Ally was still laughing at the doctor's joke when she saw the two men waiting for her at the entrance. She remembered their conversation, and she felt annoyed. Her face deadpan at the sight of them.
Ethan saw this shift and was perplexed by her reaction.
"Alright then, stay away from trouble and I hope to see you around, outside of the hospital of course," Dr. Artem said when they reached the men.
Ally turned to him and gave him a gentle smile. "Okay, see you."
The trio walked to the car and Ally turned around and saw the doctor still standing at the spot staring at her. She waved to him, hoping to give him the indication to go back inside, only he didn't wave back and it was like he was lost in thought.
The two men sat in the car waiting for her. Ethan observed her every move and felt the discomfort in his chest again. He knew the meaning of all this, but he was afraid to submit and break his promise.
The journey was uncommunicative, Toby thought he would have to work hard for the two at the back or maybe leave it to fate. He looked at Lexi sleeping soundly and smiled. She made him thrilled and he would be over the moon when she walked down the aisle with him soon.
He parked the car in front of Oakland Hill Mansion, got around the car, and lifted Lexi in his arms, and without looking back said, "I'll be back soon."
Ally raised her brows and figured he was talking to the man beside her. She opened the door and walked to the entrance of the house. She immediately halted, let out a heavy sigh, and turned back to the car. She went around to his side and knocked on the window.
Ethan looked up from his phone, he saw her standing there and his emotions were like a jacks ball let loose in a vacuum, touching every nerve in his body. He opened the door and stood in front of her.
Ally was tall, but he was much taller. Her 5-inch heels didn't help in this case either. She looked up at his emotionless face and froze. 'Bloody hell, God-like appearance, devil-like attitude!' She mused. She shook her head to clear those thoughts.
She mustered the courage to look at him without distractions and said, "Thank you."
"For?" Ethan knew what she was referring to, but he wanted the conversation to carry on.
She sighed within and thought, 'Is he a dimwit or playing a dimwit?'
Ally gave a tight smile and stressed, "Thank you, for handling the drunkard in the bar when I could not."
"Next time you shouldn't drink and dance like that if you don't want to attract men like him," Ethan said with twitching jaws.
'What in the world?' Ally thought. She couldn't believe that came out of his mouth. At this moment all her irritation that had subsided earlier was raised again. She said through gritted teeth, "I beg to differ. Not because a woman gets tipsy or dances a certain way gives a man the invitation to assault her. A woman can be walking in the streets wearing drapes touching the floor and a rapist would still decide to take advantage of her. Kids can be at home and still be sexually assaulted. If they communicate the word 'No', shouldn't they left alone, instead of constrained? Do we need to walk around with guns and chastity belts for perverts? It isn't right!"
Ethan watched her face red with anger, flaring arms pointing to his chest as she spoke and expressed her vexation. When she was finished conveying her opinions, she trembled like a leaf and panted like the gust of the hurricane.
Ethan understood she probably had encountered this situation before and was overwhelmed by all the memories. He did something, not of his character, he embraced her.
Ally stood stationary with arms to her sides. She was flabbergasted but didn't push him away.
Ethan exhaled and said, "There are terrible people in this world just waiting to get the opportunity to take advantage of the weak. You shouldn't give them the opening to do so. We can't control rapists but women should never leave themselves vulnerable in this vicious world and you are already at a disadvantage with strength. If you don't protect yourself no one will and that's the sad reality. This reality is hard without a doubt. Nobody is born a criminal, it's the environment and circumstances that push them in that direction. We can only change this dot by dot, educating the younger generation, until every dot creates a positive picture."
This was the most Ethan had ever let out in one conversation in his entire life. Those words were everything Ally had said to herself and a little extra. She linked her arms around his back under his suit jacket and sank her body into his while he stroked her back.
"Having to explain r*pe makes me furious," Ally whispered.
Ally listened to his heartbeat while Ethan nestled his nose in her hair, breathing in the scent of Cherry Blossom. They stood undisturbed like a lit candle, with their obstructive psyche burning and hearts melting.
Ally let go and stepped out of his embrace with flushed cheeks. Few strands of hair were stuck to her face and Ethan removed them. His hands lingered in her face and he caressed her cheeks with the back of his hands. They were looking into each other's eyes when Ally remembered the man in front of her had someone he loves already. The word romance was not in her dictionary and she was particularly not interested in being a third party.
She stepped further away, putting distance between them, and said, "I need to head in. Thanks again for tonight."
She turned around, walked away, and headed straight to her room with her heart leaping like a frog on leaves, approaching dangerous rapids.
*****
Lexi found she was being moved. She cracked her eyes and found she was in Toby's arms. She cuddled closer and rubbed her cheeks to his chest.
Toby placed his fiance on the soft bed and took off her high heels and placed them neatly by the closet. He took off her clothes diligently and covered her body with the quilt. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her cheeks. He then leaned over and kissed her forehead before saying, "I love you."
He walked out of the mansion and saw the brooding man with his back to the car, smoking again. He made a mental note to consult Lexi about his plan.
"Let's go," he said and slipped into the driver's seat.
Ethan got in the passenger seat and leaned on the headrest. Waiting for the lecture that his friend will give him, but it didn't come. Did he give up already?
"Where should I drop you off or are you spending the night?" Toby said instead.
Ethan said gruffly, "The Hotel is fine."
"How is Gia doing?" Toby asked.
"Last we spoke, she was okay," he said.
"Grandma sounds like she's having fun too. You know she enjoys being around youthful people. She always says she feeds on our energy," Toby said and chuckled.
"Hmm, true," Ethan grumbled.
"She will be back soon and then we will have the family feasts," Toby said, smiling like a clown.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I left her a surprise with Gia, to ensure she enjoys her last day before coming home," Toby said.
"You just don't want her to nag you about your marriage. Exactly when is this wedding?" Ethan asked curiously.
Toby rolled his eyes at him and said, "We will get married when we are ready."
Ethan clicked his tongue, shook his head, and said, "You mean when she is ready because you've been trying to persuade her for years."
Toby and Ethan grew up together in the same household. They are brothers, best friends, playmates, and cousins. Toby's mother is Ethan's father's youngest sister.
They had the connection to read each other's body language and emotional state. They were inseparable since childhood.
Toby let out an exasperated sigh and his voice thick, "Lexi thinks, she's not the epitome of health. She doesn't want me to suffer when she's gone."
"I thought she had been cured," Ethan said.
"He did, but Lexi is afraid she will have a relapse like the times before. Remember last year when I took her to Lotus Island, we had a huge argument because I had arranged a surprise wedding. I thought the reason she kept putting off the nuptials was that she wanted an intimate celebration. Boy, did I think wrong? That was when she let out the cannon on me. She ended things with me and left the next day alone. That's when I told you guys she wasn't feeling well to hold the ceremony. The days without each other were the hardest for both of us. She did indeed fell ill, and I was miserable...." Toby said.
He continued, "My biggest fear is losing her. Even though she is healed and we are unsure of the future, I don't want to not be beside her. Married or unmarried. But until she decides on marriage then I will not broach the subject."
"I wish you guys all the best. Although I know you have your reasons, Els will be disheartened. Her only wish is to witness her grandchildren's unions before she rests her young eyes," Ethan said looking out the window.
Toby smirked and asserted, "So maybe you should, what is the phrase again?"
Ethan looked at him and said, "Don't start your bullshit."
"Oh! 'Prendre la balle au bond', I can't wait to attend your wedding."
"Asshole I'm far from that. I don't even know when Is..." Ethan paused and exhaled, then added, "Are you suggesting I marry the air?"
"I'm implying that you think seriously about what you want because Ally is beautiful and she is sure to have many pursuers. The doctor is an excellent example. Would you rather have to challenge one rival or tens of them?"
"She doesn't seem like the type to date every man," Ethan replied confidently but deep within he was doubtful.
"You sound certain. Is it because she ignored you and didn't fall for your handsome face?" Toby said teasingly and saw the proof in Ethan's face.
He added, "Maybe she's just not interested in a fridge, but she will surely be curious about other men. After all, she will be joining their company and meet all levels of accomplished men."
The atmosphere in the car turned gloomy. Everyone is fighting their own battles and monsters. Some fight silently and some fight openly. The men in the car are the mum troopers.
_._._._
This is a topic close to me. R*pe is real, victims are hiding while perpetrators are roaming free. Teach youths the harsh reality and don't shelter them. Let's be each other's keepers and not leave each other vulnerable to victimization.
Honestly, my head hurts and my eyes are dry from editing this chapter.
Sorry, I didn't release it on Sunday as I promised but the good news is that I'll be publishing not just on weekdays but every day.