Forbidden Romance

Episode 9-Arrogance

Ariana's POV

I was already too upset for the day. I'm not his type! Is he crazy? Does he really think he was my type either? I wouldn't want to go out with him more or less date him.

He was too arrogant for my liking. Like seriously, I'm not his type! That was too much; he didn't really expect me not to pick offence, did he? Damien knew his words had gone far; to distract my thoughts, he furthered the discussion.

"Because...you were both at Billy's yesterday," My brother gave his reason. I see why they think I was going out with this douchebag.

"I was out with Bethany," I instantly filled in.

"Who's Bethany?" Eric asked, not wanting to be spared any details.

"My best friend," I answered casually, then Damien took a look at the two tabs in his hand.

"Ethan entered 30 minutes after you're in but you came out 15 minutes after he was out; was that a coincidence?" Damian asked.

"Yes-

"No," Ethan interjected, cutting me short.

"I mean yes." He corrected, looking at me with doubtful eyes. Now our brothers do not believe us; what on earth is wrong with this guy? I asked myself mentally.

"Is there something going on here?" Eric asked, wanting certainty.

"Have you two been stalking us?" I countered stunning both of them for a while.

"I just wanted to keep an eye on Eric. He's known for getting into trouble-

"You were stalking me?" Ethan asked, furrowing his face in annoyance.

"You blame me? You-" Then he paused, giving me a long stare.

"I what?" Ethan said, not minding whatever he wanted to say.

"Always get into trouble...I tried to stop you yesterday before leaving but you didn't even give me a look," Eric completed.

"I'm not a kid, Eric-

"Yes, you're not but we have a reputation to protect here," Eric retorted sharply.

"Reputation? How's that got to do with any this?" Ethan snickered.

"Are you really pretending you don't know? You have a wedding in a month; you're getting married whether you like it or not," Eric reminded us.

"Noted," Ethan spat spitefully.

"But that doesn't justify your actions for prying into my private life-

"Did leaving with a woman at my wife's occasion justify it then?" Eric asked too upset to cover up for him anymore.

"Ethan, if the public were to find out about this...'ll be a taint to Dad's reputation," Eric declared as I stood staring dumbly at both brothers.

"So...why are you stalking me?" I finally had the chance to face my brother, trying not to look concerned about the fact that Ethan was out with another woman. How does that bother me?

"You left home with a frown; you were upset and I just wanted to make sure you were alright...after getting a call that you were at Bethany's, I was relieved until the two of you left her apartment. I was worried sick, maybe because you were wearing a different dress from the one you left home with-

"Bethany gave me-

"It's unlike you to dress that way, Ariana." My brother immediately cut into my defence.

"I just wanted to have fun," I defended nevertheless.

"You could have stayed at Bethany to do that," He insisted.

"Yeah...I was doing just that before Dad showed up on TV," I snapped and they all turned attention to me, making Damien sigh.

"I'm sorry for prying... okay? I just wanted to make sure you were safe." Damien justified, but I was already upset either way, I relaxed and nodded.

"You shouldn't stay mad at your brother too...I'm sure he was just worried," Damian said, turning to Ethan, who almost scoffed at that.

"Of course." He answered with a tone that hinted sarcasm.

"But are you sure you didn't meet at Billy's?" My brother asked, and I gave Ethan a quick glance. There's no way he's going to tell him we met without saying I got into trouble and that's going to take me another day explaining.

"I did see her but I don't think she noticed," Ethan answered finally; I'm sure he was also tired of the interrogation and was doing everything to leave.

"Okay...that's settled then. We all should go before our dad comes for us." Eric suggested and we all left to join the pops; they seem to be in a serious discussion themselves but that died down as we joined them.

I was not in the mood to stay anymore. I just wanted to go home and as if reading my mind, my dad and Ethan's said they have a private discussion to do and we can all leave but Damian and Ethan should wait...I was glad; I just nodded, paid my respect, and made my way out, as I just wanted to leave.

I've been trying not to make it obvious I was mad at everyone sitting at that table. I lost my boyfriend because of them but I just didn't want to ruin Dad's day and now my day is ruined; how am I supposed to prove to Stefan when I'm going to start moving with Ethan? Speaking of Ethan, he infuriates me.

Well, one second, I thought we were going to get along just fine until I realized he's just not the kind of guy I roll with. Damn him! He ruins everything.

"Hey," I heard someone call on reaching my car, I turned to see Ethan right behind me, making me scoff.

"Can I help you?" I curtly questioned.

"We are going to a gala in two days-

"Thanks for reminding me," I sneered, rolling my eyes and not wanting to stay a second longer.

"I'm coming to pick you up tomorrow. You might need to pick a dress for the occasion," Ethan informed, slowly putting his two hands into his pockets.

"I can go by myself-

"Do you really think I want to go with you either, Ariana? I don't want to but we have to do this to make it work so we can get out of it fast. I don't want this as much as you do, so stop acting like you're the only one affected." He responded unmannerly and I scoffed.

"I don't remember complaining to you, Ethan McCain. Why would you think that?

"It's too obvious," He muttered, trying to reduce the aggression in his tone.

"Really? Sorry, I didn't mask it well," I apologised sarcastically.

"I'm picking you up tomorrow. So get used to it," He said with a frown.

"You know what... suit yourself," I said, getting into my car. This guy is a big asshole.

Can my day get any worse? I asked myself, beating the wheel as I made my way out of the parking range. I glanced back to see Ethan heading towards the other side of the range.

Ethan's POV

Now she's just giving me attitude. I was right, we just don't suit each other. She's far from my type...I was about to enter my car when someone held my shoulder. My heart leapt in my chest. I turn to face two figures I had no idea I'd ever bump into.

"Tim! Chris!" I called almost in a shout. Those two were my best friends, known to be very notorious in school...I mean, I had no idea I was going to bump into them anytime soon.

Tim was a Nigerian, full name Timothy; he wasn't as dark as some that I've met, and his hair is always in afro style; he was simple; he was a guy that didn't care what others thought of him; he always felt indebted to me because I kind of saved him back in high school; he was being bullied, and I stepped in.

I ordered the bully on his knees and asked him to give him a few punches back; well, I was one of the bad buddies too, but I don't choose people weaker than me. I never do.

Since then we've been friends; he always claims he was a minister's son in his country, though we find it hard to believe because I've never met his dad; he always tells me he sees the good in me, but I haven't yet.

And Chris, full name Christopher, American, my competitor back in high school, the third son of Mr. Starling, owner of Starlight Cooperation, the biggest cooperation in Los Angeles. He wasn't a fan of his dad either. We had lots in common, and that was why we were friends, though our dads never approved of our friendship.

"Hey buddy, glad to see us?" Tim asked, and I smiled as we hugged.

"I didn't know you were still alive," Tim scoffed as he released me.

"I would say the same for you," I replied with a laugh.

"When did you arrive anyway?" Tim asked.

"Four days perhaps-

"I'm mad at you for that," Chris made known with a frown.

"Sorry guys, there has been so much going on." I apologized, knowing it was wrong to come back in town and not tell them.

"Like your wedding. To be frank, I would never guess you were getting married; you're not really the family type, no offense." Tim chuckled softly.

"Neither would I," I said rolling my eyes and they laughed.

"So you mean, your dad's getting you hooked up for good without your consent," Tim asked as we settled at the nearest restaurant. We actually needed to catch up.

"Yep," I replied ruefully.

"Sounds like something my dad would do," Tim said, cutting in.

"Is your dad still alive?" I asked Tim with a laugh.

"Dude...no fair," He screeched, and I laughed.

"Seen him two times," Chris put in.

"You've actually met his dad?" I asked, Turning to Chris.

"Yeah..he's scarier..take it from me," Chris stated, and Tim shot him a haughty look.

"C'mon, dude...you know that's true," Chris defensively raised his hands.

"Bro...my dad ain't scary; he just has principles," Tim said with a smile, making Chris and I exchange a knowing look.

"Don't look at me like that. You guys are lucky, you know. Dad only visits like twice a year," he said, and I returned to my drink.

"So... Should we be discussing best men?" Chris asked jeeringly.

"Dude!" I shouted, and they laughed.

"I heard Ariana Wright is a hot chick; what's your problem, bro? You should be thankful," Tim said, patting me.

"Excuse me, have you met her?" I asked wanting to state otherwise with a furrow on my face, making them cackle.

"You...both are assholes!" I pointed at them both.

"Bro, no way to talk to your best man," Tim jeered again, and I gave him a fierce look.

"C'mon, she can't be that bad," Chris coughed a laugh.

"She is that bad!" I declared.

"Is she pretty?" Tim asked, and I nodded.

"Is she hot? Chris asked though I hesitated, but I nodded.

"What on earth is now your problem?" Chris asked with his hands up.

"Guys...not everything depends on hot and pretty," I said, looking at them, but they were shocked by my statement.

"She's arrogant!" I declared wanting to ensure my statement.

"As much as Melinda?" Tim asked, and I shook my head...I remember Melinda; she was a twin but the most arrogant one and the rudest in high school; her dad was into politics, and she always felt she was on top of the world; somehow I managed to clip her wings.

"I do remember you screwing her multiple times," Chris reminded, and Tim nodded.

"Shut up!" I spat a little calmly though.

"If this has no feelings attached, I'm sure you won't care about her attitude at all," Chris said, playing with his deep black hair while twitching the lids that covered his grey eyes.

"I can't mess with her...I'll be damned to try. She's a Wright," I stated sadly.

"Does that mean you've met someone you can't handle?" Tim challenged with a clean smirk on his face while cleaning the edge of his long nose that supported his steep face.

"There isn't anyone I can't handle," I proudly replied.

"Really?" Chris asked almost the same time as Tim.

"Well, you make it sound like she's outta ya control bro," Tim added in his deep Nigerian accent and I scoffed.

"No, no one's out of my control," I stated and they nodded, Ariana Wright out of my power; I doubt it. She doesn't look all different to me; she's just like any other arrogant rich brat I've messed with. Yes, no feelings attached.

I thought picturing her naked, yeah, she's hot. I thought with a smile. Who cares? 7 months and I'm out! I declared to myself before I continued my chat with my buddies.

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