Another bright new day dawned in Ethan's room, where the window was opened to let in the warm sunlight. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the plants on the windowsill, casting a serene ambiance.
Ethan lay in bed, his eyes still closed, as the soft morning light danced across his face. His sister's voice broke the tranquility, "Ethan, wake up! You have another blind date today."
Ethan groggily opened his eyes, his expression unenthused. "Do I have to?"
His sister's response was firm, "Yes, you do. It's good for you, Ethan. You need to get out there and meet new people."
Upon hearing his sister's reply, Ethan said, "Don't worry about the blind dates, sis. I've got this covered. By the end of the month, I'll bring a lady home myself."Ethan's sister beamed with excitement, "Really, Ethan? You'll find someone on your own? That's great news!"
Ethan nodded, relieved that his sister was no longer pushing him to go on blind dates. "Yes, I promise. Just give me some time."
His sister patted his hand, "Okay, dear. I trust you. I just want to see you happy. And I'll have a daughter-in-law soon!"
She continued to pamper him, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. You just focus on finding the right person. I can already imagine how wonderful it'll be to have a daughter-in-law. She'll be like a sister to me!"
Ethan's lips curved into a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He felt a sense of relief wash over him, grateful that his sister had finally backed off about the blind dates.
As he lay in bed, he made up his mind. He would find a woman, but not for love. He would propose a contract: a few months of marriage, and then a quiet divorce. No messy emotions, no heartbreak. Just a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Ethan's mind began to whirl with the practicalities. He would need to find someone who was willing to agree to such a contract. Someone who didn't believe in love, or perhaps someone who was in a difficult situation and needed his help.
He thought about his wealth and influence, and how he could use it to find the perfect candidate. A business arrangement, nothing more.
Ethan's smile grew wider, but still didn't reach his eyes. He was convinced that this was the perfect solution. No more blind dates, no more awkward encounters. Just a simple, straightforward contract.
After the discussion with his sister, Ethan got dressed up with the help of James. They headed to a cafeteria for a meeting with a client. Two hours later, the meeting ended, and James and Ethan decided to stay and discuss the company's affairs over a drink.
As they sat sipping their coffee, Isabella and Sophia walked into the cafeteria. Isabella's eyes widened in surprise when she spotted Ethan, and she considered leaving. But she thought to herself, "Why should I run away from him just because I dislike him?"
Sophia, oblivious to the tension, led the way to the only available seats, which happened to be next to Ethan and James. They had no choice but to sit down, and an awkward silence fell over the group.
Ethan, looking dashing in his attire, caught Isabella's eye, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself. James, sensing the unease, attempted to break the ice with some small talk, but the atmosphere remained strained.Isabella and Sophia sat down, and after ordering their drinks, Sophia asked, "So, how were your blind dates? Any interesting stories?"
Isabella's expression turned exasperated. "Honestly, Sophia, they were all a mess. But I have to tell you, the last one... ugh, it still makes my blood boil."
Sophia leaned in, sensing the intensity of Isabella's emotions. "What happened?"
Isabella's voice dripped with disdain. "He was arrogant, condescending, and incredibly rude. I tried to give him some health advice, suggesting he should eat foods rich in omega-three vitamins, but he shut me down."
Her voice took on a mocking tone. "Oh no, his doctor says this, his doctor says that. He kept repeating it like a mantra, like I'm some kind of idiot who doesn't know anything."
Isabella's words were laced with hurt and indignation, her emotions still raw from the encounter. Sophia listened intently, her expression sympathetic.
Although they weren't talking loudly, Ethan and James could still hear their conversation clearly. Ethan's eyes locked onto Isabella, his expression unreadable, as he listened to her scathing description of their encounter. James, too, seemed engrossed in the conversation, his eyes fixed on Isabella with interest.As Sophia glanced over at Ethan, she noticed him sitting in a wheelchair, his eyes fixed intently on Isabella. The way he looked at her, with a mixture of curiosity and familiarity, sparked a realization in Sophia.
She turned back to Isabella, her eyes widening with understanding. "Wait a minute...," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's him, isn't it? Your last blind date?"
Isabella's expression turned sheepish, and she nodded slightly, confirming Sophia's suspicion.
Sophia's eyes darted back to Ethan, taking in the sight of him in a wheelchair. She couldn't believe that the arrogant, condescending man Isabella had described was the same person sitting across from them.
With this new understanding, Sophia's conversation with Isabella took on a different tone. She was more subdued, glancing occasionally at Ethan, who continued to watch them with interest. Isabella, too, seemed more aware of Ethan's presence, her responses to Sophia's questions laced with a hint of tension.Ethan told James, "Let's get out of here," and James nodded, escorting him out of the cafeteria. As they left, Ethan was already formulating a plan to uncover more about Isabella.
Once they arrived at Ethan's room, he turned to James and instructed, "Get me all the information you can find about that girl. I want to know everything."
James raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Ethan's sudden interest. "Alright, but what's so special about her?"
Ethan's expression turned intense. "I'll know it when I see it. Just get me everything."
James nodded and began tapping away on his phone, starting his investigation into Isabella's life. Ethan, meanwhile, sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance, his mind racing with possibilities.Sophia's expression turned serious, but then she seemed to shake off the concern. "Anyway, enough about Ethan. I have more important things to worry about, like my job interview today."
Isabella's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, yeah! You're interviewing at Smith & Co., right? What department are you applying to again?"
Sophia nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I'm applying for an internship in their marketing department. I've always been interested in marketing, and I think this would be a great opportunity to learn from the best."
Isabella smiled encouragingly. "You'll do great, Sophia! You're perfect for the job. What time is your interview?"
Sophia glanced at her watch. "It's in an hour. I should probably get going soon. Wish me luck!"
Isabella grinned. "Good luck, Sophia! You're going to nail it. And don't worry about Ethan, he's not worth your time."
Sophia smiled and stood up, gathering her things. "Thanks, Isabella. I'll talk to you later and let you know how it goes."