Love Encounter

Chapter II

The sound of my alarm starts off my day. I turned off my annoying alarm clock and lifted my body to sit on the bed. I looked at the time. It's 6 am. I quickly got up, put on my slippers and went outside.

What is that smell? Is something burning?

I hurried downstairs and saw Ethan panicked as he try to put out the fire in the stove. I rushed towards the kitchen and took out the fire extinguisher inside a cabinet. I pulled the pin, aim at the fire, and pressed. Seconds later, the fire is out. Ethan and I both catch our breath.

"Sir, I-I'm truly sorry." Ethan said. "I was trying t-to cook something for you b-but..."

"It's okay." I smiled. "I understand. But don't do anything like this again okay?"

He frowned and nodded.

"Help me clean up this mess then I will teach you how to cook."

"Really?" His expression turned to joy quickly. I nodded.

He took the burnt pan and looked at it. This pan is hopeless. It must be replaced already.

"Dispose that pan already. We cannot cook anything on that anymore." I said.

He threw the pan inside the trashbin. I took another pan and took out a pancake mix, egg, bowl, beater, butter, and bacon. I started making the pancake batter while I explain to him the process. After instructing him on what to do, I let him do the rest while supervising him. I observed him carefully. His taller than me now that I observed thoroughly. His height is approximately 5'10. I beg for justice to my 5'6 height. My height isn't that short. But standing beside me like this, I definitely look short.

"Is this good enough?" He asked as he cook the bacon.

"Yeah. It's perfect." I replied. "Serve them here now."

He turned off the heat. I held the plate while he scoop the bacon out of the pan. The delicious aroma of the pancake and bacon started a war on my stomach. I am very famished.

We served the breakfast at the table. He guided me on a seat and put two pancakes and bacon on my plate. He did so too on his plate.

"Shall we dig in?" I asked and he nodded.

Without any words, we ate. I finished eating first. I looked at him enjoying the delicacy on his plate. Seeing him happy like this made me happy as well.

I looked around me and found my gaze at the clock. It's 7:30 already! My work starts at 9am. I can't be late. I stood up and caught Ethan's attention.

"I'll take a bath already." I said. "Please wash the dishes for me."

"Sure." He said and loked at the clock. He knows for sure what is going on.

I hurried to the stairs and stopped halfway. I looked back at him.

"After washing the dishes, please take a quick bath and dress something presentable. I'll meet you at the living room, okay?"

He agreed and I hurried back to my room and took a bath. After taking a shower, I dried myself with a towel and rushed towards my closet. Blue seems good today. I took out a blue coat and pants and laid them on the bed. I also took out a white polo and threw it on the bed as well. I dressed quickly. While buttoning my polo, my phone rang. It's Ken. I answered the phone and put it on loud speaker.

"Yo." I greeted.

"Hey where are you?" He asked. "Normally, you arrive here at this time."

"Sorry. Something happened. I'll explain later." I said while fastening the last button of my polo. "Anyway, is everybody there already?"

I put on my tie and secured it around my neck. I grabbed my coat, briefcase, and phone and dashed outside my room.

"No, there are some who are not yet here." He said. "But I just want you to take note of the time. We will start soon already."

I went downstairs while buttonning my coat. As I lift my head inside the living room, Ethan was standing waiting for me. His hands are tucked inside his pockets. He is wearing a white polo with long sleeves. His hair all fixed up and looking neat. And his gaze piercing through my eyes.

"Hello? Hello?" Ken said.

"Oh hey sorry. What's that again?" I asked.

Ethan moved closer to me. I stood still frozen at my place. Ken let out a big sigh at the other end of the line.

"I said hurry up." He said then hung up.

My eyes are so fixed at Ethan that I did not even notice he hung up already. He is now in front of me.

"Who was that?" He asked.

I slowly pulled away my phone from my ears and looked at it.

"It's Ken, my boss." I said before putting my phone back in my pocket.

He slowly moved closer to me. I am completely immobilized at this point. What is going on with me? He grabbed the briefcase from my hand and stepped back.

"Let me carry this for you." He said.

"T-Thank you." I said.

There was a short pause until I got back to my senses.

"Come on. Let's get in the car."

We went outside and locked the door. We proceeded towards my car. I pressed a button from my car key. My car flashed signalling us that the door are now unlocked. Before I could open the door, a hand rushed and got the knob before me.

"Let me." Ethan said.

"Thank you." I smiled.

He opened the door and I went in. He walked around the car and sat at the passenger seat beside me.

"You're taking me with you at your work?" He asked.

"Yup. Is it okay?" I said while starting the engine.

He nodded. "I got no problem with that."

And just like that, we took off.