Forbidden Freedom

Chapter 3

Nowadays

England

"Oh, the secretary from the main building wasn't lying," Selina sighs dreamily, drooling over Ethan for the past hour. "Mr. Lawrence is a walking sex appeal."

"Mr. Lawrence," I mutter to myself. "Why do you pretend to be someone else, Ethan? In our last meeting, you didn't even have the faintest idea of what art history was, and now you're lecturing on underrated abstract artists."

"Wipe off the drool, or you'll flood the auditorium," I retort to Selina, not really meaning to. She shoots me a glare, then abruptly turns away, biting her lip.

Damn it.

Whenever Ethan's around, everything goes haywire for me. It annoys me that I can't understand his intentions. Why did he barge into my life now when everything was slowly falling into place?

I close my eyes, recalling our last encounter.

The darkness of the corridor hides his face, only his heavy breathing betrays his presence. Blake inexorably advances towards me, but there's nowhere to retreat. Behind me is the brick wall of the clinic, where I have to spend my last night.

Just one damn night, but I can't even go a few hours without some adventure landing on my doorstep.

Fate tied me to Ethan Blake. That's probably why my life hasn't been peaceful since. Although it never was. All problems stem from guys.

My father abandoned me as a baby. My first school crush rejected me because of my big nose (by the way, that's why I had rhinoplasty as soon as I turned eighteen). Jeff used me, took my virginity, and dumped me. Liam got me hooked on drugs and completely shattered my psyche when I was most vulnerable.

And now Ethan...

My salvation within the suffocating walls of the loony bin and my very demise. Our connection went too far, and God knows I tried to end it. But Ethan, like a stubborn ram, refuses to give up and keeps pushing.

I should have stayed in my room and not come out. Although... I don't think a door or windows would have been barriers for him. Once he already managed to get into my room...

"So, you've decided to run away from me?" Ethan rasps in a low voice, blocking my way.

"I'm not running away, I've been discharged," I gulp nervously, trying to choose the right words so as not to completely set him off.

"You promised me..." he growls through gritted teeth.

"Ethan, I can't forever..." I try to interject, but I can't.

Blake slams his palm against the wall beside my head. I close my eyes, praying that the staff hears us. Otherwise, I won't make it out in one piece...

The noise of commotion and the fading footsteps awaken me from unwelcome memories. I open my eyes and notice my classmates hurrying towards the exit. Selina has vanished as if she was never here.

I sigh heavily. It seems she took offense at my sharp retort. I'll have to beg for her forgiveness once again. If Selina doesn't like something, she can be very stubborn and unforgiving.

I hastily toss all my belongings into my bag and prepare to bolt out of the auditorium faster than the remaining people, but suddenly I realize that the room is completely empty.

God, how much time did I drift off?

"I knew you'd want to linger," I hear a mocking voice at the door.

The click of the lock makes me jump. Lion has locked his cage along with me inside.

I gather my strength and defiantly lift my chin, meeting the heavy gaze of his blue eyes. He's hardly changed. Just as lifeless as his soul. Except maybe his body has improved. From the scrawny guy in a worn-out T-shirt, Ethan Blake has transformed into a moderately muscular man in an elegant tweed suit.

If I didn't know him, I'd mistake him for a British aristocrat. But unfortunately, I know him better than anyone.

"Ethan," I deliberately pause, mockingly bringing my hand to my mouth. "Oh, or Mr. Lawrence? How should I call you now?"

Blake squints in amusement and tilts his head. Hiding his hands in the pockets of his trousers, he leans his shoulder against the heavy wooden door of the auditorium and studies me intently.

His predatory habits both frighten and captivate me at the same time. Just like always. That's why I was foolish enough to fall for Ethan in the past. He's devilishly cunning, and that's what draws people to him.

All the girls in the clinic were ready to swoon over him, and the guys were afraid of him to the extent of avoiding him altogether. That's the power of Ethan Blake. And, unfortunately, once he set his sights on me.

"I prefer it when you call me 'babe.' Remember?" he grins, watching the lightning-fast changes in my expression. "Remember when you used to call me that? I remember everything," he slowly licks his lips. I feel like cringing at the sight.

"Ethan, what are you doing..." but some things never change.

Ethan doesn't like it when another character interrupts his scene. He doesn't finish, and he couldn't care less about your script or your lines. He has his own, and it's above everything.

"How sweet your moans sounded mixed with my name," he tosses his head back, laughing at the ceiling. "I came to hear it again, mon cheri."

My body involuntarily flinches at the nickname from the past. I gulp nervously and take a step back as Ethan peels himself away from the door and starts moving towards me.