Could It Be You? |✓

(10) The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Dedicating this chapter to @fairiedreams, who is a fan of Ethan (as in the name). Hope you'll like this chapter (:

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"You're not gonna invite me in?" Matt asks playfully, which only makes Emma's cheeks grow red. He glances at her with a crooked smile from the driver seat, half his face hidden under shadows, the other half illuminated slightly by rays from the streetlight. 

"Stop it, Matt," she warns, giving him an unamused look. 

"Just kidding, Em. Have a good night." He reaches an arm over to unbuckle the seatbelt for her, which Emma thinks is totally unnecessary given that she can do it on her own. 

Still, she breaks into a smile because she cannot deny that it has been an enjoyable day. And it couldn't have been hard to tell, but this man revives feelings that she hasn't had in some time. For now, though, she will sit on it and see how things go.

She alights and waves him goodbye. 

"See you at work tomorrow?" he says, bending to see her through the window. Emma nods as she brings a rogue strand of her to the back of her ear. The car pulls out of the driveway and is soon out of sight. 

Finally, after what seems like a long while, Emma collects her thoughts. She inhales deeply then turns left from where she stands, heading not to her apartment, but to the bar, where there is someone else she has to meet.

* * * 

"Hey," Emma says as she sits down on a high-chair. Slow jazz plays in the background, casting the place in forlornness.

The man seated beside her turns and returns the smile, even though she could tell it was only for show. Sure, his lips curved, but the muscles barely moved. The dullness in his eyes tells it all.

"Hello Em." His baritone voice is gentle and familiar, yet with a streak of weariness and sadness that is foreign. Immediately, remorse kicks in as Emma realises she should have gone to him straight.

"It's over with Sarah." he finally says, "I'm done with that toxic relationship." And even though Emma isn't too surprised, she feels sorry for him. There is a point, after all, when she believed that they could work. She knows that Sarah has never been one short of suitors, and she has never been one to settle, but the fact that she stuck to Ethan for 3 years was proof that she treated their relationship as something serious.

"I'm sorry about this," Emma says softly. "Do you want a hug?"

Ethan glances at her and grins, "Of course." He moves forward and wraps his arms around her, and it reminds Emma of the same kind of embrace that had comforted her 5 years ago, only this time, the roles switched. She hugs him tightly, and she could feel the warmth from the nape of his neck.

"Thanks," He says. "But don't worry about me. I've pretty much also expected this. I love you Em."

They tear away from each other, but he inches himself back in and moves his face right in front of hers - so close that Emma could smell the alcohol in his slow and even breath. He narrows his eyes on her.

"So how was your date? Did he kiss you?" He teases and reveals his white and straight teeth.

"I was so sad you abandoned me for some other guy, so your date had better be worth it."

Emma returns his question with a face of horror, then rolls her eyes. She takes a sip from her glass of liquor, then palms his face and pushes him away. Ethan chuckles as she does so and she could feel the light puffs of air on her hand. 

* * * 

Emma drapes a blanket over the sleeping boy on her sofa, the one who had laughed with her and laughed at her for the decade. She runs her fingers gently along the edge of the nose, as she recalls a fateful night from 3 years ago.

She had walked into the bar, and Ethan was already seated at the same spot, on the high chairs at the counter, waiting for her. She approached him carefully because he had not sounded right over the phone.

"Hello? You alright? Did something happen?" Emma asked, concerned. She was not used to seeing him upset. The upset one had always been her.

"Something happened." He admitted. He let out a huge sigh and buried his face in her shoulders, and Emma patted him on the back, wondering what on earth went on. He had been fine in the morning. Seconds later, however, it struck her.

"She ... rejected you?" She asked cautiously. He had told her he was going to ask Sarah today. He was going to ask to date her officially. Emma immediately searched her mind for words to say to comfort a rejected friend. He had been pretty into this girl, the one they met at Alice's wedding. They had progressed well. She had known that dating was only a matter of time for them.

"I'm sorry about that, Ethan..." she began.

"She said yes."

"Don't be so dejected, you can always try ag - Wait what?"

She pushed him away and stared at him in shock. By now, she could see that the upset on his face just moments ago was gone. Instead, he was grinning from ear to ear. She had been fooled.

Emma was not amused by his prank.

"Ethan!" she shrieked. Before she could say more, however, he grabbed her by her waist and lifted her, swinging her around in happiness.

"WOOHOO! Sorry to abandon you babe, but I'm attached now!"

She threw him fists and chided him for lying, but he did not bother. He finally released her and turned to Max the bartender, mouthing "She said yes!". Max laughed and gave him a thumbs-up. He did not even notice her glaring at him - he was totally unaware. Ethan then cupped her face with his big hands and planted 4 kisses onto her forehead, to her utter disgust and shock.

She had cursed him in her head. She had betted that they'd break up in no time, because Sarah was such a player.

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I wonder if you guys prefer Matt or Ethan? (: Do leave your comments down below!