Chapter 20 : Empty words He was as if nothing had happened . Nothing out of the ordinary . Nothing major had happened , he came back calm and confident ... and I was a nervous wreck . Ethan is fully dressed in his usual formal look , navy blue pants , white shirt and a blue sweater , his hair combed , perfect as always . While I'm dressed in yesterday's clothes and his shirt , which is too big for me . A strong contrast in appearance . " You're up and ... dressed , " he says in surprise after looking at me for a few seconds , pausing at his shirt on me . Did he think he would find me asleep , lazy ? What's the matter with him ? Maybe he doesn't even remember that he left the chabby girl in the room . That must be a shame for him ! This case must have been a slip, a big mistake ... a not very attractive girl in his bed . And yes , I'm not wearing his shirt out of love , but because I have no other choice . " Yes , I thought the flight was about to leave , so I better get ready , right ? " I say serious , trying not to show my true feelings , the disappointment , the anger , the sadness . The truth is that I feel like garbage . " Right ... I just have something important to do ... you know ... I mean .... how ... ? " he explains , waving me to the door , as if he was making excuses as to why he wasn't here . I gently cut him off . " Okay ... can we go ? There is no time to lose , I want to be home as soon as possible . " " Ahh ... Y - yes ... the flight leaves in a few hours , but I was thinking that maybe ... you and ... " " It would be better if we left early , right ? Surely the airport will be crowded , and we don't want to spend another minute here ... I imply , he has a fixed expression on his face . I don't wait for his response and take my luggage , my bag , and I'm about to go out the door , passing close to him . I can feel his presence behind me , and as we enter the elevator , we remain silent , so close ... trapped in this stupid machine . I looked at the buttons with their numbers as if they were the most interesting thing in the world . He doesn't say anything to me , but I can feel his eyes burning holes through me . It's the most uncomfortable silence ever , but I just tell myself that I have to stay as far away from him as possible . It doesn't matter what it takes . God this thing is slow ! I'll be home soon , and then ... I don't know ... in the following days ... I'll think about how I can manage not to see him anymore . Maybe I could look for another job , it wouldn't be easy , but it's not the only job in the world . And as for Lily ... I could pretend to be sick . That all sounds like a lot of work and effort . For one fucking night ! A great and hot night , but still ... just one night , a few hours of pleasure . You shouldn't sleep with colleagues at work , because this happens ! When we get into the taxi , fortunately the driver is one of those who likes to talk and talk and I , for the first time in my life , am the most talkative person in the universe . I answer every question he asks and even smile while Ethan is glued to his cell phone . We arrive at the airport , and we look for the airline counter , I walk faster than ever . Within seconds , we are attended to , and they confirm that the flight is leaving . " Sorry ... there aren't two seats available together ... " " No it can't be ... we must be together ... " he says and I panic . " Ethan , surely the flight is chaos ... and this nice lady is doing her best to accommodate all the people who were left out yesterday ... including us " I say and she smiles . " Thank you for understanding ... the flight takes off shortly , look after your gate . Thank you and good day ... next ! " she says . I don't know if it was luck or what , but I am very grateful . " Prissy , are you okay ? " Ethan asks , I listen to him but pretend to look elsewhere . Yes ... yes ... just ... fine , I'm fine ... " he sighs and looks nervous . Please don't tell me about yesterday , don't bring up that subject , please , please . 1/3 Chapter 20 Empty words I ... I wanted us to talk because yesterday ... " he begins , and I interrupt him . I know the talk : it's not you , it's me , I made a mistake , I don't know what happened , I don't know what I was thinking . " Sorry , I totally forgot ... do you mind if I leave you for a moment and go look at the shops ? I remembered I promised to buy Suzy a souvenir " Suzy ? " "My best friend and roommate . I didn't get her anything . She loves Seattle ... " " I can come with you " he says , taking his suitcase and seems determined . It's just , you know , girl things , boring things I say casually , and he looks at me with this strange expression and wrinkles his forehead . ' Also ..... Clark is looking for you , something related to a contract ... I tell him and he nods slowly . I just ... " he says . Tll be here in a minute " I assure him and leave dragging my suitcase like a crazy . I wandered around the shops alone and saw absolutely nothing . I really wanted to sit in a corner in a fetal position and cry . Or better yet , that the airline would put me on another flight , a later one . If it was to another country or continent , even better . I saw Ethan from a distance , sometimes working on his computer , sometimes looking around . He would have a frown on his face , and sometimes he would close his eyes . How did this happen ? How did the passion of last night disappear ? At one point we were kissing madly and now ... we are two strangers again . As I heard almost the last calls of my flight , I appeared out of nowhere . " Prissy ... " he was yelling , looking for me , waiting at the boarding gate . " Sorry ... I got lost , but I found what I needed a complete lie . ' I bought some breakfast ... you must be hungry he tells me and offers me a bag with some pastries in it . I try not to think that this is a very thoughtful gesture on his part . Damn man . " Oh thanks ... but I already ate ' I say . Another complete lie . He gives me a stunned look . Within seconds , we are on the plane , far away and I went to sleep after my much - anticipated breakfast . * Miss , miss ... " someone wakes me up , and I see that it is the lady next to me . I don't know how long I slept " That man over there wanted to talk to you , " she tells me , pointing to the other side . You must be kidding me . Ethan approaches , towering in the hallway , his hand resting on the back of the seat in front of him. Strands of his blond hair come loose and sway across his forehead , almost into his eyes , as he leans in to speak to me . My God , this man is determined to torture me . Wasn't it enough that he slept with me last night and then acted like it was nothing ? " Ethan ... what happened ? Is there any problem ? " " Prissy ... I just wanted to ... are you okay ? " he says , giving me a meaningful look again . " I'm fine , thanks . Resting a bit before arriving . " " Yes, yes of course ... you need to rest a bit because yesterday ... it was a busy day " he says almost stammering . 2/3 3:20 Chapter 20 Empty words Is it a joke ? Did he really have to say that ? The lady sitting next to me gives me a surprised look . Don't be so surprised , ma'am . It is not what you think . Well , it is ... but it's not that simple . " Having a nice trip ? " he asks , really wanting to start a little chat . The lady turns to me and then to Ethan , lost in this strange conversation . " Do you want us to change seats ? You seem to have a lot to talk about ... " says the woman , and I want to kill myself . " No need ... we'll be there in a few hours " I say before Ethan indicates that yes , he would happily sit very close to me .... to explain to me why last night was a mistake . " Prissy ... I ... I would love to talk , you know , when we get home ... " he tells me seriously and confidently . The worst thing you can say to someone is : " We need to talk , " and here I am getting this awful look from someone I really don't want to talk to about a subject I don't want to talk about . In the taxi we were silent , I tried not to look at him , hoping that he would forget our conversation . Finally , the cab drops me off at my house first and Ethan gets out with me , helping me with my suitcase . " Ethan ... it is not necessary ... " We're standing in the doorway of my building , my hand resting on my suitcase . I'm almost shaking , but I try to hide it . " Prissy ... I just wanted to talk for a minute , okay ? About last night ... it was ... I don't know what happened , and now I feel like ... I don't know what's going on , and I have this bad feeling that ... something ... " he says nervously , unable to explain himself properly . For a moment he pauses , conflicted , while his eyes return to me anxiously . I'm glad he doesn't seem to have a very good ability to communicate or at least express his feelings . If he has any at all . " Princess I ... " he starts to say and suddenly we are distracted by a commotion at the door of the building . Suzy appeared out of nowhere , very surprised . I am relieved , my friend has saved me ! " Boo , we missed you ! " she says and hugs me " Very much ! " a male voice says and another pair of arms wraps around me . " Tommy ? " I hear Ethan ask in annoyance . He looks at his cousin with surprise , as if he doesn't understand what he's doing in my apartment with my roommate . " Hello cousin , " I hear Tommy say happily . I know that Suzy and Tommy will have a lot of questions . I take the opportunity to get out of this uncomfortable conversation . " We have pizza for you ... welcome home " Suzy says smiling at me . " I'm sorry ... I have to go , " I say apologetically , and Ethan follows me with his eyes . His expression is serious , like a stone , cold and full of hate . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!