•The Journey•

Chapter 14: We Meet Again

"Hey !" I finally call Ethan after two weeks we've returned from the trip. I can't even count how mang times I have stopped myself from doing this.

But now, I can't.

"Hey hiee. How are you?"he says in an excited voice.

"I'm good boss. What about you?"

"I'm fine." he says.

"Umm Ethan?"

"Yeah ?"

"I wanted to ask you something. Don't reply if you don't want to."

"Yes , I meant that day what I said."he says in a low voice.
He already knew what I wanted to ask.

"In that way?" I ask him because it was hard to believe it.

"Yeah the same way, I guess."he says.

I blush and thankfully he can't see me. I didn't know what else to say.

"Can we meet?"

"Sure whenever you're free."he says

"I'll text you."I tell him.

After taking to him, I go to my dad's room.

Mom and Dad already know about Ethan. Not much but only that I kind of have feelings for him. I go and tell them that I'll be soon meeting him and the smile on their face was brighter than any star. Maybe because they always wanted me to see someone and get over Jace.

And I guess, I am happy too.

So as planned, we'll be meeting on the coming Sunday at a cafe.

I dress up the best I can.

I was very very nervous and could feel butterflies in my stomach. I left the house before time because I didn't want to be late by any chance. I went by an Uber.

When I reach there, Ethan is already waiting for me outside the restaurant.

Looking as jaw dropping as always.
Dressed in black shirt and black trousers, "Hey!"he comes towards the car and opens the door for me .

We walk towards the restaurant. I walk ater him.He opens the door of the restaurant and turn towards me,

"You first." he says. I laugh and say,

"Yes boss."

He looked so different today. He was acting different too. However, I love this new Ethan more!

"So what would you like to order Mia McCoy?"he says and looks at me. I try not to blush.

"Anything that you'd like Ethan Baker."

"Ahhaaa okay."he says and orders for both of us.
Halfway through the meal I say," Well, I called Jace."

"When ?"he asks.

"Three days after we returned."

"Oh, great. "he says.

"Won't you ask what did he say?"I tell him.

He immediately says,'Uh, I am sorry. I thought you wouldn't want to tell me."

"I'd tell you everything boss."I say and smile.

"Flirting with your boss?" he says and giggles. I laugh because i didn't know what to say. It was so awkward today. My first date was even less awkward than this one. But, are we on a date?
After a minute, he says,
"What did y'all talk about?"

*Call with Jace*
"Hey."

"Hi Mia. How have you been?"he says.

"I'm doing good. What about you ?"

"I'm pretty fine."

"Why after all this time?" I ask before I could realize.

After a pause he says,"Umm simply."

"Okay."

"Yeah."

"How's Claire?"I ask. And then I immediately regret.

"I am so sorry Mia."he says softly.

"Yeah , its okay." I say. I wanted to cry.

"I shouldn't have done that."he says.

"Its alright Jace." I say and take a deep breath.

"How do you know about her?"

"I met her ex-husband." I don't tell anything else about Ethan."

"Anyways I gotta go."I tell him.

"Yup , bye. Take care."

"Oh,good that you spoke to him."Ethan says.

"Yeah. Thanks to you." I say.
He smiles and winks.
"Ummm Mia ?" I look at him. I know where this conversation was going. I had mixed feelings- happiness and anxiety.

"I meant what I said that day."he says while his cheeks turn pink.

"In that way?" I confirm.

"What way?"he says and I am sure he knows exactly what I mean.

Asshole.

"Ummm as in...."

Before I could complete my sentence he says,"The same Ms. Mc Coy."

"Uhh okay."

"Okay? You know I haven't felt something like this for a long time now.

"I know.But..."

"We had spent just two days and I already fell for you. And that's why I even avoided you after we kissed."

"As in ?"

"I thought it wasn't the right time for us. Both of us needed healing before we give away ourselves to someone else."he says and looks down.

"I do have mutual feelings, Ethan. But I'm just not ready for all of this again. And, I guess, you're not too." I tell him.

Though I love him so much. But I am scared. What if this too doesn't end well and destroys me even more?

"I know. I know.Take your time.."he says and keeps his hand on my hand.

I smile and say,"Okay boss."

He throws a tissue at me and we laugh.