"Ethan's point of view,"
"Ethan, explain to me why you have suddenly traveled to California." As soon as I answered the call, Grandma's query welcomed me. I don't know how my grandparents are informed of every activity I engage in.
Oh, I know the answer to this question well, so why am I having to work so hard to think of it? Who else except Steve could tell my grandparents all the information about me? I made it obvious to him that I didn't want any of my personal information shared, but even that was difficult for him to grasp.
"Have you put the phone to the side, or are you even paying attention to me?" My ears heard Grandma's irate voice once more.
"Yes, I am paying attention to you." I do not know how to respond to my grandmother's queries, to be honest.
"Tell me why you went to California without notifying me." When I heard her voice, I had the impression that she wouldn't hang up unless she got her answer.
"Because of a business meeting, I had to come to California right away," I replied, gulping down my saliva.
"Had a business meeting with Stella?" Her eagerness made it obvious that Steve had filled her in on every detail of my meeting with Stella.
Thank God I haven't spilled the beans to Steve about the troubles that I've been having with Stella; otherwise, he would've surely told my grandmother everything that's been going on.
What exactly did you say? I'm not sure if you and Stella spoke at all, but I seem to recall that you urged her to agree to some of your juvenile demands and that she gave you a harsh slap on the cheek in exchange. Miss Parker has a lot of bravery to answer your rude question on your cheek without being intimidated by you, I have to confess. My subconscious mocked me.
Stop your bullshit or you will fully understand my rage. I told my subconscious to remain silent.
Oh, where did your fury go when she smacked your cheek in front of everyone? This is the second time she has publicly insulted you in this manner.
Enough is enough; my subconscious has never argued with me in this way, and Stella Parker is to blame for everything.
"Did you ask her to marry you, Ethan?" My grandmother's exuberant voice stopped the fight that was raging inside of me.
"Please, Grandma, I am here to conduct business with her, not propose marriage," I answered in a grating tone.
"No matter what you do, Ethan, you can't fool your grandmother. Please tell me honestly how she responded to your proposal."
"Proposal?" My grandmother believes that if I propose to that girl, who is still refusing to sell me her land, she will accept. Why would that haughty girl want to marry me when she constantly humiliates me in front of everyone and never offers me an apology for her error?
All of her business partners want to sue her firm since I stopped working on the ongoing projects of her company in the middle of them. But up to this point, the girl has remained silent.
Why is she so unyielding? Why doesn't she express her regret to me directly? After all, what does she gain from suffering such torture?
I warned you she would not submit to you. I don't know why you have trouble understanding me. And how do you think she might consider getting married to you if she won't even sign a business agreement with an egotistical man like you? Stop talking trash and stop being rude. I feel like my mind has entirely gone astray after hearing my grandmother's words.
Why am I considering pointless things like marriage and proposals? Oh my God, I fear I'm about to lose my mind over this girl.
"Please let me know as soon as possible, Ethan, when you plan to meet her."
"Grandma, I have to go right away for a crucial meeting, but I'll let you know when I get back to New York how she responded to my proposal." I gave a reason for cutting off the call.
I have nearly bankrupted Miss Parker's business, so I don't see how that girl can still be so obstinate.
Is her ego so large that she doesn't even care about her business? I've been staring at my phone in my office for a while, waiting for her call.
When my phone makes any kind of notification sound, I automatically hope that she must have sent me a text or email. However, even after such a lengthy wait, I was very disappointed when I received no response from her. What does she think of herself, after all?
I began throwing the files on my office desk. That girl is making me tense in every way, and no matter what tactic I used to punish her, it does not work. What should I do to get her to accept responsibility for her error? This annoyance is too much for me. Because of that girl, I can not suffocate myself in this manner.
I need to vent the frustration I'm feeling.
What better way to relieve my annoyance than with whisky? I intended to have a whisky while seated at the bar counter. But as I drank more whisky, I thought more and more about Stella. After all, why doesn't that girl emerge from my mind? I cracked open the bottle of whisky and drank it all in one sitting.
She hasn't yet called me. What makes her so haughty?
"Oh, I see. His call is now necessary." My rage grew as I noticed the caller ID blinking on my mobile device. After all, what else could this man possibly want from me?
"Please tell me, my dear P.A. What kind of information do you want from me now?"
"Your grandmother, Mr. Woods..."
"Shhh. Steve, that's enough; stop blackmailing me in the name of my grandparents, or I'll dismiss you." I remarked, eyeing the whisky in the glass.
"Are you intoxicated, Mr. Woods?" He asked with a voice full of astonishment.
"Will you also notify my grandparents about this? So inform my grandparents. I'm Ethan Woods, and I have nobody to be frightened of. I always do what I like. That girl beat me because I was good at winning. I have wounded my pride. I'm not sure why, but ever since that girl entered my life, all I can think about is here. She has no fear of me. She doesn't talk to me without making eye contact, although everyone else avoids doing so out of fear. I'm drawn to that girl even though I don't want to, so there must be something wrong with her."
"Tell me which bar you're at, Mr. Woods, so I can get someone there to assist you." His voice reflected his worry.
"You merely need to let me know why you called; I don't need your help, "I asked in a furious tone.
"Mr. Woods, your grandmother's condition has gotten worse." He spoke in a hushed tone.
"What?
Idiot and you're telling me now?" All the whisky drunkenness in my thoughts vanished after listening to him.