Life after you

Chapter 3 - Do you know a girl named Ainsley?

Ethan

My mother spent the entire night annoying me to death with those fucking speeches about family and money that I had heard so many times before. I wasn't paying attention to any of it, keeping my eyes on Ainsley and my mouth full with sushi so I wouldn't have to speak. At the end of our dinner I told my mother I had to go to the bathroom so she would wait for me on the car. Easier than explaining I was practically stalking a girl I knew nothing about.  I waited until she left the restaurant and made my way to Ainsley's table. She was popping a cucumber maki on her mouth when she saw me hovering over her. The girl in front of her was smiling at me, a small, curious smile. She looked a little like Ainsley, but not nearly as beautiful.

- "What're you doing?" - she said with her mouth full and her hand covering the mess. I smiled at her surprise and said -"Just wanted to tell you I'm leaving, but I'd love to meet you later for a drink?" I raised my eyebrows, waiting for a response 

- "Who are you, again?" - Said the other girl

- "Sorry, Ethan" - I extended my hand, she took it - "I met your...sister?" - I said quizzically . She smiled and nodded her head no - "Cousin. Riley." - She clarified

"Right, your cousin. I met her near Samsung, earlier today" I explained

- "Did you, now? Well, Ethan" - She rested her elbows on the table and turned to face me, tipping her chin up - "We are meeting my man after for a drink. You are welcome to join us, right A?"

Ainsley was no longer chewing her sushi and had her mouth hanging open, looking between her cousin and me, with a panicked look in her eyes, completely transparent, I could see everything she was thinking just looking at her eyes.

- "Right." - Ainsley said flatly.  - "Right!" - She repeated, more excited this time. She smiled at me, politely.

- "Okay, well I have to go now, but... let me know where." - I said, leaving them and walking towards the bar. I spotted the manager and signaled him to approach me.

 - "Mr. Kerrington, how may I help you this evening?" - The manager said, suddenly nervous.

- "Good evening, do you see the table in the middle, with those two beautiful ladies?" - I asked quietly, gesturing their way. He nodded, and I proceeded - "Well, I will be covering their bill, and would love it if you could send the best dessert you have once they've finished, with a note."

 - "Of course, sir, it will be done as you say sir" - He said with an exaggerated smile and too many hand movements. 

I grabbed a pen from my blazer and waited for him to hand me paper. He gave me a small note with the restaurants logo immediately, and I wrote: "I will make sure this is an evening to remember, love. EK" I handed him the note and two 100€ bills and left quickly, before my mother could start complaining too much. 

As I was exiting the car, in front of my apartment, after leaving my mother, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and smiled. It had to be her. 

AINSLEY: What the hell, did you just pay our bill??

Shit. She was mad? 

ETHAN: Yes...

AINSLEY: I don't know u. Why would u do that?

ETHAN: Just trying 2 b nice.

AINSLEY: Don't do it again!

ETHAN: Really? U against men offering things or something?

AINSLEY: Yes.

ETHAN: Oh, hell. That could be a problem.

AINSLEY: Why is that? 

ETHAN: I don't intend to let u pay for shit when u're with me. 

AINSLEY: What makes u think I'll be spending time w u anyway??

ETHAN: I'll make sure of it. Where are u?

AINSLEY: On my way to LUX.

ETHAN: K, wait for me at the door. I know the owner.

I waited a bit longer, but there was no response, so I just laughed and called an uber. No way I'll be driving tonight. This girl, she seems different. And not really the party type, so I wonder why she's going to LUX. That club his huge and full of bad shit. A lot of drugs, some great music, but the ambiance isn't really great with all the cocaine and acids. I arrived in about 15 minutes and the line was huge. I scanned it for Ainsley and Riley but didn't see them.  I got to the door and Immediately saw Joanna with her short curly hair and red lip telling a group of guys to get lost. She was scary. The scariest bouncer I'd seen, and skinny and tiny didn't make her look less intimidating. 

 - "Oh dear God, I cannot believe my eyes!" - She said the moment she looked at me - "Could it be? Ethan Kerrington, returns!" I laughed at her reaction and gave her a peck in the cheek.

 - "Jo, baby, do you know a girl named Ainsley?" She looked at me with wide eyes and then snorted. - "Yes baby I do. And please, please tell me you are not here for her" - She begged, looking up at my eyes. Why? Shit, that's not good.

 - "Sorry, can't do that. I am here for her. Why?" She looked down, with a sad expression.

- "Babe, that girl is no good for you right now. Especially not here. She shouldn't even be here tonight E."

- "Why the hell not?" - I was mad now. I like Jo, but I don't appreciate the meddling. 

- "E, come on, I'm just trying to help, don't get all defensive one me. Noah Newark, the DJ." - She explained.

 - "What about him?" - I asked, loosing my patience.

- "They were together, E. Didn't end well." - Wait, what? Noah Newark was an asshole, and I remember being here less than 3 months ago, and seeing him all over a girl that was definitely not Ainsley.  - "How long ago?" - I asked her.

- "They broke up last month" - She said, understanding my meaning, no doubt. 

- "That's enough, Jo. He obviously cheated on her, so I'm glad she dumped his ass. Doesn't really stop me."

- "No, Ethan. He kicked her out." - WHAT? This makes no sense, and my blood is starting to boil at this point. Joanna definitely noticed because she pulled me aside before explaining the rest. - "Ethan, that guy broke her. I like her, she's a sweet girl, but she is a mess right now. He played her and made her feel like it was her own fault. She doesn't know about the cheating. She thinks it was all her, but she doesn't want him back. She's free of him and she stopped coming here, until tonight. Her cousins are close friends of mine. They pulled her out of the gutter, and she is getting better, but that shit was fucked up. You need to stay away. Plus, Noah is a fucking lunatic and he'll probably feel like he still has a fucking claim on her or something. Don't go creating more drama for that girl, E."

I stopped and looked at her. What she said made sense, sure. But I don't think I can stay away. I want to know her, I want to hear that sweet voice of hers, I want to look at those eyes. I can't leave.

- "Jo, I get it." - I grabbed her hand an squeezed it - "I dig this. That you have her back. I won't cause trouble, I promise. I just want to talk to her, okay?" She smiled and shook her head.

 - "Does anyone say no to you, Ethan?" - I grinned at her and gave her a quick hug, then headed inside.