. Getting back the warmth after a long time, I drifted into slumber, intending to have a new day, a new hope.
But the reality was something else. After a long and sound sleep, when I woke up it was already late morning and the members of the orphanage hugged me one by one. Laughing and chatting I didn't know how much time had passed while I devoured a hearty meal and warm milk to content my stomach, turning my back from the oblivious ringing on my phone. After two hours, when I checked my phone, turning off airplane mode, the series of notifications almost froze it. Looking at them, I felt dizzy. There were fifteen missed calls from Ethan and a trail of messages from a new number on the chat app.
