Chapter Fourteen: A Moment of Reflection
As Ethan sat in the hospital cafeteria one afternoon, he found himself staring out the window, lost in thought. The bustling world outside seemed so distant, yet so vibrant. His gaze wandered until it landed on Sophie, who was walking through the parking lot, her elegant figure highlighted by the sunlight.
In that moment, his heart skipped a beat.
She's like luxury, he mused, watching her effortlessly command the attention of everyone around her. A luxury that I couldn't have.
Her designer outfit flowed as she walked, exuding confidence and grace. The way she interacted with the staff, always with a smile and a genuine interest in their well-being, made her seem even more radiant.
Pretty beyond the universe, he continued, captivated by the way she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, laughing at something her assistant said. A universe that everyone dreams to see...
Ethan felt a pang of longing, a bittersweet ache that stirred within him. She was everything he admired—intelligent, ambitious, and stunningly beautiful. Yet, there was a sense of distance between them, a barrier he couldn't quite cross.
Why would someone like her ever be interested in a guy like me? he thought, a mixture of hope and doubt swirling in his mind. He was just a surgeon, still climbing the ranks, while she was the President of one of the most powerful companies in the country.
With a sigh, Ethan picked up his coffee, the warmth of the cup grounding him in reality. He wanted to bridge that gap, to show her he was more than just a doctor. But at that moment, he felt like a mere spectator in her luxurious world, wondering if he'd ever be more than a passing thought in her busy life.
He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts aside. Just be yourself, he reminded himself. Maybe someday she'll see you for who you truly are.
With that, he took a deep breath and returned to his meal, hoping that his feelings wouldn't remain unspoken for too long.
The next day, Ethan was seated comfortably in Sophie's office, surrounded by her lavish decor but focusing intently on his assignments. He felt at ease in her space, even as she lounged on her desk, playfully critiquing his choice of location.
"Do you really have to do it here? It's an eyesore. I don't like homework," she teased, tossing her hair back with a smirk.
"Eh, says the top student," he shot back, a grin spreading across his face. Ethan caught her stealing glances at him, and each time, it filled him with a sense of relief. She didn't find him annoying; in fact, she seemed to enjoy his presence, even if she'd never admit it.
Just then, Ethan's phone buzzed, breaking the comfortable silence. It was his friend, and he answered confidently, putting it on speaker, thinking nothing of it.
"Ethan? Where are you? Have you forgotten the blind date?" his friend blurted out.
Ethan's heart dropped. "Oh shit…" he muttered, panic rising. Before he could hang up, Sophie snatched the phone from his hands, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Wait, when did she—?" he thought, watching helplessly as she brought the phone to her ear.
"Oh hell nah, I'm dead meat," he mentally kicked himself.
"Blind date, huh? I'm his girlfriend. Can I come?" Sophie replied casually, a playful tone dancing in her voice.
Ethan's eyes widened in shock. Did she just say she was his girlfriend? A warmth spread through him, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
"Wait, you're his girlfriend?" his friend's voice came through the phone, incredulous. "No wonder he seemed gay! If that's it, then we can just cancel it. BUT FOR REAL THOUGHT, WHY DIDN'T HE SAY HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND? WE REALLY THOUGHT HE'S GAY!"
Sophie moved the phone away from her face, bursting into laughter at her friend's pitchy frustration. Ethan managed to wrestle the phone back, his cheeks flushed from embarrassment and something else—something that felt alarmingly like happiness.
"What was that?" he asked, trying to regain his composure as he hung up, still processing her words.
Sophie continued to giggle, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd created. "You know, if you're going to have a blind date, you might as well mention that you've got a girlfriend."
Ethan, still in a slight daze, finally mustered the courage to say, "W-well, I didn't want to make you in an uncomfortable position.. But now, I guess it's official then. I'm yours, right?"
Sophie raised an eyebrow, her laughter subsiding into a teasing smile. "Yep~! Haha"