Call from Destiny | COMPLETED | English

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: Just the Beginning of Love

C L A I R E

After the victory party, Ethan finally took me home.

All that ruckus still lingered in my head. My eyes were focused right on the street lights outside the car window. Thoughts were stuck in my mind when the same events repeat over and over again. Vanessa seems to despise me with all her life.

We barely met yet I felt like she knew me already.

The look on her face said it all. She wanted me out of her life. And the only way that she could do this was to convince Ethan to go back with her.

Of course, Benedict and Sam told us that they weren't going to take Ethan's car and might stay over a bit at the hotel before going home. Sam wasn't also in a good mood when she heard about Vanessa. It would be better for Benedict to have time to talk to Sam about what happened earlier too.

Though, I still told her that she'd call or message me if she wanted to talk or if she needed to tell me something. That's what best friends are for, right?

The ride back was quiet, neither of us spoke.

Silence filled the air and I could feel that Ethan wasn't really going to start the conversation. To lessen the tension inside, I tried to talk to him.

"Are you okay?" He became stiff once my hands touched his shoulder.

Ethan's eyes quickly turned to me and my heart almost broke into pieces once I saw the pain in his eyes before he shakes his head and focuses his gaze back on the road.

I was immediately surprised when Ethan decided to speak up. But, he was still looking at the road when he did. Yet the disappointment in his tone was so evident, I couldn't help but frown along.

"Maybe your best friend was right," he told me once the car stopped right in front of my house. We both sat there in the car, silent as we try to avoid each other's gazes. I didn't say a word though. I waited for him to speak again and finish what he was going to say.

"Maybe Sam was right. If only I hadn't promise Vanessa, maybe she wouldn't react this way. She wouldn't have assumed."

"Do you really think that I'd still be your girlfriend if you hadn't promised that you'd be with her as a big brother?"

"Why can't you be my girlfriend?" he asked me as I just gave him a cheeky smile. If he hadn't really promised that to her, he wouldn't have been here in the country in the first place. Though, he just stared at me, waiting for my answer.

"Well, for starters, you wouldn't have thought of going here in the Philippines." The look of realization on his face was evident and I couldn't help but stifle a laugh.

"Well, here we are," Ethan stated, looking out of the car window to see my house. The lights outside were already on so I could tell that my aunt was already waiting for me inside. My lips pursed at the thought of it.

At this point, I was sure that my aunt won't be much of a problem when it comes to letting Ethan take me out for a trip. But, I can't really guarantee that Vanessa won't be following Ethan wherever he goes. She's the type of girl who wouldn't stop until she ruins your relationship.

I sighed at that scenario. Ethan probably noticed the frown on my face since he suddenly cupped it with his hands and said the most precious thing someone could ever say to me.

"You always capture my heart, Claire Guanzon."

"You make me happy, Ethan," I replied but simply pulling away once I saw my aunt opening the gate. The only thing I could manage was a wave as I got out of the car. Though, I was quite shocked when Ethan opened the car window and called out my name again.

"I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" Aunt Mich just stared at us and I was so scared at this point. I know that she's going to suspect something if Ethan says something that can be related to a hangout. My aunt only lets me go with my friends whom she trusts for a long time.

But, instead of reacting badly, she told me to follow her after talking to Ethan. As soon as she walked back inside, my eyes widened, and went back to my boyfriend. Wait, this is unbelievable. My aunt lets me talk to him.

Ethan only smiled once I approached him again with a smile.

"So, it looks like your aunt doesn't seem to mind," Ethan told me as I shrugged. If she didn't react in any way, that always means that she lets me have time to talk with a friend or she had urgent matters to attend to.

I was hoping that it would be the first one.

"I hope that everything goes well," I answered and he immediately got what I was trying to say. He just put his hand on my cheek as reassurance. The only gesture I left was to close my eyes and meet his hands with mine.

We stayed there and a few moments later, he puts his hand down and finally laid it on the steering wheel. He then told me that he'll pick me up tomorrow for another date and that we should make sure to make the most of it while Vanessa isn't there to ruin it all.

I smiled and bid goodbye before walking back inside, hearing his car engine start and driving off right behind me. Deep in my heart, I was expecting my aunt to pop out and glare at me. But, she wasn't there.

She really did let me.

My eyes beamed in glee before going right inside the house and went upstairs to my room. The phone was still in my hands when it vibrated. A short text message almost made me want to jump and dance. Even though I didn't, I could feel the cheeks heating up when I did read his message for me.

Ethan | 09:47 PM

Goodnight, love.