Chapter seven

Ethan walked down the short corridor that leads to his office while checking his wristwatch. He’s got a meeting with Mr. Crowe in about an hour and though he’s got some pressing issues to deal with, he felt compelled to be at this meeting. Something is drawing him in and he’s always followed his instincts.

Immediately he settled on his massive executive chair, his secretary waltzed in swaying her hips from one side to the other hoping for attention from the former playboy. Ethan has changed and everyone could see that though no one knows why he’s changed so much.

He unbuttoned his onyx Armani suit and sat down checking his recent emails while his secretary rambled on about his meeting and the schedule for the day. His personal assistant is on maternity leave so his secretary decided to take her place for the time being. He’s regretting it.

“That’s all for the day, sir.” She added in a sultry tone hoping he’d at least glance up and see her see through red shirt but he didn’t and instead dismissed her with a flick of his wrist.

His phone rang at the same time a knock came through his door making him wince. It was Maxine and his best friend, Knox whom he hasn’t seen in months. Instead of answering the phone, he waited for them to bustle in like they usually do.

Maxine was the first to enter wearing a red Gucci mid dress with sweetheart neckline and off shoulders, a golden belt with Gucci logo sat around her stomach. Her black Jimmy Choos hit the tiled floor as she purposefully strides into the office like she owns it.

Ever since Dahlia signed the divorce papers that were with his father to end their one year old marriage, the relationship between the siblings shrunk a bit from the way they used to be. If Maxine had noticed it, she didn’t say anything about the situation.

“Howdy, mate. God you need to shave.” Knox called out then grimaced when he sighted Ethan’s beard covering his strong jawline and chin.

“And get more than two hours sleep for goodness sake.” Maxine added, her expression soft and tone even softer than Ethan has ever heard.

Ethan was confused at the change of event since he knew Knox and Maxine cannot stand each other for as long as he could remember. Why are they here together and not tearing each other’s heads from the door?

This is interesting, Ethan thought with a ball pen hanging by the edge of his mouth.

“Well, hello to you two. To what do I own this pleasant visit?” Ethan raised a brow, watching with keen eyes as the duo sat down on the two chairs facing him. They look civil!

Maxine rolled her eyes. “Cant I visit my brother whenever I want to? Don’t look shocked.”

“I’m not shocked, dear sister but it’s been how many months since you’ve last visited? Six?” His brows are still very much aloof because he recalled that it was the exact time Knox decided to go on a long vacation. He went MIA.

“And same goes to you, Knox. Why are you guys not removing each other’s throats?” He hauled the question nonchalantly in the air waiting for answer.

The both of them looked at each other and Ethan could swear he saw something strange happening. Like hearts flying and spark resonating between them which makes little to no sense. No, it doesn’t make any sense. What the hell is going on?

When Maxine faced him again, her eyes were wide and is she glowing? His eyes widened too because he’s missed something and they are about to fill him in. He’s very very much interested in what’s happening.

Knox gave him a confident smile. “Me and Maxine here are expecting a baby. We are getting married, mate.”

Ethan guffawed at that, his eyes shimmering because he cannot remember the last time he’s laughed so hard. Clutching his rigid stomach muscles, he waited for them to laugh with him while he calls on their bullshit but zilch, they only watched him laugh alone.

Sobering up, he allowed a dent to come between his brows in confusion. Is Knox serious? Are they getting married and wait… expecting a fucking baby?

“Are you serious right now?” He grimaced, not liking how strangled his voice sounded but he had to get it out.

Maxine took over this time around, her tone sharp and stern. “Yes, Ethan, we are getting married and expecting a baby. I’m two months away.”

They gave him time to digest the news which he was very grateful for. He cannot picture a life where Knox and Maxine are going to be parents together. No scratch that future picture, where the two are intimate in bed together. What the hell happened?

After about five minutes of pondering the news, he blinked and gazed at them with unfocused eyes. “So you’re telling me that you guys have been in a relationship already?”

“Not really.” Knox’s answer was curt and brief which Ethan didn’t like at all.

A scowl settled in his face. “Tell me how everything started and how you fucking knocked up my sister.”

“Ethan!” Maxine called out then sighed when he didn’t budge. “What we had is…different. Even with the hatred and banters going on between us, we’ve always liked one another. This trip was eye opening and we decided to give it a shot then this happened.”

“You’ve been with him this past six months? And you never told me about it? Really?” Ethan questioned, not exactly furious but he doesn’t like what is going on at the moment.

Maxine scowled back at him. “What do you want me to tell you? It’s not like you’ve exactly been the best brother out there for the past years. You literally just close me out and shut me off. So tell me, how do I tell you what is happening in my life?”

Ethan didn’t look guilty, he refused to. It is his life and he’s got every right to shut off anyone he wants to. After Dahlia left him, he longed for his alone time which was why he shut her and everyone else out.

Letting out a breath through his mouth, he said. “I’m sorry I’m not the best brother out there and you didn’t feel like you could tell me what was going on in your life.”

He turned his attention to Knox when Maxine nodded at him with a smile in her apology accepted way. “Congratulations, mate. You have my consent.”

Later in the afternoon Ethan and his secretary left the building to Crowe’s Corporation to get the meeting done and over with. Whatever it is that’s dragging him and pushing him to attend this meeting, he cannot wait to unravel it.

Buying Crowe Corporation won’t be a big deal or a hit to all he’s achieved since he’s taken over Caine Multinationals so what is this? Curious and very intrigued, hThe he settled at the back of the black Bentley waiting for him outside.

The second his car stopped outside Crowe Corporation, another white latest Mercedes Benz car stopped in front of his. For some odd reasons, he felt something gripping him. That feeling he’s been experiencing since George Crowe told him about this meeting, nagging sense that something he’s been missing is here.

Getting out of the car at the same time the back door was opened for the white Mercedes Benz, Ethan felt his feet sink to the ground as he waited for the person to emerge from the car but it took forever so he left but stood at the reception because he could will his legs to move.