in an open relationship 2

Chapter 28

"Oh I just wanted to get some rest since I wasn't feeling well so my phone was on silence " , ' just tell him Lauren ' my insides scream at me.

"Actually " I look at him , his innocent eyes are smiling at me which makes me hesitant , his genuine love and concern reflect in those eyes of his , but now that I've actually been with Ethan memories of that night are just a blur to me but for him I can tell that it feels like it was yesterday.

I groan inwardly .

" Lauren, what happened over the weekend?".

" Huh ?".

" You heard me, o".

" Can we talk after work ?, I don't think this is a conversation we can have here " .

" A conversation ? ,Should I be worried?, Is it bad ?" He asks , " I should've just forced you to come with me you wouldn't have had a terrible weekend, did Ethan try to ask you out again?".

" We'll talk , I'll text you the address and time " I remember Ethan said he'd take me out today," actually let's do it tomorrow, I forgot I already had plans for today" .

" I'm leaving tomorrow " he says .

" What ?, Where are you going?" .

He laughs ," sad to see me leave?, Don't worry I'll be back next week , I have to go to the project site and supervise things from there , do you want to come with me ?" hope is written all over his posture.

" No I have tons of work to do .next time " I know there won't be a next time, him leaving is actually a good thing for me , I need time to get my thoughts together and I'm not looking forward to crushing his feelings just as of yet .

" Okay I'll leave you since you seem too scared to be seen with me , I'm guessing you haven't talked to Ethan yet " .

I remain silent.

" I'm not rushing you or anything I just don't want him to take things too far".

" I get it " I pretend to look through my files .

" See you at lunch then ?".

" I'm going to Caitlyn's for lunch ".

" I can come with you "

" No , I need to speak to her about something ".

"  sister stuff ?".

" Sort of "

" We'll talk more over the phone then " he steps out the office, I let out a huge breath .

I receive a I love you text from him minutes after his exit which makes me feel like dying , my heart weakens at the sight of it.

....

Hours later Ethan steps in , " hey ,you left this " he gives me my lucky pen.

" Thanks "I avoid eye contact with him also.

" nervous to be seen around your husband?".

" I never said that ".

He sits on my desk crossing his arms making that suit squeeze him even tighter.

" why do you always leave the car in a hurry?" He asks evidently not pleased by that.

I can't find the right excuse.

"you'll get used to it " he stares at me bitting his lip .

"You can say it " .

he does that when he's trying his hardest to keep quiet and conceal the storm in his mind .

"did you end things with Austin?" He asks .

" Uh ,No ".

" Why not? he was here when you came in " he says .

I look around, " where are the cameras?,how come I don't see them".

" Even I don't know " .

" How is that possible?".

" Even if I did it's not like you can remove them , every office has a camera for a purpose, we are the second leading oil company which equals to more enemies ".

I sigh " I'll talk to Kam when I get the chance ".

He continues staring.

" Seriously" I assert him.

" That name bothers me".

" What name ?".

" His name is Austin ".

"  I'll just call him by his last name if that will make you feel more at ease " Ethan seems to be the typical billionaire , possessive and super jealous,he really is serious about us .

"We are still on for dinner right ?" I change the subject.

" Yes " .

" See you then ".

" dismissing me ?, What about lunch ?, I ordered something for us ".

I check the time , " oh I lost track of time " .

" Good thing you have me ".

" Uh yes " my eyes darting around .

The awkwardness just won't go away.

" Do you still not want to go ".

" Go where ?".

"  vacation?, Just you and me ".

I pause.

" with work and everyone else it'll be hard for us to see if we're really a good match, is there no other  place you want to go ?" He asks.

" Rome was the only place I've ever fantasized about ".

" Paris ?"

" It's overrated , I'm not in love with it, I've watched too many movies and videos about it ".

"There's no rule that actually prohibits us from going to rome since you like it so much ?"

" It'd be just weird , I think the thoughts of you and Sarah will get to me , I'll probably think about how used to it you are and all those unnecessary thoughts ".

He puts his hand on his forehead," do you really have to make me regret taking Sarah there that much ?".

" I'm not trying to but it's the truth ,I'm still trying to look past some moments between you two , it's not easy  ".

" It sure isn't " , he refers to me and Kam.

I fall back on my chair sighing hopelessly,if this is how we are starting then I don't want to imagine the end of two jealous partners trying to bury the ghosts of their past.

" About lunch ,I've already promised Caitlyn I'd stop by " .

" Planning on telling her ?".

" Yes "

His eyes laugh at me " make sure to remove any object that she can pick up easily around her".

I laugh remembering how Caitlyn reacted to me dating a 20 year old at the age of 15 , his mind was that of a fourteen year old so I didn't see it as a big deal, when Caitlyn was angry she'd throw everything and anything that she could lift ,if Ethan wasn't there on that particular day the coffee machine would've been the cause of my death.

" she's not that uncontrollable girl anymore. She has grown, she still gets angry over little things but does not react any how " .

" That's good" .

That day is now replaying in my head , I think he is too because he allows his laughter to flow with mine , seeing him like this does something to my spirit , I'm now reminiscing of those high school days . this is a feeling I'd like to go back to and embrace everyday .