Forbidden Romance

Episode 8-She's not my type

Ethan's POV

Seeing her appear from afar with a baby pink cap, white polo, baby pink short skirt, and white canvas got me staring; she looked like a goddess coming out of the light, her hair protruding out of her cap... I blinked twice as she walked into our midst with a charming smile.

I was forced to look away. Oh, men! I thought, but I was still upset at her. Yeah, she's pretty, I got to admit, but she's too pampered; she looks like daddy's little girl. Can't blame them; she's the only girl among 3 boys.

She must receive lots of love, I thought, and then I realized it was my time to shake her hand. I made sure not to make it obvious I was checking her out...I took her hand sharply. She's warm, I thought as our hands met. I couldn't meet her eyes though.

Watching her talk to my dad and brother made me realise she was smart and bold. She was someone who didn't get easily intimidated, question after question, and I got to know more about her.

She seems too confident for my liking...I wasn't sure I'd get along well with her.

"Hey," she called, and I frowned at her, reminding myself I am supposed to be mad at her. The sudden look in her eyes made me feel like she was regretful.

"You don't have to convince them we are having a good time," I said before meeting her gaze.

"I'm sorry about what happened...I...didn't mean to be rude. I...just wanted to get back to my friend; she brought me to the club, and I knew she'll be worried sick about me as I just suddenly disappeared. I'm sorry about that," she stuttered, blinking several times.

Did I just intimidate her? That was fun. My gaze dropped to her pink plump lips, and I told myself, that's a very bad idea.

"I guess you must have been very upset," she said, looking gleaming, probably because I hadn't said a thing to her.

"Um, it's okay...I'm cool," I said, trying not to stutter. She smiled, and I swallowed hard and turned to face my father, who was in a serious conversation with Ariana's old champ. Those two make me furious. They almost forgot what brought us here.

"Did they think they are in the meeting room right now?" Ariana asked, annoyance obvious in her face and tone as she saw her father discussing business real-time.

To worsen the situation, our brothers join in the chat, leaving us—two people who don't look interested in their boring business talks.

"Damien!" Ariana called in annoyance, drawing the attention of all of them. The look on her face made them get it.

"Sorry," her brother apologized with a warm smile, making my brother wonder why, but that didn't stop Ariana.

"If you don't mind me asking, are we here for the game or business discussions?" She asked politely and I could tell she was way more rebellious than I am—her boldness was intriguing. Even my dad was stunned, causing a smile to make its way to his lips.

"Apologies for our etiquette. This is not the proper place for business discussions." My dad replied with a smile but I have a feeling there was more to it.

"I do not mean to be rude, but-

"We do know Ariana; you're just being honest. I appreciate that." My dad added and she gave him a small smile for his understanding. My brother move over to Ariana's side with a wide smile on his face and that was making me more confused. Why is everyone smiling anyhow at Ariana?

"I gotta admit, you have a similar personality to someone close to me," Eric said to Ariana and she raised her head at him with questioning eyes.

"Really? Who is that?" She asked and my brother stared at me. Oh, now I get it... My father and brother found Ariana similar to me. Even I cannot deny that.

After my brother's long stare, Ariana was forced to look at me and I could swear I saw her blush as our eyes met; only God knew if she did. Why does it matter if she was flushed, I ask myself.

"I'll go make reservations at the resort for our lunch," Eric said, excusing himself, Damien volunteered to help and left with him.

"So...I wanted to ask. How...how did you know I was in trouble yesterday?" Ariana asked out of the blue after she was certain our brothers were out of sight and our fathers were out of earshot. I knew she was just trying not to make the situation awkward; we'd been silent for too long.

"I was there for a couple of drinks. Dad ruined my day so to get things off my mind, I decided to have some shots, I was already drunk when I saw you...I guess my senses picked you were in danger," I replied sincerely.

"Same reason...I was there with a friend-

"A friend?" I asked curiously with my brows arched at her.

"Yes, the one I was so worried about. She brought me there...I didn't want her to worry; that was why I was in a hurry to meet her up. I didn't want her to think something bad happened to me overnight," Ariana explained before her phone rang. She picked up and sigh.

"My brother said to meet them at the resort; lunch's ready." She announced before going to meet our fathers to deliver her brother's message.

She smiled at me before gesturing her father to her golf cart. I moved over to my dad to do the same, leading him to my golf cart to head to the resort. It didn't take long before we settled in to eat. My dad watched as Ariana helped her father settle on the chair for his lunch.

"Do you need anything?" Ariana asked her dad and he shook his head, making it obvious he was comfortable, Ariana sighed softly before settling in her seat. I tried not to make her eyes meet mine as she was sitting just across me, then our brothers settled in afterward and we all started lunch.

At first, we ate in silence but my dad broke it with his sudden announcement.

"We have to start making you two seem real," my dad said and Ariana was forced to look his way.

"Yeah...he's right. People have to start noticing you; we have to start making them believe you're a couple," Ariana's father added with a wry smile on his wrinkled face.

"How do you intend to do that?" Ariana asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin before setting it down gently.

"You both have to start making public appearances...going on dates...shopping together perhaps." My dad suggested and Ariana looked up at me. I made sure to make her realise I gained no pleasure in my dad's suggestion through the frown on my face, and then I saw her scoff.

It was too fast to register, though. She looked over to her dad, who nodded to my dad's suggestion.

"Do we really have to do that?" She asked politely, trying not to make anyone pick offence.

"Yes, it'll strengthen people's beliefs about your relationship; it's better that way." Her dad explained briefly and she sighed. She looked displeased about the suggestion—who wants to get married to her anyway?

I asked myself before my brother's phone beeped and he excused himself, Just as he stood and left, Damien also got a notification and he also excused himself. Just great. I was starting to think they had it all planned out.

"Harrison farmland cooperation is having a gala on Wednesday...I hope to see both of you there. As a couple, also, Ethan you should take Ariana out to get her prepared for the event." My dad suggested drawing my attention from our brothers; Ariana coughed on my dad's input and her dad handed her some water almost immediately, which she smiled before taking.

"Which Wednesday, if you don't mind me asking?" Ariana asked as she placed down her cup and cleaned her mouth.

"24th." My dad answered dryly, not minding at all; of course, he didn't mind her asking—he'd dealt with worse. Ariana looked at me but I'm sure even I don't know what to think of it.

"Of course," She answered, turning to my father, who was still concentrated on his meal.

"Can I talk to you...both for a minute?" My brother requested that had me and Ariana's eyes meeting unconsciously.

"What is it?" I asked and my brother was dissatisfied at the question because Ariana already excused herself to answer him, I groaned in annoyance and excused myself, only for me to be facing our brothers at the far end of the building.

"What's this about?" I asked my brother in annoyance. I just didn't want my day to get any worse.

"Are you two seeing each other?" My brother asked and Ariana raised an eyebrow in question but I just answered bluntly.

"No, she's not my type. Why?" I replied sharply, and that only made her and her brother glance up at me in annoyance.

"No offense...I just don't know why you'd assumed that-

"Because...you were both seen at Billy's yesterday." Damian talked now and I realized they did have a reason to assume that.

---------