The Chance

Chapter 17

We sat out side of the café where they set up carpets on the sand with low tables so that instead of sitting on a chair you can comfortably sit on bean bags and throw pillows. Since it is already late in the evening there aren't much people around us. There are candles on each tables and the palm trees near us are wrapped by white Christmas lights.

I was drinking my black coffee, though I don't know if this is the right thing to do. Somehow I feel my heart beating fast, and I hope the coffee will not cause its rhythm to play faster. Ethan was seated across from me and was looking at me as if he is trying to figure out something. We haven't said a word since we came here.

I put down my mug and cleared my throat "So..." I began, "What brings you here?"

He took his time before answering, after a minute he replied, "I came for a meeting this morning for the new business I am planning."

I simply nod, at this point I really have nothing to say to him. I have been distancing my self to him for weeks and somehow sitting here with him, under the stars, surrounded by candle lights whilst drinking coffee with the crashing waves of the sea as the back ground music, is making the feelings I have been trying to ignore since I started acknowledging them is now crashing back up the surface slowly.

Ethan continue to linger his gaze at me and I cannot take it any more, I feel like I am drowning because of all the mixed emotions I have, so I drank all my coffee though it almost burnt my throat and stand up, "It's already late, I have to be early tomorrow to catch the first bus back to the city".

"No, you don't." Ethan said.

"What do you mean?" I raised an eye brow to him, not understanding his question.

"What I mean is that you are not going back to the city yet, you are coming with me tomorrow night for an important fund raising party."

"I - ahh..-WHAT?" my eyes went wide and felt a little panicky we are going to a party? He is taking me to a party? Why?

"There is a fund raising gala tomorrow night in the Palazzo Paladino Hotel and I want you to come with me."

I was speechless, I feel like I am going to snap at him any moment. I sat down and tried to collect my thoughts before answering this inconsiderate jerk.

I took a deep breath before speaking, "but I can't sir, first this is a very late notice so I have nothing to wear. Second, I have to go back in the office because I am scheduled to train the new batch of sales force we hired." I said.

"You don't need to worry about what you are going to wear. Second, I already assigned René in behalf of you."

"But--but I can't just abandon my job back in the office.." I tried to reason out. I can't do it. Its already hard for me to check on my emotion while I am sitting here with him!, I don't think I'll survive the whole evening with this stupid man who cannot seem to feel my irritation at the moment.

"Your job is to do what I tell you to do." He simply said, he sound calm but his eyes is slightly narrowed.

I grin my teeth before answering, "With all due respect sir" I started.

"Ethan" He corrected.

"With all due respect sir, don't I have any say on this?"

"Okay, so what do you say about it?"

"I ah.." I stammered.

"Well?" He asked, leaning by his elbow on the table.

I cleared my throat, "I say that you try to look for another da- um companion for the party tomorrow night."