Falling for you ×Ethan Torchio×

Date

As I started cleaning the tables and sweeping the floor, I heard the bell chime. Ethan had come back.

"Need a hand?" he offered.

"No, it's okay. I just need to finish up here," I replied.

"Let me help," he insisted, grabbing the mop from my hands.

After we finished cleaning, we stepped out of the café, and I locked the door.

"I'm sorry you had to help me," I apologized.

"Don't worry about it. I wanted to," Ethan replied, his eyes meeting mine.

"So, would you like to walk or take my scooter?" he asked.

"Where are we going?" I wondered.

"It's up to you," Ethan said with a smile.

I had always wanted to ride on a scooter, but I was afraid to admit it.

"You've never been on a scooter before, have you?" Ethan guessed.

I nodded shyly.

"Don't worry. I'll hold you tight," he assured me, leading me to his scooter.

As I sat behind him, Ethan showed me how to position my legs and put the helmet on my head.

"Put your hands around my chest," he instructed, before starting the engine and taking off.

During the ride, I marveled at the unfamiliar scenery and the sensation of Ethan's warmth against me.

As we approached our destination, Ethan caught my gaze in the rearview mirror and smiled.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, perplexed.

"Everything's perfect," he replied, glancing back at me once more. "We'll be there in five minutes."

"I wish we could keep riding," I sighed, pouting.

"Don't worry. There'll be plenty more scooter rides to come," Ethan promised, his eyes lighting up with joy.

We stood on the cliff where Ethan had brought me. He spread a blanket on the ground, and we sat down, gazing at the breathtaking view.

"Tell me something about yourself," Ethan said, turning to me. "I only know your name and where you work."

I chuckled. "Well, I'm 20 years old, and I'm not sure what to say about myself. You should ask me something specific."

"Okay," he replied. "Where were you born? You don't seem Italian."

"I'm from y/country. I was born there and moved here just a month ago," I said.

"Why did you move here?" Ethan asked.

"I didn't feel like y/c was my home. So, I decided to explore other places," I replied, looking out at the vast expanse of the sea.

"And do you feel like you've found your home here?" he inquired.

"In the apartment where I stay, not really. But I'm starting to realize that home is not a place, it's a feeling. So, I'm trying to find it," I said, looking at him.

Ethan smiled at me. "Now it's my turn. I'm Ethan Torchio, 22 years old, and I play the drums in a band. It's your turn to ask me something."

I was curious. "What's the name of your band?"

"Let's talk about that on our next date, alright?" Ethan grinned mischievously.

I returned his smile. "That's a strange way to ask me out, but I like it."

Suddenly, I felt the need to ask Ethan a question that had been on my mind for a while. "Ethan, I don't mean to bring it up on our date, but what happened to David's parents?"

"It's alright," he replied, his smile fading slightly. "My step-sister and her husband left him when he was just a year old."

"And you and his grandpa are the only ones who can take care of him?" I asked sympathetically.

"No, I have five sisters and two brothers who could take him in, but they don't want to. I love spending time with him, though. He's like a tiny dog," Ethan said, chuckling.

I observed the love in Ethan's eyes when he spoke about David. He cared for him deeply. "Have you thought about taking him home with you?" I asked.

"I have, but it's not that simple. With rehearsals, tours, and interviews, it's hard to take care of him," Ethan said, looking at me.

"Tomorrow you have rehearsals. Why don't you leave David at the café while you practice, and then you can pick him up afterward?" I suggested.

Ethan hesitated. "I can't let you take care of him. It's not your responsibility."

"That's alright, but please consider it. It would be a lot easier for his grandpa, and you, too," I said, hoping he would take me up on my offer.

"I'll think about it, but I can't promise anything," Ethan said, his eyes wandering back to the magnificent view before us

We talked for hours, lost in our conversation, until we realized it was already 2 in the morning and I had work the next day. "We should probably go now. It's getting late, and you need to be up early," Ethan said. I didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to. Watching Ethan wrap the blanket and store it in the scooter compartment made me smile.

As we rode back to my apartment, we were both quiet, but we stole glances at each other through the mirror and smiled. I held on to him, feeling his heartbeat against my palms.

When we arrived at my building, Ethan looked concerned. "This place doesn't seem safe for a girl like you," he said, scanning the area strewn with empty and broken alcohol bottles. "I know, but nothing has happened to me so far. I'll be fine," I reassured him, but he still seemed worried.

"Do you know your neighbors? Are they good people?" he asked. "Some of them drink, some fight, maybe some use drugs. But nothing bad has happened to me. I'm good for now. When I find something better, I'll move," I replied, hoping to comfort him.

Ethan's concern deepened when he found out that some of my neighbors catcalled me and banged on my door. He insisted on checking the hallway to make sure everything was okay. The smell of alcohol was stronger than before, and I could see that it bothered Ethan, but I tried to act as if everything was normal. We went upstairs, and I showed him that I was safe.

"I'll be fine, Ethan. You don't have to worry," I said, hugging him tightly. "If anything happens, I'll call you."

"Okay, be safe," he said before leaving.