Forbidden Romance

Episode 5-Announcement

/Ethan's POV/

I really can't believe she hasn't been told about it yet. I feel kind of bad I had to break the news to her; why hasn't her family member told her about it anyway? how stupid is that? I asked myself as I headed back home.

I had woken up that morning with Erica facing me. I remember jumping out of bed in fright. I smiled, recalling that she had come that morning with the purpose of bonding with her new uncle.

"Uncle," she had yelled excitedly.

What!? That girl had come to see me in a pretty excited mood; why the heck is that? I had pretty much wondered.

"I'm so sorry; she had been so excited to see and play with her uncle. Her mom had advised her to wait last night because you were pretty tired, and she just couldn't wait this morning. I'm so sorry for the disturbance." Her nanny had offered an apology, making me give Erica a doting look.

I might resent her dad for being the reason I was never noticed but she was still my niece, I had stood and moved over to her side as her nanny tried to convince her to follow her.

"Let her be," I had said, trying not to make the young girl feel bad. I moved over to her and kneeled to her length.

"Sorry, uncle wasn't able to introduce himself properly; I'm Ethan, your dad's younger brother," I had introduced, and she beamed.

"I'm Erica," she said, returning the gesture excitedly.

"So, how old are you, Erica?" I had asked with a doting look on my face, and that was because I loved her already.

"I'm 6," she replied with a huge grin. Her cheerfulness was very astonishing.

"Aren't you supposed to be in school?" I had asked, giving her a pensive look.

"Yeah, but I am not leaving till 9; it's just 7:30," she nervously replied, sitting on my couch in my little living room.

I moved into the bathroom afterwards to brush my teeth because I was starting to feel uncomfortable talking with a dirty mouth.

"Why are you so excited to meet me?" My question came immediately after coming out of the bathroom.

"It gets lonely sometimes; I don't have anyone to play with except grandma and nanny Katherina and nanny Maria; grandma literally sleeps all the time, and I get bored of nanny," she confessed sadly in a gentle, childlike tone.

"Where's your mom and aunt?" I had questioned her, knowing my brother was not an option; he was clearly working.

"Mom's always working with Dad, and Aunt Emily's talks bore me; she only talks about shoes and bags, and besides, she is still sleeping." She explained ruefully, and I kind of pitied her and hung around her. I still find it unbelievable that my brother's wife left so early, leaving her six-year-old to a nanny.

I was upset so I hung around Erica more until she whined that she wanted me to drop her off at school. Well, I tried not to give in, but she was just too cute. I had to agree. We chatted through the entire drive to her school, so I decided to hand over to her mentor. I was doing just that when I met Ariana.

I knew she had come to drop off her nephews as well. Ariana was an average-height woman with ebony black hair, bright honey eyes, and full round lips with chubby cheeks—not too chubby though—she was bursty and in perfect shape; her shape didn't make her bursty chest obvious, I knew my eyes were making her uncomfortable, but I was just mad I'd have to get married Well, not necessary marriage because dad later explained it's just seven-month contract but for goodness sake, I'll still be known as a divorcee once the contract was over.

I pulled over at the department store to get some stuff that I needed, I was doing just that when someone called my name.

"Ethan!" She called shocked to see me; it was Stacie, one of my ex-girlfriends.

"Oh, Stacie," I called out in surprise as well.

"Wow, I wouldn't recognise you if I had met you first," I remarked, literally ogling her body. I miss it.

I suddenly realised she had lost some weight and changed her hairstyle; she used to be blonde, but now she is wearing raven hair, and her makeup is light too.

She must have noticed I was checking her out that she blushed; she didn't know I still had that effect on her.

"It's really so nice to see you again. What did you do now? I asked as we walked together with the shopping trolleys.

"Well, I worked for the commercials; I'm a model," she beamed proudly.

"Wow, that's great," I complimented.

"So, what about you?" She asked in the same nice gesture, and I quickly regretted bringing up the occupation topic.

"Now I own" shouldn't have been something I needed to say so she could invite me over; I needed to see her naked again.

"I know I shouldn't be asking...never mind, That's a stupid question, It's obvious you work for your Dad since your dad controls the McCain Co-operation. I shouldn't ask that. That was so stupid of me," she muttered, feeling sort of embarrassed.

"No, no. It's okay, I really don't mind; I was actually stuck abroad for a while. I just got back," I explained, trying to get her along.

"Oh....that's so...awesome," She said, blushing, though I wouldn't consider it awesome; she was making me high with all the signals she was throwing. I thought as she smiled coyly at me.

"Can I see you some other time?" I asked, and her eyebrows shot up in anticipation.

"What about this evening? Though I have a shoot now and a show later," she said, throwing the opportunity, which I just didn't let slip by.

"Do you still live at your old house?" I asked and she smiled.

"No...I moved. I live in a villa now; I'll text you the new address. She said patting my shoulder and was about to head off when I held her hand.

"I changed my number as well," I added with a wink. I gave her my new number and headed back home after getting my things. Mom was awake and was eating breakfast in her room.

When I entered, she smiled, cleaning her lips with the napkin and dropping it on the tray for Aunt Marie to take it away.

"Mom," I called, moving to sit next to her.

"I heard you dropped Erica off at school this morning; that's so thoughtful of you," she remarked and I smiled She took to her embroidery, which was just on the shelf beside her.

"So, have you met your fiancee yet?" My mom asked, making me wonder how much she knew about the marriage. I was pretty certain she had no idea it was a business marriage.

"I know you're worried about it because you don't know the kind of girl you're ending up with, but don't you worry. Your father always picks the best. Look at Eric; your father picked for him and I'm pretty sure he's happy with her." Mom pointed while knitting.

She was right about Eric's marriage; I was there. My brother had been so nervous about living with a girl he didn't know; it was just an arrangement between the parents because they were close, but Eric had grown to love her after a year of living with her.

Well, she didn't turn out so bad herself, but he was different because of the kind of family involved.

I was pretty sure my dad would not leave me to be married to them; that's why there was an agreement. After seven months, it's over. I sighed, thinking that it was starting to make me sick. By the way, why would Dad have to use me as his pawn for his business? I wondered.

It doesn't make any sense. I was suddenly getting furious because I concluded it was the only thing he could use me for. My anger was starting to rise to my chest when the vibration of my phone broke my thoughts.

Stacie had sent the address. She wanted to meet by 7; gracious lord, it's 5 hours from now. I think I can live with that, I thought, leaving my mom's room after chatting with her for a while.

I realised I was tired, so I decided to take a nap, and Erica woke me up. Kinda announced she was home from school.

"Don't always do that," I groaned, turning away from her.

"I thought you'd pick me up from school; why didn't you?" She pouted, wearing pitiful doe eyes that sparked some guilt in my chest.

"I was sleeping," I replied, putting the pillow on my head.

"Mom picked me up anyway; I told her you dropped me off at school," she relayed, but I just wanted to go back to sleep.

"Erica!?" I heard a female voice call; it was neither of the nannies, probably her mom's.

"Erica, come have some food; your teacher told me you skipped lunch," she instructed, but Erica didn't move an inch.

"I think you should go downstairs," I urged, but she merely snorted in response.

"C'mon, your mom asked you to come eat," I added, sitting up from the bed.

"She didn't pack my lunch; that was her fault," Erica whined, and I sighed.

"It was my fault...I totally forgot to pack you lunch; now don't make Uncle feel bad and go downstairs for lunch," I urged, looking into her sad eyes. She stood reluctantly and headed for the door.

"Are you not coming?" she asked, making me realise I needed to eat myself. I followed her downstairs with her hand in mine and made sure I had her settled for lunch.

"Hey, hi," Lily said with a bright smile on her face.

"Hi." I know I didn't respond to her with the same gesture she had to me, but I was a little bit upset at her.

"Thank you for dropping Erica off at school; I had to quickly attend to something at the store." She offered to join us as the maids served us lunch.

"You really should free some time for her; she's your daughter, I mean, she needs your time and your attention, I don't see what's more important than her." I was a little upset; I was sure she wasn't expecting that.

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen again," she said apologetically while we ate. Erica smiled at me as I spoonfed her some vegetables to make her happy. I could see her mom smiling, but I didn't mind; I like the girl.

"Um, Ethan" Lily called and looked back as I was about to head to my room.

"I have a fashion show to host tonight, and I was thinking you could stay with Erica for me at the show; I don't want to leave her alone, and Eric promised to take us out after the show is over; you just have to keep her beside you till then, she requested nicely.

Trust me, I had no intention of saying yes because I was no babysitter, and I also can't stand my brother, but Erica knows how to make me.

"Please, uncle, I really want to watch the show." She requested with a puppy face and I chuckled as she cutely batted her lashes.

"Of course, why don't you let uncle get changed first, I said and she jumped happily.

I changed fast into casual Jodhpur pants, a Reglan top, and casual slip-ons, which I complemented with a hooded jacket. I carried Erica on my shoulders as we headed out.

I bought her candy after we found a place to sit at the show, Her mom had made two front seats available, The show started late but it was fun, It was expertise to show the new trends of designer shoes and bags, I heard a girl commenting at the back and I could never mistake that voice.

Why shouldn't I expect my sister not to be here? she was into these things; she kept telling her friends her sister-in-law was the host. I hid my face immediately; she liked showing me off because of my handsome face, but I was not in the mood for that, not when Erica was next to me.

I saw Erica's mom briefly. She looked towards an empty chair and sighed exasperatedly, She must be expecting my brother.

My jaw tightened in anger, How could he not show up when his wife was hosting such a very important event, He was a jerk! I declared to myself I was still watching when I saw Stacie come out in a grand outfit—the most adoring outfit ever—that would cost millions of dollars.

I thought that as she showed off on the stage, she saw me and winked. Oh, that melted me like an ice cream puddle. She looked really great in that outfit, I thought, and I applauded as others did. Just as the event was about to round off, I saw my brother making his way to his seat.

"Daddy!" Erica yelled, getting her mom's attention from the stage. They smiled at each other as he picked Erica up in his arms. Erica told him something, making him look my way.

I was indifferent nonetheless. I just averted his gaze and concentrated on the show as Erica's mom resumed her speech about the designs.

I seriously couldn't wait for the show to be over, and after it did, I headed out, waiting for Stacie, when I saw my brother with Erica still in his arms.

He was about to head towards me when Stacie hugged me from the back. My brother looked stunned and kind of confused, but I didn't mind.

I just chatted with Stacie, freely complimenting her and stuff, before offering her a ride home.

We got to her villa safely. Her home was great, but I couldn't make much of it until she switched on the light.

It was such a cool arrangement, really. The sitting room was opposite the dining room and the kitchen, and both are facing the door to probably her room.

Her home appliances and decorations didn't show luxury, but they did show off her wealth. She offered me a cup of orange juice, which I took gladly.

I didn't get to finish it, though her hands were on my chest.

I smiled and pulled her in for a kiss as I put down the drink. She accepted it gladly. I got off her expensive dress, kissing her roughly and caressing her in the process as I led her to her couch.

I got off my pants, planted kisses from her neck down, and she rolled me over in control.

Then we fell on the floor, which was fluffy and soft, so I guess her sitting room was rugged. We had no problem, but I mistakenly hit the remote, which was lying carelessly on the floor.

"McCain Donald has finally proven to the world he really can work with the Wright Empire on the one trillion-dollar contract issued by the president as both men suddenly announced the marriage of their children to the world at the Merry Junior concert, which the president attended. The reporter relayed, and I froze in my tracks.

"This can't be happening," I muttered, and Stacie looked up at me dryly.

"What?" She asked, not too sure what I meant by the statement.

"I have to go," I said, grabbing my pants and sliding them on immediately.

"But Ethan," Stacie called, sounding kind of disappointed.

"I'm sorry, Stacie, but I really have to go." I apologised as I buttoned up my shirt and hastily got into my pants. I'm sure she also realised what was happening after my name and Ariana's name were suddenly announced next.

This is bad. I thought taking one last glance at Stacie before leaving. I actually needed to rip someone's heart out at the moment. I know I shouldn't go home feeling like This, so I hit the club.

I needed to drown myself or I'm going to beat the living daylight out of someone.

I was still drinking when I found someone familiar.

"It couldn't be," I muttered to myself, trying to stand on my wry legs. The effect of the alcohol has started to kick in, I thought as I headed in the direction of the girl I saw randomly taken by a guy who was trying to make her walk properly.

"Almost there, darling." The ugly dickhead urged her as he made her go into the motel, which was situated at the back of the club. I walked faster to catch up, and I saw him bring the girl in; the dumbass didn't even lock the goddamn door.

I scoffed. The alcohol was affecting me big time.

I want it to, but wrong timing, I thought, as long as I looked through the door to see the lunatic peeling off Ariana's clothes. I smirked mischievously.

He was taking advantage of her drunken state. I hate those kinds of cowards! I thought and busted the door open, and immediately the stupid i***t approached me. I broke the bottle of vodka on his head, making him stumble hard.

He fell with a thud. Then I saw the heavenly body in front of me.

'Keep cool, Ethan, I told myself, knowing the alcohol was making me drool over her body, which was now so exposed. She still had her skirt on, but her shirt was exposed, leaving her silk red bra in view. I did remember covering her up; whatever happened next, I had no idea.

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