Chapter 6

Lucien furrowed his brows in confusion,” What?”

“The….kitchen…is…that…way…make…use…of…it…” Ethan practically spelled out every word. Lucien was quiet for a minute; Ethan had never talked to him in that tone before- that’s not Ethan.

Normally, Ethan would apologize, quickly rush to the kitchen to make him breakfast and do anything it takes to satisfy him, but… this time, Ethan looked rather unbothered than sorry. Maybe he’s just angry; he’s obviously angry about something; he’ll come around. Lucien convinced himself, shrugged, grabbed his suitcase and keys, then walked out.

Immediately he left, Ethan scoffed, How pathetic I had been in my past life, following his orders like a dog.” He rolled his eyes with irritation as he kept replaying the way Lucien had requested his food. How stupid he had been in his past life to think Lucien loved him, when he practically used the same voice he’d use for a junior staff member in his office to talk to him. Lucien never faked anything; he made it clear Ethan wasn’t wanted, but his reputation blinded him, and he always found an excuse to cover up every ill treatment of Lucien towards him. Thinking back, Ethan laughed, desperate fool, referring to himself.

Ethan grabbed his spoon and continued his meal peacefully; for the first time in years, he felt like himself. He wasn’t begging for approval; he wasn’t apologizing for things that weren’t his fault; he wasn’t shrinking his desires and happiness for someone else’s. In that silent dining room, Ethan decided he was done. He was done being pathetic; he was done being cheap; he was done prioritizing someone who doesn’t deserve it; he was done living for someone else. From now on, he’d do things that he wants and only because he wants them and feels like doing them, regardless of what any other person thinks.

—CK EMPIRE, JEWELRY STORE—

Carlos sat behind his well-polished table, looking smart and well reserved, but in his head, it was the total opposite. He couldn’t stop reminiscing on how a stranger saved him from losses and explanations, and how that same stranger had called him an idiot. His thoughts were cut short when a knock came on the door.

“Boss?” His PA’s voice came more like a question.

“Come in.” Carlos cold, deep, rich voice came. The doorknob twisted, the door was opened, and his PA walked in, a file in hand.

“Boss, it’s Ethan Vale’s file, the one you asked me to look up.

Carlos raised a brow, “Who the hell is Ethan Vale?”

His PA looked confused for a minute; did he do a check on the wrong person? Or does his boss just not know the person’s name? Carlos tapped his fingers on the table, jolting his PA back to reality.

“Uhmm… the strange guy from yesterday, the one you asked me to investigate.” His PA cleared his throat and explained. Carlos nodded in realization; he stretched his hand and collected the file; immediately, he opened it. “Cool, you can leave.” He said without looking up. After some seconds, he heard the door close. He looked into the file,

Name: Ethan Vale

Age: 25 years old

Education: College graduate of Business Administration

Family/ Background: Comes from the Vale family who own “V Jewels”

Relationship status: In a relationship.

“Wait…what? Is he in a relationship? Wow!” Carlos laughed. He looked through the file; nothing special, nothing interesting. He closed the file and tossed it on the table; he loosened his tie a little.

“Crazy.” He chuckled to himself.

—EVENING, LUCIEN APARTMENT—

Ethan had the house in full blasts of music; he was doing his little concert as he moved around the house. He was actually cooking; he held the spatula handle to his lips, pretending it was a microphone as he sang loudly, doing funny dances. He couldn’t remember the last time he actually smiled and felt happy; he was always thinking about how to please Lucien and forgot he was human too. He finished cooking, turned off the music to switch to a movie, served his meal, sat comfortably on the couch, watching a film.

Mid-meal, his phone started ringing; he stared at the screen with a mouth full. Lucien was calling. He stared for a second and looked back at the TV,” I’m eating and busy to pick up.” He said to himself. The phone rang two more times, and he didn’t pick up any. After eating, he did the dishes and sat back on the couch, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts, his eyes landed on a contact, he stared at it, his heart became heavy, guilt rose in his chest, after so much back and forth debates in his head, he finally dialed the number, the phone rang once, twice and then the person picked up, but stayed silent, for a few seconds, nobody spoke.

Ethan took in a sharp, heavy breath; his heart was pounding, his eyes welled up, he bit his lip, and finally he summoned up the courage,

“Mum?” He called softly.