Chapter 52 I own the garden

Rachel's POV

I opened my mouth in shock as I stared at the disconnected phone. Why did Marina sound so agitated over the phone? What was going on?

"Rachel's what's wrong?" Ethan asked with worry etched on his face.

Argh... I would hate to do this now, but Marina sounded really urgent.

I stood up abruptly, picking my bag from the bench before looking back at Ethan, who was already off the bench.

"I have to go." The moment I said that a small pout appeared on Ethan's lips before it disappeared and turned into a frown. "Why? What happened?" He asked walking closer.

"Marina just called, and she sounded urgent. I have to see what's going on." I said biting my lower lips.

The Marina I knew would never disturb me when she knew I was with Ethan for two reasons: one, it's either she was busy or two, as from yesterday, she was still feeling guilty towards him, so now that she called, it had to be important.

"I'm sorry for leaving like this, especially since you're the one who cleared your schedule for me." I said lowering my eyes in embarrassment.

I was the one gaining out of this conversation, yet I was also the one leaving abruptly. Marina better have a good reason, or else...

" It's alright, let's go; I'll take you back." He said with a nod as he led me back to where he parked his car.

A smile appeared on my lips in appreciation. But wait a second, he brought me here, so it was his obligation to take me back to the hotel right? Then why were they so smiling like this?

My smile immediately disappeared when I felt Ethan staring at me funny... No, no, no... Did I say that out loud?

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment as I hopped on the passenger seat using the door that he had opened for me.

He was such a gentleman. Really, his girlfriend... Well, a soon-to-be real girlfriend would be very lucky because there was no way the lady would reject him.

"Oh, Ethan the way, the garden really is nice. It's like a breath of fresh air." I complimented, looking out the window as we drove out of the garden. Ethan was saying something, but the view of the garden was too beautiful, I couldn't hear him clearly.

I would definitely miss this place; it was so beautiful, magical, and mystical, and... Wait a second, did Ethan just say he owned this?

I jerked my head towards him, looking at him in surprise. "What did you just say?"

I heard what he had just said but not very clearly, but it was impossible, right?

"I said I'm glad you like the garden?" Ethan repeated skeptically.

That was not it. I shook my head, giving Ethan my full attention. "No, not that. What you said after that."

"Er... That I wonder what could be wrong with Marina?" He asked again, keeping his eyes on the road.

No! This was so frustrating...

"Not that, what you said before that!" I groaned.

"Oh, that's why I own it?"

My eyes widened. He did say it.

"You own the garden?" I asked in disbelief.

Why do I keep getting shocked the more I find out that Ethan is richer than I thought? I should be used to this by now!

Ethan nodded his eyes still on the road.

"Yeah, I designed it two years ago, and it only got finished a year ago. So yes, I own it." Ethan said in a cool voice as if he was reading the news or something.

I shook my head.

Rachel, you really have to stop getting surprised.

Like why the hell was I still surprise about whatever I found out about him? His transformation from Google glasses Ethan to this packed ripped Ethan Wright should have been the killer.

I took in a long breath to calm myself before looking out of the window again; we were out of the garden already and on the road.

"So are you like a designer?" I said nonchalantly, but my ears were up, ready to hear his answer.

"Not really; I dabble in a lot of things; designing is just one of them." Came his curt answer.

Dabble? So designing a garden that beautiful was just him dabbling?

I knew he was smart, but this was on another level.

Who was this guy?

I shifted in my seat so I could face him.

"So, what do you do?...no that's not the question," I paused for a second to reprase my question, then continued. "What's can't you do?" I asked playing with a strand of my hair that had fallen from the high ponytail I tied my hair in.

"Em... Well, I'll tell you that, when next me meet." Immediately he said the the car came to a stop.

We're here already?

I looked out the window to see an agitated Marina running straight to Ethan's car. Before I could say anything, she was already knocking on my window. The glass was tinted on the outside so I could bet she couldn't see me, but why did she have a look on that she could?

I looked back at Ethan, not ready to let him go without his answer to my question, but then my door opened, and I was staring face-to-face with Marina.

"Hey, didn't you see me knocking?" She scolded dragging me down from the car. "Wait... Ethan?"

"Next time." I heard him mutter before Marina completely dragged me down from the car, and thankfully, I landed on my feet in my white sneakers.

Ever since Lana completely ruined my life, I no longer wore high heels everywhere like I owned the world, because I knew I didn't anymore... Not like I did before but, the feeling of having everything disappeared.

That was when I discovered sneakers. They were easier to walk in, and better, they were comfy, so I've been wearing either sandals or sneakers, even the role I was playing, Agnes, mostly more sandals, so it was perfect. If not for the parties and the gala's I've been attending for the last few weeks, I haven't worn a heel in almost two months, which was really something for me.

"Rachel, are you even listening to me?" Marina asked snapping her fingers in front of my face as we walked into the hotel.

"Yeah, yeah... Take that off." I shrugged pushing her fingers off my face. "Now, what was so urgent that you had to call me in the middle of my..." I paused thinking of what I should call it.

It was not a date, right? Most of the dates I've been on included fancy restaurants or huge cinema houses with less amount of people since my date always booked the entire hall.

Ethan took me to a garden, though not crowded, but there were people all the same; there was no fancy food or serious conversation; it was just...

I shook my head. There was no word to qualify it, so we'll just call it a date. Hopefully, he never heard about it.

"Date?" Marina said before the word could come out of my lips.

Well, at least I wasn't the one who called it that.

"Yes. Why did you call? And why did you sound so worried?"

Marina didn't answer until we arrived at the elevator and the door came to a shut.

"I overheard Lana and Olivia talking about something." She whispered after a while.

Huh? Why was she she whispering?

"Why are you whispering? We are in an elevator. And what did you hear them say to each other?" I asked curiously.

Marina shook her head, her tone back to being agitated. "I wasn't able to grasp it; the only thing I heard was when Olivia said to Lana that someone had offended her and she must pay." She said her breathing was uneven.