Chapter 39 Slowly falling

Rachel's POV

My head jerked to the side as I heard the bushes rustling. A man and woman emerged from behind the foliage, their clothes disheveled. The woman's garments were ruffled and slightly torn, while the man struggled to put on his pants as they took in the scene before them.

"Em..." The woman's eyes met mine, and she gasped in surprise.

"Oh... Sorry, we didn't know anyone was here... Er... We'll just leave," the man said, holding the woman's hand and quickly leading her away from us.

I recognized the woman as one of Olivia's assistants, who always accompanied her everywhere.

After they departed, I turned my attention back to Ethan, finding him staring at me.

The moment we shared had vanished, replaced by awkwardness.

"Ahem... Okay, I believe you" I said, attempting to dispel the uncomfortable atmosphere taking a step back.

Ethan took a few steps back, scratching his neck nervously. We both kept silent enjoying the cool night breeze in the garden.

"The dress looks good on you," he complimented sizing me up, breaking the silence.

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks at his words, and I looked away, trying to compose myself. "Thanks," I muttered, my voice barely audible.

Ethan took another step back, his eyes still fixed on me. "Rachel, I.."

But I cut him off, with a smile.

"It's alright. Thanks for showing up. David was really getting out of line, I don't know what I would have done... No, I meant what he would have done to me if you hadn't shown up ". I said with a chuckle remembering the hot slap I gave him.

"Yeah, about that... When did you get do bold?". He asked joining me in my laughter.

I had no idea. I just got so mad, that I didn't even know when I walked over there until my hands touched his face.

" I don't know. Maybe staying in the same room with Marina for a month made some of her boldness rub off on me".

" Yeah... I think it's true. But seriously though, she needs to tame her tongue, her face almost got disfigured today" He said as he began walking around the garden, I followed closely beside him".

" Does that mean I should also tame my tongue? " I joked, but Ethan suddenly stopped walking before looking at me.

" That doesn't apply to you, you can do anything you want without being afraid of anybody, my woman shouldn't be so scared".

He said it with such a serious expression that I felt how sincere he was.

Why does he keep doing this?

I gulped diverting my eyesight from his piercing blue ones. My face in a bright face of pink.

"By the way... Who was your friend?" I asked as I resumed the walk. Ethan jogged up to me until he was right beside me and we were walking side my side.

"Mark? He's my best friend, but he'll say, my only friend, and my personal assistant ".

I nodded.

" What's his relationship with the Old Walker? "I asked and he looked up to me in surprise.

I could see the question in his eyes ' How did you know '

I rolled my eyes.

" Don't look at me like that, I saw the both of them talking before David showed up".

" Clever. His full name is Mark Walker... "My eyes widened.

Don't tell me.

" He's Fredrick Walker only grandson". He completed.

A huge smile came to my lips.

Perfect... The guy was just perfect for Marina.

"What's with the smile on your face, don't tell me that you like him". Ethan groaned.

I chuckled. Was he jealous?

" Are you jealous? "

"No? Why would I be?" He said in a low voice.

He sounded jealous.

The thought that Ethan could possibly be jealous brought a smile on my face. I tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ears.

" It's for Marina, I want to set them up".

Ethan paused abruptly before looking at me.

"What?".

" Yeah... I saw the way he protected her back there, and the way she was looking at him... Adding the fact that she's single, I just thought why not". I shrugged.

I suddenly realized that I was missing one fact.

" Or is Mark not single? " I said with a dramatic tone, maybe over dramatic because Ethan rolled his eyes.

" He is, but he and Marina..." He left his sentence incomplete but I understood what he wanted to say.

Marina was kind and loving, but she was also hit headed and sharp mouthed, while Mark looked like a cool guy who rarely got mad.

It would be like combining fire and ice, but I was determined. How hard could it be? There was already a spark between them, I could see it, all they needed was a little push.

" I get it. But it's a try, I can't be the only one in a relationship... even though it's fake". I nodged his shoulder as I chuckled.

This was the most relaxed I had felt in a long time, even after the stunt David pulled, and that was because Ethan was there.

He had gradually found a way to eliminate all my sorrows one my one even without noticing it.

I stared at his handsome face as we walked getting completely lost in it. The face that had been in my dreams constantly for past few days.

What was he even doing here?

"Ethan... What are you doing here?"

He paused to look at me and I immediately diverted my gaze from his face to look elsewhere.

"Huh?"

I had said that without thinking.

I took a long breath to calm myself... As far it wasn't a stupid question I asked.

" I... Em... I asked why you're here. You didn't tell me you were coming to England, I would've personally picked you up from the airport".

" I was invited to this event, plus I wanted to surprise you". He answered slowly tilting his head.

He was invited?

The Walker's are one of the top families in England, how powerful was he to be able to secure an invitation to this party?

But nevertheless, I was still glad to see his face again.

" I'm glad you came". I unconsciously muttered.

"What? "

Holy shit! Did I say that out loud? Why was my brain no longer working.

" Nothing, I didn't say anything " I denied looking elsewhere but at his gorgeous face.

" Okay..." He smiled showing his pearly white teeth.

" I'm glad I came too" I heard him mutter.

God, he heard me!

Now this just made the once peaceful atmosphere, weird, for me!

Think of something to say Rachel... Think, think, think...

Ah, yes.

I paused again, looking straight at him, this time not in adoration, but because I wanted to see the emotion in his eyes when he answers this question.

" You were invited to this event, how's that possible? Who really are you Ethan Wright?" Ethan eyes caught mine and we stared at each other for what seemed like eternity.

Ethan leaned in, and my heart beat raced.

Could he possibly want to...

" There you are... Oh, Rachel". I quickly broke my gaze on Ethan to look at the intruder.

It was Jake's mother, Hannah and Olivia?