Hippocrates Hospital, two days after.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the office?"
Ashton was looking irritatedly at Ethan, who had come to visit him in the hospital. Mia and Ethan had used this chance to force Ashton to stay in the hospital for a few more days to recuperate. Ashton was a workaholic, and he rarely took rests. This was one of the reasons that he had caught a fever during the hike, as his body was really at its limits.
"Of course I come to check on you. Besides, it's almost the end of office hours, and I'm the president, I can do what I want." Ethan gave a gloating smile at his best friend. He knows that Ashton didn't like to be kept in the hospital, but they have to do this to prevent Ashton from putting strain in his body. Who did he think he was? A robot? Shouldn't he know that 'Health is wealth.'
"How are you feeling?" Even though Ashton was giving him a sharp look, he ignored it and seriously asked about his condition.
"I told you I am fine." Ashton was annoyed with his situation. He really wants to get out of this bed and go to work, he hadn't worked for two days and he was feeling restless. Not only did they make him stay in the hospital, they even took away his phone and didn't let him contact his assistant. So now, he couldn't even get updated about his work. How annoying it was!
There was a reason why Ashton was obsessed with work and being at the top. He wanted to take his mind off from remembering someone. Someone who had been missing for almost 10 years. He did find her accidentally six years ago, but she slipped from him again, before he could ask the reason why she had left him and ran away from him.
No, that was not entirely true. She did not only run away from him; she ran away from her family and from all people who know and care for her, and he would like to know why.
But years passed by and the girl didn't show herself even once. While thinking about the girl that ran away, suddenly another girl's face popped into his mind. Before he could ponder deeper about the girl, Ethan spoke and broke his stupor.
"If you said so. Take this time to rest your body and mind. You know we are all worried about you. Shouldn't you take a breather?" Ethan gives Ashton a pointed look, he knew Ashton understood what he was trying to say. Ethan then proceeded to sit on the couch and puts one of his legs on the other and shook it uncontrollably.
Ashton looked at Ethan unamused, but then he noticed Ethan's behavior and he immediately knew that there was something in his friend's mind.
"Why are you here, exactly?" Ashton narrowed his eyes and questioned.
"Actually, I have something to tell you. That's why I came here," Ethan said nervously. He put his leg down, sat straight. He inhaled and exhaled slowly, while rubbing his hands together.
"What is it?" Asked Ashton, looking at Ethan, who was nervous, he was curious.
Ethan faced Ashton and said, "I want to propose to Tiana on our fifth year anniversary."
Ashton's face immediately eased, and he gave a pleased smile to Ethan.
"About d*mn time! Congratulations," Ashton said. He gestured for Ethan to come to him so he could give Ethan a hug as a congratulation.
Ethan stood up and walked to Ashton, and gave him a hug. "It's too early for congratulations, I haven't popped the question yet."
Ashton gave him a disapproving look. "Did you not have confidence in yourself? The way you guys throw dog food at us, I doubt that Tiana would reject you. It makes me sick looking at both of you being lovey dovey all the time."
"You think so?" Ethan smiled sheepishly. It was true that whenever he was with Tiana, he couldn't help himself. The girl really had him wrapped around her fingers. He had the most beautiful, outstanding girl with him, how could he resist her? He felt so lucky to have met Tiana and he was glad that his family also accepted their relationship.
Ethan then looked at Ashton and asked teasingly, "Sick of us being lovey dovey or are you jealous?" Ethan then changed his tone and with a seriousness in his voice he said, "Ashton, it's been years. How long has it been? 9 years? 10 years? I think you should move on now."
"I know. I will. Actually, I already have…. let it go." Ashton said.
'If you love someone, set it free, if it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was. It's been 10 years, I guess it was never meant to be.'
"Really?" Ethan was doubtful about Ashton's claimed.
"Yes. Forget about me, so what's your plan for the proposal?" Ashton asked to change the topic.
Ethan was giving him a disdainful look for trying to change the topic.
But Ashton just ignored the look that Ethan gave him, "Come on, tell me," he said.
This was going to be a big deal, not only for Ethan, but also for their families. Ashton could already picture his mother and godmother planning Ethan's wedding, or in fact, they might already have all sorts of plans in their minds.
It was going to be a big event for their families. But will this be good news or bad news for him?
He was a few months older than Ethan and his family had been worried about his relationship status, but they couldn't do anything about it.
"Well… it's going to be our anniversary, so I was thinking of taking Tiana on L'amor to go to Coral Bay." Ethan proceeded to tell Ashton about his plans for the proposal.
"Seems like you have everything planned out. Is there anything that you need help with?" Ashton genuinely wanted Ethan to be happy, and he saw how bright Ethan's face was when he talked about the proposal. He was glad that one of them at least have a happy love life.
"You don't mind if I use L'amor for my proposal?" Ethan asked.
"Tch, that yacht is yours as much as it is mine. You can do whatever you like."
L'amor was the yacht that was owned by both Ethan and Ashton since they were teenagers. They would spend their summer on the yacht exploring the seas, and having some time away from their busy schedule.
"Do you want to see the ring?" Ethan asked excitedly, like a child.
"Let's see. Show me how you will ask the question." Ashton playfully said, only with Ethan can he be playful, in contrast to how he portrayed himself to an outsider.
Ethan took out a blue velvet box from his suit jacket. Before he could open the box and showed the ring to Ashton, Ashton said mischievously,
"No. No. You have to role play how you'll ask Tiana to marry you." Ashton said, while grinning.
Ethan's mouth twitched, but he still did what Ashton asked of him. Well, he should practice, right? Practice made perfect.
Thus, Ethan straightened his suit jacket, kneeling on one knee, opened the red velvet ring box and showed it to Ashton.
*knock
*knock