Call from Destiny | COMPLETED | English

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: Familiar Face

E T H A N

My hands held the wheel tightly as my eyes focused on the road in front of me.

Mrs. Carmen's words kept on repeating in my head. It hasn't really sunk into me yet. I know that Vanessa was another problem of mine. If she finally comes back, everything that I had planned for myself would be ruined.

The reason why I went here was to feel freedom without her strangling me in this toxic relationship. Well, if there was. She's the only one who thinks that we're official anyway.

I just went with the flow and called her sweet names so she won't follow me here.

Punching the wheel, I couldn't help but put my hands on my head. Goddamnit. I need a plan.

I suddenly got out of the car after I parked in the mall. When I came down, some women looked at me as if they knew me. Don't tell me that they're Vanessa's friends. Not to be rude but I don't like it if someone's going to report me to that woman. Forcing a smile, I took one last glance at them before walking towards the elevator to get to the ground floor.

Of course, I need to have my lunch. I didn't eat much at home.

"Ground Floor," I said there to the woman. The woman smiled at me and pressed the 'G' button on the elevator. The music then played as I waited patiently inside.

When I got out of the elevator, I immediately looked for fast-food chains.

Walking into the mall, I saw a bunch of people on the second floor. I just smiled as I looked at the people above. An elderly couple, a woman fighting with someone else's boyfriend, and a woman talking to Benedict. All seems normal.

Before I could even take another step, my face contorted into confusion. 

Wait a minute. 

I looked back up closely at the woman with Benedict, I was suddenly angry. Of all the people he could talk to, is he for real?

In my anger, I no longer focused on food. I suddenly rushed towards the escalator. I no longer waited to get to the top but walked as if I was using the stairs.

When I was upstairs, Benedict suddenly saw me and smiled. I crossed my arms as Claire glanced at me confusingly.

"Ethan, nice to see you, buddy," he said while still looking at the girl beside me. I just rolled my eyes. I don't even know how to greet him while he's flirting with Claire. 

"Benedict, my eyes are right here." I pointed out to him. I don't know why but I feel like I wanted to drag him right out this mall. They're just talking, Ethan. Why is this a big deal right now?

I was suddenly surprised when Claire pinched my side. My gaze went back to Claire before my lips curled into a frown. That hurts a bit. 

At first, she warned me with her eyes but I didn't really get it. When she finally went near me and whispered to me, I finally understood her. 

But, what the hell, why am I nervous all of a sudden? My heart's beating pretty fast.

"Auntie is here, go away," she whispered to me as I finally knew what she wanted to tell me and nodded. I really don't want to face her aunt right now. She's a terror. 

"Claire, how about—Ethan, what the hell? Why are you pulling me? Hey! Don't pull on my collar. I can walk, Ethan!" he shouted as I pulled his collar. It's time to leave this mall. My goal here was to eat but I guess that would have to wait.

"You've been staring at Claire for a while. Maybe it's time that we go," I told Benedict as people looked at us weirdly. He kept on struggling, trying to push me but I didn't really budge. 

"You're dragging me like a dog on a leash. Let go! " He kept on pulling my hand away as we walked in the direction of the elevator. I just smiled and laughed.

"Alright, fine." My hands finally let his collar go as he stumbled from the force. The elevator finally opened and the woman just smiled at both of us. 

Benedict scoffed and the woman asked us where we were headed. I then told her that we were going to the parking lot and she then pressed 'B' in the elevator.

When we finally reached the floor, I told Benedict to follow. I'm sure now that he's already irritated since I didn't give him a chance to explain.

"Why did you act like that, Ethan? It's not like I did anything wrong." I kept my mouth shut as I took my car keys and looked for my car.

"Shut up." That was the only thing that I could come up with.

His gaze was fixated on me and I'm pretty sure that he was already weirded out by my actions. "Don't tell me that you like Claire?" 

"That's a weird thought you have, Benz." 

"It's not really weird if you think about it thoroughly."

Furrowing my eyebrows, I waved him off. "It is. So, just stop."

"I feel like you're growing to her already, you know?" He laughed once he saw my frown.

"Just get in the car."

"I can go home on my own. Thanks, but no."

He walked away but then returned once he saw me agreeing. He then gave me a pat on the back before cheekily smiling at me. "On second thought, let me go with you. Let's eat somewhere." 

I rolled my eyes at this and couldn't help but look at the car next to me. 

A red Lamborghini was parked in the wide parking lot. It wasn't mine but of course, whoever owns it was someone I'd envy for sure. Their car was right next to me. 

Admiring it a bit, Benedict noticed this and stood right next to me. 

"I would have let you drag me if that was your ride," Benedict told me with a smile as he looked at the car next to us. I just rolled my eyes, and at the same time, I looked at him badly.

"Just get in, stupid," I replied, irritated. He just laughed before going inside the passenger seat. 

I looked at the red Lamborghini but I quickly noticed that a guy was looking from afar as I did. The only thing that I did was smile and saluted before I went inside and started my car.

Even though the windshield of my car was tinted, I noticed that it was a guy. His car lit up and he was looking at our car before looking right at the window. He was also wearing a mask so I couldn't really tell who it was.

But, the thing is, I felt like I knew him. I don't know how or why.