CHAPTER 16: THE MEETING.

ETHAN'S POV

The morning sun rays from the glass hit my eyes, causing me to jolt awake.

My eyes opened slightly. No matter how hard I tried, they didn't open fully. I slowly reached out for my phone and used it as my mirror.

My breath froze when I saw how swollen my eyes were... but I wouldn't blame them. I slept with tears in my eyes and liquor on my hands.

I pushed my phone out and slowly gazed at the floor.

My head spun the moment I saw the countless numbers of liquor bottles on the floor. Never in my lifetime had I drunk this much.

"One, two, three, four, five, fifteen..." I lost count and instantly gave up. I slowly reached for the newly opened one. I didn't bother reaching for a glass before pouring its contents into my mouth.

My jaw tightened at the slap it came with... Is it just the wine's slap or the sting that's piercing my heart?

Elena is gone. Why's she still after me? Maybe it's payback, considering the fact that I didn't treat her with kindness while she was here... but she brought it upon herself.

She lied to me. You married me for my money and lied that they forced her... Just when I was starting to think maybe she isn't like that, boom! She pushed Emma down the stairs and tried running away with my money.

Although I still feel like I caused her death, I should have divorced and settled her with money when I discovered that she was after me because of my money. But no, I wanted her by my side... now she's dead.

"I deserve what happened yesterday." A blink of tears flowed down my eyes.

"I'm crazy! I'm totally crazy!" I growled and threw the bottle at the wall without even thinking.

The glass shattered, leaving its contents to stain the wall.

That moment, my door burst open, revealing Mr. Sterling.

His eyes flickered with something like disappointment when he saw the mess on the floor.

But still, he walked over to my side.

"Are you hurt?" he asked carefully.

"Mr. Sterling, am I evil?" I asked, calm, way too calm.

His brows furrowed in confusion.

"Look at me and tell me if I am evil! Because I think she's hurting me. I can't get her off my mind even after seven years, and when I decided to take a bold step towards forgetting her by marrying Emma, her name resurrected," I explained.

He stared at me with pity in his eyes.

"You're not evil. You just need to erase the guilt in your head that's telling you that you're the reason for her death," he said simply, as if it were that simple.

"How else do I erase it?"

"Is it by hurting myself? Weren't you aware of what happened to me two years after her death was announced?" I asked.

He nodded.

Two years after her death, I kept seeing her in my dreams, calling me a murderer because I pushed her down the stairs, which I knew was a lie. But I was so consumed by guilt that I ended up seriously hurting myself and woke in the hospital two months later.

"Sir, I know, and I remember vividly how you woke two months later with slight memory loss... but don't you think that the story around Miss Elena's death was kind of weird?" he said, then paused, leaving me on the edge.

"What do you mean?"

He cleared his throat.

"Considering the fact that you, as a man, lost consciousness the moment you fell from those stairs and woke two months later..." He halted as if he remembered something.

My eyes furrowed in confusion. They ached for a clear explanation.

"Sir, why don't we go see the children? They will take your mind off some certain problems." He completely diverted from the topic.

"Why change the topic?"

"Sir, some things are better off if they stay hidden." He smiled, but I could feel the finality in his voice... I needed not waste my time convincing him to continue.

"Sir, go dress. It's been a week since you visited the kids."

.......

The ride to the orphanage was quiet, but the moment the car diverted to the route where Tomorrow's Greatness Orphanage was located, something stirred in me.

This was the only place I found peace... the very place I first met Emma when she saved my life and gave me her rose as a gift that would protect me.

The building was old. Even the name on the signboard wasn't much visible anymore. That was one of the reasons I requested and planned for a new one... thanks to the Mexican businesswoman, Adams E., who was able to convince the sisters of the need for a new building.

I was told she funded almost half of the construction while I funded the rest.

I hope one day I will finally meet her.

"Sir, we are here," Mr. Sterling announced by the door. I turned to find him holding the door for me to step out.

"He's here!"

"Mr. Ethan is here!"

I heard the children gasp joyously the moment my feet landed. In less than a second, they had already surrounded me, singing and dancing... and for a brief moment, I forgot all my worries.

After a few minutes of playing with the children, the head sister walked in to drop the news that brightened my day.

"Sir Ethan, Mrs. Adams E. has confirmed her coming to LA for the opening of the new orphanage."

My eyes dilated immediately the news reached my ears.

"Great news... I would make preparations for her arrival, and I will do the honor of welcoming her at the airport."

"Thank you..." the sister replied gratefully.

.......

AT THE AIRPORT

EMMA'S POV

Although today's decision wasn't my idea, I now think it's going to be great, probably because I will be meeting with the man who supported the orphanage.

I've two things that I must do.

One, avoid anything or anyone that has to do with my past that started from when I left the orphanage.

And two, make sure I return immediately after the opening.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to LA, the city of..." The announcement went through the speaker.

A loud but slow thud followed, and when I looked outside, we were already down.

I could see some groups of people, the sisters and the orphanage children waiting. Some held posters where my name was boldly written on them with big letters: "WELCOME TO LA."

A slow smile spread across my lips.

The air attendant turned to me.

"We have arrived."

I nodded and slowly followed, but not without my hat.

The moment I stepped out, the little crowd cheered as if they were seeing their savior for the very first time.

The first person my eyes took turns searching for in the crowd was the man I was told would welcome me.

He stepped forward, and the moment my eyes met with his, my legs gave way.

"Ethan?!"