in an open relationship 2

Chapter 17

"  good morning" he greets clearly still offended that I threw his food away .

" Good morning" I murmur .

" You have an hour to get ready, I figured I'd wait for you so that we can go to work together" he suggests.

" Huh ?" I stare at him

" I've already taken a bath , I just need to get changed " .

I nod quietly," okay " I lift from my bed in a lower voice.

......

I'm  stuck trying to figure out which outfit to wear , I take the closet keys from my drawer and head to the closetroom .

I sigh the moment I open the door , everything that's here is all glitz and glamour.

" What are you doing?" His voice echoes behind me .

I try to remain still ," I don't know what to wear " .

He walks pass ," let me help " .

he picks out the black two piece I wore for the Mayor's anniversary party .

" I think this will do " handing it to me.

" Thanks " I mutter ," let me go and put this on so that we can leave " , he's already wearing his Navy Italian suit that screams CEO , he only wears his extremely expensive suits when there are potential clients or just big business people stopping by

"  I'll wait  in the living room " .

" Sure" I murmur.

I'm used to waking up to the smell of Ethan's cologne leading to the door  , he avoided me every chance that he got ,his 4am schedules , coming home late when he left the office early but today he decided to wait for me and went out of his way to make me breakfast.

what is happening at the moment feels like a scene from that dream .

After putting on the outfit I decide to match it with the Gucci bag he bought me last month.

" ready?" His eyes take me in .

I nod , " let's go ".

We are drawing closer to the office and I'm counting every second and kilometre, he keeps stealing glances at me ,I can see him although my focus is on my side of the window, Billy keeps looking at us through the rearview like he has much to say , if only he knew that I have more questions than him then he'd be more at ease.

" Did you call Caitlyn?" He asks .

" Caitlyn?, I forgot, I'll just ...." I hastily pull out my phone .

" No need we can pass by her shop , you can even get yourself breakfast since you couldn't eat mine " .

" Okay " he's still not over it .

" Billy".

" Yes sir ?".

" Please take us to Caitlyn's shop " he commands .

" Okay sir " he answers .

I sit back trying to not reveal my conflicted mind , like I said ' he's trying too hard ' to me that's the most unattractive thing a guy can do and not just any guy it's Ethan at that .he's more cool when he's nonchalant about things .

We arrive at Caitlyn's shop , Billy parks right in front of the door .

" I'll be right back " I hop out the car and stride toward the door without throwing a glance back at Ethan .

The store is surprisingly empty.

Caitlyn sees me before I open the door and let's out a huge breath, she is wearing a red "stop GBV shirt" and her normal blue jeans with a black Mocos coffee Apron .

" Hey " she rushes toward me ," are you really in one piece?" She massages my body from top to bottom,worry written on her forehead.

" It's really me Caitlyn, I'm a die hard remember?".

" Yeah but , did Ethan let the whole Kam attending dad's dalfi thing slide ? "

Hesitating on whether or not I should  tell her that he wants to start over with me .

" Moreover he usually hangs up the call when I try to reach you through him, instead yesterday he answered my video call and turned the camera towards you , is he alright?, Did you get leverage over him ?, What is it ?" She pushes .

" What's with the t-shirt?" I divert her attention.

" I'm in support of the stop gender violence movement, I have a box full of them in the back , the organisation wanted me to give them to people for free " .

" I see , I forgot to greet you because you bombarded me with a million questions , good morning Caitlyn,how are you ?" .

" I'm good Lauren now that I'm seeing you ,I just really can't believe Ethan let you off so easily, Aunt Rita threw you under the bus back there , I was so certain we'd be holding your memorial service this Friday".

" I'm also surprised" I express.

" I'm glad you have Austin,you guys must figure out a way for your exit quick before Ethan does something more extreme than a wedding, can you believe that husband of yours " she snaps .

I nod not knowing how to respond," unpredictable right?".

" He's been doing extreme things the whole week,first the pregnancy lie and then the second wedding and you call him Unpredictable?, He's a con artist disguised in a suit that's what I'll tell you " .

" I hope you girls are not gossiping about me ?" His voice surges behind me .

Caitlyn looks past my shoulder completely frozen .

She straightens up , masking her nerves " Ethan ?, How are you here ?, Aren't you usually at work by this time ?".

" I was waiting for my dear Lauren to get ready " he stands next to me wrapping his arm around my shoulder ,his acting self surfaces.

" There's no need to act in front of me,I know you remember?" .

" Actually Lauren and I are ...".

" Here to get some coffee " I cut him off .

" Two cups of coffee please " I say .

" And Billy?" He asks.

I look at him " I mean three" I say to her .

Her eyes swing between me and Ethan , suspectingly .

" I'll be right back " .

" And a cheese sandwich for Lauren please " he adds .

She seems to get more confused by the minute.

" Sure " .

She comes back with our coffee and tries saying something with her eyes that I can't make out .

" We are already late . I'll call you when I knock off ".

" After you are done cleaning?" She says to put Ethan off who doesn't seem touched even a bit.

" Goodbye sister in law " he says in a mocking tone .

Caitlyn's eyes start twitching and  that usually happens when she's about to jump on someone.

" see you tomorrow Kate " , I lead Ethan out of the shop not waiting for her response.