Chapter 40 We're like strangers

Rachel's POV

What were they doing together? "Rachel, you're here!" Hannah exclaimed with a smile. She looked happy to see me, but I couldn't say the same for Olivia. She was glaring at me like she had been doing for weeks. What did I do to her?

Hannah walked over to Ethan and gave him a hug. I stared at them in shock and anger. "Ethan..." He had a broad smile on his face, matching Hannah's, as he hugged her back.

"Ahem..." I coughed, distracting them.

This better not be what I was thinking. Could Ethan and Hannah be together? No, no, no. I felt my stomach churn at the possibility. But if they were together, Ethan wouldn't display his affection for her in front of me, right? Even if we were in a fake relationship, he wasn't allowed to have a girlfriend, let alone a wife.

I forced a smile and hugged Ethan's shoulder lovingly. "Babe? How do you know her?" I asked in my most loving voice.

Olivia's glare intensified. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under by now. I was also surprised at how naturally the word "babe" came out of my lips. It was so natural, like we were in a real relationship.

I saw a hint of amusement in Ethan's eyes as he pulled away from Hannah and stared at me.

What was funny? Did he think this was funny?

"It's alright, Rachel. Er... My full name is Hannah Wright, I'm Ethan's sister," Hannah explained.

My smile faltered, and a look of surprise appeared on my face. I blinked, looking between Ethan and Hannah.

She was his sister? No, the question should be, Ethan has a sister? I really don't know anything about him.

I looked towards Ethan for an explanation, but Hannah interrupted him. "And this is my best friend, Olivia. But I'm sure you know each other already, since you're both actresses in the movie they're shooting."

Olivia walked forward, hitting our clasped hands, and hugging Ethan tightly. What the hell is she doing? "I've missed you so much."

I blinked again in disbelief. Ethan gently pushed her off him, holding her shoulders to stabilize her. "Er... Yeah, Olivia, my girlfriend is here."

My heart skipped a beat when I heard Ethan call me his girlfriend, but I managed to keep the smile until Olivia took a step back from Ethan and went back to stand beside Hannah, who glared at her.

I needed to know what was going on here. "Ethan, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" I asked, biting my lips to hold in my jealousy.

I dragged Ethan away from the two ladies and into a secluded part of the garden. "Explain."

I placed both my hands on my hips. Ethan sighed "When you told me you had to travel to England for the movie, I got worried, so I called my sister, whose son is also in the movie, to look after you. But I guess she wasn't doing a good job since I saw..." He said but I was no longer listening

But I wasn't listening. He had someone watch me? "You were having me watched?" I asked in disbelief.

Ethan sighed. "Rachel, it's not like that. I just wanted to make sure Lana doesn't try anything stupid."

I shook my head at him. I just realized something - I don't know this man. He had a sister! A fucking sister, and I knew nothing about it. What would I find out about next? That he had a wife? And worse, he had children! Because how could a man be as handsome as he was and not already be committed?

Thinking about it, I remembered when Olivia's attitude changed towards me - the day I mentioned Ethan's name to her. And her attitude just now showed that she knew him.

"Rachel, why are you so silent? Please say something," Ethan pleaded.

I looked up to meet his eyes. "I'm just thinking."

"Thinking about what?" he asked.

I scoffed. "About how I don't know you."

Ethan's expression turned defensive. "Rachel,"

I shook my head holding my hand up so he would let me finish " it's true. Like what happened with David earlier. You told him to leave or else you would make him, and then here, a few minutes ago, you said you were invited to this party, and now with Olivia..."

"There's nothing going on between me and Olivia," Ethan interrupted, shaking his head.

Oh, thank God... I sighed in relief. But was he telling the truth? Olivia wasn't acting like they had nothing between them. How did he even know her? Why didn't he tell her? A lot of questions spiraled through my head as I thought about how many things Ethan had kept from me.

He knew everything about me, but yet he was still like a stranger to me

"...he was still like a stranger to me. I knew next to nothing about him. 'Rachel, come on, say something, yell at me for not telling you about my sister... Just say something,' Ethan pleaded, holding my hands.

I looked up to Ethan. I couldn't yell at him. As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't. I didn't have the right since I was not his real girlfriend.

But we had to fix this thing about me not knowing anything about him. It would be a great disadvantage if Lana or worse David finds out. They would immediately uncover that it was a fake relationship, and all my plans for revenge would be ruined.

Ethan took a step forward towards me. "Rachel, I..."

But I cut him off, not ready to hear what he had to say. "Ethan, I think we've talked enough for today."I wanted to just go back home and think. I had so many questions for him, but I couldn't just start asking one at a time like that... I would sound too inquisitive, and jealous since most of my questions would be about Olivia.

He nodded, his expression understanding. "Okay, I get it. But can I ask one more thing?" I hesitated, but my curiosity got the better of me. "What is it?"

Ethan's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze intense. "Will you meet me again? Tomorrow, maybe? We can talk more, and I can explain some things"

My heart skipped a beat at his request. Yes, yes, yes!

That would be perfect. By tomorrow, I would be more composed, and I was about to ask him to meet me tomorrow since the director gave us an off day, but he just asked.

I immediately wanted to nod my head in agreement, but I didn't want to come out as desperate, so I removed my hands from his and placed a finger on my chin as if I was thinking. "I'll think about it,"I said finally, my voice neutral.

Ethan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Ok, I'll pick you up tomorrow at your hotel, and then I'll answer all your questions about me." Ethan took another step back, his eyes still fixed on me.

"So, shall we get back to my sister and her friend?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Seriously, what is so funny? I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, let's get back to it."

A small smile appeared on his face, and he offered me his arm. "Shall we, babe?"My heart skipped another beat. I hesitated for a moment before taking his arm, feeling a spark of electricity as our skin touched. "Let's do this."