Chapter 3

 I didn't expect the sweet gesture Ethan showed me to stay on my mind for this long. I kept fighting it in my head that it was nothing and I was in control but Ethan didn't give up easily. He kept texting, I woke up to his morning messages, asking about my day at work and sending me funny texts that made me laugh when I was stressed. And slowly, without even realizing it, I started looking forward to his messages. He became more persistent but in a sweet way that I actually love. Ethan sends me breakfast, gifts, and flowers every morning to ask me out on a date. This feels so different. Ethan is different and everything feels natural with him. And I even found myself smiling at my phone or even blushing whenever I remember something he said to me on the phone.

 Maya had been observing me quietly for days but she couldn't hide her observations anymore. She walked past my desk while I was chatting and smiling at my phone. "Still playing hard to get?"

"I'm not playing anything, Maya" I said trying to keep a straight face.

"Sure," she said, smirking. "That's why you've been smiling at your phone for the past fifteen minutes. You know we have work to do right?"

I put my phone down, but it buzzed almost immediately.

[Ethan: I'm patient, remember. I know you like me. You just don’t want to admit it yet.]

Maya was still standing. We have work to do but I got carried away texting Ethan and waiting for his reply. I just glanced at the text and smiled. I didn't reply to the text maybe because he was right. I told myself I would reply to him later. I left my phone on my table in my office while I was working but I couldn't stop thinking about Ethan’s text.

 I got home tired that evening. I was sitting on my couch trying to remove my heels. I plugged in my phone to charge because it went off on my way home while I was trying to check my messages. My phone rang as soon as it came on, I didn't check the caller I just picked up.

"Linda are you okay? I’ve been trying to reach you all day" a voice asked calmly when I picked up. I could hear the concern in the voice.

I looked at my screen and I saw that it was Ethan. I checked my phone and he had sent me messages and even called several times.

"Ethan I’m so sorry. I’ve been busy with work and I wasn't with my phone" I replied, trying to sound casual.

"You could have sent me a text to let me know that so I won't be so worried. I was already thinking you were avoiding me because I asked you out on a date."

"Ethan…..why will you even say that? I’m not trying to avoid you.”

“Okay, can I say something without you running away?” he asked calmly.

“Go ahead,” I replied.

“I like you, Linda. I’m not trying to rush you. Just… let me take you out once. One real date. Then you can decide if you never want to see me again.”

I was quiet. I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

"Just one lunch, Linda. If you hate it, I'll leave you alone. I promise." he sounded serious. "Deal?"

I sighed. I didn't want to fight anymore.

"Fine," I said. "One lunch"

I could hear the smile in his voice. "Thanks Linda. I'll pick you up tomorrow at one." 

  The next day, I changed my outfit three times before settling on a simple dress that’s suitable for both work and the lunch date. I told myself it was just lunch. Nothing more. But when Ethan texted me that morning as usual, my heart did a stupid flutter thing I'd been trying to ignore for days. Maya said, leaning against my desk with that knowing smile. "You've been staring at your phone for five minutes. You like this guy, Lin"

"You are imagining things" I murmured, typing back a reply to Ethan’s text.

"Sure, Lin. Keep telling yourself that." Maya said picking the Fashion sketchbook on my desk.

His reply came instantly. 

[Don’t stress too much today. See you soon.]

I smiled at the text, I looked up at Maya, and she was still standing in front of my desk giving me the she was right look.

"Okay fine… I think I like him and I’m going out with him for lunch today." 

Maya’s eyes beamed "What?" She quickly pulled a chair in from of me to sit dropping back the sketch book.

"It's just lunch," I said before she could say anything else.

"Right," she said, grinning. "Just lunch with the guy who's been making you smile nonstop for days."

"Stop it, Maya."

She laughed. "Have fun, Lin. And try not to fall too hard."

Too late, I thought. Maya was out to deliver some orders before I left the studio. Ethan picked me up right on time. He was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and he looked effortlessly good.

"You look beautiful," he said, opening the car door for me.

"Thanks," I replied with a smile, as I climbed into the passenger seat.

He took me to a small Italian restaurant with warm lights, soft music, and not too crowded. It was cozy and intimate. The kind of place where you could actually talk without shouting over loud music. We ordered, and for a while, we just talked about everything. He asked about my childhood, my favorite foods, and the things that made me happy and angry. I asked him about his daily routine his work, hobbies…. if he had any, and he told me about the stress of running multiple companies and the pressure of living up to expectations.

 At one point he said, “You know my sister keeps telling me to slow down. She thinks I work too much and have no social life.”

I laughed.  “Sisters always know how to say the truth the hardest way.”

“You have one?”

“No. Just friends who act like sisters.”

“That’s cool” he said, smiling.

I looked up at him, and the way he was looking at me made my heart race. Like I was the only person in the room. Like I mattered.

"I really like you Linda" he said softly reaching for my hand on the table.

"Why me?" I asked quietly. "You could have anyone."

He leaned forward holding my hand, his voice low. "Because you're real. You're not trying to impress me or be someone you're not. You're just… you. And I like you a lot."

My breath caught. I didn't know what to say. So I just smiled and pulled back my hand slowly. I felt it. I could feel my heart beating faster than usual. I haven’t felt this in years. And this time it feels so right and different.

"I’m a patient man, Linda. I’m not going to rush you," he said with a smile.

I just smiled back. I didn't know what to say.

"We should go," I said while standing up slowly.

He didn't argue. He just paid the bill and drove me back to my studio. We sat in the car for a moment, and the silence between us wasn't awkward. It was comfortable, like we'd known each other for years.

"Thank you for today," I said finally breaking the silence.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," he replied.

"Can I see you again?" he asked.

I hesitated. Every part of me wanted to say yes. But the scared part, the part that had been hurt before, held me back.

"Maybe," I said

He smiled. "I'll take maybe."

He reached over and for a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. My heart raced. But instead, he just brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

"Goodnight, Linda," he said softly.

"Good night Ethan," I said undoing my seatbelt. He stopped me from opening the door myself. He got down and came over to the passenger’s seat to open the door. “Thank you” I said with a smile as I got down from the car.  

I watched him drive away, my heart pounding in my chest. And for the first time in years, my chest feels lighter than it has in years. I wondered if maybe, just maybe, I could let someone in.